Entering Third Trimester

Only three short months to the due date! Thank you to everyone who answered our poll, posted comments and sent me info on baby items, child care research, pediatrician questions, etc. They are all very helpful and will be put to good use.

We have received family medical records and reports from the birthmother's doctor appointments. Most importantly, baby is healthy. I logged on to babycenter.com and have been getting updates so we can follow the baby's development. It says that the baby is opening and closing his eyes now and even sucking his thumb. Amazing! I can't wait to meet him.

I've looked into travel planning for July, but it's probably going to be a last-minute booking. Lots of options to consider though - hotel, long-term stay, condo? Drive or fly?

Our packed bag for the hospital will actually be several bags, a few suitcases and a car seat. No complaints here! - Jodi

Baby Stuff

We went to Babies R Us this weekend. Man oh man do we need the stuff. And there are so many options. So, I'd like to ask all you parents out there ... what were some of the must-haves for you? What were some features on those items you couldn't live without? Or you wish you had? Any and all info is appreciated. We need to get some basics before we go to Florida, so we're looking at Travel Systems, Pack N Plays, diapers, bottles, etc. Anything and everything we'll need in the first two weeks until we get back to Wisconsin.

Fire away! We need your input.
-Jodi

It's a BOY!

I just realized I forgot to include that It's A Boy! It's kind of funny at this point. My sister has four boys and Dan's sister has two boys. It's all boys all the time! Actually Vicki's little guy is only two weeks old, so Ethan and our son will be the same age. Three of her boys were born in July too. I guess this little guy was destined to be in our family.
-Jodi

Big News!

We've been absent from the blog for a while ... but for good reason! Dan and I have received a match from a birthmother. Yes, you read correctly. The baby is due in July. Our baby!

Over the last few weeks we've been busy with paperwork, phone calls, and the hardest of all ... trying to contain our excitement in public. There have been many a happy dances being done in our household. Lots of smiling and even some tears of joy. If all continues to go well, we'll be parents this summer. Sometimes I still can't believe it.

We're not sharing details of the birthparents or the situation surrounding the adoption out of respect for everyone involved. Although we're surrounded with joy and excitement, there is also a very tough situation/decision involved on the other end. We hope everyone understands.

We've also been busy talking baby names, signing up for child care, looking at nursery decorations. All the fun stuff. We're so excited, I don't even know how to explain it. We have lots to do in a few short months to prepare, but we're ready for it all. Dan and I are going to be parents!
-Jodi

No News But Good News

We heard last night that the birthmom hasn't made a decision yet. The good news about that is that we're still in the running. Hopefully we'll hear something soon. -Jodi

Big Purchase

Dan and I have bought a crib! That's right, we now have a crib and baby bedding. We haven't put the crib together yet, and won't until we need it, but it's here. We actually saw it a few months ago and really liked it, but we felt kind of weird buying it. Or at least I did. But last weekend, we brought that exciting piece of furniture home. At some point we're going to paint the room too. Just haven't thought that far ahead yet. Decorator I am NOT.

Thanks to everyone who commented or emailed me about the recent opportunity. We're still waiting to hear so I don't have any updates on that yet. I did call to follow up last Thursday and they said they would get back to me ... still waiting for that for that return call which I have to admit is a little disappointing. Hopefully, they are working on things behind the scenes.

Until next time ... -Jodi

Waiting Stinks

OK, waiting is tough enough, but waiting to hear from the Florida law office about the recent situation - stinks even more. I'm not getting my hopes up. (At least that has been my daily mantra since Friday night.) But it is so very hard not to get excited. I really hope we hear soon - one way or the other - my stomach can't handle this.

On a pathetic note ... I just noticed that one of the couples that signed up at the local agency around the same time we did ... well they're now back on the list for their second adoption. The shocker was their adoptive son is two! Now there was a wake-up call.

Did I mention waiting STINKS!? (ugh - I think I'll go eat worms.) -Jodi