2 Poohs & a Piglet: Taking on the World from a Fluffy Point of View: TR starts PG 7

[distherapy]

Don't forget the time zone change! It always worked in our favor coming from Central to Eastern - we kept the kids up later than normal and we were fine.

Just stumbled across your trip report and am so glad I read it. Hope this week is the best week ever! Congratulations!!!

 

[moonpie85]

I became a Mommy today. It's been a very long time coming. Five years of infertility treatments that were unsuccessful. Two years on an adoption waiting list. Finally in late 2009 we decided to become foster parents in hope of adopting a baby out of foster care.

On July 12, 2010 I got a phone call while driving down the road. There was a newborn baby girl in NICU that needed a home. She was born with two holes in her heart and addicted to multiple drugs. My husband and I had discussed many times what we would be willing to take on and what we wouldn't so I said yes to placement without even calling him.

I drove to the city where she was and stopped at Babies R Us to buy a carseat. Yes, thats all I had for her. We had wanted to prepare but had no idea in the beginning what age we would end up with or gender or anything so it had been impossible. I got to the hospital and met the little girl who ended up changing my world. She was tiny. Covered with all kinds of tubes but she was beautiful and she was perfect. I was scared to even pick her up because she had all sorts of machines connected but the nurse helped me. Soon (just 2 hours after the phone call) I was leaving the hospital and headed home to surprise my husband. Rudy fell in love fast and hard. Harder than me. She was instantly Daddy's Little Princess.

We decided to call her "Boo" from Monsters Inc. CPS told us there was a good chance this case would end in adoption as they knew this mother from previous cases so we didn't want her to get used to her birth name. The next several months were a very hard and scary time in our lives. She went through horrible drug withdraws for three months that would included constant tremors. Also, since she was a foster child there was a chance we could lose her at any time. Yet our hearts grew more in love with her everyday. You can only build walls so high to protect yourself then your baby smiles at you and calls you mama and they come tumbling down. The thought of losing her was unbearable.

In May of 2011 we went to trial to terminate the parental rights after the system had given them multiple chances to get their lives together for their child. They said in court that they loved her and wanted her but they knew she was better off with us. The jury terminated after just three hours of deliberating after a week long trial. It was a horrible thing to witness and I pray I don't have to ever again. Yet at the same time this meant we could finally adopt her....or so we thought.

As we started to prepare for the adoption something happened, something we weren't expecting. Suddenly two people who had said no to the baby when offered at birth decided they wanted her 14 months later. Interesting how they didn't want her when she was a withdrawing newborn with a heart condition but now that she was "perfect" they did. Okay, just another bump in the road. Then we found out they had more rights to her than we did. Sigh. We were devastated. One was a great aunt who lived a thousand miles away and had never even seen her. But obviously, family members have more rights than foster. The other was the foster mom to the baby's two older half siblings. And of course they like to put siblings together when possible even though the girls never lived together or even had any real relationship. Words can't describe how scared we were. I didn't sleep, I didn't eat, I just cried. I constantly cried.

We decided although the odds were against us we were going to fight it with everything we had. We not only had to do it for us but for this baby girl who only knew us as her family. We searched a 100 mile radius and interviewed several attorneys, most who told us we had no chance and finally hired the best we could find that would take the case.

On August 3, 2011 we went to court. It was a scary day to say the least. Everybody going against us was on one side of the room. This included the department who we had worked with diligently for 14 mos. They had written policy that they had to give her to the foster mom who had the older siblings. The caseworker was in tears, she wanted her to stay with us because she knew it was best but her job made her do otherwise. This also included the other foster family and the great aunt and of course a slew of attorneys. On our side of the court room it was us, our attorney, and the baby's attorney who thank God was on our side.

As court started something amazing took place. The judge actually seemed angry at the opposite side of the courtroom. Whaaaat?? He was like how dare they claim that taking this child from the only home she's ever known was in her best interest? He asked what we did wrong to take her from us. They were all silent. None of them had a case other than just simply wanting her a year after they said they didn't. We were in tears because we were just so shocked. However, he didn't give us an answer that day, he said he wanted to sleep on it before making his judgment. So we left still very scared and unsure but we were feeling much better about it.

