Monday, September 30, 2013

a weekend of firsts

We had a very busy and productive weekend-- and there were a lot of firsts, too! Our main accomplishment of the weekend was going rock climbing in the mountains with some friends-- that was an adventure!! Unfortunately, my Sunday was far too busy to even have 10 minutes to sit down and get the pictures off my dSLR (yes, I was the girl lugging a dSLR on a freakin' long hike up a mountain to get to the place where we'd climb...but it was WORTH IT!! I think. Not that I've seen the pictures, really, yet...), so a full discussion of rock climbing is going to have to wait til tomorrow. Here's a phone picture to whet your appetite, though. I should have thought it through and worn a NOT-gray shirt so it'd be a little easier to find me in pictures, but oh well. Promise I'm there, and obviously I didn't die, so we call it a success!



I'm sure this will come as a shock to everyone, but we spent most of the rest of our time thinking about and planning for the baby! Considering that we've known about her for barely over a week, I feel like we've accomplished a lot. Or at least thought about accomplishing a lot. I think that counts. And pretty much all of these things are 'firsts' for us, too, so that makes them extra-accomplishy (that's a word). 

Baby-Related Accomplishments of Late:

1. Got a prenatal (heh heh, not really, but they call it that even when you're adopting) appointment with our first-pick pediatrician for mid-October!

2. Got our bloodwork/physicals scheduled/started for our homestudy.

3. Picked up some light reading and education at the library-



4. Used some coupons my super-sweet and helpful neighbor gave me and started our formula stockpile! Using the coupons and sales, I got one of these for free and one for about a dollar- sweet!



5. Networked with other adoptive families. So far I've been invited to join (and joined) a local 'Adoptive and Transracial Family Group' (with moms' nights and playgroups), had dinner with family friends that recently adopted their son via private adoption using the same attorney as us, discovered that a coworker I don't know well has two adopted kids (also transracial; she invited me to coffee as well!), found lots of new blogs to stalk...it's been a whirlwind!! 

6. Worked on figuring out who/where I'm going to borrow all of Baby B's 'first two weeks' stuff from. (ouch, dangling preposition...sorry!!) 

7. Received our first (beautifully wrapped!) baby present!! Even better-- no birds, owls, or pastel colors!! LOVE!

Note to self: drink less coffee get some Crest Whitestrips or something...
8. Broke my 'don't buy anything until after the first 2 weeks' rule by ordering an Ergo!!! It was HALF PRICE, people!!! That never happens, so obviously I couldn't resist. 


9. Registered for ridiculous stuff I will never get and really don't need (like designer diaper bags...HAHAHAHA) just because it was fun and I can. Boom. Speaking of diaper bags...anyone who has ever had the pleasure of holding one of my 80 lb. purses in real life is probably already wondering: how on earth do I plan on adding even MORE weight to my shoulders? It's a valid question. That's why I'm going to ask the nice folks at Target if I can just register for one of their shopping carts. I think that'll be more practical for me than anything else I have to pile on my shoulders. Just a thought.

10. Freaked the freak out at church with everyone celebrating and congratulating. It was awesome. These people have been praying and fighting for us for so. many. years. This is their baby as much as ours. I have never seen so many people crying, hugging, high-fiving, and congratulating. It was awesome. Our baby is so loved already.

Well, now we're all bored stiff. Sorry 'bout that. Actually, I'm not bored. This is all pretty fun to me. :) This morning I have plans to speak with the social worker that will be doing our home study...hoping that goes well. We have physicals Wednesday. A meeting about my maternity leave on Friday. This is getting real fast!! So exciting!!

Happy Monday! I actually got some sleep last night, miracle of miracles...I feel like I can conquer the world today! Or maybe even upload my rock climbing pictures. Hopefully. Anyway. Have a great day!

32 comments:

  1. I will NEVER be bored reading about how excited you are about your baby. Never. I am still sooooo excited with you and for you and walk around with a big smile on my face. Seriously, this is all awesome!!!

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  2. This takes me back to the excitement I felt getting ready for our own Baby B. I love it! Thanks for letting us live vicariously through you--so very, very excited for you!!

    (P.S., I just typed out a really long message about any baby supplies you need to borrow from us, and then realized it wasn't really appropriate for your comment feed, so I'll send you an email shortly!)

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  3. I've never been so underwhelmed by someone rock climbing! I mean it's great and all but I love to hear all of this baby stuff :)

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  4. that sounds like such a fabulous weekend! it's awesome that there are so many people to be there for support while you guys go through this process. i don't think any of us will ever be bored reading about baby stuff, keep it coming! :]

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  5. I bet you're feeling crazy accomplished after climbing a MOUNTAIN! For whatever reason, until I saw the picture, I was thinking of hiking... "ooo, FUN"... not SCALING a mountaing by finger tips and toes! Geez girl! That's amazing! I'd vomit about 10 feet off the ground and cry until someone came to get me!

