Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Where are we?
I feel like we're in a Where's Waldo book just waiting for someone to figure out where we are. We've been stuck on the same page for a little while. We're waiting for our home study, waiting for reference letters (our second set), and waiting for CIS fingerprints. BUT most of all we're waiting for our house to sell. It's been going to sell for months, yes literally months, now. We were told we'd close a while back, then last month, then today, and now we are still waiting for a closing date. Things with the homestudy can't move until our house sells and CIS can't be requested until our homestudy is completed. We have had two houses for close to three years now. No we're not moving, just waiting for a sale.
GO GREEN CLOTH DIAPER GIVEAWAY
I love sharing info about cloth diapering. I came across some new ones that look really cool AND they are having a giveaway! Check it out:
http://babyhalfoff.com/blog/2012/07/31/go-green-diapers-giveaway
These look amazing. They have the snap color options I mentioned with an earlier cloth diaper, plus these have dual gussets so it looks like that should eliminate leaks out of the sides! I'm lovin' the look of these and hope to get to try some! I hope you do too! Enter by Monday, August 6th @ 10 p.m., PST
Winner will be chosen on the 7th!!
http://babyhalfoff.com/blog/2012/07/31/go-green-diapers-giveaway
These look amazing. They have the snap color options I mentioned with an earlier cloth diaper, plus these have dual gussets so it looks like that should eliminate leaks out of the sides! I'm lovin' the look of these and hope to get to try some! I hope you do too! Enter by Monday, August 6th @ 10 p.m., PST
Winner will be chosen on the 7th!!
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Our strip has two lines, we're pregnant!
One of the many things I love about Gladney is the fact that they have conference calls to let everyone in process know what is going on, stats, etc. It's a nice way to prepare for what to expect, to know what has changed, and just where you are in the process. Today they had guest speakers!
So if you've ever felt frustrated by an adoption read on...
A family that had previously adopted spoke, and while a lot of it was geared more to those that have never adopted, I found one thing that was said particularly interesting. The adoptive mom spoke of someone sharing boundaries with her. She (the adoptive mom) mentioned that at first she felt like she had to be happy all of the time because she was adopting and adoption is a happy journey, right? But then that friend mentioned that it was okay not to feel okay about the adoption all of the time and that she didn't always be happy about everything. That she didn't have to go to her friends baby showers if it hurt too much to go to them! That it was okay she couldn't always talk about the adoption because at times she was just functioning to get by and talking about it wasn't something she could handle that day. She said there were also times she wanted and needed to talk about adoption but those days when you've been on the wait list for MORE than the time fame you've been previously given, it's hard. Or things like family additions while your waiting for your little one and just not sure if that child will ever come. Listening to her I could relate 1000 times over. It's so true. Adoption is the biggest roller coaster and was SO much harder emotionally then having my biological child. In fact, after having Cole, David and I talked a while before we decided to adopt again because HAVING a baby is easier. It is less of wait, WAY less paperwork, people see you physically changing and act differently toward you, it's WAYYYY cheaper, etc. There are many factors. With an adoption it isn't always that way.
Some background about us: We wanted to adopt first, then have a biological. But, toward the end of Nataga's adoption one doctor, told us we couldn't have children. He was going off the fact that we were adopting and made dumb conclusions that I later found were untrue when I became pregnant with my biological son. But even at that time, knowing that we couldn't have a biological child (don't get me wrong, certain aspects of the thought hurt/stung badly) was fine, we were more than happy adopting.
