Brandie, We're also very blessed adoptive parents
Sending you big hugs during this wait. It stinks.
Everyone said we'd forget the wait once she was home. I can't say that was true, but she made it all worth it - every single minute.
My biggest advice is start lifting weights (not anything major but enough to build your arm strength). My girls weren't big when they got home (dd#2 was 18 lbs), but my shoulders and arms really hurt from lifting them all the time without any "build up."
Boy are these two things true. I was going to say that everyone says that the anguish of the wait will just "melt away" the moment your child is in your arms. I'd love to agree, but man that wait sucked the life blood out of me. Now, over 4 years later it doesn't seem as bad, but I still wouldn't wish it on anyone. It doesn't help when well-meaning friends and family keep asking "any news" and all you want to do is shout "NO NEWS YET!!!! Wouldn't I be running around screaming if there was news, idiots?!?!?" But you smile and say "no, nothing yet..."
And my DS was also 18 lbs when he came home from Korea at 6 months old. I'm so glad I lifted weights and practiced carrying around a 20 lb. bag of rice in my slings and carriers! Yeah, I'm a nerd, but it helped me cope with the wait and I'm glad I did it!
And by the way (as I'm sure you already know), your child just isn't ready yet. It took me three adoptions to realize how perfect each child is for our family. In His time!!!!!
One thing the wait does is teach you patience - you're really going to need it when the child comes.
So VERY VERY true. Your child is going to be YOUR child. Hand picked by God for you. I totally believe that 100%.
We have a neighbor that is adopting through S. Korea -- she indicating they were doing so because it would be quicker than China.
That used to be mostly true - a little less paperwork and a little less wait time (although the wait is longer from match to travel - we had DS's lilttle picture for 5 excruciating months before he was home. However, I understand that S. Korea is doing a lot to encourage in country adoptions so the process for us families has slowed down a bit. I'm out of the day to day loop, so I'm just going on a tidbit I read recently in the Korean Adoption web community.
Anyway, best wishes Brandie...I know it doesn't seem like it now, but before you know it you'll be buying a first set of mickey ears and cleaning a melted half eaten Mickey bar from your daughter's whole front side with the single wet wipe that is left in your diaper bag!
.... P.s.I don't think Angelina Jolie pass through all this things to adopt all their childs....I wonder why
..is there a adoption thread to hear about adoption on the dis??
