I got a measurement update yesterday on Gracie. She has gained almost a pound and has grown a little over an inch in a month. The international pediatrician thinks her measurements look pretty good. The weight is low but that's sort of expected and I know we'll catch her up in no time.
No word on travel yet but I did hear from my agency today that all my CIS updates have been received by the Ethiopian Embassy. That's great news because if you're updated information(finger prints and I600A) are not received by the embassy prior to travel you'll have some issues that could delay your travel. I'm relieved to have that out of the way. I should be receiving our Ethiopian Visa's any day now.
I know I talk about this a lot, but I am really just blown away by the love and support that has been coming my way. I never doubted that Gracie would be adored and accepted but the trouble everyone is going to for us leaves me speechless. In October my parents and sisters are throwing me a baby shower. I know the when and the where but nothing else. Knowing my family, it's going to be absolutely awesome. I have waited so long for a baby and there were definitely times when I just thought it was never going to happen. So to be at a point where we're a little over two weeks away from celebrating Grace's arrival is surreal to me. I know that people are really happy for me and excited about Grace, but I guess I never expected people to go out of their way for us. It's such a happy time in my life and I feel so lucky to have such amazing people to share it with. When I made the invitation list I put on the people I am close to and would love to have there fully expecting that not everyone would be able to come, especially those out of town. But to my surprise, I have several friends and my older sister coming in from out of town and another dear friend trying to make it. You might think wow, that's a lot of effort for a baby shower, and hey, I wouldn't disagree with you. But for me, it's so much more than a baby shower. It's a chance to share one of the happiest events in my life with the people that mean so much to me and will become so important to Grace.
I am not a very good sleeper. I haven't been since I was a baby. I think it's because I'm a worrier and at night, I often have so many things that I'm thinking of that it's hard to sleep. Last night I was thinking about all the blessings in my life and I remembered an old Bing Crosby song that's a favorite of mine. It's called Counting My Blessings and I just love the lyrics:
When I'm worried and I can't sleep
I count my blessings instead of sheep
And I fall asleep counting my blessings
When my bankroll is getting small
I think of when I had none at all
And I fall asleep counting my blessings
I think about a nursery and I picture curly heads
And one by one I count them as they slumber in their beds
If you're worried and you can't sleep
Just count your blessings instead of sheep
And you'll fall asleep counting your blessings
And that's exactly what I did. I fell asleep thinking about all the good things and good people in my life and the extraordinary journey I'm about to take to my punkin. And I did fall asleep, counting my blessings.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Isn't She Lovely
So, I can't post pictures of Grace because we haven't passed court yet, but if you haven't seen her picture yet trust me, she is just lovely. She has enormous eyes and gorgeous long eyelashes that curl a bit at the end. She has a sly little smile that's a mixture of sweetness and fun. She has big feet (in comparison to the rest of her) and she has a head of hair that most people would die for. She had so much hair that in her referral picture she has three little pony tails. I received updated pictures from two families last week and in all the pictures her hair is full and lovely. She looks really well cared for, happy, healthy and loved. Pretty much everything I could hope for aside from being told I can go pick her up.
To prepare our impending trip I have had my first set of travel shots and I go back at the end of the month for the next round. My sister, step-mom and I sent away yesterday for our Visa's. They're good for two years so there's no problem with getting them now. I'm starting to think about the things we will need for the trip and what sort of donations I should bring. I have read through all the travel information that my agency provides to prepare you for travel and there's still things to do to keep me busy.