Back to Nataga's adoption and our wait- Something that really stands out for me is that I remember seeing others given gifts for mothers day when they were pregnant and I was waiting for our first son, paper pregnant and at the time and we didn't know if we could have a biological child or not. It was hard to sit there and witness that, to be left out. It was their mothers day just as it was my mothers day. We were both expectant of a child, just in different ways. It was hard to hear and see other people who were pregnant and had got pregnant long after we'd started our process. They had either delivered their children or were due any time. I remember feeling like I had to be 100% happy about everything. Don't get me wrong, I was really happy for them, but it doesn't mean that I wasn't feeling tons of pain at the same time. They now had their child and we were left waiting. It wasn't easy to see them with their child and I longed for the day I could hold mine and love him. There are many people who do not understand the feeling of being left behind and not being able to physically have children, to physically hold the children/feel the children inside your stomach, etc. You feel so empty without them as you wait. It's so hard to know that they are in another country and you just hope that they are okay. I felt so many emotions and just hoped our baby was okay. I think that is one of the hardest thing is being worlds apart and not knowing. Once we got our referral it wasn't smooth sailing either. There was a time I completely gave up as it looked like he wasn't going to pass court. I remember getting a call after weeks of being told "tomorrow". I had prepped myself to believe he wasn't going to pass because the pain of hearing "tomorrow" and the fact that "tomorrow" wasn't happening killed me emotionally. When she said he was ours I didn't believe it. In fact I didn't even believe it when we were in Ethiopia seeing him for the first time. I was fearful that something might take him away from us, it was too good to be true and I didn't want anything to separate our precious boy from us. Once in America, I started believing it was happening but it took a while. It's amazing the emotions you can go through and what that does to your thoughts. I've loved every moment with our son. Even as I have tried to potty train him today, and found him messing all over the floor, I still find myself looking at him with so much love and wonder and feeling so grateful to have him in our lives. I love that little boy 100000... times over. He's our gift from God and was worth every painful moment as much as every joyful moment. He amazes me daily and I love both boys more than I ever dreamed possible. I feel so lucky in love with them!
As we start this new adoption, I'm comforted by the fact that I have two boys to keep me busy and distracted. I love them and am enjoying the moments I get with each of them as I know those moments will never be here again. Yet I can already see the past repeating itself in certain ways. There are people in my life who just got pregnant. Listening to them talk and almost brag about the fact that they are having a baby I realize not everyone understands what this is about. It isn't a competition. We chose to adopt again, for many reasons. One we want more children in our family, another is that there are millions of children without parents. We want to help bring one more to our family. It changes their lives, it'll change our lives, and that is something that you can't put any amount of money on. You can't explain to other people who don't understand adoption what helping one child does for them and you. Adoption is a miracle. Something that is worth the wait, every exciting and painful moment. We know we are stepping into a territory that not all understand but we step in with confidence in God, with hope, love, and excitement. Our strip has two lines, we too are pregnant. Our wait is at least that of an Elephants. Good things come to those who wait. We will wait upon the Lord, confident and happy. We've done this once and know the endless joys that come from being an adoptive parent, we're so happy to do this twice!
To those of you who are also waiting, know that there are many out there who feel your pain & who understand your frustration when you hear "it'll be worth it once you get your child". Of course it will, and is. Those labor pains you are experiencing are worth it once you see your baby's face but while you feel the contractions of the wait sit back and enjoy the moments you have. Before long your child will be with you and you'll be writing the blog talking about your journey!
So if you've ever felt frustrated by an adoption read on...
A family that had previously adopted spoke, and while a lot of it was geared more to those that have never adopted, I found one thing that was said particularly interesting. The adoptive mom spoke of someone sharing boundaries with her. She (the adoptive mom) mentioned that at first she felt like she had to be happy all of the time because she was adopting and adoption is a happy journey, right? But then that friend mentioned that it was okay not to feel okay about the adoption all of the time and that she didn't always be happy about everything. That she didn't have to go to her friends baby showers if it hurt too much to go to them! That it was okay she couldn't always talk about the adoption because at times she was just functioning to get by and talking about it wasn't something she could handle that day. She said there were also times she wanted and needed to talk about adoption but those days when you've been on the wait list for MORE than the time fame you've been previously given, it's hard. Or things like family additions while your waiting for your little one and just not sure if that child will ever come. Listening to her I could relate 1000 times over. It's so true. Adoption is the biggest roller coaster and was SO much harder emotionally then having my biological child. In fact, after having Cole, David and I talked a while before we decided to adopt again because HAVING a baby is easier. It is less of wait, WAY less paperwork, people see you physically changing and act differently toward you, it's WAYYYY cheaper, etc. There are many factors. With an adoption it isn't always that way.
