Our first six months together

Well, after seeing these linked on several other blogs, I thought I'd give it a try. I'm not sure why because I already spent way toooo many hours online tonight (ordering FREE holiday photo cards and FREE address labels), but I figured since I was already playing with some pictures, I might as well give it a shot. (And in the theme of things, it was free too.)

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Also, I'm sure you have noticed this, but I will finally admit it: I am not a blogger, at least a regular, consistent, entertaining, blogger. I will probably never be and I really have no aspiration to ever be. Sorry. I will try to (randomly) post updates on our life and our cute little girl, but please don't be disappointed if you check this blog often and find nothing new. or exciting. that's just me.

They grow up so fast!

It's always amazing to me how quickly tomorrows become yesterdays.

Our sweet little Maya is six weeks old today. The one month milestone came and went and all of a sudden it's two weeks later.

Maya is continually finding new ways to challenge our budding parenting skills and right when we think we have it figured out she changes things up. Last night we fed her and played with her for a little bit and then put her down for her normal 2 hour nap. A half hour into our alotted sanity restoration period, Maya woke up screaming bloody murder, this wasn't a normal feed me cry or I'm fussy pick me up and spoil me cry. No, this sounded like something was hurting her. We went through the checklist, hungry-nope we just fed her, diaper-clean as a whistle, fussy-no amount of holding, talking, or singing was calming this little human down, needs to sleep-not happening.

Finally we came to the conclusion that maybe she was sick (she has had a runny nose the last few days). (I forgot to mention this whole time we are at our friend's (Mike and Renee) home.) So Patty drove to the local grocery store to get a thermometer, thinking she possible had a fever. While she was paying the exhorberant mark up put on medical supplies simply by adding the word "baby" I walked the floor with Maya. This is my default setting to comfort Maya - assume the football hold and walk, works every time, except this one.

At this point an 8 lb infant has a grown man near tears. I had no clue what to do and then Maya started sucking on my knuckle and all went quiet. All I could think was she just ate a full feeding she can't be hungry. I quickly made a bottle and fed her and she ate another normal full feeding and went straight to sleep. Some quick internet research showed us that around 6 weeks babies hit a growth spurt and this behavior is completley normal.

Welcome to parenthood. I thought getting married was a big life change. Having a child makes that change seem as natural as breathing. At the same time I wouldn't trade this little girl for anything! She has this dad wrapped around each and everyone of her fingers. We have been so blessed and we are so thankful for our supportive friends and families. We appreciate all that has been done for us and for your prayers.





Just some other updates and things in our lives we would love for you to pray for.

• We only have two home visits left before the adoption is finalized
• I (Phil) am still looking for a job. I have applied for a position that opened at Logan High School in La Crosse. This is my ideal position and I would love to be able to teach in La Crosse.
• We're traveling over the next week in a half, pray safety and sanity
• Pray for Maya's continued good health and development
• Pray for Maya's birthmom as she transitions back to her normal life.

Phil, Patty and Maya

(Sorry for the infrequent blog posts. We do try to post more frequent picture updates here)

Mayaaaaheee Mayaaahu Mayahaha

We are delighted to announce the arrival of our daughter:
Maya Kristine Ottum

Born (via her birth mom) on June 10, 2009 at 2:33 am
7 lbs, 3 ounces, 19 inches long

She is very healthy and we are so in love with our little bundle of joy! To say God is good is an understatement, God is incredible and He can truly make all things glorious! We love you all and hope to see you sometime in the near future.
Keep an eye out for more updates on (we've been kinda busy so give us a few days)
Our picture site: http://picasaweb.google.com/pattyottum


ADDITIONAL REQUEST: Please DO NOT post any photos or wall posts on Facebook to protect the privacy of Maya’s birthmom (private messages work just as well). Also, please keep us, and Maya's birth mom in your prayers over the next few months while we wait for the adoption to be finalized.

Love,
Phil, Patty and Maya Ottum

Home

June 6th, 2009

That's four weeks from today. That's also the day I get to say goodbye to El Paso. El Paso has been an amazing place to live over the last two years and we have been incredible blessed so many ways. I really love my job here and I have been able to work with some wonderful colleagues and teach some great kids. The Lord has also put some great people in our life throughout the last two years. He's used this time to teach us. He taught me I am capable of a lot more than I believed. He's taught me that there is too much to learn to ever stop learning. He's taught me that where ever we go he's there to care for us and the most important thing,money is nice, a good job can provide some satisfaction but none of that compares to home. I've realized over the last two years how important family is and how much I miss the rolling green hills and valleys of SW Wisconsin. So on June 6th, 2009 I will bid adios to El Paso and drive back to Wisconsin and back to my family, my friends and my home. That said, this is going to be the longest 4 weeks of my life. ~Phil

Baby Update!

I just got back from the mailbox and opened an envelope mailed from the Siler house. Inside I found a few ultrasound pictures and my first thought was, "OH MY GOODNESS! My mom is pregnant and THIS is how she is telling us!"

After looking at the pictures more closely, I realized that these are pictures of "our" little baby girl! *tear
She is due June 6th, though they think she may come earlier. We still have alot to figure out with all the legal stuff, but we are getting mor excited the closer we get! Please keep us all (baby and birthmom included!) in your prayers that we would trust the Lord and lean on Him through this process!

e

Photo updates!

We had a great time with exploring the Pacific Northwest with Ray and Kel & Steve and Kari!

Check out our picasa site for photos!
Portland/Vancouver
Salem/Coast

Thanks guys for your awesome hospitality!

Sweet Craigslist deals!

(I know I am late in posting a recap -complete with lots of photos- of our trip to Oregon/Washington/Vancouver, but I was just too excited to wait on posting the following deals! Sorry, I will post some trip photos soon!)

Now, on to the other fun stuff... I've been seeking/scouring/researching baby stuff on Craigslist (and a few other online sources) the past few weeks and was excited to recently find a great deal on a Pack & Play and jogging stroller! So, tonight after Phil got home (I don't really feel comfortable going to some strangers home alone), I had lined up appointments to check out these deals.

After two quick visits, we were both very pleased with the deals we brought home!

Graco Pack & Play, used, but in excellent shape for a whopping $15! (Retails $70+)

















Bob Revolution Stroller, also in excellent shape for a steal of $100 (compared to retail of $389+).

















These, along with all the diapers I've snagged for pretty cheap (about $22 for everything in the picture below), are getting both of us pretty excited for the next few months and what the Lord has in store for us!