Here I am sitting a couple of days later and still no AF. I have now stopped taking the BCP because I don't want to risk anything. But I still don't believe that I could be pregnant. No symptoms except the constipation... I still couldn't do a test, but dh has ordered one in the US. I don't know how long it will take to arrive here so I have to wait and see.
I believe more in some kind of strange screw up in my body. A cyst, anything else. Everything else is more likely than that I would get pregnant again while on the pill. I don't even want to allow myself to think about that possibility. But it keeps on coming back on my mind. I will keep you posted.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Advice needed!
Yesterday on her 7 month birthday Lilli learned how to clap her hands together. I am very impressed. She is not able to make a noise yet, but she loves it and you can see how proud she is for her clapping skills. She has also mastered the skill of turning on her musical mobile in her crib all by herself. This morning suddenly I heard the music turned on by her. We have moved her crib today and she will sleep in her own room tonight for the very first time...
I had mentioned here before that my cycles have been so screwed up recently. I had those short cycles of 21 days and went on the BCP to get them back in sync. I wanted a smooth transition with the move and everything going on. I started on day one of my cycle a couple of months ago. But I still got my period way to early day 21-23 of the cycle. In December I stopped and started again 27 days ago after getting my period. I am now taking the placebo pills that are supposed to trigger the period. Nothing. A couple of times I felt like AF had arrived, but when I went to check: nothing. I am also constipated, but don't have any other signs that could indicate something. No tender breasts, no rumbling in the belly, no feeling sick...
I don't think I am pregnant. I mean I was pregnant before while taking the pill and I had my period while I was pregnant. But it would be really strange that after all our struggles I would have gotten pregnant so easily last month. I suspect more something along the lines of menopause...
The problem is that they don't have any pregnancy test here in the stores and I don't really want to bother with going to a doctor since it is probably just a mood of nature. But should I start with a new package of BCP if something could be? Can you recommend something?
I don't want to get my hopes up for something that is not worth it. There were so many times that I have taken negative pregnancy tests that I don't even want to bother with it this time. And still: while AF hasn't arrived there is hope. I hate that I still have this hope even though the pain when she eventually shows up is not as big as it used to be. Being a mom has made a huge difference. It is just sometimes sad to see my body do things it is supposed to do, but not being able to do the things I want it to do.
On a completely different note: Our aircondition unit in the US broke down. Of course these things always happen in the middle of winter. We will have to replace it for $6.300.
That will set us back a couple of months with our plan to add to our family again next year. I hate that we just can't pop them out one after the other like most of our friends. It is always a question of money for us and of judgement how we will add. Will we try more fertility treatments with all the ups and downs and the risks of it not working? Or will we straight go down the adoption road again? Those are questions and strategies we are currently discussing.
I had mentioned here before that my cycles have been so screwed up recently. I had those short cycles of 21 days and went on the BCP to get them back in sync. I wanted a smooth transition with the move and everything going on. I started on day one of my cycle a couple of months ago. But I still got my period way to early day 21-23 of the cycle. In December I stopped and started again 27 days ago after getting my period. I am now taking the placebo pills that are supposed to trigger the period. Nothing. A couple of times I felt like AF had arrived, but when I went to check: nothing. I am also constipated, but don't have any other signs that could indicate something. No tender breasts, no rumbling in the belly, no feeling sick...
I don't think I am pregnant. I mean I was pregnant before while taking the pill and I had my period while I was pregnant. But it would be really strange that after all our struggles I would have gotten pregnant so easily last month. I suspect more something along the lines of menopause...
The problem is that they don't have any pregnancy test here in the stores and I don't really want to bother with going to a doctor since it is probably just a mood of nature. But should I start with a new package of BCP if something could be? Can you recommend something?
