I'm so excited to announce that Sally at The Adoptive Parent has awarded me the "One Lovely Blog Award." It's kind of surreal to know that other people are out there not only reading my blog, but GETTING it and connecting with it. This is pretty cool. Thanks Sally!
OK, so the rules of the "One Lovely Blog Award" are: Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link. Pass the award to 15* other blogs that you’ve newly discovered. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.
Unfortunately, I can't list 15 other blogs that I follow, but below is a list of the blogs that I enjoy reading. They aren't all about adoption, but they all give me a reason to smile and keep reading!
Amstel Life - A birthmother's view of open adoption that has set us down a wonderful open path as well
Beanie Baby Blog - Another mommy-in-waiting, waiting for her turn
Flowers & Weeds - A still growing adoptive family, with a lot of great insight on adoption
The Kamienski Chronicles - Real life with an adorable 2 year old
Thanks again Sally - I'm off to start reading the other blogs on your list!
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Thursday, August 6, 2009
One Week Out
I'm ridiculously excited, but still trying to play it cool - I have an irrational fear of jinxing this. I have the bassinet, car seat, sling, and a few neutral newborn outfits, along with a stuffed and ready to go diaper bag. That's it. We haven't even talked about the nursery this time around, but of course I know exactly what it will look like when I let myself picture it.
Hubby talked to BM and her sister Tuesday night, and that seems to have gone well. We are hoping the more we talk to BM the less awkward it will be when we meet her next week...and hopefully as she gets to know us she still beleives she made the right choice with us! And I decided that I am going to buy her and I matching baby album/memory books. This way we can store all the stuff from the hospital, and as I fill things in, I'll let her know so she can keep her's up to date too. I think it will be a great way for us to continue bonding and for her to keep connected to the baby.
Also talked to my social worker today who told me she will be out of town for the next week and a half, which means we have been handed off to another case worker - but the good news is that I LOVE the other case worker, so although it's a bit jarring to realize your social worker is not going to be available when your daughter is born...it will all be fine!
I've started looking at hotels and flights. Scared to book, but if I don't book now the prices will just get higher and higher. But I'll be refundable tickets so it shouldn't be considered a jinx. But fingers crossed nonetheless!
My mom also left for Ireland today for her first real vacation in a LONG time, and her first time out of the country. She of course is devastated that she won't be here when the baby is born, but she'll be home before we are so hopefully she is feeling reassured by that. And maybe she'll buy a baby Irish sweater (after she gets the call that it went through, of course!)
Hubby talked to BM and her sister Tuesday night, and that seems to have gone well. We are hoping the more we talk to BM the less awkward it will be when we meet her next week...and hopefully as she gets to know us she still beleives she made the right choice with us! And I decided that I am going to buy her and I matching baby album/memory books. This way we can store all the stuff from the hospital, and as I fill things in, I'll let her know so she can keep her's up to date too. I think it will be a great way for us to continue bonding and for her to keep connected to the baby.
Also talked to my social worker today who told me she will be out of town for the next week and a half, which means we have been handed off to another case worker - but the good news is that I LOVE the other case worker, so although it's a bit jarring to realize your social worker is not going to be available when your daughter is born...it will all be fine!
I've started looking at hotels and flights. Scared to book, but if I don't book now the prices will just get higher and higher. But I'll be refundable tickets so it shouldn't be considered a jinx. But fingers crossed nonetheless!
My mom also left for Ireland today for her first real vacation in a LONG time, and her first time out of the country. She of course is devastated that she won't be here when the baby is born, but she'll be home before we are so hopefully she is feeling reassured by that. And maybe she'll buy a baby Irish sweater (after she gets the call that it went through, of course!)
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
It's August? ALREADY?
WOW
Time is flying by. Quick update on life:
The weekend was spent moving oldest stepdaughter from 3rd floor walk-up apartment to 3rd floor walk-up apartment down the road. Needless to say I am feeling pretty buff, and proud to say that by the time me, her mom and her dad left the apartment Saturday, it was in pretty good shape for a less than 72 hour spree!
