One Step Closer

Well, we have decided to increase the maximum age of our referral to 30 months up from 18 months. After talking with the agency coordinator, the wait for baby girls in Russia continues to rise exponentially.

TheDentist and I really talked and prayed about this decision. When we started this journey, we were very set on our adoption parameters - we wanted a little girl as young as possible. Unfortunately that is the most requested child for both domestic and international adoptions as well as for the Russian foster care system.

So...our amended homestudy and other documents (with the age of child requested) are at the Secretary of State's office being apostilled. We expect those back in about a week.

One step closer? Let's hope!

Wordless Wednesday

A Rose by Any Other Name

Since I now have a beautiful new blog makeover (thank you Danielle), I have been racking my brain trying to come up with “nicknames” for my boys just to use on this blog. Why does it seem that no one uses their real names? (I think this is a little silly considering anyone reading this already knows the real name of the little girl that we will be adopting.)

This has taxed my brain a little longer than I should have let it considering I am always behind on getting things done. Anyway, I think I finally have two names…they may seem funny at first, but let me explain. We are avid Carolina Tar Heel fans. The basketball coach (as many of you already know) is Roy Williams. Our new awesome football coach is Butch Davis. Therefore, our oldest will be Butch and our youngest will be Lil’ Roy !

Now why did I think it necessary to explain that???

Paper Pregnancy

You know...I am just not fond of the adoption term, "paper pregnancy"! I have been pregnant twice and have two boys. Now we are adopting, but I don't feel pregnant at all! A lot of people keep referring to me this way, you decide...would you like it?

OK...the pros of a paper pregnancy

1. You shouldn't gain weight - if you do, it's your own fault...you are only eating for one - not two!
2. No doctors visits
3. No hormonal mood swings - although TheDentist actually said that I was more even-tempered during pregnancy! Go figure.
4. No delivery!!!

Ok...now the cons

1. You don't have that amazing maternal experience of carrying a child.
2. Adoption is VERY expensive, and guess what, it is not covered on your insurance!
3. You don't necessarily get to meet your child as a newborn.
4. You DO NOT have a due date so the wait can be extremely emotional and trying.

Well???

The Wait

Well...

Our paperwork has officially been in Moscow for 2 months now. Those two months have really flown by with the end of summer and the start of school. However, I am really starting to find myself getting impatient! ALREADY! Of course, I know that it will do me no good!

I broke down and called our agency coordinator yesterday! She has informed me that our wait will probably be extended even more than 8 months (more like a year from now) before any little girls under the age of 18 months become available for international adoption! My heart just sank. TheDentist and I have lots to think about! We are considering redoing our CIS paperwork and reapplying with a minimum age of 2.5 years!