I don't want to get my hopes up for something that is not worth it. There were so many times that I have taken negative pregnancy tests that I don't even want to bother with it this time. And still: while AF hasn't arrived there is hope. I hate that I still have this hope even though the pain when she eventually shows up is not as big as it used to be. Being a mom has made a huge difference. It is just sometimes sad to see my body do things it is supposed to do, but not being able to do the things I want it to do.
On a completely different note: Our aircondition unit in the US broke down. Of course these things always happen in the middle of winter. We will have to replace it for $6.300.
That will set us back a couple of months with our plan to add to our family again next year. I hate that we just can't pop them out one after the other like most of our friends. It is always a question of money for us and of judgement how we will add. Will we try more fertility treatments with all the ups and downs and the risks of it not working? Or will we straight go down the adoption road again? Those are questions and strategies we are currently discussing.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
7 Months
I can't believe our baby is seven months old already. Where has the time gone. Lilli is amazing. She has such a wonderful personality and I feel we are truly blessed with the perfect baby.
This morning she woke up at 6:30 a.m. (after sleeping through the night), I gave her a bottle and she went right back to sleep until 8 a.m. Wonderful! We feel much more rested and relaxed today. And so does she.
We spent a beautiful morning with Lilli at the pool as today is a holiday (Carnaval) in Venezuela. Lilli really enjoyed playing in the warm water. She was all smiles and giggles. It was the first time that she has really shown any expression in the water. Before I always felt like she was scared a little. We are thinking about hiring someone to give her swimming lessons.
Yesterday Lilli started to crawl backwards a little. She didn't intend to do that, but she somehow ended up on the floor (and not on her playmat). I wonder whether she will really crawl or whether she will skip crawling in favor of walking. Since crawling is not a milestone I am not too concerned. Our house is not babyproofed yet as we are still waiting for our things, so I prefer she takes her time...
She now eats: rice cereal, oatmeal cereal, sweet potatoes, squash, zucchini, avocados, potatoes, and carrots. Last week she even had a mashed arepa with some of her formula. I am waiting on our food processor to be able to feed her also things like broccoli, brussels sprouts, meats, etc.
Have I told you that I have hired a maid? It is so wonderful to have someone here that helps to clean the house. She is very nice, two years younger than I and taught me how to make Arepas last week. We had lots of fun.
Yesterday we had a potluck lunch at our house. It was fantastic as we had wonderful food. The whole house was full of people with kids. But I really have to get used to having kids trash our place. There are now footprints and handprints on the walls, popsicles spilled on our couch, a ball on the roof,... Maybe it is just me, but I would be mortified if Lilli would have done any of the above at someone else's house. And the parents were more or less just shrugging it off. Do you have any bad experiences with friend's children behavior at your place? Or bad experiences with your own kids? How to deal with it?
This morning she woke up at 6:30 a.m. (after sleeping through the night), I gave her a bottle and she went right back to sleep until 8 a.m. Wonderful! We feel much more rested and relaxed today. And so does she.
We spent a beautiful morning with Lilli at the pool as today is a holiday (Carnaval) in Venezuela. Lilli really enjoyed playing in the warm water. She was all smiles and giggles. It was the first time that she has really shown any expression in the water. Before I always felt like she was scared a little. We are thinking about hiring someone to give her swimming lessons.
Yesterday Lilli started to crawl backwards a little. She didn't intend to do that, but she somehow ended up on the floor (and not on her playmat). I wonder whether she will really crawl or whether she will skip crawling in favor of walking. Since crawling is not a milestone I am not too concerned. Our house is not babyproofed yet as we are still waiting for our things, so I prefer she takes her time...
She now eats: rice cereal, oatmeal cereal, sweet potatoes, squash, zucchini, avocados, potatoes, and carrots. Last week she even had a mashed arepa with some of her formula. I am waiting on our food processor to be able to feed her also things like broccoli, brussels sprouts, meats, etc.
Have I told you that I have hired a maid? It is so wonderful to have someone here that helps to clean the house. She is very nice, two years younger than I and taught me how to make Arepas last week. We had lots of fun.
