Here we go!

Um...I started filling out the paperwork for the next adoption today. I don't know what got in to me. Well, actually I do know what got in to me. I got to thinking about my next baby. My baby's birth-mother is pregnant right now (I'm guessing). She's probably starting to make a plan and I figured I should do the same. My goal is to have all of the paperwork, home study, profile, etc. in by December or January and then hopefully have a baby sometime around April or May 2009. I have to plan this adoption pretty carefully because I don't have a ton of sick leave to use for paid time off, so it needs to happen in the spring so I can have summer break off with the baby. I called the adoption agency today to ask what they thought and I was told that because I am open to race and gender my wait will likely be 1-3 months. Yikes!
If you ask Eliza whether she wants a brother or a sister she will say she either wants a brother or a brother and a sister! I must admit, I've purchased some newborn clothes and I can't believe someone so small will be living in this house soon!!! I am so excited to see how life will unfold over the next few months!
I also just realized that 2 years ago, today, my mom and I boarded a plane headed for China...an unplanned coincidence!

I wouldn't have it any other way

I saw one of my neighbors at Costco this evening. I don't know her all that well, but we stopped and chatted for a few minutes. I talked about how relieved I felt to have taken my house off the market and my plans for the upcoming adoption. Her response went something like this, "Wow. Two kids? You're going to be very busy. You work full time and don't have a husband". It felt so good to tell her that, yes, I am very busy, but I wouldn't have it any other way. That's the truth. This is what I want to being doing. I love being a mom. This is what I have longed for since I was a kid. I'm not adding another child to this family because I think it's going to make life easier. I'm adding another baby because I want another child.
I have to admit, the thought process for the second baby has been really interesting. I've had a difficult time getting super excited about it. Up until this point I have known I wanted more than one child and I have had the approximate timing planned out in my mind, but I guess I've been waiting to feel something more. I think part of the difference is that I'm not longing to be a mom like I was with Eliza. I am a mom and I love it, but I'm tired and it's hard sometimes. I now understand, and am living, the reality of motherhood. A switch has seemed to flip in my mind the past week or so. I finally feel that feeling of excitement...like I want to start collecting baby things again or walk down the diaper isle just to imagine a tiny baby, my tiny baby, and what life will be like when the day comes. I don't know exactly when this will all happen, but I feel it getting close and I am excited!

Missed the original post on baby #2? Click here.

(No, I haven't started the paperwork yet, I'm just gearing up.)

#2

I've always known I would have more than one child. All along it has been not if, but when for baby #2. I've been hesitant to make any formal announcements because I haven't started the process, but I have done an awful lot of research. I am pretty darn sure I will pursue a domestic adoption and put paperwork in after Eliza's 3rd birthday. I really struggled with the decision of "where" b2 would come from. I looked into many countries. I seriously considered Kyrgyzstan for a little while. The more I learned about domestic adoption the more I felt like this was a good fit for our family. I am currently following a few blogs of single women who have recently completed domestic adoptions and I am very hopeful that the wait won't be long once I submit my paperwork. I am open to race and gender and am looking forward to the surprise of who my next child will be.
I documented the wait so well for Eliza and I don't want b2 to feel left out, so I will be sharing thoughts during the wait for b2 from now until birthday (hopefully spring or summer of 2009). So, come along for the journey as we become a family of 3!