Today is the day...

Last Friday when I was on my way home I received a message on my voice mail from my hubby. The out of state agency had called him and asked him to send the pictures over so that we can be shown today. He wanted me to send the file to them, but I had already left the office.

Then our social worker called. She wanted to ask whether it would be o.k. for us if she brings along a new colleague to shadow her at our home visit tonight. I told her the whole story and my concerns about communication not working in the agency. She recommended I should call today.

When hubby came home, we compressed the file as much as possible and sent it again to the agency. I also left a message on the mailbox of the lady that had called hubby. He talked to her on Saturday and she said that she has received our file and that we were shown today to the birth parents. I don't even want to get excited about it, because I am concerned about being completely disappointed afterwards... So I just take it as it comes.

On Saturday we took our baby basics class for adoptive parents. They had a nurse and an adoptive mom teach the class. We learned basics on feeding, diapering, and bathing the baby, baby-proofing the house, and answering questions/comments from strangers. Most of the other couples were in the domestic program and one couple is adopting from South Korea. We were very surprised to learn that there are only 5 things you really need before baby comes home.

- Diapers
- Formula
- Feeding Bottles
- Clothes
- Car Seat

Everything else that you might need or want can be bought later. Once I saw that list, not having bought anything yet, doesn't seem so overwhelming anymore. Looks like we can get all of that stuff with one run to Target.

After the class we decided to buy the book: What to expect the first year.. Which was a big step for me. Because I didn't really want to get anything before we have a referral. But I guess I can at least read a little before I won't have time any more... We drove to the store, where we were strolling around the baby book aisle, when we ran into a colleague from my hubby and his family. I didn't want him to see the book, because I wanted to avoid being congratulated on being pregnant. I silently took the book behind my husbands back, so that the colleague wouldn't see it. And I kept hiding it behind my back. Have I mentioned it is a pretty heavy book?

Later we met another couple, where I know him from work. They asked us whether we had kids and I admitted that we were in the process of adoption and showed them the book from behind my back. It turns out the wife is also adopted... It is amazing how many people's lives have been touched by adoption in one way or another.

Yesterday we were working to get the house ready for tonight's home visit. For dinner we met two couples who are also in the process of adoption or thinking about it. It was good to discuss some of the issues and fears we all have.

So tonight is already our final interview and the home visit. It is amazing how a couple of weeks ago I thought we would never get here. Here we are and we even have a perspective. And now I feel like everything is moving so quick and I wonder whether we are ready...