Yesterday we had a potluck lunch at our house. It was fantastic as we had wonderful food. The whole house was full of people with kids. But I really have to get used to having kids trash our place. There are now footprints and handprints on the walls, popsicles spilled on our couch, a ball on the roof,... Maybe it is just me, but I would be mortified if Lilli would have done any of the above at someone else's house. And the parents were more or less just shrugging it off. Do you have any bad experiences with friend's children behavior at your place? Or bad experiences with your own kids? How to deal with it?
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Solid Food issues
Lilli has been eating solid food since she turned six months. And for the most part it has worked really well. But our stuff is not here yet, so I have to squish everything with a fork. Which works in most cases, but not always...
So far she is eating potato, carrots, squash, zucchini, and avocado (she loves avocado). In the evenings she has started eating rice cereal.
Recently she has started eating very well one day and then the next day she barely touches her plate. I cooked zucchini yesterday and she loved them. Today I mixed in some carrots and she barely ate anything. I don't know whether this is because she has a cold (again) or whether this is a pattern. I also have started to give her water to drink, but she doesn't really like it out of her bottle or her cup. If I drink water out of a cup on the other hand, she wants to try some out of my cup. Which usually ends up being a big mess, but I still let her...
The other thing I am wondering is when to introduce oil, butter, spices, meat, etc. Any recommendations from you? Do you know any great websites for introducing solid food? I am just concerned that she is not getting enough...
So far she is eating potato, carrots, squash, zucchini, and avocado (she loves avocado). In the evenings she has started eating rice cereal.
Recently she has started eating very well one day and then the next day she barely touches her plate. I cooked zucchini yesterday and she loved them. Today I mixed in some carrots and she barely ate anything. I don't know whether this is because she has a cold (again) or whether this is a pattern. I also have started to give her water to drink, but she doesn't really like it out of her bottle or her cup. If I drink water out of a cup on the other hand, she wants to try some out of my cup. Which usually ends up being a big mess, but I still let her...
The other thing I am wondering is when to introduce oil, butter, spices, meat, etc. Any recommendations from you? Do you know any great websites for introducing solid food? I am just concerned that she is not getting enough...
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Dear Californian Department of Social Services
Dear Californian Department of Social Services,
You have to protect these children from their mother. She has now started a homepage to try and support her family. And she is probably making a lot of money with TV interviews. In the meantime she is neglecting her children. Shouldn't she be in the hospital instead, sitting in the NICU with her eight babies? Or taking care of her other six children?
I just saw the interview with the grandmother of the octuplets. This is a plea for help in my eyes. They are already living with 8 people in a three bedroom house. The interior of the house is filthy with food on the walls. There won't be enough room for another 8 babies. Having 6 embryos transfered if she got pregnant easily with all of her other children is irresponsible. She can't even care for her other six children, how is she going to provide for her octuplets? She is all by herself and relying on the grandmother of the children to pick up the pieces.
The mother doesn't contribute any money to the support of her children. The grandmother is paying the bill. She has even lost a house because of her daughters irresponsibility. I just wonder where the mother received all the money for IVF.
Please help those 14 (!) children and send someone there to find out whether this mother is capable of caring for her children. And whether it is in the best interest of these children to stay with their mother. Maybe the State (who will have to pay for these children - sooner or later) could also prevent doctors to perform additional fertility treatments for this mother. Like have the doctor who transfered 6 embryos pay for child support for 5 of the children.
Thank you.
You have to protect these children from their mother. She has now started a homepage to try and support her family. And she is probably making a lot of money with TV interviews. In the meantime she is neglecting her children. Shouldn't she be in the hospital instead, sitting in the NICU with her eight babies? Or taking care of her other six children?
