Called the Case Worker

Hi, I called the case worker for birth mom. Last time she called she did say call me anytime if you want to talk or have questions. She hadn't seen birth mom since I last talked to them on the 8th. She had spoken to her. I was curious how birth mom thought the phone call went since it was a patchy call but the case worker was very positive and emphasized that birth mom picked us because of our family and she wants us for her child. She told me birth mom is ready to hand baby over to us into our arms and has bought an outfit just for that purpose. I wanted to know about buying birth mom a gift and the case worker thought that was appropriate. She said a frame or the necklace idea I had was good. Other adoptive parents have done the same. I told her about the children and how they are helping prepare for this baby. She was happy and encouraged and said she was going to tell birth mom everything I said. Since she picked us for the size of our family too I wanted her to know how truly happy the children were to be getting this new sibling. She said how birth mom is anxious to have the baby and go back home and go to college. I don't take this as her being unfeeling though. This has to be difficult and the closer the birth is the more emotional this must be for her. This is a first for her too. From our conversation I was encouraged and I think I needed that. With my pregnancy so close and hormones changing daily I was feeling some worry about birth mom's going through with it. I don't know this baby but neither do I know the one I'm carrying so it is a little like that. You start thinking about him and what he'll look like, his place in your family and you make a place for him there and in your heart. I just tear up thinking of how he will by "my" child soon. It is such a huge thing.

Shopping is dangerous

OK, so I'm not buying lots of stuff but I went to town for groceries and closet organizer baskets for kids closets. I found this blanket and Gideon saw the puppy to match and wanted it too so it will be his gift to the baby. It is fun to know the sex of the baby we are adopting. I kind of wish I knew what we were having. I'd already bought 2 blue crib sheets, blue receiving blankets and blue onesies to have while we are there and that's it so I haven't gone overboard but it is so fun to know and buy these adorable things. I am nesting. I haven't mustered the get everything cleaned up nesting but washing up the boy things we have and getting the bassinet ready nesting. My spurts of energy are getting smaller each day. I am feeling quite large and I guess I am getting ready to have this baby, less than 7 weeks to go. The basement is a disaster so if anyone comes to visit us and the baby or babies you'll be forbidden from there unless I can by some miracle get it looking presentable. I know, I'll just shove it all back from where I've dug it out from. Then I can breath easier down there if I can't see it!!!! Please do come visit though, I didn't mean to sound so forbidding. The upstairs is tolerable:)

Has anyone bought carpet lately? Wow! $500-600 for one room. I guess new carpet in the baby room is out of the question. Unless someone out there has a like-new carpet piece 15' by 12'. I'll just vacuum a ton before they are born. Kevin is home working some on the little girls room. It has quite a ways to go but will be so cute when it is done, purple, lavendar and a splash of pink for Riah. Well, I'll keep updating as I know things. No phone calls or emails about the baby this week. I am thinking of calling the case worker tomorrow just to talk and touch base. God Bless and have a good weekend!

Praise God from Whom all Blessings Flow

I've been singing the Doxology this week. God has been very good to our family particularly with regards to the adoption. We can see Him helping set it all up so we can leave and go pick up our newest bundle of joy! Join me in praising God for His wonderful blessings.
1. A like-new car seat used only with one child! We now have two car seats.
2. We had an additional $5,000 given towards our adoption!!!!
3. An offer of a swing, bassinet and bouncy seat from someone at church. We had one of each of these except we didn't have any bouncy seats!!
4. An offer of a book on nursing multiples, a boppi thingy to wear to nurse them and a breast pump!
5. An offer to take all the children. Only five will go but how wonderful to not have to figure out what to do each week. I was planning in 5 day increments and it was getting challenging. My mom will take the other two and bring them over here to take care of animals and do gardening duties. Much lighter load for my oldest which is a huge blessing for her and us. I didn't want her to make meals for all of them for that long. Now I don't have to plan meals for the entire time I am gone. That should have it's own number!!!!
6. Our midwife knows someone where the baby is due and is calling to find a midwife there and maybe a place for us to stay! This person goes to a Baptist church there and I was looking at Baptist churches but there were 115 of them so didn't know where to start.

