Paper Pregnant

Pregnancy is a 9+ month wait and, in my case, filled with vomiting, excitement, vomiting, preparation, vomiting, baby classes, vomiting...

You get the point. Domestic adoption is a very different journey, yet has some similarities. Basically replace the vomiting with paperwork and plan for a longer wait time. I’ve heard it referred to as a “paper pregnancy.” I guess you can officially call us “paper pregnant” now! We just finished the last of our initial adoption forms last night and are going to turn in the pile tomorrow morning.

We still have 3 ½ study sessions to go (you must complete 4 of 8 prior to starting the official home study process). These have been interesting because, while most of the material boils down to common-sense, to someone who has never really considered the daily implications of adoption, it provides some great food for thought. It’s funny to me to be reading the adoption study books as an Asian international adoptee in the midst of a U.S. domestic adoption as one half of a mixed-race couple.

Next up: Home Study! Here’s hoping that this process is smooth sailing and we have an approved home study by the end of the year. Then we anticipate 2013 as a “wait year."

In the meantime, we’ve been enjoying some of these cooler temperatures. While the hideous Tennessee summer heat and humidity are grasping for life here and there, it’s finally starting to feel a little like fall. We had an absolutely beautiful past weekend here. And yes, I just realized I am writing about the weather. This officially makes me an old fart.

I better post some pictures before I write any more about the weather.

Shay being a little imp during her Daddy's birthday lunch

 Helping Mommy pick apples at Bottom View Farm

1/2 bushel of freshly picked apples

Tire Horse!

Polishing off a giant root beer float

 

Running on a giant jumping pillow

One of my favorite shots

Wait, I love this one too!

 

 Feeding the ducks and geese at my favorite spot in Hendersonville

 Checking out a water fountain in downtown Nashville

Taking Our Time

How's the adoption going?  It's a question I get a lot so I figured I'd give a short update:

We're going really slowly on it.  Right now we're still going through our initial paperwork and running the errands here and there to get everything we need.  We're also having to do 4 out of 8 study sessions before we can start the home study process.  As soon as we turn in our paperwork and complete 4 sessions, we'll need to pay $2,000 up front.  Then, once the home study is underway, we'll have another $3,000 fee. 

Both Jeff & I have not been feeling up to going through paperwork at night the last few weeks due to not feeling well physically or just having long days. I'm hoping that we'll pull all of the paperwork together in the next couple of  weeks and have our homestudy done by the end of the year.  Then 2013 will begin our waiting period.

We have gotten other progress done in preparing for Baby #2.  The nursery is completely set up.  We have the crib, the changing table and the swing all assembled again and arranged in the new nursery/old guest bedroom.  Shay likes to climb into the crib, hold one side and jump on the mattress like a trampoline.  However, she hasn't figured out how to climb back out of it again.  We often hear, "I'm stuck!" coming from the nursery and we have to go and "rescue" our little princess. 

We're celebrating Jeff's 42nd birthday on Sun.  His birthday is actually on Mon. Sept. 10th but I have to work that day...222 episodes of the latest series I'm working on have to be delivered for air by the 21st.  We're planning on a trip to church, followed by some apple picking at an orchard in Sumner County followed by a nice leisurely lunch out.  Topping it all off with Jeff's favorite - a Dairy Queen ice cream cake.  Yes, I know.  Gotta watch us Burton's and our wild birthday parties ;)