Some background about us: We wanted to adopt first, then have a biological. But, toward the end of Nataga's adoption one doctor, told us we couldn't have children. He was going off the fact that we were adopting and made dumb conclusions that I later found were untrue when I became pregnant with my biological son. But even at that time, knowing that we couldn't have a biological child (don't get me wrong, certain aspects of the thought hurt/stung badly) was fine, we were more than happy adopting.
Back to Nataga's adoption and our wait- Something that really stands out for me is that I remember seeing others given gifts for mothers day when they were pregnant and I was waiting for our first son, paper pregnant and at the time and we didn't know if we could have a biological child or not. It was hard to sit there and witness that, to be left out. It was their mothers day just as it was my mothers day. We were both expectant of a child, just in different ways. It was hard to hear and see other people who were pregnant and had got pregnant long after we'd started our process. They had either delivered their children or were due any time. I remember feeling like I had to be 100% happy about everything. Don't get me wrong, I was really happy for them, but it doesn't mean that I wasn't feeling tons of pain at the same time. They now had their child and we were left waiting. It wasn't easy to see them with their child and I longed for the day I could hold mine and love him. There are many people who do not understand the feeling of being left behind and not being able to physically have children, to physically hold the children/feel the children inside your stomach, etc. You feel so empty without them as you wait. It's so hard to know that they are in another country and you just hope that they are okay. I felt so many emotions and just hoped our baby was okay. I think that is one of the hardest thing is being worlds apart and not knowing. Once we got our referral it wasn't smooth sailing either. There was a time I completely gave up as it looked like he wasn't going to pass court. I remember getting a call after weeks of being told "tomorrow". I had prepped myself to believe he wasn't going to pass because the pain of hearing "tomorrow" and the fact that "tomorrow" wasn't happening killed me emotionally. When she said he was ours I didn't believe it. In fact I didn't even believe it when we were in Ethiopia seeing him for the first time. I was fearful that something might take him away from us, it was too good to be true and I didn't want anything to separate our precious boy from us. Once in America, I started believing it was happening but it took a while. It's amazing the emotions you can go through and what that does to your thoughts. I've loved every moment with our son. Even as I have tried to potty train him today, and found him messing all over the floor, I still find myself looking at him with so much love and wonder and feeling so grateful to have him in our lives. I love that little boy 100000... times over. He's our gift from God and was worth every painful moment as much as every joyful moment. He amazes me daily and I love both boys more than I ever dreamed possible. I feel so lucky in love with them!
As we start this new adoption, I'm comforted by the fact that I have two boys to keep me busy and distracted. I love them and am enjoying the moments I get with each of them as I know those moments will never be here again. Yet I can already see the past repeating itself in certain ways. There are people in my life who just got pregnant. Listening to them talk and almost brag about the fact that they are having a baby I realize not everyone understands what this is about. It isn't a competition. We chose to adopt again, for many reasons. One we want more children in our family, another is that there are millions of children without parents. We want to help bring one more to our family. It changes their lives, it'll change our lives, and that is something that you can't put any amount of money on. You can't explain to other people who don't understand adoption what helping one child does for them and you. Adoption is a miracle. Something that is worth the wait, every exciting and painful moment. We know we are stepping into a territory that not all understand but we step in with confidence in God, with hope, love, and excitement. Our strip has two lines, we too are pregnant. Our wait is at least that of an Elephants. Good things come to those who wait. We will wait upon the Lord, confident and happy. We've done this once and know the endless joys that come from being an adoptive parent, we're so happy to do this twice!
To those of you who are also waiting, know that there are many out there who feel your pain & who understand your frustration when you hear "it'll be worth it once you get your child". Of course it will, and is. Those labor pains you are experiencing are worth it once you see your baby's face but while you feel the contractions of the wait sit back and enjoy the moments you have. Before long your child will be with you and you'll be writing the blog talking about your journey!