One of the things I need to start on is the photo album for the birth family visit. I haven't really talked much about Grace's birth family and I definitely won't give any explicit details here on the blog but she does have a living birth parent that I hope to meet when I am in Ethiopia. My agency supports and arranges for a birth family visit should the parent or family member relinquishing the child want one. If her family is willing, which most are, I will travel with my sister Kate to their village to meet them. My step mom can't go because she can't get the yellow fever vaccine so she will stay in Addis. We'll travel to the southern part of the country where Grace is from and meet with her family. The only thing I am able to give her family is a photo album. I am making copies of all the pictures I have received of her to date to include as it's likely they have no photos at all of her. I will also include pictures of her room, our house, our church and the school she will likely attend. It will be my way of showing her family that I can provide what they hoped for when they relinquished her. They wanted her to have a happy life and a good education and I will spend the rest of my life making sure I keep that promise. I am also allowed to write them a letter and to be honest, I don't even know how to begin. How do you thank someone for having to make a choice that no parent should have to face. In a perfect world they would have been able to raise her themselves but life is not always like that. I can't imagine what it has to feel like to know that you can not provide the most basic of needs to your child. What it must feel like to love someone so much and yet know that love is not enough for them. That they really would be better off with another family even if that means they go to another country. What must it be like to have to sacrifice a piece of yourself in order to do right by your baby? My guess is that part of your heart never fully heals. Imagine the kind of strength you have to muster to be able to do this. And then imagine that you're going to sit face to face with the person who will raise her and love her. What will they think of me? Will thinking of Grace always bring them sadness or will they be able to take heart in the fact that she will have a good life with another mother, another family who will love her with everything they have. Will they be able to answer the questions I ask so that I can tell Grace about them as she grows older? Or will the pain be too fresh? And what will they want to know about me? This birth family visit will be the most difficult, and hopefully rewarding experience of my life. I believe it will be the best gift I will ever give Grace. It will be a small glimpse into her history. An opportunity to see her family on video(assuming they allow me to tape it) and to hear their voices and know in their own words how they loved her and what they wish her life will bring her, how they would like her to remember them and perhaps a little snippet of who they are. It's overwhelming to think about this part of the trip. To be honest, having the opportunity to meet with the birth family was one of the major reasons why I chose to adopt through Ethiopia. I don't want her first family to be a mystery to her and I think I owe it to her to give her as much information as I can and then allow her to receive it when and in the manner in which she is ready to hear it. The sacrifices her family made is what has allowed me to become her mother. That's a gift and a responsibility that I do not take lightly.
Since I requested a child of either gender I really didn't know if it would be a boy or a girl, but I suspected I would get a boy in the 18-24 month range as it seemed at the time I started the process the wait was a little shorter for the upper end of my age range and it just seemed like a boy was more likely. But the moment I got the call and knew she was a girl and then I saw Grace for the first time, it was clear that she was meant to be my child. Telling people about my daughter seems like the most natural thing I've ever said. I have her picture in every room of my house, sans the bathroom, and I sit in her room every night and talk to her, even if it's just for a moment. It makes me feel close to her. I feel so lucky and joyous and yet at the same time, I ache for the family that loves her enough to let her go. The emotions that come with adoption are ones that I have great difficulty expressing. It brings tremendous joy and profound sorrow for everyone involved. I am lucky to be on the receiving end of the most amazing gift ever but the task ahead of me is to provide her with all the love, support and opportunities that I can. It's the very promise I make to her family and I will fulfill it no matter what. I will do it because I can, because I am able to, because I love her more than I can say. And while I will be the physical parent, she will carry them with her forever and we'll embrace and be grateful for that every day that we have.
To prepare our impending trip I have had my first set of travel shots and I go back at the end of the month for the next round. My sister, step-mom and I sent away yesterday for our Visa's. They're good for two years so there's no problem with getting them now. I'm starting to think about the things we will need for the trip and what sort of donations I should bring. I have read through all the travel information that my agency provides to prepare you for travel and there's still things to do to keep me busy.
One of the things I need to start on is the photo album for the birth family visit. I haven't really talked much about Grace's birth family and I definitely won't give any explicit details here on the blog but she does have a living birth parent that I hope to meet when I am in Ethiopia. My agency supports and arranges for a birth family visit should the parent or family member relinquishing the child want one. If her family is willing, which most are, I will travel with my sister Kate to their village to meet them. My step mom can't go because she can't get the yellow fever vaccine so she will stay in Addis. We'll travel to the southern part of the country where Grace is from and meet with her family. The only thing I am able to give her family is a photo album. I am making copies of all the pictures I have received of her to date to include as it's likely they have no photos at all of her. I will also include pictures of her room, our house, our church and the school she will likely attend. It will be my way of showing her family that I can provide what they hoped for when they relinquished her. They wanted her to have a happy life and a good education and I will spend the rest of my life making sure I keep that promise. I am also allowed to write them a letter and to be honest, I don't even know how to begin. How do you thank someone for having to make a choice that no parent should have to face. In a perfect world they would have been able to raise her themselves but life is not always like that. I can't imagine what it has to feel like to know that you can not provide the most basic of needs to your child. What it must feel like to love someone so much and yet know that love is not enough for them. That they really would be better off with another family even if that means they go to another country. What must it be like to have to sacrifice a piece of yourself in order to do right by your baby? My guess is that part of your heart never fully heals. Imagine the kind of strength you have to muster to be able to do this. And then imagine that you're going to sit face to face with the person who will raise her and love her. What will they think of me? Will thinking of Grace always bring them sadness or will they be able to take heart in the fact that she will have a good life with another mother, another family who will love her with everything they have. Will they be able to answer the questions I ask so that I can tell Grace about them as she grows older? Or will the pain be too fresh? And what will they want to know about me? This birth family visit will be the most difficult, and hopefully rewarding experience of my life. I believe it will be the best gift I will ever give Grace. It will be a small glimpse into her history. An opportunity to see her family on video(assuming they allow me to tape it) and to hear their voices and know in their own words how they loved her and what they wish her life will bring her, how they would like her to remember them and perhaps a little snippet of who they are. It's overwhelming to think about this part of the trip. To be honest, having the opportunity to meet with the birth family was one of the major reasons why I chose to adopt through Ethiopia. I don't want her first family to be a mystery to her and I think I owe it to her to give her as much information as I can and then allow her to receive it when and in the manner in which she is ready to hear it. The sacrifices her family made is what has allowed me to become her mother. That's a gift and a responsibility that I do not take lightly.