    Yay for all the SUPER awesome baby fun! I'm still so excited! Your awesome news hit right at the time of my new cycle... weepy mess all weekend everytime I think about it!

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  6. That sounds like an AMAZING weekend.
    LOVE the Ergo... we have every carrier and that is one of our favs!
    Can't wait for the climbing pics and for more baby updates!

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  7. This is all so very exciting!!! There's nothing like a two-month "pregnancy". :) Thrilled for you!!!

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  8. Oh Erika - that is all so exciting!! What a joy to celebrate the gift of life that is coming!! Hooray!!!!!!!!

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  9. What a great weekend of firsts! :)

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  10. Nothing boring about it - this is some of the fun stuff you have been waiting and hoping to do FOR YEARS, so live it up!! Nesting at its finest :)

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  11. This is all just so amazing!!! What a cute baby outfit too! I am so happy for you Erika :)

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  12. You are ahead of the game! Woohoo!

    If you have any specific questions about the home study I am happy to answer. I conducted tons of home studies for couples who were adopting via a birthmother situation :).

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  13. Oh gosh - You are going to LOVE the ergo. Definitely a worthy purchase!!!!! We paid full price for one (lost our original baby carrier, the k'tan, borrowed an ergo from a friend for travel, fell in love, needed one ASAP.) and have been so happy with it.

    Also, from the looks of things, your girl won't be a little whitey, which just makes me all sorts of giddy on your behalf.

    Lastly (promise, this is the end), I lol'd at your "no owls/birds/pastels" comment. It's hilarious mostly because I adopted the same hatred of said cutesy animals/colors

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  14. I'm thoroughly enjoying every single baby post and hope they is one daily!
    Very jealous of your "rick" climbing adventure. I so want to try that some day. Bucket list!

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  15. Obviously I meant to write "there" is one daily. Silly auto correct ;-)

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  16. I'm glad you survived the rock climbing and can't wait for the pictures! Love reading about alll the baby stuff!!! :)

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  17. I read your blog in your speaking voice, so I know you have been practically hyperventilating for the past week!

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  18. I love that you are more prepared for your transracial adoption than I am for mine...lol. I love you. THe two books that I highly recommend that have made a big difference in our parenting and our sleeping are: 12 Hours by 12 Weeks (we stuck to the plan like glue and Maine is sleeping 7pm to 6am), and SuperBaby. It gave us a great way to understand our child and opened up such great dialog between us on parenting styles.

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  19. So exciting to read about your baby prep- I promise we are not bored at all!

    Also, you need to get over your hatred for owls. They are cute and lovable and not to mention very trendy right now!

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  20. How exciting!!! It's definitely not boring to read about at all! You are going to be such an awesome mom! Also, I knew Amanda was going to say something about the owls! Ha!

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  21. There is NO SUCH THING as bored here, girl! Pile it on!!

    The Ergo was the first thing I bought, too!!

    My sister recommended the Ju-Ju-Be line of diaper bags because of the memory foam in the strap and anti-microbial lining. I registered for this one:

    http://www.amazon.com/Ju-Ju-Be-Messenger-Insulated-Pockets-Sunrise/dp/B00BG02QM8/ref=br_it_dp_v_S_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=1MEF09XLFUKAT&coliid=I1U3MYY1MKS6AG

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  22. What fun to baby shop! I'm not really sure how they get your info, but we got a ton of samples of formula (like full size containers) from both enfamil and similac when my son was born, plus they kept sending coupons. So you may want to do some stalking not hose websites to see if you can get on a new baby list to get the freebies!

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  23. Not a single drop of this was boring! I am so excited for you guys and look forward to all your updates! Where I where did you find an ergo for 1/2 price????

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  24. Oh my gosh this is happening fast! But you are doing awesome! Getting things done physically and emotionally! This is the first mention that it is a transracial adoption! When you have time please fill us in on that and where the birth mom lives if you can!! So excited for you!!

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  25. No lie, when I first saw that rock wall I thought what is she DOING, she is pregnant!!! :)
    Love the picture of you with the first baby gift. You are soooo happy!!! I love that you are getting registered and do research on products, I'll be expecting a report on the blog as to what products are best!

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  26. I love your list! I also feel like you got quite a lot accomplished in a very short space of time. Good on you!!

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  27. Wow! You are knocking things off left and right. We love hearing about your exciting news.

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  28. there is something so touching about seeing the photo of the stack of BABY BOOKS ready to be read . . . .hugs again to the two of you.
    :)

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  29. You are radiating joy right through this computer monitor!!! SO excited for you two!!!

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  30. Is there somewhere that maybe your bloggy friends could access your registry???

    I loved your baby update! Actually, I really did like this one way more that the week by week posts a lot of people do.

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  31. No pastels, owls or birds? Good to know. Gotta memorize this stuff for future baby gifts. :o)

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