Unrelated, my Trumpette order came today - 3 sets of socks for 2 baby boys and they are just adorable. They also sent me a free pair of little girl slippers - dare I say that's a good sign since I only ordered boy items??
On the adoption front, I spoke with birthmom for the first time yesterday, and then again today. I also spoke to her sister, who she is currently living with. They both seem lovely, and this truly does seem like it's fully Ashley's plan and her family is supportive. So it was a good conversation yesterday - I spoke to both of them for about 45 minutes (more the sister, but I think she's just older and more talkative). BM wants a pretty open relationship, which I think is pretty cool. It makes me a little nervous because she wants to see the baby the whole time she's in the hospital...and after what happened last time, it makes me nervous that she'll change her mind, but I have to respect her decision. She's also making a photo album for me of her and her family so the baby has it - which is AWESOME and I'm really excited about that. Overall, it was a great conversation, and hopefully this is the start of something beautiful!
Then today her sister called my cell while I was in a meeting (and of course I had left my cell in my office) so I get back to find 2 messages.
Message #1: BM is having contractions and they are on their way to the hospital, they'll call back with an update
Message #2: False alarm - she's not even dialated and they sent her home. YIKES!
SO I spoke with her this afternoon and she's feeling fine, but was in a bit of shock since she thought she had another week to go. If baby stays put, we are looking at an August 13th delivery date.
FINGERS CROSSED!!
Time is flying by. Quick update on life:
The weekend was spent moving oldest stepdaughter from 3rd floor walk-up apartment to 3rd floor walk-up apartment down the road. Needless to say I am feeling pretty buff, and proud to say that by the time me, her mom and her dad left the apartment Saturday, it was in pretty good shape for a less than 72 hour spree!
Unrelated, my Trumpette order came today - 3 sets of socks for 2 baby boys and they are just adorable. They also sent me a free pair of little girl slippers - dare I say that's a good sign since I only ordered boy items??
On the adoption front, I spoke with birthmom for the first time yesterday, and then again today. I also spoke to her sister, who she is currently living with. They both seem lovely, and this truly does seem like it's fully Ashley's plan and her family is supportive. So it was a good conversation yesterday - I spoke to both of them for about 45 minutes (more the sister, but I think she's just older and more talkative). BM wants a pretty open relationship, which I think is pretty cool. It makes me a little nervous because she wants to see the baby the whole time she's in the hospital...and after what happened last time, it makes me nervous that she'll change her mind, but I have to respect her decision. She's also making a photo album for me of her and her family so the baby has it - which is AWESOME and I'm really excited about that. Overall, it was a great conversation, and hopefully this is the start of something beautiful!
Then today her sister called my cell while I was in a meeting (and of course I had left my cell in my office) so I get back to find 2 messages.
Message #1: BM is having contractions and they are on their way to the hospital, they'll call back with an update
Message #2: False alarm - she's not even dialated and they sent her home. YIKES!
SO I spoke with her this afternoon and she's feeling fine, but was in a bit of shock since she thought she had another week to go. If baby stays put, we are looking at an August 13th delivery date.
FINGERS CROSSED!!
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Looking Good...KNOCK ON WOOD
So it sounds like the meeting between our birthmother and the social worker went well! And first and foremost let me announce that we are expecting a little girl - trumpette.com ballerina socks here I come!
It sounds like this is HER adoption plan, and she hasn't been forced in to it, which bodes well for us and our future relationship with her. Her family seems supportive, she has definitive goals for the future and has already started planning her life after pregnancy. All good signs!
I'm hoping to get out of work early today so that I can call her and introduce myself. I'm glad she's open to talking to us. We figured it's best if I call her first, then bring Frank into the conversation - the two of us could be overwhelming at first!
My social worker also made the point of telling her about our first loss situation, and how delicate these situations are. She said the birthmother felt awful for us, and assured her she is ready to follow her plan. I know this still isn't a guarantee, but I have to appreciate that she's being proactive here and really seems to want to do this. Fingers crossed everyone!
