Lucky Ducks- Newborn Moms are Lucky Ducks

Newborn Olivia - her parents are Lucky Ducks!

Awwww... babies. I do love them so.
 Love, really, is a understatement.  I am obsessed with them. I just can not give them enough kisses! Ask all my nieces and nephews.  This weekend I went to a baby shower for a friend who is having a boy in June. I also got to hold and snuggle Olivia Joy, who will be1 mo in a few days. It's kind of hard to be around babies.... I do have to admit, I got a bit jealous this weekend =/

Sometimes, I wonder why, and get a bit sad, to think that I will most likely miss the "baby stage" of Babycakes' life. I think of how Moms of newborns get to love on their babies from the very beginning.  Let me back up, in Haitian adoptions, most families get matched with an infant, but by the time the process is complete and the child comes home, they are closer to toddler age. I am praying that she will come home before she is 24 months. Don't get me wrong, I sure do believe that God is bigger than time lines but I am also trying to be realistic with the process too. She will come when she comes!

But look on the bright side..... 
I have a hunch parenting a toddler will also have it's own set of unique blessings- If I am lucky Babycakes will turn out like Emma  (my friend Jen's adorable 2 yr old)..  like Emma but a little more chocolate!

Two Year Old Emma- her parents are also Lucky Ducks!

Thanks again for reading.......

Who in the World is Reading My Blog?

Mesi (thank you) to ALL who read my blog- I really enjoy writing about my adoption journey towards Babycakes ! For those of you who have met me in person, you all know I like to talk (ALOT)!!!  This blog is kind of like an ongoing conversation about the joys, struggles, wonderings of this crazy journey! It will also be a gift to Babycakes (when she is ready, our course).


BTW... I continue to wonder who is reading my blog from Cary, NC... would love to know who you are =) 

Playing Catch Up !

Today Dixie (the director of GLA) wrote this on the GLA blog.....

"IBESR will not be taking new dossiers until the 1st of June in an effort to complete studying and authorizing the ones already sitting on their desks and also finish the ones that have been given dispensations in the last few weeks. 

According to a source, the director of IBESR is wanting to clear the dossiers that have been sitting for some time waiting for approval.  There were many in IBESR when she took over the position of Director in November 2011.  None were signed until after February 2012 and so they are way behind.

We will continue to propose children and prepare dossiers so that on the 1st of June, dossiers can be turned into IBESR.  We are looking at this as a good opportunity for IBESR to clear their work load and prepare for the new dossiers that will be ready and waiting in June!"

 In simple, non adoptive parent terms, the IBESR (Haitian Social Services) is taking a break so they can catch up! IBSER  is the 1st step in the process. 
This, I think, is good news for me because then GLA can work on getting paperwork gathered and organized for children who are getting ready to be proposed (referred to adoptive families).  Hopefully this means I can meet Babycakes sooner than later.

Great Resource for Photo Books

Many adoptive parents create a picture book of their family home, pets, etc. to give their adoptive child who is waiting to come home.  I plan on making one for Baby Cakes after I go and meet her for the first time and we take lots of adorable pictures.

I found this great website that allows parents to design their own board book to send to their child. It's called  Pintsize Books. 
Check it OUT!

Dear Baby Cakes.......

Dear Baby Cakes,

Today, Easter Sunday 2012, I really miss you ;( Even though I haven't even met you or even know your name!
I wish I had a beautiful frilly dress picked out this morning to put you in and bring you to church to show you off! I wish I had a basket for you filled with candy and those plastic eggs.

Most likely by next Easter 2013, I will have met you at GLA and am close to bringing you home to your forever home!

Happy Easter Baby Cakes! I LOVE you sooooooooooooo much !

Love, Mom

P.S. It's hard being a adoptive mom today! 

One Year Anniversary

One year ago today, April 7, 2011, I attended a informational meeting on adoption at Bethany Christian Services, and thus, the journey of getting Baby Cakes began!!!  

Little did I know this last next year would be filled with more PAPERWORK than I ever have seen, praying, stalking people for PAPERWORK, praying, learning how to be a vanilla mom to a chocolate kid (the hair will definitely be my Everest) and meeting so many wonderful adoptive families that have been, or are, on a similar  journey (no two are the same) as me! It has been quite the year! Mostly good and little bad. 

My vocabulary has increased as well, words like: home study, dossier, referral and Gotcha Day are now regular words in my vocabulary.

But, the most important thing I was reminded of the year is that God is and will ALWAYS be good and faithful! 

Two Months Down.. ?????? to GO

Quick update on my adoption journey.

As of today, April 1st, my dossier has been at GLA in Haiti for two months.   This is also the time I have been waiting my a referral (a match) of a infant girl ! I have been told it will be a least six months before I get a referral.  So, that puts me at July 1st, so I am sure will have my referral by July 2nd!

Ha Ha-- April Fools!!!!! 

God knows the date- I will just have to wait (hey, that rhymes)!