The next day I got the call that once again forever changed my life. He had ruled in our favor and we were able to proceed with adoption. Happy days were finally here!

On October 11, 2011 we walked into the courtroom as foster parents and walked out as Mommy and Daddy. It's over. We're finally able to love completely without worry that we will lose her at any moment. She is our world.

We leave for WDW in two weeks. This trip is for her. This trip is a celebration of life and love. When we were there on our last trip as Wishes started and we were told to make a wish I closed my eyes and wished the next time we watched Wishes we would be watching with our child. It seemed so impossible at the time after so many years of failed treatments and waiting for adoption calls. But it's true....wishes do come true. You just have to believe!

Up Next: Mini Update!

 

[Lady Lallie]

Sniff Sniff. I'm in tears at my desk at work. Your story is so moving and touching.

I am so VERY HAPPY for you, your husband and little Boo.

 

[moonpie85]

Sniff Sniff. I'm in tears at my desk at work. Your story is so moving and touching.

I am so VERY HAPPY for you, your husband and little Boo.

Thank you! Nice to finally breathe again

How's the little avacado comin along?

 

[Lady Lallie]

Thank you! Nice to finally breathe again

How's the little avacado comin along?

Little avocado is good. If only the mama could calm down! My blood pressure was high last week at my appointment so I'm headed to the doctors again today to have it checked again. Wish me luck that I can actually calm down.

 

[moonpie85]

Little avocado is good. If only the mama could calm down! My blood pressure was high last week at my appointment so I'm headed to the doctors again today to have it checked again. Wish me luck that I can actually calm down.

Oh no! It'll be okay momma. But I will say an extra little prayer for you

 

[moonpie85]

Don't forget the time zone change! It always worked in our favor coming from Central to Eastern - we kept the kids up later than normal and we were fine.

Just stumbled across your trip report and am so glad I read it. Hope this week is the best week ever! Congratulations!!!

Thanks! Sorry I'm just now responding but somehow I missed your post

Yeah, I just thought about the time change and you're right that will probably definately help us!

 

[moonpie85]

Okay so look at what I found on eBay!

How freaking perfect is this iron-on for Boo?? I went to Wal-Mart and found a little black tee to put it on. Hoping it comes out alright.

Will show you when I'm done!

 

[Lady Lallie]

Okay so look at what I found on eBay!

How freaking perfect is this iron-on for Boo?? I went to Wal-Mart and found a little black tee to put it on. Hoping it comes out alright.

Will show you when I'm done!

I love it! Very cute.

I've done those iron on crystals before, they aren't too bad to do just take a little bit of patience.

 

[vikkii19]

Joining in. Looking forward to this TR for 2 reasons. First, I'm also pooh sized and remember how panicked I was on our Honeymoon trip in 2009. The only problem I remember having was at a couple of the theatres. I remember having a huge bruise on my thigh from the armrests at Muppet 3D. After that, anytime a seat had armrests, I would sit on the edge of the seat and back into the seat.

I'm also looking forward to hearing how it goes with a toddler. We're hoping to bring our daughter in January 2013 when she'll be about 22 months.

On another note, congratulations on the adoption, you guys are a beautiful family. I seriously cried like a baby reading the story. So happy it turned out for you guys.

 

[moonpie85]

I love it! Very cute.

I've done those iron on crystals before, they aren't too bad to do just take a little bit of patience.

I'm curious how they work...do they go on one at a time?

 

[Lady Lallie]

I'm curious how they work...do they go on one at a time?

The one I had, had plastic behind the sticky stuff, so you peeled that off, set it on the shirt and then took of a top layer of sticky and then ironed. But sometimes you will get a stray crystal....that is the frustrating part.

 

[moonpie85]

Joining in. Looking forward to this TR for 2 reasons. First, I'm also pooh sized and remember how panicked I was on our Honeymoon trip in 2009. The only problem I remember having was at a couple of the theatres. I remember having a huge bruise on my thigh from the armrests at Muppet 3D. After that, anytime a seat had armrests, I would sit on the edge of the seat and back into the seat.

I'm also looking forward to hearing how it goes with a toddler. We're hoping to bring our daughter in January 2013 when she'll be about 22 months.

On another note, congratulations on the adoption, you guys are a beautiful family. I seriously cried like a baby reading the story. So happy it turned out for you guys.