Thursday, July 19, 2012
More paperwork
I think we have all the paperwork we need minus two (CIS fingerprints and one letter awaits). We're excitedly pressing forward and can't wait until we get to hurry up and wait! :)
We shall see whom we are referred. It'll be a couple of years but we are all excitedly anticipating her/their arrival.
We shall see whom we are referred. It'll be a couple of years but we are all excitedly anticipating her/their arrival.
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Bum Cheeks Training Pants
I recently bought some Bum Cheeks training pants for my son. This is a brand new item from Bum Cheeks. We have used their cloth diapers for a while now and they are by far and away the best and best quality we have found. So I thought I'd give the training pants a try. I'll post about the training pants first and then the cloth diapers.
So I wanted something cheaper (we spent at least $40 a month on pull-ups), more economical, something that made him FEEL wet, and something that looked more like underwear but that I didn't have to worry about him wearing in a vehicle or while we were out as I really don't want to be cleaning up messes every hour or so. It wasn't worth it for me to put him in underwear while being the one punished for his refusal.
Again this is a brand new product so we've used these just over two weeks and in that time we've loved them. In fact I've ordered more and wish I would have to start. Nati feels like a big boy as they are less bulky and look more like underwear.They are every bit as good as the Bum Cheeks minky diapers, but in a training pant! He can even get through nap time and night time with these! I'm glad someone has made something so practical and I wish we would have had these a year or so ago. We did cloth diapers for a little while but he said he felt like a baby, I like that these don't make him feel like a baby. They come in a lot of colors and are also minky like the cloth diapers! MAYBE we'll be out of this boat sometime soon. It seems like things are progressing with these. I'll post more if we get him potty trained with these. I can say they seem well worth the money. I can see these being great for just nap time and night time if your child is potty trained but your just needing something just in case.
As for the Bum Cheeks Cloth Diapers
*If you are on a very tight budget, are looking for something cheaper, and just need something right away then see my MG baby diaper review below. They are pretty nice but if it was me I'd only buy a couple of those and hold out until you can find a deal on Bum Cheeks.
BECAUSE if you want something really nice, well designed, but that costs a LITTLE more go for the Bum Cheeks cloth diapers. You won't regret paying a little more and I think they'll hold up a lot longer. Plus with some of the deals you can get them without paying a LITTLE more!! I can say if I was going to buy something I'd just buy these because, personally, I think they are worth the cost difference and a lot of times you can find them on deal sites for 1/2 off depending on the amount of time you have to wait and look. They wash really well and we have used them a ton. They have really held up and still look new. Not only that, they absorb well. We've been nothing but pleased with them. The only Bum Cheeks product we haven't liked is their older jean style cloth diapers. They don't have the same linings and DO tend to leak even after a short period of wear. They are adorable but not worth the hassle. The minky Bum Cheek's are amazing and the awesome value I've been writing about. I love the color choices and the fact that everything you need for the diaper comes with the diaper. I did a lot of research and hated to buy something only to have to buy something more. So I liked the fact that these were complete and ready to use. They are easy to clean, but do take a good day to dry if you line dry like I do (well, I put them on top of my laundry basket edge to dry). They are so cute on too. They have snaps to adjust the diaper and are supposed to go from newborn, up. I think most newborn babies are so small that a lot of cloth diapers don't work until after the first month unless you don't mind a lot of bulk. That is about the time we started using Bum Cheeks and they've been great (from the first month on). I do think that they would have been too bulky on a newborn but I know there are special newborn sized diapers that you can purchase if that is what you are looking for.
As for the training pants: I only bought a couple to start with because I wanted to make sure that Bum Cheek's wasn't just going off the name they'd built for themselves, they weren't! These are every bit as good as the minky cloth diapers I've came to know and love!
My three year old, soon to be four year old, son refuses to use the toilet. He has been the biggest pain to train. I have talked and listened to everyone and feel I have tried it all. Recently, during our homestudy, I was told that child care expert, Karin Purvis said that potty training is one battle not to fight with you child. I agree with her. If they don't want to they are not going to.So I wanted something cheaper (we spent at least $40 a month on pull-ups), more economical, something that made him FEEL wet, and something that looked more like underwear but that I didn't have to worry about him wearing in a vehicle or while we were out as I really don't want to be cleaning up messes every hour or so. It wasn't worth it for me to put him in underwear while being the one punished for his refusal.
