It Just Gets Better

Just when you think it can't get any better, it does! We had our birthmom, Mandy, up to our house for a visit this past weekend - my parents were gracious enough to drive her up here so we could spend some time together. It was an awesome weekend that included massages, pedicures, watching movies, talking, eating, laughing, and spending time with my brother, his family and my parents. Brandon and I just wanted the weekend to be relaxing and fun. It's so crazy how comfortable we feel together.

I think one of the best parts about the weekend was being able to feel the baby kick and move around. My favorite part was being able to feel her when she was having the hiccups. Mandy was so willing to let us touch her tummy and feel the baby move. It was the first time Brandon was able to feel her move and he also got to feel her hiccups too - it's just an amazing experience that we are grateful for. A lot of people that adopt don't get to have these moments and we thank our Heavenly Father each day for this opportunity we have been given. Sometimes it's hard and I do get envious that Mandy is able to be pregnant and I can't. And then it goes the other way, we feel so selfish too sometimes that she has to go through this for us. Adoption is truly a remarkable gift.

We have been spending the last couple weeks really finishing our baby's room. You never imagine things to be happening the way that they do. I always thought that I would have a baby shower before I had a baby, but it just feels strange to have one before we have officially adopted her. I do worry about not having everything we need though. Little things run through my head though, like I really do think I need a sleep positioner - it says that it helps her breath better, eat better and pretty much just BE better! And oh my gosh, have you SEEN how many different types of bottles there are!?! And seriously, what's going to happen if I don't have the Boudreaux's All-Natural Butt Paste?!? And how many newborn diapers am I going to need, or size 1 or size 2... This could just go on forever, Brandon keeps laughing at me and tells me to just chill out. It is kind of funny and irrational. :) But especially these past 2 weeks, I have been all over the place - I am trying to get all my rooms organized and cleaned because I feel like I may never have the chance to do that again for the rest of my life! haha! The best part though, Target started having a baby sale on Monday and I took that as a sign that we needed to buy a few things.

The next few weeks we are working on getting ready for our last fundraiser. We are having a garage sale on September 25. Our last 2 went really well and we always say that every quarter counts. After this, I think we are good on garage sales for a few years! :) We truly do feel blessed by all that we have and are looking forward to what is in store for us in the future. Only about 7 more weeks until the due date - it's coming so fast, Brandon and I have been alone for so long - we can't even imagine what it's going to be like, all I know is that we can't wait to be parents and it's going to be wonderful.

Best Weekend Ever!

I drove down to California with my parents and we got there on Friday. Unfortunately Brandon had to work and could not come down with me, even though he wanted to. I was a teeny bit nervous about seeing our birthmom, Mandy, again since it had been a few months since we last saw each other. But when I finally got to see her that night, it was just so much fun. We saw each other everyday while I was there and spent most of Saturday together. I can't even believe how unbelievably amazing she is. On Monday we were able to do an ultrasound. I had never been to one before and it was just remarkable. Mandy's mom is actually an ultrasound stenographer and was the one that did it for us. I am just in awe at how supportive and kind her mom is. I can't even begin to imagine what they are feeling, but we pray for Mandy and her family everyday that they can be filled with peace. It was crazy being able to see the baby moving around on the screen and the little one was just going crazy in Mandy's tummy and I actually, for the first time, got to feel her kick. Below are a couple pictures that I tried to take with my phone of the 3D ultrasound. It really became real when I was sitting there actually looking at our baby. I already know she is going to be perfect and beautiful, if she looks just like Mandy than she will be! This baby is going to be so lucky. Mandy will be coming up to Washington to visit us the first part of September. When I was going to the airport to leave California, it was so hard. I just wish we could be there and help and do anything we could to be there for Mandy and her family. It's so much more than her letting us adopt her baby; she has become a friend and a part of our family forever.

First Mini Baby Shower

My coworkers threw me a little baby shower this past Saturday. Any reason to go out to eat really. I did get some really cute things and pretty much everything we need for the bath. It's so cool, you can put it in the sink and give her a bath that way - it's going to be so awesome! We also got some really cute outfits too. I want to put everything on her, I just can't wait to dress her up every day. It actually made it feel kind of like this is really happening. I am going to California this Thursday to go see our birthmom and hang out with her - and also to go to an ultrasound. I am actually just dying inside because I can't wait to get there and see some pictures of our baby and to see our awesome birthmom. More pics next week, can't wait!!!

Happy 8th Wedding Anniversary

Today we celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary. We are so excited for this upcoming year and all of our hopes and dreams coming true. We have wanted to have a family for so long and it's finally happening. In past anniversaries, there was always a bit of sadness and the feeling of being a failure. I know it was wrong to feel that way, but every year that passed was a reminder of what we hadn't been able to have - but this year we are so full of hope and joy! I always tell Brandon, "I love you more today than yesterday, but not as much as tomorrow." And I imagine that is what being a parent will feel like, as well. Also - just a little tidbit of information, less than 100 days left in the pregnancy starting tomorrow!!! Check out our little pregnancy/adoption tickers on the bottom of this page, we have a countdown!

Cute Daisy's & Fundraising

Brandon's parents came for a visit this past week and it was a lot of fun - they even brought us a couple gifts for the baby. I love daisy's and we are going to accent the babies room with flowers. My in-laws found this adorable little newborn sleeper with daisy's all over it! It's too cute!!! They even surprised us by getting the crib we had registered for. After we put it together, I could almost imagine what it might be like to have a baby. We have been dreaming of this for so long, I don't even know what it's going to be like - it's hard to imagine how our dreams are becoming a reality.

The next couple months are going to be busy. We are going to have another garage sale the end of September and an online raffle over the next couple months. We are gathering some fun donations for the online raffle - so far we have a few fun items and we are working on getting more. We are so grateful for all the donations and support we have received from everyone - we can't thank you all enough!

Randomness

I am so glad this month is over. It was by far the longest month ever - today we have officially less than 4 months until the due date! I can't wait until August when I go back to California to see her. I can't even imagine what her and her family must be going through. For me, I feel so excited, but then again I feel so much pain for what we are asking this family to go through. It's hard to know how to feel, or what is "right". There needs to be a book some kind of book for this - "Open Adoption For Dummies". It's interesting though, because when we tell people how open this adoption is going to be, I think it freaks some people out. We feel that it's best for everyone this way, it benefits the child, the birthfamily and the adoptive family. We couldn't be happier with the way this adoption is working out. Our birthmom will always be a part of the babies life.

It's going to be an interesting next couple of months. Our plans are for me to go to California in August - then our birthmom will come up to Washington to visit us for a few days (which I can't even wait for!) and then we will go back down sometime in October and then when the baby is born. It's practically here!!! During that time we are also doing another fundraising garage sale in September. We hit our halfway mark of money raised a couple of weeks ago - and now we have kind of come to a dead halt. We are trying to think of ways to finish raising the money. Any suggestions?