Since I requested a child of either gender I really didn't know if it would be a boy or a girl, but I suspected I would get a boy in the 18-24 month range as it seemed at the time I started the process the wait was a little shorter for the upper end of my age range and it just seemed like a boy was more likely. But the moment I got the call and knew she was a girl and then I saw Grace for the first time, it was clear that she was meant to be my child. Telling people about my daughter seems like the most natural thing I've ever said. I have her picture in every room of my house, sans the bathroom, and I sit in her room every night and talk to her, even if it's just for a moment. It makes me feel close to her. I feel so lucky and joyous and yet at the same time, I ache for the family that loves her enough to let her go. The emotions that come with adoption are ones that I have great difficulty expressing. It brings tremendous joy and profound sorrow for everyone involved. I am lucky to be on the receiving end of the most amazing gift ever but the task ahead of me is to provide her with all the love, support and opportunities that I can. It's the very promise I make to her family and I will fulfill it no matter what. I will do it because I can, because I am able to, because I love her more than I can say. And while I will be the physical parent, she will carry them with her forever and we'll embrace and be grateful for that every day that we have.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
So Much To Say
There's been so much going on that it's hard to know where to start. So let's start with the Grace update. I received updated photos of her yesterday and she looks so great! She has a ton of hair, her face is filing out and she has a sly little smile in one of them. The family who took the picture was in Ethiopia last week and they just got back over the weekend. I was so grateful at how quickly they got me the photos. I never expected to get them so quickly. I guess since they know what it's like to wait they understand how desperate you are for any update. They also said that she is a sweetie pie and likes people and to be held. They also reassured me that the care she is receiving is exceptional and that she is being loved on. I know that's the case but it's still so nice to hear it from someone who has seen it in person. They are also mailing me a short video they took of her. I can't believe that in a couple of days I could actually see her moving and hear what she sounds like. It's so exciting and I can't wait to get it.
BEFORE
AFTER
I really love the way it turned out. The last picture shows the adorable onesie that Auntie Andrea and Uncle Rob sent. I can't wait to take a picture of Grace in it.
Grace's room is pretty much done and I have to say that I love it to pieces. It really matches the vision I had in my head. So here are the before and after pictures.
BEFORE
AFTER
I really love the way it turned out. The last picture shows the adorable onesie that Auntie Andrea and Uncle Rob sent. I can't wait to take a picture of Grace in it.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Nesting
I have been dying to buy paint, wall decorations, wash little wash cloths, agonize over furniture placement. And now I get to do all of that. In short, I'm nesting and man, is it fun!
So with the help of my sister and brother-in-law, I have begun transforming the boring spare bedroom into Grace's girlie butterfly room. We painted the top of the wall Sweetie Pie Pink and the bottom Jaded Lime Green. Think Sherbet colors. Actually, it looks like spumoni ice cream but I see my vision slowly coming together. I'll post pictures when it's done. The trim and doors have been painted white and the chair rail will go up over labor day weekend. Then I can put up the crib, arrange the furniture, put up the curtains and decorate the walls. I can't even begin to explain how fun this has been for me. I would never go to this trouble for my own bedroom but I just can't seem to do enough for Grace's. And it's not about spending a bunch of money. It's about spending two hours on Sunday looking for the perfect pink trash can or just the right sheers for the windows. And I spent 20 minutes debating whether or not to spend $13 on a light switch just because it had butterflies and the right pink and green in it. Had I been by myself I might have passed on it but I had Meghan with me and she talked me into it. Let me tell you, after I hung it up tonight, I have to admit that she was right. It was worth the little splurge. I've never spent this much time looking for the right accessories, and it's never been this fun. I had Meghan and Jacob with me and it was so fun to have them walk through stores and point out things that would be great for Gracie.
