Oh Happy Day

OK, so I am really not good at being reserved. But there is just something about waking up the day after you have signed your Commitment Letter to a birthmother, and you know that it's only a matter of time before the house is filled! So to kick off my day, I did a little shopping at Barnes & Noble. Thank goodness I never use gift cards because they were piled up and it all went to children's books.

I would like to thank Adoptive Families magazine for wonderful recommendations on adoption stories, like "Over the Moon." And of course I bought some of my old favorites, like "If You Give A Mouse A Cookie," "Goodnight Moon," and some Dr. Seuss books. Of course I forgot hubby's fave, "Where the Wild Things Are" so I'll be heading back in no time. Let the fun begin!

It's A Roller Coaster Over Here!

So my sibling case that seemed destined for failure on Friday took quite a turn over the weekend! We are back on, and it looks like all is in our favor now...we are preparing to go pick up the kids in mid-August!

It's sad to take such joy in someone else's sorrow, but I am so excited to meet my new son and daughter. (This is me playing it cool and keeping my fingers crossed, as I promised hubby I would. I just can't contain excitement!)

I've already started reading up on life with toddlers, and adopting toddlers, since everything I was focusing on up until now was about newborns. So exciting and so much to do! But...fingers crossed!

Off to read my new "What to Expect: The Toddler Years" book!

Maybe The Third Will Be The Charm?

My day so far...

Received pictures of the kids from the social worker. The children are absolutely adorable. I'm on cloud 9.

Work for 2 hours.

Received call from the social worker telling me that they have hit some snags with the termination rights of both birthparents, she's confused about what's going on, birthmother siad she's going to a different agency, and she doesn't think this is going to happen.

Literally three people lined up outside my office to talk to me, so by the time I even got to process what happened and call hubby, I have it all scrambled in my head. But regardless, it isn't happening.

So, we're back to sending out profiles and hope that we get another call!

Do We Hear the Pitter Patter of Little Feet?

So the social worker met with the birthmother and the two children. It seems like they are in good health and she thinks the birthmother is going to go through with it. They are still working on some paperwork and logistics, so we'll know more on Monday, but it looks like this is a real case.

Hubby and I have been spending a lot of time discussing this situation. It's not what we were planning for, but I think we both agree that while it will be more work, and potentially a difficult situation, it will be well worth it - we want a family and these kids deserve a good home. Isn't that all that matters?

We aren't going in blind. We've thought about the issues and the difficulties, as well as looking at this from the children's eyes. And I think as long as it lines up the way the social worker is expecting, if she calls with good news on Monday we will probably commit!

Hubby told my stepdaughters today and they are excited for two babies, but definitely going in to this case a lot more guarded. But I know once we get these babies home they will be thrilled! And Sheamus will finally have some little playmates!

0-2 in 37 Days

So we signed on to adopt a baby. Our first adoption case didn't work out. I've been having a bit of a pity party ever since.

Then yesterday another case worker calls with a very unique situation. She has two kids - a one year old and a two year old (boy and girl) who's mother wants to place them for adoption. Long story short she just wants them to have a better life.

Is it crazy of me to adopt two kids at once? I had really wanted an infant, and experience ALL the "firsts," but the thought of being able to keep siblings together and out of the foster system is hard to turn down.

It would be a lot more challenging - attachment issues, they could have developmental issues, etc. I don't know much about them at this point. Need to talk to the hubby about it, but I just don't know. It's so strange to be in this position of choosing our situation.

To Legislate or Not To Legislate

It was a fun filled July 4th weekend with dailyroad trips to visit with friends and family - went to White Plains, Long Island and Union City. All those trips also meant a lot of rehashing what happened down in TX. On the one hand, it's nice that everyone is so interested, but on the other, I think I am done talking about. I just want to put it behind me and wait for my next case to come along.

It did spur interesting debates though. While the adoptive parents have no rights in these situations, and I am left wondering about the rights the babies themselves have, I can't quite figure out how you would even go about changing legislation. I wish we were more protected, and that there was less risk with a birthmother changing her mind, us getting attached and then losing a baby, and not to mention the financial costs and risks. But it is a woman's right to choose to have and raise a child. Even if it isn't in the best interest of the child. And EVERYONE seems to have an opinion on it.

I also know that a lot of adoptive mothers are not offered maternity leave, which is typically covered by disability. I am lucky to work at a great place that offers 3 months maternity leave at full pay - and when my situation came up, they simply added a clause so it would include adoptive mothers as well. An amazing thing to do. But if it's covered by disability, it's no wonder most companies can't afford or don't even think to do that. So not only do we not have rights when it comes to the actual adoption process, most women are then forced to go straight back to work which interferes with their bonding and attachement to their new child.

In this day and age when families are so diverse and adoption is so common, I think it's crazy that legislation is so far behind social acceptance/tolerance. Though I guess the advocates of single-sex marriage feel the same way. We need YOUNG, FORWARD-THINKING officials running our government, fighting for the rights and happiness of our citizens.

She's A Week Old Today

Last week at this time, it was just another Wednesday, but within hours our birthmother went into labor, we ran around like crazy people trying to get down there to meet our daughter.

I can't beleive that was a week ago already.

I might be dwelling, or this might be normal, I don't know. But I hope she's ok, and they are taking good care of her. I can still feel her in the crook of my arm. How can you love someone so much that you only knew for 6 hours? But it's getting better. I haven't cried for two days. That's two good days.

I don't know if I'm ready for another call yet, but I am glad the agency is showing our profile. I am so ready to be a mommy.