Again this is a brand new product so we've used these just over two weeks and in that time we've loved them. In fact I've ordered more and wish I would have to start. Nati feels like a big boy as they are less bulky and look more like underwear.They are every bit as good as the Bum Cheeks minky diapers, but in a training pant! He can even get through nap time and night time with these! I'm glad someone has made something so practical and I wish we would have had these a year or so ago. We did cloth diapers for a little while but he said he felt like a baby, I like that these don't make him feel like a baby. They come in a lot of colors and are also minky like the cloth diapers! MAYBE we'll be out of this boat sometime soon. It seems like things are progressing with these. I'll post more if we get him potty trained with these. I can say they seem well worth the money. I can see these being great for just nap time and night time if your child is potty trained but your just needing something just in case.
As for the Bum Cheeks Cloth Diapers
*If you are on a very tight budget, are looking for something cheaper, and just need something right away then see my MG baby diaper review below. They are pretty nice but if it was me I'd only buy a couple of those and hold out until you can find a deal on Bum Cheeks.
BECAUSE if you want something really nice, well designed, but that costs a LITTLE more go for the Bum Cheeks cloth diapers. You won't regret paying a little more and I think they'll hold up a lot longer. Plus with some of the deals you can get them without paying a LITTLE more!! I can say if I was going to buy something I'd just buy these because, personally, I think they are worth the cost difference and a lot of times you can find them on deal sites for 1/2 off depending on the amount of time you have to wait and look. They wash really well and we have used them a ton. They have really held up and still look new. Not only that, they absorb well. We've been nothing but pleased with them. The only Bum Cheeks product we haven't liked is their older jean style cloth diapers. They don't have the same linings and DO tend to leak even after a short period of wear. They are adorable but not worth the hassle. The minky Bum Cheek's are amazing and the awesome value I've been writing about. I love the color choices and the fact that everything you need for the diaper comes with the diaper. I did a lot of research and hated to buy something only to have to buy something more. So I liked the fact that these were complete and ready to use. They are easy to clean, but do take a good day to dry if you line dry like I do (well, I put them on top of my laundry basket edge to dry). They are so cute on too. They have snaps to adjust the diaper and are supposed to go from newborn, up. I think most newborn babies are so small that a lot of cloth diapers don't work until after the first month unless you don't mind a lot of bulk. That is about the time we started using Bum Cheeks and they've been great (from the first month on). I do think that they would have been too bulky on a newborn but I know there are special newborn sized diapers that you can purchase if that is what you are looking for.
More mile markers
We got some more finalized papers back for our dossier! One item from Wisconsin! We're so close. Now if we can just get the CIS fingerprints we'll be well on our way to the waitlist!
Friday, July 13, 2012
Homestudy
We had our homestudy yesterday! Now we have only a few more things to get together and do before we make it to the wait list!! We are so close now. Can't wait!
(K-6) Free Haircuts at JCP
I haven't liked JCP's changes becuase I personally think they've taken what the company was founded on away.
However I thought this was something that was really nice!
JCP wants "every kid to make a good impression" so they are giving free haircuts all of August for kids aged K-6.
Check out their website for specifics. Just thought I'd share my good find!
However I thought this was something that was really nice!
JCP wants "every kid to make a good impression" so they are giving free haircuts all of August for kids aged K-6.
Check out their website for specifics. Just thought I'd share my good find!
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Brothers
I spent a little time today doing something I haven't got to do in a long time! Looking at blogs!! It was nice to catch up and see what's been going on! There are a few families that are in process and having a hard time with some major snags. I hate it for them and hope that God provides a miracle. I know that the process can be time consuming and rough. It truly is a huge emotional roller coaster. Praying for those families. It was also nice to see some friends' blogs that have brought home their children and to just see what's going on in everyone's lives in general!