There is a travel group from my agency leaving this Friday for Ethiopia. I had sent an e-mail to the agency list serv asking if anyone would be willing to take pictures of Grace for me since she has been moved to the agency's care center. Two families have offered to take pictures so in the next couple of weeks I should have new pictures. I can hardly wait. I also had a third family e-mail me. That family was at the care center last week picking up their son and they spent some time at the infant house and wondered if they had met her. I wrote back with her name and sure enough, they had meet her! Their oldest son had fed her a bottle and they said she was smiley, enjoyed being held and was just a very sweet baby. I can't really describe how amazing it was to hear this. Here's this beautiful baby girl who is my daughter, but I've never met her and I've never spoken to someone who has seen her in person. And now there is someone who tells me some of the little tidbits I've been craving. She smiles. She 's sweet. She responds well to other people. They also said that the love and care the kids receive from the nannies is exceptional. I have trusted all along that this was the case but it's so great to hear that from other parents who have seen it in person. I'm so anxious to meet her and hold her but until I do, these little updates are priceless and really help with the wait.
Tonight I finally got her photo album together and sent it off to my agency to mail to Ethiopia. I was so excited to get the album off I was almost giddy. It's a small album with six pictures and I labeled who everyone is. I also put in a picture of me holding her referral picture, our first family picture! We send the album so that the nannies can start to familiarize the kids with their new families.
Last weekend my niece Meghan and I were out shopping for baby dolls. I wanted a soft black baby doll, sort of on the idea of a rag doll. I found lots of black baby dolls but they all had hard faces. I had seen what I was looking for on line so I told Meghan we would just go home and order it on the computer. She asked me why we didn't buy her a soft white baby doll since they had lots of those. I explained that she'll have dolls of all different races but for right now, I wanted a black baby doll. She said, well that's fine but don't you think we should buy her a white baby doll so she gets used to our color? I mean, she's probably expecting a brown or black family and we're white. We've been expecting a brown baby but she might be surprised by a white family. I don't want us to scare her. I think we need to prepare her. Pretty insightful for a five year old. I explained that we were sending a photo album full of our pictures so that she knows what we look like. So many adjustments for such a little baby. I only hope that I can find the right way to help her navigate it all.
I had copies of Grace's referral pictures made and tonight I put them in frames and in the little photo album I bought to carry in my purse. I just love seeing her gorgeous face every place I look.
So with the help of my sister and brother-in-law, I have begun transforming the boring spare bedroom into Grace's girlie butterfly room. We painted the top of the wall Sweetie Pie Pink and the bottom Jaded Lime Green. Think Sherbet colors. Actually, it looks like spumoni ice cream but I see my vision slowly coming together. I'll post pictures when it's done. The trim and doors have been painted white and the chair rail will go up over labor day weekend. Then I can put up the crib, arrange the furniture, put up the curtains and decorate the walls. I can't even begin to explain how fun this has been for me. I would never go to this trouble for my own bedroom but I just can't seem to do enough for Grace's. And it's not about spending a bunch of money. It's about spending two hours on Sunday looking for the perfect pink trash can or just the right sheers for the windows. And I spent 20 minutes debating whether or not to spend $13 on a light switch just because it had butterflies and the right pink and green in it. Had I been by myself I might have passed on it but I had Meghan with me and she talked me into it. Let me tell you, after I hung it up tonight, I have to admit that she was right. It was worth the little splurge. I've never spent this much time looking for the right accessories, and it's never been this fun. I had Meghan and Jacob with me and it was so fun to have them walk through stores and point out things that would be great for Gracie.
There is a travel group from my agency leaving this Friday for Ethiopia. I had sent an e-mail to the agency list serv asking if anyone would be willing to take pictures of Grace for me since she has been moved to the agency's care center. Two families have offered to take pictures so in the next couple of weeks I should have new pictures. I can hardly wait. I also had a third family e-mail me. That family was at the care center last week picking up their son and they spent some time at the infant house and wondered if they had met her. I wrote back with her name and sure enough, they had meet her! Their oldest son had fed her a bottle and they said she was smiley, enjoyed being held and was just a very sweet baby. I can't really describe how amazing it was to hear this. Here's this beautiful baby girl who is my daughter, but I've never met her and I've never spoken to someone who has seen her in person. And now there is someone who tells me some of the little tidbits I've been craving. She smiles. She 's sweet. She responds well to other people. They also said that the love and care the kids receive from the nannies is exceptional. I have trusted all along that this was the case but it's so great to hear that from other parents who have seen it in person. I'm so anxious to meet her and hold her but until I do, these little updates are priceless and really help with the wait.
