The Double Edged Sword of Adoption

This weekend was filled with highs and lows that perfectly illustrated the various emotions related to adoption.

My aunts (maternal) came to visit from SC this weekend.  *A* and I went to my parents’ so we could all spend time together.  We hung out and went to dinner on Friday.  My mom cooked breakfast on Saturday and I got to drive Mrs. Daisy (and her sisters) around town all day.  *A* had a blast.  He played with his cousins, my aunt threw the ball around with him in the front yard.  He had his first trip to Toys R Us….it was an epic weekend, lol.  He’s much more comfortable with our extended family.  It was a little tough for them because we’re huggers but *A* does NOT hug people unless he’s comfortable.  I explained it to my entire family beforehand but it was still a struggle for them because *A* is an extension of me so they want to give him the same affection they give me.  This weekend *A* hugged without hesitation.  It was a big deal.  As we left to come back home, my aunt was so exited that he actually initiated the hug.  They understood the significance of the hugs and were really happy that he’s beginning to feel that level of comfort in our family.

Add Water and Stir 15: Adoption Documentation

Lately all I want to do is sit around in my PJs and watch American Horror Story: Coven and bask in the greatest that is Angela Bassett.  We’ve gotten quite a bit of snow in the past 2 weeks and I have been perfectly content to not be seen in public.  I forced myself to actually come into the office today only because my entire team was coming in and I felt pressured.  I’ve got a couple of painting projects that I should’ve finished by now, but I just haven’t been in the mood….and given some of the detail, I really need to be focused.  I don’t know whats going on.  I’m sure part of it is my dislike for cold weather.  Now, because of this stupid cold weather, our last 2 MAPP classes have been cancelled.

 #Frustration   #TinyHandsBigAnger

Holy Homestudy Batman (MAPP Class #2)

So, I went to my second MAPP class last night.  All of my planning meant that I was able to finish my info packet and turn it in.  Interesting note, my autobiography took me an entire day which I wasn’t expecting especially since I already had a draft.  The toughest requirement was finding the dimensions of the rooms; the floor plan I had was pretty blurry and I didn’t feel like measuring. Thankfully we live in an age when almost anything can be found online…including a real estate listing that had the room dimensions of my house #ProblemSolved.  To say the class leader was shocked would be an understatement.  Obviously I don’t look like a crazy super planner lady at first glance which is good.

I seriously took a mental victory lap after I handed her that folder

Quick Little update…

I took 2 vacation days last week (Thursday and Friday) so I could handle a few things. On Thursday, I went to visit my 4 childcare choices.  I LOVED the first place I visited.  The kids were very engaged and there was proof of their various activities everywhere.  The facility was clean and the employees seemed to know what they were doing and were actively engaging with the children in their care.  The second place was a bit more meh.  The teachers seemed nice enough but when we visited the classes they seemed to just be sitting at the tables.  I didn’t see a whole lot of activity or engagement or even stuff on the wall to show that they do various activities.  The second place does have a second shift option meaning they’re open until Midnight.  Overall, the place was fine….but I just wouldn’t feel comfortable leaving my kids there.  The third place turned out to be an in-home facility.  While I’m not opposed to in-home daycare, I would only do that based on personal recommendations from friends/family.  I didn’t even stop at that one.  The last one seems really nice too.  It’s a 5-star facility (which is the best there is) and I liked their security features right away.  They do tours on a by-appointment basis so I didn’t get to look around that one but I’ll probably schedule something for this week.

After these visits, I’m headed back home to pick up my fur-baby Toby and head to Homecoming.  As I’m driving I say what the hay and swing by the Department of Health and Human Services (which just so happens to be about 5 minutes from my house).

I OFFICIALLY SUBMITTED MY APPLICATION TO BECOME A FOSTER PARENT!!!

M.I.A.

