Oh the places you'll go!

An interesting thing about becoming a parent is that despite the crazy rate at which this happens every day, there is really no guidebook. Although a quick internet search would probably prove me wrong, I'm trying to wrap my head around what is happening right now that will flip our life upside down and bring us a baby. Are two young people getting into something above their head....has our child already been conceived...is he/she gowing arms/legs/hair today...is mom taking care of her health. Essentialy, it renders us helpless and incapable of influence...and probably right where God wants us...completely dependent on Him.
I think this is going to be one of those posts I warned you about.....
Somehow Dr. Seuss know's where we are at;
"You will come to a place where the streets are not marked.
Some windows are lighted. But mostly they’re darked.
A place you could sprain both your elbow and chin!
Do you dare to stay out? Do you dare to go in?
How much can you lose? How much can you win?"

I think if I see another stroller my head is going to explode. I found myself asking how many positions the backrest had in a dimly lit, musty, distribution warehouse on Thursday night. Two weeks ago I wouldn't have been able to tell you the difference between a bjorn and a stoller.

Until next time...Kid you're already moving mountains.
Grant

I think we found IT

Grant & I test drove the Stroll-Air Driver NV2 today - We think this is the winner!! The North American distributer for this stroller from Polland is just down the street. The frame is constructed using aluminum & steel. It comes with a bassinet & the stroller seat has a 6 position footrest and 3 position backrest (full recline and upright position). The seat is reversable and the tires have adjustable shocks. The handle bar is height adjustable. It comes with a matching diaper bag, foot muff/sleeping bag, rain & mosquito covers...and it's easy to fold! Now...it's time to save enough pennies to make this stroller ours!

They said this would happen...

Grant & I spent some time this weekend visiting baby stores to look at strollers and cribs. I will admit (and Grant will agree too) that I have been obsessing over strollers - researching them on the internet, reading review after review and checking out all the strollers that pass us by in public! Today we ventured to Babies'R'Us to see the Quinny Speedi (BRU are the only Canadian distributer of this European stroller that looked perfect online) - the sales associate helping us asked if we were checking out the stroller as a gift and I kindly let her know we were shopping for our baby - "You don't look pregnant" she says while looking me over. What do you say to that comment?!?! "We're adopting our baby" I responded. She then sees this as an invitation to pepper us with questions & comments about how good of us to adopt, asks if it's a long process, blah, blah, blah...Grant & I have obviously been very open about our adoption with our family and friends & we want to share this journey with you but today's encounter was our first stranger-invasion & we didn't feel comfortable answering her slightly-too-personal-and-a-bit-inappropriate questions. Adoptive parents we have spoken with said this would happen...I guess it's like strangers feeling it's acceptable to rub the pregnant bellies of random women they see. At least they aren't rubbing my belly :)

Here's a sneak peak into my stroller obsession...let's call it "Shopping for the Perfect Stroller with Janet!"
We began our search with the Bugaboo Frog and for the longest time I was certain this stroller was IT for me. As nice as it is (it better be with a price tag of $1000) I realized after seeing it in real life that there were a lot of features I was looking for that it didn't offer - the toddler seat tilts in space and does not provide a full flat recline or a full upright seated position, there's no sun-canopy and it's bulky to transport. The new Peg Perego Uno has a lot of great features, I love the orange polka-dot fabric & it is better priced, but it's bulkier than the Bug when collapsed & I'm not sure it would be the easiest for me to manage on my own. The Quinny Speedi & Dreemi (bassinet) looked beautiful online (loved it in the aquamarine colour), but when we went to check it out today the much anticipated "quick fold" feature was not so quick & very awkward. It drove very smoothly, but unfortunately they only distribute the black model without the bassinet in Canada, so we have ruled that one out as well. We also tested out the Firstwheels city elite - it has a great turning radius and drives smoothly, but the seat is designed like the Bug's and the handle doesn't reverse to allow the large tires to be in the front for rough and snow covered terrain. There are a few features I want our stroller to have - bassinet, all terrain wheels, reversable handle bars, flat recline, easy to collapse & carry w/o Grant's help, good sunshade...that's not too much to ask for :) The European market has so many strollers that have the features I'm looking for and look like potentials (at least they look good online) but not many of them have made their way to the Canadian market. Fortunately with the popularity of the Bugaboo many companies are making copycat strollers, including a new manufacturer here in Waterloo. I have contacted them for a private tour of their collection as they don't have any local distributers...I'll let you know how that goes.

The waiting begins...