Tonight I finally got her photo album together and sent it off to my agency to mail to Ethiopia. I was so excited to get the album off I was almost giddy. It's a small album with six pictures and I labeled who everyone is. I also put in a picture of me holding her referral picture, our first family picture! We send the album so that the nannies can start to familiarize the kids with their new families.
Last weekend my niece Meghan and I were out shopping for baby dolls. I wanted a soft black baby doll, sort of on the idea of a rag doll. I found lots of black baby dolls but they all had hard faces. I had seen what I was looking for on line so I told Meghan we would just go home and order it on the computer. She asked me why we didn't buy her a soft white baby doll since they had lots of those. I explained that she'll have dolls of all different races but for right now, I wanted a black baby doll. She said, well that's fine but don't you think we should buy her a white baby doll so she gets used to our color? I mean, she's probably expecting a brown or black family and we're white. We've been expecting a brown baby but she might be surprised by a white family. I don't want us to scare her. I think we need to prepare her. Pretty insightful for a five year old. I explained that we were sending a photo album full of our pictures so that she knows what we look like. So many adjustments for such a little baby. I only hope that I can find the right way to help her navigate it all.
I had copies of Grace's referral pictures made and tonight I put them in frames and in the little photo album I bought to carry in my purse. I just love seeing her gorgeous face every place I look.
Monday, August 17, 2009
She's Growing!
I got a measurement update from my agency and it looks like my Gracie is growing! She's now over 9 1/2 pounds and she's grown over 4 inches which is a big increase from the measurements I received with her referral that were from when she was about 3 weeks old. It's such a relief to know that she is eating and growing and getting consistent nutrition. I'm grateful to know that she's being well cared for but it just makes me want to get to her even quicker. I can't wait for the day I can hold her and give her big hugs and kisses and tell her how long I've waited for her and how much I love her. That day will come soon enough. For now I'm grateful for a relatively healthy baby who has people to care for her until I can get there. I'm sending big love out into the universe for you Gracie. Your Mommy and your family here can't wait to see you!
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Spoiled Rotten
I've only known about Grace for a little over a week but the outpouring of love and support has been overwhelming. I have received calls, e-mails, cards and some adorable little presents. I'm overwhelmed by how excited everyone is over my beautiful baby girl. Here are just a couple of things I have for her now.
This is the outfit I bought Grace on the day I received her referral. Since she was wearing pink in her referral picture I knew this would be a beautiful color on her. Plus, I was so excited to buy something specifically for her.
These are the flowers my Aunt and Uncle and cousins sent me to celebrate Grace's referral. They are so lovely and a week later they are still going strong.
These are from Auntie Kate, Uncle Dennis, Meghan and Jacob. The little slippers crack me up! Meghan couldn't wait to show me what she had picked out for her new cousin. She is thrilled that there are more girl cousins than boy cousins on this side of the family now.
This onesie is from Cyn(aka the Big Meanie), my college roommate my senior year and one of my closest friends. I came home on Friday to find this present in the mailbox addressed to Grace Flaherty(how thrilling that was)! It's never too early to introduce her to mommy's Alma Mata.
This was a present from a co-worker of mine. The present was a little soft bunny but I just loved how girlie the wrapping was that I had to take a picture of it.
So as I mentioned in a previous post, I went and registered and I chose the bedding set. There's a picture below. Keep in mind that her actual crib is a lighter wood but I still think it will look really nice. I went today to pick out the paint and I'm doing a light pink on the top and a light green on the bottom with a chair rail separating the two colors. I think it will look really pretty when it's all done. I'm just so excited to get started on making her the most adorable room I can.
This is the outfit I bought Grace on the day I received her referral. Since she was wearing pink in her referral picture I knew this would be a beautiful color on her. Plus, I was so excited to buy something specifically for her.
These are the flowers my Aunt and Uncle and cousins sent me to celebrate Grace's referral. They are so lovely and a week later they are still going strong.
These are from Auntie Kate, Uncle Dennis, Meghan and Jacob. The little slippers crack me up! Meghan couldn't wait to show me what she had picked out for her new cousin. She is thrilled that there are more girl cousins than boy cousins on this side of the family now.
