Summer Summed Up

This summer was the very first in ten years that I haven't been in school or working. Add that to completing adoption paperwork and beginning the "waiting" stage, and a formula for a nervous breakdown is created. Disaster was avoided by keeping myself busy-never has my house been more organized! I've loaded some pictures to share with you that detail my summer activities.

Much time was spent with my greatest companion, Kyah. She now hates the camera.

A lovely friend of mine made a trip to India and brought this elephant back for our future babe. I thought it was prophetic as elephants also have a two year gestation period (well 22 mos).

I became addicted to http://www.cuteoverload.com/, seeing these photos never failed to bring a smile to my face!

My mother-in-law came for a visit. We had such a great day! I can't believe we got her into the paddle boat!

We took her Mini Golfing for the first time. We laughed till our sides hurt!

I crocheted 4 baby blankets (I was obviously not dealing well with this much time on my hands). I have a lot of pregnant family and friends. While I no longer want to poke their eyes out with forks (I went through an angry/ jealous phase when we first were dealing with infertility) it is still sometimes frustrating to listen to them complain about being pregnant, chasing after kids, how hard it is to lose their shape yadda yadda. Seriously, do you realize who you are talking too?

This one is for my niece, due in November.

This last one I am keeping for my own angel. The rest will be gifts for family and friends.

One More Step

Just received notice that our application for Permanent Residency for "baby unknown" is all set and ready to go. Now all we need is a referral to help us fill in those blanks.

In running news I did some "bruising" in my right Achilles so am switching to bike riding for my exercise for a couple of days just to play it safe. i also bought this new DVD that uses ballet movements for stretching and strengthening, I think I will add it to my repertoire- I need some grace in my life!

Song of the Waiting Mother

As I was reading through Toddler Adoption: The Weaver's Craft by Mary Hopkins-Best I was moved by this poem. It was written in 1987 by Christine Futia.

Song of the Waiting Mother

I'm pregnant, but my tummy isn't growing.
And no one ever calls me "Little Mom."
The public simply isn't overflowing
With questions that I'd handle with aplomb.

There are no special clothes to mark my waiting.
Nobody stops and smiles as I pass by.
The absence of a due-date is frustrating
And looking at the nursery makes me cry.

When I'm overdue no one will worry.
The phone won't ring and ring as friends check in.
I can't induce my labor in a hurry,
My new life as a parent to begin.

Adoption is a worrisome endeavor,
And waiting all alone is not much fun.
To be "with child" a year seems like forever.
Dear God, we're ready! Please send us our son!

Meet Kyah-The Best English Mastiff Ever!

Isn't she a cutie pie? Yes, she is allowed on the furniture, and yes, her tongue always does that. You should see her fall asleep on linoleum. Her tongue dries and sticks to the floor. Pretty funny when she wakes up! :)

This was for Halloween, yeah, pretty gruesome trick but the kids loved it. Half of the time the neighborhood kids forgot about the candy because they wanted to play with our girl!

People always ask us if we can trust Kyah, or are worried about her adjusting to children. After spending some time with my best friends lovely son I can say unequivocally that we are not worried. I mean please every time the dog sat down this is what happened. She was so patient and they would sit like this for extended periods. It was too cute!

*Identities have been changed to protect the innocent! :)

Reframing My Thinking

After much internal debate I have changed my ticker to reflect my new attitude about waiting for a referral. With the ticker that counted up, I would get a bit discouraged every day hoping that I might get to be the lucky person who gets a referral earylier that the projected wait times of 8-15 months.

Unrealistic, and unfair to myself in trying to have any sense of a life outside of "the BIG WAIT". So instead I have created a ticker that counts down from 15 months. I first thought of this after seeing Ricki H. switch hers for the last "push" towards a referral. But dismissed it as not something that I needed at this time.

Then, after meeting and talking with some other wonderful "waiting" couples at the BBQ Saturday I realized that my child referral WILL come in time. My only question at this point is how I want this wait to be for my family. If I spend all my time stressing over when the referral may come, am I becoming the best parent that I can be? Am I using my time wisely and enjoying these last precious months with DH? Hence, the backwards ticker. I am going to assume that a referral will not arrive until the 15 months time frame. In reality I am also preparing myself for the fact that the timelines could also be extended again, so even 18 months is possible I suppose. For now I will stick with the agency's proposed timelines.

So, I have 15 months to whip my butt into shape, have fun, create memories, and become the best me that I can be for the sake of my future child. Hope this makes sense to everyone.

Congrats to Ricki and Bruce!

This couple have waited 16 months + for their referral and finally they know who their son is, it is truly a miracle. I have been following their journey with baited breath. It will be so exciting to see how life unfolds as they prepare to bring home their son. http://halbaueradoption.blogspot.com/

Let's keep those referrals coming!

Taking a Break

Running will have to wait for about two weeks while I let my leg heal up. Nothing major just some swelling from overexertion. I'm being a good girl and checking in with the Doc just to make sure.

The adoption front is quiet. We've mailed off all of our sponsorship documents, now we just wait. The CAFAC BBQ is coming up and DH and I are looking forward to getting to know the families and having some fun! We're bringing along a good friend who is looking to know more about our adoption community. Should be a lot of fun!

My first "sqwishes" have arrived!!! Thank you to Shannon and Dan http://12941kilometersofredtape.blogspot.com/, and Simona and her family. We love the fabric pieces and I cried at the wishes. Our child is going to be so blessed!

Take care everyone!