I just saw the interview with the grandmother of the octuplets. This is a plea for help in my eyes. They are already living with 8 people in a three bedroom house. The interior of the house is filthy with food on the walls. There won't be enough room for another 8 babies. Having 6 embryos transfered if she got pregnant easily with all of her other children is irresponsible. She can't even care for her other six children, how is she going to provide for her octuplets? She is all by herself and relying on the grandmother of the children to pick up the pieces.
The mother doesn't contribute any money to the support of her children. The grandmother is paying the bill. She has even lost a house because of her daughters irresponsibility. I just wonder where the mother received all the money for IVF.
Please help those 14 (!) children and send someone there to find out whether this mother is capable of caring for her children. And whether it is in the best interest of these children to stay with their mother. Maybe the State (who will have to pay for these children - sooner or later) could also prevent doctors to perform additional fertility treatments for this mother. Like have the doctor who transfered 6 embryos pay for child support for 5 of the children.
Thank you.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Wonderful day!!!
I am so excited for Rebekah and Ben. If you haven't seen her blog, go check it out. Rebekah is an amazing writer and truly beautiful woman - inside and out. I have been following their story for quite a while and the circumstances of them being picked are just amazing. Blessed be the Lord!
Yesterday was a great day for our family. Our adoption was finalized. We are thrilled to be a forever family!!! I feel so blessed.
But in addition, yesterday we not only received our Cedulas (government ID) that you need to get anything done here. For example: go to the store to buy food or request Direct TV or internet (still surfing on the neighbors net). But we also heard that our car is in the port (of course we need the Cedula to request it), so things are moving pretty well here. Our stuff will hopefully arrive soon. But we also received mail yesterday (from our US mailbox) and several packages of stuff I had ordered online. Lilli's playmat
arrived finally. We have marble floors here, so I am already concerned once she starts walking... I also had ordered a book about cooking baby food which arrived as well. It was a little bit like Xmas.
The day before we had received another letter from Lilli's birthmom. It was so good to hear from her and she loved the pictures that I had done for Xmas. It turns out that a blanket and a bunny that I thought was a Xmas gift from the agency, was from her. I had no idea!!! I was very emotional after reading her letter. It is wonderful that she loves our little girl as much as we do. I am very grateful that we have a semi open adoption. Not knowing who she is and how she is doing, I would be always wondering about her.
If you are in the beginning of the adoption process and are wondering whether you want a semi open adoption, I can only recommend it from personal experience. I understand that every situation is different and it might not be the best choice for everyone and not always be in the best interest of the child to have one. But I feel that for us it was the right choice. When we started the process I was a little hesitant. I had fears she would regret her decision and want the child back. Instead our letters and pictures are helping her with the grieving process and are reassuring her that she has done the right choice. I feel so grateful to have her in our lives. It is reassuring to know that Lilli has all her letters to read one day when she is asking about her. I also hope that Lilli will be able to meet her one day.
If you are wondering how the sleep training is going. It is going great. She went to bad without any trouble. And the last two nights Lilli has slept through. She went to bad without any trouble. She woke up yesterday morning at 5:50 a.m. and today at 7:15 a.m. We are very happy. It was very tough at first, but I am glad that we did it. A baby that sleeps through the night was well worth the two more or less sleepless nights.
Yesterday was a great day for our family. Our adoption was finalized. We are thrilled to be a forever family!!! I feel so blessed.
But in addition, yesterday we not only received our Cedulas (government ID) that you need to get anything done here. For example: go to the store to buy food or request Direct TV or internet (still surfing on the neighbors net). But we also heard that our car is in the port (of course we need the Cedula to request it), so things are moving pretty well here. Our stuff will hopefully arrive soon. But we also received mail yesterday (from our US mailbox) and several packages of stuff I had ordered online. Lilli's playmat
arrived finally. We have marble floors here, so I am already concerned once she starts walking... I also had ordered a book about cooking baby food which arrived as well. It was a little bit like Xmas.
