It has happened! I have a referral for a beautiful baby girl! And since I have officially told everyone who would be upset if they read it here first (and apologies to anyone I forgot) I can announce that I'm on to the next phase of waiting.
I received a call late on a Friday afternoon, snow furiously falling outside and me packing up to leave work. My office is very quiet and I didn't want my coworkers to be the first to know so I ran to the conference room to talk and then ran back to my computer to look at the photos and then back and forth. sheesh. My daughter, and yet not my daughter yet. Joy, excitement, panic, anxiety, it's all there. She's so beautiful! When I saw that her recorded birthdate matches my mother's birthday I knew it was her. She's already 14 months old, I can't wait to meet her!
So now it's back to waiting. Waiting to hear when the first court date will be (March, April-ish?) and then again when the embassy date will be (July-August-ish?). Still so far away. In the meantime, I'm trying to be positive in the face of the "helpful" opinions and advice. It's kind of like when you're ready to jump out of the airplane and everyone wants to help you through it.
You know how dangerous this is?
You know the parachute might not open?
You know the plane might crash?
You know that you might just pull the wrong cord and the parachute will come off?
You know kids are expensive? and need a lot of love? and need constant attention? and you won't know what to do? and you won't get any sleep for the rest of your life? and...and...and... You need to do this and this and this or you won't be ready.
Yes. I know these things. I know that I won't be fully prepared. As is any new mother, whether she carries her baby in her womb or in a picture in her wallet. And while I know that everyone means well, I don't need the doom and gloom of how hard it's going to be. I'm thinking enough of that in my head. And I will be as ready as I possibly can be, with or without the "help". So forgive me if I don't write down everything I'm told. I have to filter or the anxiety might just break me.
Countdown begins. So many firsts to come in the new year. Yippee for early Christmas presents!
Congrats! I am so excited for you! It is great that you got the news before the holidays. Just one more things to be thankful for. I look forward to hearing updates.
ReplyDeleteHuge congrats Stephanie!
ReplyDeleteAnd as a single mama on the road to becoming a mama again let me assure you that no one is ever "ready", I'm not sure that "ready" even exists, yet we all manage to do it and often do it really well, you will be great!
:) Anne
YAY!!!! So happy for you and very much looking forward to following the rest of your journey.
ReplyDeleteOne year ago this time, we had our referral and were awaiting a court date. But what an awesome feeling to know that next year you'll be celebrating the holidays with your daughter!!!!
Happy Holidays!!!
YEAH!!!!!! My youngest is turning l4 months next week!
ReplyDeleteAren't you with WHFC? I can't remember where I found your blog and saved it as a favorite. If so, my court date was just under three months, and so far everyone has gone back exactly four weeks later for embassy. :-)
I understand the doom and gloom. Trust me. solo older woman.. adopting siblings... one young. I get plenty of the doom and gloom from people.
Congrats! I just came across your blog from Mission Impossible. I just brought my son home from Ethiopia (He's 13 months old now) and I also live in Minneapolis. :) It's always so nice to find local people adopting from Ethiopia.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your referral and I would love to be in touch. And if you ever have questions, I'd love to be able to answer them for you. :)
Wow! I'm so glad it finally happened for you. I know this little girl is going to fill your heart with love. Waiting for court is torture too on this rollercoaster. Enjoy the ride!
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