Hi!

Thanks for reading! Yeah I struggle with the Muppets too. So much that I stopped going and I hate that because it's such a cute show! I couldn't slide back into the chair, it was too painful Philarmagic is nice and comfy I wish they were all like that!

Thank you for the adoption comments. We are on cloud nine

I will for sure let you know how fitting with her on rides works out for us and also us riding rides we haven't in the past like Dumbo, Pooh, etc. Your little one is adorable! Bet you're already planning that trip in 2013

 

[moonpie85]

The one I had, had plastic behind the sticky stuff, so you peeled that off, set it on the shirt and then took of a top layer of sticky and then ironed. But sometimes you will get a stray crystal....that is the frustrating part.

Okay well hopefully I can handle it. I'm not crafty AT ALL

 

[danimaroo]

Count me in as well! I've been reading from the start actually, but just haven't posted yet! Totally awesome PTR and "view" to write your report from. I'm also plus-sized and had some anxiety about our trip when we went this past January. I was also at my highest weight (I've since lost 55 pounds and counting) when we went, but I'm still plus-sized so it's always good to see reports!

I went on every ride that I wanted to when we went. I didn't do ToT last time not due to concerns about my size, but actually because the Twilight Zone terrified me when I was little, and I'm also terrified of haunted hotels. Going on the Haunted Mansion for the first time in 20 years, my initial ride I was hiding my face in my husband's shoulder because I was worried something would jump out at me. Needless to say, we went on it another 7 times as I soon realized that I didn't need to be scared, haha.

So, I'm making myself go on ToT this time! Anyway, sorry for the side story. I'm looking forward to what you have to say about everything. Last time I had issues with the Muppet seating, but sitting on the edge and pushing back slightly helped avoid any sort of bruises.

Last, congrats on your adoption. WHAT a story! Really happy for you guys as it seems like it's been quite a journey. Your daughter is adorable. Can't wait to continue to read your PTR/future TR!

 

[moonpie85]

Count me in as well! I've been reading from the start actually, but just haven't posted yet! Totally awesome PTR and "view" to write your report from. I'm also plus-sized and had some anxiety about our trip when we went this past January. I was also at my highest weight (I've since lost 55 pounds and counting) when we went, but I'm still plus-sized so it's always good to see reports!

I went on every ride that I wanted to when we went. I didn't do ToT last time not due to concerns about my size, but actually because the Twilight Zone terrified me when I was little, and I'm also terrified of haunted hotels. Going on the Haunted Mansion for the first time in 20 years, my initial ride I was hiding my face in my husband's shoulder because I was worried something would jump out at me. Needless to say, we went on it another 7 times as I soon realized that I didn't need to be scared, haha.

So, I'm making myself go on ToT this time! Anyway, sorry for the side story. I'm looking forward to what you have to say about everything. Last time I had issues with the Muppet seating, but sitting on the edge and pushing back slightly helped avoid any sort of bruises.

Last, congrats on your adoption. WHAT a story! Really happy for you guys as it seems like it's been quite a journey. Your daughter is adorable. Can't wait to continue to read your PTR/future TR!

Welcome!!

You have got to ride ToT! No size issues for me whatsoever. I did sit on the aisle though. However even sitting directly next to Rudy we were both still comfy. You will lift outta your chair though so don't flip out, you're still secure

 

[mama2mulan]

What a beautiful adoption story. It had me in tears. Thank God everything has turned out the way it should. Your daughter is so beautiful!!! She looks like such a happy and healthy little girl. What a joy she must be. Though I have to say I am biased since both of my girls are adopted and they are the light of my and dh's life.

I can't wait to hear about all the wonderful things you do on your celebratory trip. Disney is a totally different experience with kids. I actually liked it more with my girls. The magic is so much more real through their eyes.

Congratulations again! I am on cloud nine for you!

 

[moonpie85]

SINGLE DIGIT DANCE!!!!!!!

 

[Lady Lallie]

WOO HOO!! Gotta love those single digits!!!

I just realized....9 days until we find out what baby is! Oh my goodness!

 

[winniedapooh]

Thank you for helping me to put things into perspective...I am writing this through tears...have a great trip with Boo...