Paper Pregnant

We are almost 5 months along...in this adoption process. Kind of hard to believe!

Each day it is becoming more and more real and the excitement is beginning to build.

The hardest part about being "paper pregnant" is all of the things I DON'T have to prove we will be having a baby- a positive pregnancy test, a growing belly, a due date, cravings, and of course, the constant trips to the bathroom and swollen feet.

However, now that I am 5 months into this, there is definitely a list of things that I'd say prove we are "paper" pregnant!

Let's see, I'll start with the first trimester!

Symptoms:
 - Those first 12 weeks were filled with feelings of being overwhelmed...by mounds of paperwork and hundreds of questions.
- There were definitely sleepless nights as I toss and turned over all the "what if's"
- We had all kinds of appointments to go to- doctor's office, post office, adoption office- that reminded me this was for real when I had nothing tangible to hold, feel, or see yet.

Cravings:
- I craved the feeling of acceptance when we waited to be approved to adopt.
- I craved the feeling of completion when the homework would be finished for our homestudy.
- I craved chocolate when I stressed about the financial part of the adoption.

The first trimester was definitely the hardest as there were many ups and downs and so many unknowns.

Second Trimester (where we are currently!)

Symptoms:
- I am definitely in more of a routine and feeling "settled" now that we've been accepted and approved- I can sleep through the night without tossing and turning.
- The paperwork is in and our home study is completed which helps me relax and feel way less stressed.
- The baby room is finished and I know how to install our carseat which definitely helps me feel prepared and ready.

Cravings:
- I have begun craving for our little one and getting to hold him or her in my arms
- I crave the knowledge of who our little one will be and when he or she will be here
- I still crave chocolate when the stress of waiting and being chosen by a birthmom feels overwhelming!

I guess being "paper" pregnant has its own symptoms and cravings too!

Whether a family is made by being "paper" pregnant or "humanly" pregnant, it is a family. I can't wait for our little family of two to become a family of three! Because we have now completed the home study and are officially a waiting adoptive family, that reality could be any day!

Hang in there with us as we head out of the second trimester and into the beginning of the third trimester of this paper pregnancy!

Growing in my heart

The Waiting Room

"Please have a seat, ma'am, and someone will be right with you."

I really don't like those words. Most of the time it means I am waiting for the dentist, the eye doctor, the primary care doctor, or some government agency...none of which are fun areas to wait.

It is those moments of waiting that my mind begins to reel...
"What will they find when they look at my teeth today?"
"Will I have to get a shot?"
"Will my vision be worse this time?"
"What if I can't pay what I owe?"
"What if I don't get approved"

What, what, if, if- these words give me sweaty palms and a racing heart before I even make it back to the exam room! And then, I probably look pale, and have a HR of 200, and a BP that's in hypertensive crisis and I'll probably need to be sent to the hospital right away, and... the list could go on.

You get my point. Waiting is not fun. Waiting is hard.

And that's where we are right now in our adoption of Baby Woodley!

We passed our home inspection last Tuesday, September 29th, and are now waiting for our family assessment to be completed so that we can adopt in all 50 states! Currently, we are approved to adopt in PA while the family assessment is being written and could get a phone call at any time!

Exciting. Nerve-wracking. Awesome.

 Making all the outlets baby proof!

 Our Emergency numbers and fire escape plan up on the fridge and ready to go!

 

The must-have carbon monoxide detector!

 



Car seat properly installed!

 

The home inspection wasn't bad at all, and with a few things added, we passed with flying colors! Next, we are updating our profile to have it available to expectant moms by November 1st. Our profile will more than likely be seen many times before we  are chosen as an adoptive family. It is during this time of waiting that we will continue to fundraise for the last fees, fill-out paperwork for adoption grants, and pray fervently for our forever family!

 

Can't wait for Baby Woodley to join our family!

 

During this time of waiting I am choosing not to fear. I am choosing not to look ahead at the "what-if's." I am choosing to keep my eyes focused on Jesus. I am choosing to trust in a loving God who has proven Himself faithful over and over again. I am choosing to wait patiently for God's perfect timing!

 

"Please have a seat, ma'am, and someone will be right with you."