A Growing Family

Wow...I can't believe we've updated our blog twice in one week! That might not ever happen again. The Griffith family has had a VERY busy week. As many of you know, my parents have been in the process of adopting a little boy from Haiti for nearly two years. Well, after many answered prayers, road bumps, and tested patience, Samuel has come home! My parents flew to Port Au Prince last Tuesday to pick him up at the embassy and they returned home on Wednesday with our new brother! Mom, Dad, and Samuel were greeted at the airport by many anxious family and friends. I can only imagine what was going through Samuel's head...he has gone from the poorest country in the western hemisphere to the United States in a day. I think it's safe to say that his life has changed slightly!

For those of you who don't know, Samuel was found naked drinking water out of a ditch behind the orphanage in Haiti in 2006. He had been abandoned by his parents and left on the streets of Cap Haitian. We thank God that the Cap Haitian Children's Home decided to take him in. My dad met Samuel at the orphanage while on a mission trip with our church in 2006 and was immediately drawn to Samuel's contagious smile and energy. He knows little English, but understands the language much better than he speaks it. He has enjoyed many luxuries for the first time...air conditioning, a bubble bath, riding a bicycle, and chocolate chip cookies just to name a few. He even had his first soccer game on Tuesday...and he scored a goal! We are so excited to have Samuel as a part of our family and look forward to watching him grow up! Our family thanks everyone for their many, many prayers during the adopting process. We know that there will be bumps in the road during Samuel's transition into American life, so Mom and Dad continue to ask for your prayers.

Ward, Tilly, and Samuel on the plane back to Nashville

Samuel and his new family.
It was past Brittney and Logan's bedtime
since their plane didn't land until midnight!

Logan and Uncle Samuel

As if getting a new brother wasn't enough action for one week...we also have a new sister-in-law! Cole and Audra were married on Saturday at Audra's parent's farm in Franklin. We were very nervous because of all the rain, but somehow it held off! Uncle Cole looked so handsome and Aunt Audra looked absolutely beautiful! We are especially happy for Audra because she has always dreamed of getting married outside at her farm and I'm sure she didn't want to get married in the barn (that was the back-up plan if it rained). The ceremony was beautiful and we are very excited to have yet another member of our family! Cole and Audra were also elated that Samuel got to be a part of the wedding, and I must say they he looked pretty sharp in his little suit. It has been a very busy (but exciting) couple of months with the birth of Logan, Samuel's adoption, and the wedding...but we feel so blessed that God has added these special pieces to our family. We wouldn't trade it for the world!

Samuel and the Groom...don't they look sharp!

Samuel and Aunt Audra

Samuel and Brittney

Samuel and Tori were friends at first sight!

Samuel and Tori...what a cute picture!

The Wedding Party

The New (and Improved) Griffith Family


Logan had enough partying for one night!

Logan's First Trip to Gigi & Grumpy's

Two weeks ago we made our first road trip since Logan was born. We went to see Gigi and Grumpy and Aunt Cayce and Uncle Jason and Aunt Lindsey and Crazy Uncle Brad. Aunt Caryn rode with us, so the WHOLE family was together. It was so nice to have everyone together since it doesn't happen very often! It was also a special trip because we took Logan to see her Great Great Uncle Wayne. Uncle Wayne just turned 95 years old! What he is lacking in hearing and seeing, he more than makes up for with a sharp mind and witty humor. He is truly a great example of the hard working American man that made this country great so many years ago. He gave Logan and Cousin Preston a piggy bank and gives them a dollar each time they visit him. Logan also made her first appearance at church. Gigi and Mom loved showing her (and her new outfit) off to everyone!

Wayne loved holding Logan and Preston

Gigi and Grumpy are proud of their grandkids!

Look at my cute church outfit!

Logan and Aunt Lindsey

Logan and Aunt Cayce

The proud Moms and their babies

Our Family after Logan's first church service

Belated Easter Pictures

I know Easter is long gone, but it's never too late to share some memories of Logan's first Easter. The Easter Bunny (Tilly and Gigi) came and left her some goodies! Bunny Tilly got Logan a couple of stuffed bunny toys and her first Bible...although Logan proceeded to slap her new Bible and then start crying (we hope this isn't a continuing trend). But we all got a good laugh out of it. Bunny Gigi got Logan a stuffed bunny that is so soft and a new book. Logan loves her new toys...can't you tell by the pictures? She can't wait to hunt eggs next year. We were also excited that she got to wear her new Easter outfits, especially her bunny bloomers that Aunt Lindsey made for her.

It was great to get together with loved ones to celebrate Easter and eat a delicious meal. We went to Ward and Tilli's for lunch. Uncle Cole, Aunt Audra, Mr. and Mrs. Ennis, Aunt Caryn, Great-Aunt Carole, and Cousin Jay all joined us for lunch.

Logan's First Easter Basket...Doesn't she look excited?

Aunt Lindsey made me these cute bunny bloomers

Gigi gave Logan her new bunny friend. They are already good pals.

Tilli and "Snoozin" Logan after a delicious Easter lunch.