The day before we had received another letter from Lilli's birthmom. It was so good to hear from her and she loved the pictures that I had done for Xmas. It turns out that a blanket and a bunny that I thought was a Xmas gift from the agency, was from her. I had no idea!!! I was very emotional after reading her letter. It is wonderful that she loves our little girl as much as we do. I am very grateful that we have a semi open adoption. Not knowing who she is and how she is doing, I would be always wondering about her.
If you are in the beginning of the adoption process and are wondering whether you want a semi open adoption, I can only recommend it from personal experience. I understand that every situation is different and it might not be the best choice for everyone and not always be in the best interest of the child to have one. But I feel that for us it was the right choice. When we started the process I was a little hesitant. I had fears she would regret her decision and want the child back. Instead our letters and pictures are helping her with the grieving process and are reassuring her that she has done the right choice. I feel so grateful to have her in our lives. It is reassuring to know that Lilli has all her letters to read one day when she is asking about her. I also hope that Lilli will be able to meet her one day.
If you are wondering how the sleep training is going. It is going great. She went to bad without any trouble. And the last two nights Lilli has slept through. She went to bad without any trouble. She woke up yesterday morning at 5:50 a.m. and today at 7:15 a.m. We are very happy. It was very tough at first, but I am glad that we did it. A baby that sleeps through the night was well worth the two more or less sleepless nights.
Monday, February 9, 2009
"Gerberizing" and weekend
Last Saturday when I went shopping at the supermarket I met a friend and he told me that him and his wife were starting to "Gerberize" their baby that weekend. I was wondering whether he meant that their baby is eating "Gerber" baby food for the first time, but realized he was probably talking about "Ferberizing" their baby as he seems to be a bad sleeper, waking up every three hours.
We had said that once we were settled here we would do some sleep training with Lilli as well because while we were in Germany she had developed some weird sleep patterns (waking up three and more times a night). When we arrived here we wanted to give her some time to adjust. We have been here a month. She adjusted really nicely first and we were very happy. She slept from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., took a bottle, and went back to sleep until about 7:00 a.m. But the problem is that she always needs the bottle to calm herself down. I think I had mentioned before that she is not using a pacifier. She needs the bottle to fall asleep. We still were happy with that sleep pattern.
But as usual just when you think you have finally figured out your baby they are doing something completely different, because they are at a different developmental stage.
The last couple of nights she had been starting to wake up again at weird times. For example she woke up at midnight one day and at 1 a.m. the next. We decided to finally start some sleep training with her.
I hope you don't think we are cruel. But we actually let her cry it out the last two nights.
The first night was rough. I so wanted to get up and give her a bottle. But I knew she would never learn it if I would just give in. She screamed for what felt like a long amount of time. I finally got up and checked on her thinking she might have rolled over. She hadn't, but of course once she realized that her screaming had made me get up to look after her, she screamed even louder. Well, eventually she fell back asleep, but it took her a while. I think she woke up about three or four times that night. Yesterday during the day she was in a surprisingly good mood and also took two naps. Last night was much better. She fell asleep and only woke up at 5:35 a.m. this morning, but went back to sleep until 7 a.m. We will see how tonight goes. I hope it will go even better...
Yesterday we went to church. We are so happy that we have already found a church here. It is very different from our church in the States and much more conventional, but is international and has an English service. The pastor and his wife are super nice and they also have two children. Everybody in that church was so welcoming and we felt like we have found a new family here. Yesterday after the service there was a potluck at the pastor's house. It was awesome. Good food and good company made it worthwhile... It was one of the best days we had here so far. The problem is that security is a big issue around here. You always have to be aware of your surroundings.
I haven't really told you anything about our new place yet. We actually have three floors and a rooftop terrace with a great view over the city. Each of the four bedrooms has its own bathroom. We have 7 bathrooms in this place...