This onesie is from Cyn(aka the Big Meanie), my college roommate my senior year and one of my closest friends. I came home on Friday to find this present in the mailbox addressed to Grace Flaherty(how thrilling that was)! It's never too early to introduce her to mommy's Alma Mata.
This was a present from a co-worker of mine. The present was a little soft bunny but I just loved how girlie the wrapping was that I had to take a picture of it.So as I mentioned in a previous post, I went and registered and I chose the bedding set. There's a picture below. Keep in mind that her actual crib is a lighter wood but I still think it will look really nice. I went today to pick out the paint and I'm doing a light pink on the top and a light green on the bottom with a chair rail separating the two colors. I think it will look really pretty when it's all done. I'm just so excited to get started on making her the most adorable room I can.
Friday, August 14, 2009
What A Difference A Week Makes
This time last Friday I was anxious, tired, worried and nervous waiting to hear something, ANYTHING, about my referral. Fast forward to today. I'm sleeping better, feeling better and am just more optimistic about everything in general. All in a weeks time and all because of one little girl. It's amazing how things can change so quickly and how one can go from such despair to such joy in so little time.
I know the wait will still be difficult especially since I know who she is now. But honestly, it's such a relief to be in preparation mode instead of just waiting mode. I have lists to make, a room to paint, baby dolls to buy, more paperwork to fill out and information to read. I'm just so excited to have something productive to do.
My task for this weekend is to make her a little photo album. That way her care givers can show it to her and get her familiar with what her family looks like. I bought a really cute album about 18 months ago but it's fabric and not really practical for cleaning and I know they worry about spreading germs. About 14 months ago I bought a second photo album that is vinyl, washable and has a teething ring on the end. I was all set to send that one, but then decided last weekend that it was too boyish so I went Monday night and bought one just like it but pink with lady bugs on it. I'm not sure where this pink obsession came from but I really can't seem to get rid of it. It only holds about 6 pictures but that will be enough for now to get her familiar with me, her grand parents and my sisters and their families. I'm excited to get it together and in the mail.
I officially accepted Grace's referral on Wednesday. After speaking to the International Pediatrician I had to get a number of forms notarized so that took another day. I was going to overnight it but I figured I would be a wreck until I knew it was there so I just decided to drive it there myself. It's not a far ride and it was worth the piece of mind. It's nice to have everything official on my end in terms of paperwork, but she was official the second I saw her picture.
So, I'm just enjoying this time of prepping and rejoicing about having Grace come and join my family. I had just assumed that I would get an 18-24 month old and to know she's only 4 months is icing on the cake. Even though it will be a couple of months before she comes home, I know that I'll be able to experience some of her milestones that I had assumed I would miss like walking, crawling and her first birthday. It will be such a gift to witness those.
I know the wait will still be difficult especially since I know who she is now. But honestly, it's such a relief to be in preparation mode instead of just waiting mode. I have lists to make, a room to paint, baby dolls to buy, more paperwork to fill out and information to read. I'm just so excited to have something productive to do.
My task for this weekend is to make her a little photo album. That way her care givers can show it to her and get her familiar with what her family looks like. I bought a really cute album about 18 months ago but it's fabric and not really practical for cleaning and I know they worry about spreading germs. About 14 months ago I bought a second photo album that is vinyl, washable and has a teething ring on the end. I was all set to send that one, but then decided last weekend that it was too boyish so I went Monday night and bought one just like it but pink with lady bugs on it. I'm not sure where this pink obsession came from but I really can't seem to get rid of it. It only holds about 6 pictures but that will be enough for now to get her familiar with me, her grand parents and my sisters and their families. I'm excited to get it together and in the mail.
I officially accepted Grace's referral on Wednesday. After speaking to the International Pediatrician I had to get a number of forms notarized so that took another day. I was going to overnight it but I figured I would be a wreck until I knew it was there so I just decided to drive it there myself. It's not a far ride and it was worth the piece of mind. It's nice to have everything official on my end in terms of paperwork, but she was official the second I saw her picture.
So, I'm just enjoying this time of prepping and rejoicing about having Grace come and join my family. I had just assumed that I would get an 18-24 month old and to know she's only 4 months is icing on the cake. Even though it will be a couple of months before she comes home, I know that I'll be able to experience some of her milestones that I had assumed I would miss like walking, crawling and her first birthday. It will be such a gift to witness those.
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