It sounds like this is HER adoption plan, and she hasn't been forced in to it, which bodes well for us and our future relationship with her. Her family seems supportive, she has definitive goals for the future and has already started planning her life after pregnancy. All good signs!
I'm hoping to get out of work early today so that I can call her and introduce myself. I'm glad she's open to talking to us. We figured it's best if I call her first, then bring Frank into the conversation - the two of us could be overwhelming at first!
My social worker also made the point of telling her about our first loss situation, and how delicate these situations are. She said the birthmother felt awful for us, and assured her she is ready to follow her plan. I know this still isn't a guarantee, but I have to appreciate that she's being proactive here and really seems to want to do this. Fingers crossed everyone!
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Anxious and Hopeful
I'm nervous. My social worker is meeting with my new birthmother today. Of course I'm hoping that everything goes perfectly, but I also hope that there are a lot of questions and serious discussions. I'd rather know now if she's having doubts so that I can be prepared. I was so caught off guard with the first two cases, but I don't want to be cynical about this case.
She seems to have a great attitude towards adoption, and has specific goals for her future. But we all know that goals and plans change. So for now I am just trying to keep myself busy, and not stare at my cell phone as I wait for the social worker to call me and let me know how it went today.
I also don't think that my company is taking this case seriously. I haven't heard back from HR if they have found any candidates to even start interviewing, and my boss is now beginning to take work away from our account teams and put it back on me. Kind of the opposite of what I was hoping would happen. But work is work, and if/when the call comes that I have to head to the hospital, I AM GOING, and everything I'm working on will just get reassigned as quickly as I can make it happen.
STRESS..............
She seems to have a great attitude towards adoption, and has specific goals for her future. But we all know that goals and plans change. So for now I am just trying to keep myself busy, and not stare at my cell phone as I wait for the social worker to call me and let me know how it went today.
I also don't think that my company is taking this case seriously. I haven't heard back from HR if they have found any candidates to even start interviewing, and my boss is now beginning to take work away from our account teams and put it back on me. Kind of the opposite of what I was hoping would happen. But work is work, and if/when the call comes that I have to head to the hospital, I AM GOING, and everything I'm working on will just get reassigned as quickly as I can make it happen.
STRESS..............
Sunday, July 26, 2009
"Sock"
I love the show "How I Met Your Mother" and there was one episode where the characters tried to determine if they were ready to have children...all enamored with the tiniest little sock left behind by a friend's baby - and they would just pick it up and say "sock!"
Anyway, I met 3 week old Brady yesterday and he had THE CUTEST BABY SOCKS I have ever seen...making "sock" stuck in my head ever since.
I've already ordered 2 boxes of newborn socks for one friend (the sneakers pictured here and a set of cowboy boots). They also had them for toddlers so I ordered a set for a certain one-year-old I know that is just not so into shoes...
I was able to control myself and did not buy anything for my sooner-or-later-hopefully-sooner baby. We did sign our commitment letter today, so it was quite hard to control my spending. But to be honest, the real reason I didn't buy any is because I'm not sure if my newest birthmother is having a boy or a girl yet! I should find out tomorrow or Tuesday! But you better believe if it's a girl I'm buying the ballet slipper socks!
Fingers crossed...and happy shopping www.trumpette.com
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Lucky #3? Already??
So we got a call from the agency. I assumed it was some housekeeping from the last case, but it was a different social worker calling to tell me that unbeleivably, we were already picked again by another birthmother. All that hard work on the profile is definitely paying off!
We have A TON of questions about the case, but she seems like a great candidate (I know, I've already said that twice...). She seems to have a great attitude towards adoption, and to have thought this through. It's a little scary to jump into another case so quickly, but I guess depending on the answers I get, how could I turn down a chance to be a mom?
We have A TON of questions about the case, but she seems like a great candidate (I know, I've already said that twice...). She seems to have a great attitude towards adoption, and to have thought this through. It's a little scary to jump into another case so quickly, but I guess depending on the answers I get, how could I turn down a chance to be a mom?
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