The building has a heated pool, sauna, steam bath, gym, and its own squash court... I really love this place especially because it has tons of storage rooms. I finally found a maid and she has started today. So far I am very happy. It is so good to have some help cleaning. We could never afford it back in the US, but labor is cheap here.
Because our apartment is so big, tomorrow night we are having Salsa lessons here. I am very excited as I have been wanting to dance salsa for quite a while. Some of dh's colleagues are coming over and we have a teacher come as well. It was a Xmas gift from his boss to the office. What a great idea!!! I am wondering what I can make. Dh thinks a cake would be wonderful. I only have the problem that everything is still new. Our stuff hasn't arrived. I am still getting familiar with the produce here. And we only have a pie pan. I haven't found yeast here. Do you have any ideas for a pie without yeast? Or any other ideas? You guys have given me all that great advice in the past and I hope that you will be able to give me some ideas.
We had said that once we were settled here we would do some sleep training with Lilli as well because while we were in Germany she had developed some weird sleep patterns (waking up three and more times a night). When we arrived here we wanted to give her some time to adjust. We have been here a month. She adjusted really nicely first and we were very happy. She slept from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., took a bottle, and went back to sleep until about 7:00 a.m. But the problem is that she always needs the bottle to calm herself down. I think I had mentioned before that she is not using a pacifier. She needs the bottle to fall asleep. We still were happy with that sleep pattern.
But as usual just when you think you have finally figured out your baby they are doing something completely different, because they are at a different developmental stage.
The last couple of nights she had been starting to wake up again at weird times. For example she woke up at midnight one day and at 1 a.m. the next. We decided to finally start some sleep training with her.
I hope you don't think we are cruel. But we actually let her cry it out the last two nights.
The first night was rough. I so wanted to get up and give her a bottle. But I knew she would never learn it if I would just give in. She screamed for what felt like a long amount of time. I finally got up and checked on her thinking she might have rolled over. She hadn't, but of course once she realized that her screaming had made me get up to look after her, she screamed even louder. Well, eventually she fell back asleep, but it took her a while. I think she woke up about three or four times that night. Yesterday during the day she was in a surprisingly good mood and also took two naps. Last night was much better. She fell asleep and only woke up at 5:35 a.m. this morning, but went back to sleep until 7 a.m. We will see how tonight goes. I hope it will go even better...
Yesterday we went to church. We are so happy that we have already found a church here. It is very different from our church in the States and much more conventional, but is international and has an English service. The pastor and his wife are super nice and they also have two children. Everybody in that church was so welcoming and we felt like we have found a new family here. Yesterday after the service there was a potluck at the pastor's house. It was awesome. Good food and good company made it worthwhile... It was one of the best days we had here so far. The problem is that security is a big issue around here. You always have to be aware of your surroundings.
I haven't really told you anything about our new place yet. We actually have three floors and a rooftop terrace with a great view over the city. Each of the four bedrooms has its own bathroom. We have 7 bathrooms in this place...
The building has a heated pool, sauna, steam bath, gym, and its own squash court... I really love this place especially because it has tons of storage rooms. I finally found a maid and she has started today. So far I am very happy. It is so good to have some help cleaning. We could never afford it back in the US, but labor is cheap here.
Because our apartment is so big, tomorrow night we are having Salsa lessons here. I am very excited as I have been wanting to dance salsa for quite a while. Some of dh's colleagues are coming over and we have a teacher come as well. It was a Xmas gift from his boss to the office. What a great idea!!! I am wondering what I can make. Dh thinks a cake would be wonderful. I only have the problem that everything is still new. Our stuff hasn't arrived. I am still getting familiar with the produce here. And we only have a pie pan. I haven't found yeast here. Do you have any ideas for a pie without yeast? Or any other ideas? You guys have given me all that great advice in the past and I hope that you will be able to give me some ideas.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Adoptive Parent Questionnaire
Debbie at Family Reunion tagged adoptive moms with this ...! I tag all adoptive moms and dads on my blogroll. You just copy the questions and fill in your own answers...