I know I’ve been missing lately. Between quarter end reporting and the quarterly audit at work, 2 events in the last 2 weeks and an important last minute order from a friend I’ve been beyond busy. Also tossed in the mix was taking my dog to the vet. We think he has something similar to myotonia congenita which is what the ‘fainting’ goats have. Basically when he gets excited or startled he falls over and can’t get up. It’s traumatizing to watch but he’s fine after about 15 secs.

A friend from grad school asked me to make something for his middle daughters birthday. I was happy to do it and she loved it.

I’ve also made some additional nursery progress. I’ve drafted the post for the big reveal but I really want to finish the wall art before I post it. I got a good bit of painting done yesterday so hopefully I can finish it this week. I’m trying to stay focused and finish my orders from yesterday, but the painting is calling me.

Tonight is the next Add Water and Stir podcast so I’ll be doing the recap for that as well. Just wanted to check in and say I haven’t forgotten about the blog.

Down to the wire

I’m getting closer and closer to my ‘goal’ date to submit my application.  I was talking to my sister yesterday and realized that November is pretty much a month away.  EEK!  The timing (and my almost obsessive planning) has actually worked out pretty well because i’m also almost done with everything on my checklist.  I still need to get gates for the stairs and have my dad install the remaining child locks.  I have the furniture and I’m just working on making the nursery more homey.  I’m painting several items instead of working on holiday inventory and I even started working on the desk set.  Exhibit A….

All over the place

Lately I feel like everything is in hyperdrive.  Work deadlines seem to be sneaking up on me, the countdown to my cousins wedding DEF skipped a week or two because its this Saturday (insert happy dance) and my ‘planning’ has taken on a life of its own.  I feel like my mind is running in a hundred different directions at any given time and I feel like I’m just not getting the job done

I just need to compartmentalize a little better….work at work (instead of blogging….which I’m doing now…but after this, lol) and when I’m at home I should work on crafts/planning stuff.  Hopefully that gets me back on track.

Now that I’ve regained my sanity

I’m officially over my period of buyers remorse and the associated freaking out.  So over it in fact that I bought 3 other items for the nursery this weekend.  I’m also working on some other things to be as prepared as possible.  One my biggest concerns is childcare.  As I said before, I’m fond of my organs and would prefer not to have to sell them on the black market to pay for daycare.  I took another look at my budget and I think I’ll be fine once I clear up a few lingering balances.  I even researched a few places and emailed them today.  I know that most places have a waiting list based on how many children in each age range they’re licensed for.  The issue is that with Foster-to-Adopt you never know when a child will be placed with you and how old that child will be; you have an age range that you’re interested in but you still have no clue.  So how would I go about finding childcare?  I asked about that in my email so hopefully I’ll get a response from at least one place.  This will be one of my first questions during my MAPP classes as I’ll be a single parent.

My Big Podcast Debut

So last night was my internet debut.  Before I get to that, can I just talk about the build up to the podcast?  I was a bundle of nerves and I’m not really sure why.  I basically came home, finished a few small projects (because I was too stressed to do anything major) and just sat around until it was time to log on.  At one point my sister left the room because I was making her nervous…she didn’t care about my struggle.  So at the last minute I pull it together and log on.  Everything is going great until I realize that I don’t have anything to drink…my mouth got SOOO dry and I wasn’t prepared for the Wine Down #losing.

** Me before the podcast started **

Winning Weekend

I’ve figured out that blogging gives me a certain level of accountability to myself and having gone back to see how many times I mentioned getting a fire extinguisher, I was ashamed.  So I finally did it on Friday.  Its still in the box on the counter, but the point is it exists in my home…I count it as a win.  As expected I didn’t put any of the outlet protectors on, but once again…they’re at my house so its a check in the win column.

To continue these winning ways, I stumbled onto the Bacon Flavored Sunflower Seeds that were recommended in the 4th installment of the Add Water and Stir podcast.  They are as yummy as you would expect and believe it or not, I got them at Dick’s Sporting goods.  I’m assuming its considered a Baseball sporting good?