Our appointment with the new agency is this afternoon. While I know that I am prepared, I feel so unprepared. Part of me feels like this is just another step on the long road to a distant future. The other part thinks that this might be the turning point where we start to have some good luck for a change. This might be the step we need to take to really get things moving.
My question for you guys is, how do you keep perspective? There is no way to know how long it will take to find our baby, or if it will even work out at all. How do you think about the future, and try to mentally prepare yourself for welcoming a baby home? We have never been parents before. The whole concept is overwhelming, let alone having to deal with the uncertainty of adoption. How do you ladies manage to stay sane?
Re: Finding Balance Without Any Firm Timing
We were one of those freak couples who didn't think about it that much, to be honest. We would occasionally pick up clothes or a baby gear item if we saw a good sale, and as activity started picking up we ordered some more. We took a newborn care class at our local hospital. But the rest of time we just did things as normal and waited to see what happened. We knew we could get matched with e-parents who were still a few months away from delivering, or we could get The Call that a baby was waiting for us at the hospital. We figured we'd punt.
it turned out great. We had a few things for DD when we got The Call, and DH did a massive WalMart run the night she came home.
5 Angels
I have to be honest... we didn't have too much of a wait to be matched, but our BM started very early and it's been a very long, and emotional 4 months so far and we still have 3 more to go! I think I would have preferred to wait a bit longer for a match and then scramble at the end. But we are so grateful for this opportunity that we'll accept whatever comes along with it.
It's all a process and while we're all going to reach the same end result, we're all going to have completely different experiences along the way. My best friend adopted 2 babies through the same attorney and her experiences were very different then ours. Keep yourself as busy as possible and try and focus on something (anything) else. You'll look back and be surprised at how time has flown by.
We've been slowly putting together the nursery and purchasing things when they are on sale. I've purchased a few outfits for each age (NB, 0-3 mos, 6 mos, etc). Most of my girlfriends have toddlers, so I have been able to collect bits and pieces from them that their children have outgrown (I am the proud owner of 3 diaper pails and that's only because I've told them I don't need any more!) I'm too afraid it will fall through to purchase too much more!
I keep telling myself that even if this falls through, we will find our baby :-)
How did the meeting go?
After 1 IUI, 3 IVF's with CGH/CCS testing, 10 early miscarriages, and lots of tears and frustration, we are moving on to Domestic Infant Adoption! We are so excited to see what the future holds.
GOOD LUCK!!!
5 Angels