1. How many months (days, weeks, YEARS...) from 1st paper signed to referral? 9month and one day.
2. WAS YOUR SIGNIFICANT OTHER EXCITED? Absolutely. He was as excited as I.
3. WHAT WERE YOUR REACTIONS WHEN YOU GOT "THE" PHONE CALL? It was a telephone conference with the agency founder, dh, and I. We were full of mixed emotions: joy and fear.
4. WHERE WERE YOU WHEN YOU FOUND OUT? In the bus on my way home from work.
5. HOW OLD WERE YOU? 34
6. WHAT IS YOUR CHILD'S BIRTH-COUNTRY (and province or city)? Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
7. WHO DID YOU TELL FIRST? Our parents and siblings.
8. DID YOU REQUEST A BOY, GIRL, OR EITHER? Either!
9. HOW OLD WAS YOUR CHILD AT REFERRAL? Not born yet.
10. WHEN AND HOW DID YOU SEE YOUR CHILD'S FACE/PICTURE FOR THE FIRST TIME? In the hospital, the day after she was born.
11. WHAT WAS THE FIRST THING YOU BOUGHT FOR YOUR CHILD? A travel bed.
12. WHO/WHAT IRRITATED YOU THE MOST? That people always ask "Where is she from?" when they see her. What does it matter?
13. WHEN WERE YOU ABLE TO TRAVEL? After one week.
14. DID YOU HAVE A BABY SHOWER? Yes. After we were back.
15. HOW OLD WAS YOUR CHILD WHEN YOU SAW THEM IN PERSON FOR THE FIRST TIME? 18 hours
16. DID YOU PACK ANYTHING SPECIAL JUST FOR YOUR BABY? The car seat, bottles, and clothes.
17. WHAT SURPRISED YOU ABOUT YOUR TRAVEL EXPERIENCE THE MOST? That nobody at the airport wanted to see anything for her.
18. DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS WITH YOUR PAPERWORK/PROCESS? We had been matched before and the mother had lost contact to the agency. We lost $3.000 to that birthmother.
19. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY OR PLACE YOU VISITED IN YOUR CHILD'S BIRTH COUNTRY?THE BEST? n/a
20. HOW MANY DAYS/WEEKS WERE YOU IN YOUR CHILD'S BIRTH COUNTRY? n/a
21. FAVORITE PLACE/THING TO EAT WHILE THERE? There was a salad and soup place close to our hotel that we really liked.
22. FAVORITE PLACE TO SHOP WHILE THERE? BabiesRUs
23. HOW MANY HOURS WERE YOU ON THE PLANE GOING/LEAVING? 5 with a stop in Houston
24. WHO MET YOU AT THE AIRPORT? Nobody. We had left our car there and arrived late at night.
25. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU DID AFTER LEAVING THE AIRPORT? Feeding Lilli and changing her diaper (for the third time).
26. WHAT DO YOU CALL YOUR ADOPTION DAY? Gotcha day is July 26th, but I don't know yet whether we will use the finalization day.
27. WHAT DID YOU NAME HIM/HER? Lillian Alexis Audry
28. HOW OLD IS YOUR FIRST BORN TODAY? 6 months and two weeks.
29. ARE YOU PLANNING TO GO BACK TO THEIR BIRTH COUNTRY SOMEDAY? N/A
30. HAVE YOU STARTED OR ALREADY MADE YOUR CHILD A LIFEBOOK? I haven't started yet, but I bought the equipment. Once our stuff arrives hopefully I will be able to start.
1. How many months (days, weeks, YEARS...) from 1st paper signed to referral? 9month and one day.
2. WAS YOUR SIGNIFICANT OTHER EXCITED? Absolutely. He was as excited as I.
3. WHAT WERE YOUR REACTIONS WHEN YOU GOT "THE" PHONE CALL? It was a telephone conference with the agency founder, dh, and I. We were full of mixed emotions: joy and fear.