** This picture was taken at the Old Captiva House on Captiva Island - the same place we had our wedding reception **

Well...we delivered the final documents to FACS yesterday and now we wait for our home-study to be conducted. When we first met with our adoption recruitment worker she was optimistic our home-study could be squeezed in and completed before the training courses begin in April – I guess we just have to be patient and wait for the phone call to set up our home-study…..

As we wait (we've been warned there's a lot of waiting to get used to!) I have been filling my "spare" time searching for the perfect stroller - I have my eye on the Bugaboo and the 3-wheelers are nice looking too...I guess we need to go test drive some strollers!

Good night!
Love, Janet

Sanibel Island

**Picture of Grant playing on the beach with our nephew & godson Owen **

We're back from Sanibel Island (boo hoo). Grant & I spent seven wonderful days at the place we were married 5 summers ago. We vacationed with his parents, his sister, my cousin (they met at our wedding and are now married) and our nephew Owen. As much as I enjoyed spending time on the beach, hunting for shells early in the morning, watching dolphins ride waves from our boat, catching the largest fish at the pier (while we were there), going back to the place we were married and spending time with our family...what I loved most about our vacation was witnessing Grant's interaction with our nephew - Grant was so natural, loving and caring with Owen. Grant often offered to "watch" (play & have fun) with Owen so his parents could get a break. Grant was eager to feed Owen and give him his bottle. Grant was the first to take Owen for a walk around the restaurant whenever he became fussy. Grant ran back to a store to get Owen's hat (I can't believe Grant noticed it & remembered what store!). Grant played hours of peek-a-boo with Owen and gave him many airplane rides...I could go on and on describing every moment I watched as Grant reaffirmed for me that he will make the most amazing daddy, but I don't want to bore you.

I will be posting pics from our vacation on my facebook.
Talk soon.
Love, Janet

We thank God for our friends

Grant & I shared a wonderful dinner with two dear friends on Monday - Although we only live a few streets away from these friends we do not see them often, so each visit is cherished!! We had a great time chatting, catching up, eating fantastic food, laughing and learning about the joys of new-parenthood!! Our friends reminded us that although Grant & I are not experiencing the physical changes the typical mother-to-be goes through, the questions we are asking as a couple to prepare our home for our baby...seeking tips on where to buy baby stuff in Waterloo, what to get and what not to get, etc., etc...are the same questions most parents-to-be ask. Our friends also pointed out that Grant & I are feeling the emotions and excitement that come with anticipating the arrival of a baby the same way "normal" expectant parents do. Our friends also shared with us the daily prayers they prayed during their pregnancy - prayers that Grant & I will also pray as we wait for the arrival of our baby.

Good night friends!
Love, Janet

Objects in future farther than they appear....

As part of our commitment to this journey Janet has made every attempt to ensure we get as much information on adoption as possible. This weekend we met with a wonderful couple and their adopted son at a local coffee pub. We had no-idea what this meeting would be like having been connected through a mutual friend. Having only spoken briefly on the phone, this couple was generous enough to bring their family profile and become completely vulnerable in sharing their adoption story. Reality set in mid way through our converstaion as we watched this family behave.....like a family. There were no rose coloured glasses and no phonyness, just real people caring for their son. Until this time, our adoption process has consisted of completing forms and collecting documentation. While our new friends are probably among the very few to get selected by a birth mom within a few days of submitting their profile, we're setting our expectations significantly further out. Nevertheless, it's fair to say that we were blessed with a healthy dose of hope this weekend.
Good night, Grant

It's a SNOW day!!

** Picture taken Feb. 16 after one of our many snow falls this winter **

Due to inclement weather work is closed for me today - yipeeeee!!!! Unfortunately, Grant didn't have this luxury and he had to go into work. I will be taking full advantage of this extra time at home to pull together our family profile album. Grant & I plan to use Adobe Photoshop Elements to create our album - so it's my job today to learn how to use this program...wish me luck! From what I've seen so far, we should be able to easily build collages, scrapbook-like pages, edit picutres, add text, & much more! Has anyone used Photoshop Elements and have any tips for us??

On a different topic - I had a wonderful conversation on the phone last night with a colleague from work who has adopted two children. It was a very encouraging & insightful conversation. I was pleasingly surprised to hear her first child was placed about 4 months following the home-study and her second child was placed after about 9 months of waiting. Grant & I are meeting with a couple (cousin of a friend) tommorrow to discuss their adoption experience. They had a successful match the same month their home-study was completed and submitted their family profile album to an adoption worker. The reason why Grant & I were pleasingly surprised to hear of the quick matches was because everything we've read about trends and stats said it could take years for a successful match, but from the conversations I have had with people who've adopted locally they were able to bring home the newest members of their families within months of applying - so, who knows!!!

Off to work on our family profile album :)
Love,
Janet