As for us, we had a wonderful 4th of July! We caught the parade and then put the boys down for naps and watched "We Bought a Zoo". It was pretty good! We went to worship and enjoyed food and fellowship with our church family. David ended up feeling sick so we didn't stay for singing but went home to let him sleep for a couple of hours. Nati, Cole, and I lit a few fireworks. The big hit for them was throwing "snap pops". Nati was so trilled about the fireworks that David drove us to watch the big show. Cole is one so I wasn't sure how'd he'd do. But he just sat and watched until one particularly pretty firework burst in the sky--- he cheered and clapped. It was so cute! 236 years for America! I'm hoping we stay "One Nation Under God" and have many more years to come!
One the adoption front: I love having two boys and we are all excited for a girl/sibling group. Nati picks things out at the store all of the time for his sister/s (on his own might I add). We'll be shopping and he'll say something like "I like this cereal, do you think we can get it for my sister too?" Or he'll find something really pink and girly and say "I think my sister would like this, let's get it for her". Since we have asked for a wide array of ages I have been saying "no". He's so trilled about a sister/siblings and we really try hard not to say too much too often about her/them b/c it'll most likely be at least a couple of years before we know about her/them or until they/she's home. Still, we are all excited and can't wait! We are enjoying our time as a family right now. Just the four of us. I love the three guys in my life! I'm so lucky in love!
As for us, we had a wonderful 4th of July! We caught the parade and then put the boys down for naps and watched "We Bought a Zoo". It was pretty good! We went to worship and enjoyed food and fellowship with our church family. David ended up feeling sick so we didn't stay for singing but went home to let him sleep for a couple of hours. Nati, Cole, and I lit a few fireworks. The big hit for them was throwing "snap pops". Nati was so trilled about the fireworks that David drove us to watch the big show. Cole is one so I wasn't sure how'd he'd do. But he just sat and watched until one particularly pretty firework burst in the sky--- he cheered and clapped. It was so cute! 236 years for America! I'm hoping we stay "One Nation Under God" and have many more years to come!
One the adoption front: I love having two boys and we are all excited for a girl/sibling group. Nati picks things out at the store all of the time for his sister/s (on his own might I add). We'll be shopping and he'll say something like "I like this cereal, do you think we can get it for my sister too?" Or he'll find something really pink and girly and say "I think my sister would like this, let's get it for her". Since we have asked for a wide array of ages I have been saying "no". He's so trilled about a sister/siblings and we really try hard not to say too much too often about her/them b/c it'll most likely be at least a couple of years before we know about her/them or until they/she's home. Still, we are all excited and can't wait! We are enjoying our time as a family right now. Just the four of us. I love the three guys in my life! I'm so lucky in love!
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
A homestudy
We are currently in process and have a homestudy date!!!!
I've been working on our dossier and getting all the certificates, etc. ready. It's so different this time to not have Kate with KBS dossiers working on our dossier for us! None of it is hard work, it just takes time!
We have three states to get certificates from. I've already got one set for one state. Today Cole and I mailed off our second set to the second state. The last state is going to be a big packet and I can't mail it off until after our homestudy.
As of right now, most everything with our adoption is pending our homestudy but we're moving and getting closer to the wait list. It'll be the CIS fingerprints that slow us down. It looks like it'll be a few months wait for those and the return of those! I'll be so glad when we make it to that step because most of the work will be behind us! Plus, that means we are that much closer to bringing our daughter/siblings home!
I've been working on our dossier and getting all the certificates, etc. ready. It's so different this time to not have Kate with KBS dossiers working on our dossier for us! None of it is hard work, it just takes time!
We have three states to get certificates from. I've already got one set for one state. Today Cole and I mailed off our second set to the second state. The last state is going to be a big packet and I can't mail it off until after our homestudy.
As of right now, most everything with our adoption is pending our homestudy but we're moving and getting closer to the wait list. It'll be the CIS fingerprints that slow us down. It looks like it'll be a few months wait for those and the return of those! I'll be so glad when we make it to that step because most of the work will be behind us! Plus, that means we are that much closer to bringing our daughter/siblings home!
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