4. WHERE WERE YOU WHEN YOU FOUND OUT? In the bus on my way home from work.
5. HOW OLD WERE YOU? 34
6. WHAT IS YOUR CHILD'S BIRTH-COUNTRY (and province or city)? Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
7. WHO DID YOU TELL FIRST? Our parents and siblings.
8. DID YOU REQUEST A BOY, GIRL, OR EITHER? Either!
9. HOW OLD WAS YOUR CHILD AT REFERRAL? Not born yet.
10. WHEN AND HOW DID YOU SEE YOUR CHILD'S FACE/PICTURE FOR THE FIRST TIME? In the hospital, the day after she was born.
11. WHAT WAS THE FIRST THING YOU BOUGHT FOR YOUR CHILD? A travel bed.
12. WHO/WHAT IRRITATED YOU THE MOST? That people always ask "Where is she from?" when they see her. What does it matter?
13. WHEN WERE YOU ABLE TO TRAVEL? After one week.
14. DID YOU HAVE A BABY SHOWER? Yes. After we were back.
15. HOW OLD WAS YOUR CHILD WHEN YOU SAW THEM IN PERSON FOR THE FIRST TIME? 18 hours
16. DID YOU PACK ANYTHING SPECIAL JUST FOR YOUR BABY? The car seat, bottles, and clothes.
17. WHAT SURPRISED YOU ABOUT YOUR TRAVEL EXPERIENCE THE MOST? That nobody at the airport wanted to see anything for her.
18. DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS WITH YOUR PAPERWORK/PROCESS? We had been matched before and the mother had lost contact to the agency. We lost $3.000 to that birthmother.
19. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY OR PLACE YOU VISITED IN YOUR CHILD'S BIRTH COUNTRY?THE BEST? n/a
20. HOW MANY DAYS/WEEKS WERE YOU IN YOUR CHILD'S BIRTH COUNTRY? n/a
21. FAVORITE PLACE/THING TO EAT WHILE THERE? There was a salad and soup place close to our hotel that we really liked.
22. FAVORITE PLACE TO SHOP WHILE THERE? BabiesRUs
23. HOW MANY HOURS WERE YOU ON THE PLANE GOING/LEAVING? 5 with a stop in Houston
24. WHO MET YOU AT THE AIRPORT? Nobody. We had left our car there and arrived late at night.
25. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU DID AFTER LEAVING THE AIRPORT? Feeding Lilli and changing her diaper (for the third time).
26. WHAT DO YOU CALL YOUR ADOPTION DAY? Gotcha day is July 26th, but I don't know yet whether we will use the finalization day.
27. WHAT DID YOU NAME HIM/HER? Lillian Alexis Audry
28. HOW OLD IS YOUR FIRST BORN TODAY? 6 months and two weeks.
29. ARE YOU PLANNING TO GO BACK TO THEIR BIRTH COUNTRY SOMEDAY? N/A
30. HAVE YOU STARTED OR ALREADY MADE YOUR CHILD A LIFEBOOK? I haven't started yet, but I bought the equipment. Once our stuff arrives hopefully I will be able to start.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Finalization in sight!!!
On February 10th the finalization hearing will take place in the US. The judge has granted our motion to waive personal appearance. We are so excited that this will mean that the adoption is finalized and we are a forever family.
Lilli is such a joy in our lives. Her smiles make my heart melt. She must really be teething now. Yesterday at church she drooled all over the bench... Her bib was soaking wet. There was a little boy at church that was only one day younger and he already had two teeth. I wonder how long we will have to keep the bibs on...
Lilli is such a joy in our lives. Her smiles make my heart melt. She must really be teething now. Yesterday at church she drooled all over the bench... Her bib was soaking wet. There was a little boy at church that was only one day younger and he already had two teeth. I wonder how long we will have to keep the bibs on...
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