Logan's Dr. Appointment and One-Month Pictures

It's hard to believe that it's already been one month! She's already changing so fast. We went back to Dr. Christopherson today (Logan's Orthopedic doctor) for her weekly checkup. We (and lots of others) have been praying so hard that God would heal her hip dysplasia. Well, Logan's hips have "tightened" and are no longer coming out of socket! However, Dr. Christopherson wants to keep Logan in her harness for another six weeks for precautionary reasons to make sure her femurs are completely "set" in the hip socket. This came as a bit of a shock to Mom and Dad because we thought the harness would be gone after her hip joints tightened, and that she'd be able to get rid of the harness today. We had no idea that it would be another six weeks, but we're trying to keep things on a positive note. Mom and Dad realize that Logan is on God's schedule...not ours. We are so thankful that her hip sockets have tightened and I'm sure the six weeks will go by fast. We continue to ask for your prayers that Logan's hip dysplasia will keep improving day-by-day.

Brittney's Aunt Karen came over on Sunday afternoon to take some pictures. Karen was so gracious to volunteer her time and she is so talented! Logan also thanks Aunt Lindsey for making her beautiful dresses! Here are a few of Karen's pics...

Crazy Faces

Even though she's only a few weeks old and she doesn't walk or talk...I think we could sit and watch Logan's facial expressions all day long. She's a smart one too! She was sucking on her fingers the moment she came out and she immediately figured out how to take off her mittens and her hat (it's pretty funny to watch her pull off this maneuver). Logan is also an escape-artist who has figured out how to get out of her swaddle...even when she's wrapped really tight! She always wants her hands right next to her face and is often seen with her finger either in her mouth, her ear, or her eyeball and she loves to "peek" with one eye open. She also has an innate ability to make Mom and Dad do whatever she wants! Here are some of our favorite expressions...

I'm all wrapped up like a little burrito and I'm about the size of a Baja Burrito (Mom's favorite restaurant!) Welcome to Baja Burrito...Chicken or Steak?

Family Ties

We can't thank our families enough for all the help they've given us so far, and for all the support we'll recieve in the future. It is so great to know that everyone in our family will always be there for us and Logan! Our friends and family have made the transition to parenthood that much smoother...between all the delicious meals, gifts, diaper changes, and good company, it makes us realize just how blessed we really are to have everyone in our lives! With Logan being the first grandchild on Dad's side and the second on Mom's side (by a slim margin...Brittney's sister, Lindsey, had her baby boy five days before Logan arrived), it was safe to say that everyone was a little excited for her arrival.

Gigi and Logan all snuggled up

Logan cuddling with Tilli (We're still debating how to spell Tilli, pronounced "Till-eee", so any suggestions are apprectiated.)

Logan and Ward

Logan and Grumpy

Uncle Cole and "soon to be" Aunt Audra

Aunt Caryn

We were so glad that Uncle Brad, Aunt Lindsey, Uncle Jason, and Aunt Cayce got to come see Logan. They couldn't make it to the birth, since Lindsey somehow had a "prior obligation". So they all made the trec up to Nashville form Birmingham so that Logan could meet her new cousin Preston! It was great to see them, even if it wasn't for very long.

Aunt Lindsey

Aunt Cayce (with Preston) and Uncle Jason (with Logan)

Daddy Brad and Daddy Matthew with their little ones

Long Time Coming

We've been meaning to start a blog for a while now, but a few things have kept us a little busy lately (babies and such). Logan Avery Griffith was born on February 25th at 4:32 pm (2 1/2 weeks early). She weighed 7 lbs. 4 oz. and was 20 inches long. Dr. Morgan told us that if we'd have waited until the due date, Logan would probably have easily been 9 lbs! Mom is VERY glad God sent her a little early! Praise God that Logan's kidney's are functioning normal! She had dilated kidneys throughout our ultrasounds, which kept us worried a little bit.

However, Logan does have bilateral hip dysplasia which basically means her tendons are stretched around her femurs and causes her femur to dislocate from her hip socket. I know it sounds painful, but apparently babies are so "pliable" that they don't feel it at all. So our orthopedic doctor put her in a Pavlic Harness to correct the dysplasia. Mom and Dad were both kind of freaked out at first, but Logan doesn't mind the harness one bit! In fact, she may even like it. Studies show that if the dysplasia is caught while a child is a newborn, then the harness corrects it 90-95% of the time. Dr. Christopherson, our orthopedic doctor, told us that if it's not corrected in a month, then they will put Logan in a hard cast for a while. We're really hoping this isn't the case, but at least they caught the displaysia early! Mom and Dad both feel much better about the situation after hearing from several people that either they or someone else they know had hip dysplasia and they are all perfectly fine and healthy! So please pray that her hips are corrected!!!

Otherwise, our angel is doing great...just eating, pooping, sleeping, and watching NCAA March Madness with her dad. We look forward to keeping everyone updated on our adventures!

Mom, Dad, and Logan - Our angel has arrived!

My Coming Home Outfit...Look at all my hair!


My paci got stuck on my fingers...Mom and Dad thought it was hilarious!

Logan in her car seat...Can my paci be any bigger?