Is that not an amazing list to have happened all in one week! Our God is an Awesome God, He reigns on Heaven and Earth. With wisdom, power and love Our God is an Awesome God.

NWA will let me fly!

I called Northwest Airlines and if you are within 30 days of your due date they will let you fly with a doctor's note saying it doesn't pose a risk for you to fly. The note has to be no more than 72 hours before your flight. If birth mom is induced on the 6th I'm pretty sure I could fly down there at least. If everything goes real fast down there maybe I'll find a doctor in Georgia to sign a slip so I could fly home, if I'm not showing any signs of labor. Something to be praying for. God is in control of it all!

Interesting Cell Phone Call

First of all this morning I got a call at home from birth mom's case worker. She was on her way to pick up birth mom and wanted to know if after the doctor visit they could call me for a conference call. I was going to be at the pool for lessons so I gave her my cell number hoping the thing would work there. I drove real fast to assure I wouldn't get her call in the dead zone on the Colfax road and then waited and waited for the call. I was so nervous, what was I going to say? I called our social worker to tell her about it and ask for suggestions. Anyway, I got the call and my end of the phone was echoing me so I always thought I was interrupting them but I really wasn't so it didn't go as well as I would have liked. According to the conversation she is due Aug. 13 (I thought Aug 18) (minor detail) and she is hoping to be induced Aug. 6th. Wow! That puts it real close to when I could fly so I am wondering what will happen here. I asked if she would write down her birth story so I would have it for his baby book and she seemed to like that. She wanted that we would be there and he wouldn't go into a caring facility so I was able to tell her that was what we wanted. The hospital is not adoption friendly because of some bad experiences. We can go there and visit with birth mom and see baby if she has him in her room but we cannot hold him!!!! Birth mom does want to meet us so I really hope I can get down there on time for that to be convenient for her. I am thinking of getting her a gift, like a locket or some small token from us. Anyone else do something like this? Most of the talking was the case worker and me. Birth mom was quiet but case worker assured me she was quite pleased with the chance to talk to me and hopefully will again. An ultrasound today showed the baby to be about 4 lbs 6 oz. I know that could be off but I love the details. I'll have to fill in his baby book this date and that figure for some fact about him. I love to fill in baby books with as much detail as I can the first few months because chances are that's all they will get and then we get their book out on their birthday and read about their first few days. It was very exciting even though the call was spotty with their being in a drive-thru also getting food. I am thankful for that time with her. God is so good!

8 weeks and 6 weeks

Here I am now at 8 weeks to go. I saw back an entry where I said 21 weeks to go and wow can time go fast. I received an email from our agency and birth mom just had a doctor's appointment last week and baby and mom are doing well. She's willing to wait for us to do the circumcision. We usually wait and do it a week later or so until baby is a bit stronger and me too but since I'm not giving birth to him I have wondered if we should just have it done in the hospital. Kevin say's "He's our child and we wouldn't do that for one of ours." I like it when he has a say in things. I was very encouraged that she was fine with it and that she isn't wavering so far on her plans to go ahead with the adoption.

I could use some prayers for my thyroid. I'm trying, really trying to be patient with going naturally but I am having so many doubts. I am especially not feeling well these last two days, tired beyond tired, headaches, swollen throat and hard time sleeping. I am so hot most of the time I put a fan on me last night and it helped but the noise of it bugged me all night!!! After last night I plan to ask my doctor for a prescription to Armour, the natural kind of thyroid replacement. I just have to feel better. I might make an appointment with an herbalist for the same day as my doctor's appointment to see what he says about all of this.

We started swim lessons today and it was raining and a nice 65 degrees. After all of these days of being 85 or higher the first day of lessons turned out like this. I actually ran home after Emily's 9 a.m. lesson for an hour and will go back for Isaac's 11 and Caleb's 12 lessons. Rebekah woke up with a sore throat and fever so doesn't want to do lessons. Emily doesn't want to go back. She was the only one her group today and has a bad cold that is making swimming hard to do and they feel she should be in the next level down. She seemed fine with it all but after we left it hit her and she's upset. I think she is just really tired but we'll see if I can talk her into it especially if tomorrow is a nicer day and we will get to go in an hour later!!!! I sure like that better! Oops the time got away from me. Talk later!