Born From My Heart

I finally got around to getting professional pictures done of the two babies together.  There was a special deal being run in our area and I jumped on it and promptly proceeded to spend way more than I wanted to anyway.  Oh well.  Here are the results from that session.  I know I am biased but my gosh these children are beautiful!  :-)

Well after changing my mind 853,429 times, I finally bought a carrier.  We've already been on several outings since Trevor's birth where I wished I had a comfortable carrier to use.  I tried using the used Bjorn I got when Reagan was born and hated it just as much this time as I did back then.  Then I tried my Mei Tei carrier and remembered why it too got packed away.  I had already given away my slings since I hated them THAT much right from the first attempt to use them over two years ago (mostly for the same reason that most slings are not recommended for use - it always looked like Reagan was smushed in them and having trouble trying to breathe - too scary for me!) Anyway, back in this post  I thought for sure I had found my dream carrier and that my mind was made up.  Well up until I actually buy something that I consider a large purchase, I research it to death.  So, during one of those many mind changes, I had decided that here in hot Flo...

Reagan and Trevor after she woke up to find that her baby brother had arrived.  :-)

A longer post about his birth is coming but I wanted to get this up while I had a brief moment.  Born May 25, 2011 11:55 PM 7 lbs 10 oz 20 inches long Perfect and beautiful in every way. Our precious son, Trevor Michael. :-) (More pictures to come!)

I cannot believe his due date is here!  I still remember when the birth mother called to let us know she was expecting again.  Today seemed so far away then but it really has come quickly.  Our birth mother is still contracting on an irregular basis so it doesn't look like he is going to be a punctual one - which is perfectly fine because no one in our family is!  Tomorrow the birth mother will be requesting a membrane sweep from the midwife and if the midwife is able to get there to do it then we will sit back and see if that helps things along.  All I know is that his Grandma-to-be must be awfully relieved that he is now out of Taurus range! Stay tuned.... 

My first baby.  The one that was so nosy from just a few weeks old that she could barely stand to be cuddled and rocked.  The one who used to wiggle and squirm when I tried to make rocking and reading a nightly ritual.  The one who never seemed to enjoy it very much because she was just too busy and curious about her world.  Well last night she had a crying spell in her crib.  She almost always goes to bed without a peep and she did at first last night but then stood in her crib later crying pitifully and begging us to let her out.  We told her it was nighty-night time and to go to sleep and we'd see her in the morning but she wasn't having any of it and she wasn't calming down.  Since this is unusual for her I decided to pick her up to comfort her.  As I was pacing her floor with her she would vise grip my neck and climb my body each time we got near her crib.  I asked her if she wanted me to rock her and got back a pitiful yes for an answ...

Our birth mother is 39 weeks pregnant today!  I had to laugh at the ticker message that says - "Our baby is launch ready.  Curled up with legs on the chest and knees against the nose."  Today was the last launch of the space shuttle Endeavor so that was a cute coincidence.  I was disappointed that it was too cloudy to see the launch from where I was but glad it went off safely.  I am really, really, really going to miss the shuttle program.  I've often jokingly threatened to go stow-away on a shuttle before launch and I have been known to say that if I ever win the Lotto I am having the check made out to the Russian Space Agency so I can hitch a ride to space!  Aviation and space have long been special loves for me. Tonight/tomorrow morning is the full moon for May.  Maybe the moon can help make today the last Endeavor launch out of this world and the launch of our son into this world!  Only time will tell....

Our birth mother is 38 weeks pregnant today!  She's been in various states of prodromal labor for the past week.  There was a period of high activity of contractions on Monday the 2nd and then again on Friday the 6th and we are just patiently waiting for that to move into active labor.  He will come when he is ready and while I am beyond excited to meet him, I am also taking the time to cherish my remaining days as a mother of one.  :-) I hope everyone had a great Mother's Day.  Mine was perfect.  My husband got up with Reagan and kept her occupied outdoors while I slept until 12:30pm!  I can't even remember the last time I slept that late!  It felt wonderful because I was exhausted but then I had that sluggish feeling to get over from sleeping so long.  Lunch and cards were waiting for me (because I insisted no gifts!) and my husband had set up the new  inflatable pool  for Reagan to play in.  We all ate lunch...

Woohoo!  The weekend is here!  We don't have any major plans yet except for going to hang out with one of my BFFs on her back porch (complete with pool and mac-daddy swingset!) on Saturday evening.  Hoping that her awesome hubby decides he wants to watch all the kids in the pool while the mommies talk so that I don't have to put on a bathing suit.  LOL  For some reason I don't mind wearing a suit in mass public situations (beach, water park, etc.) but on smaller scales I get a little (okay a lot) self conscious.  The rest of the weekend is still up in the air.  Who knows, maybe we'll have a baby!  Well it is time for 5QF with My Little Life  so head on over and link up for some fun! 1. Have you ever had roommates? Sure have.  Some great and some not so great.  My first semester of college I was put into a school-owned tiny 2 bedroom apartment with 3 other girls.  No lie my mother nervously asked the school if I cou...

Reagan's birth brother Oscar was born with Spina Bifida.  He lives with one of my BFFs and we are always out together doing things with the kids.  Like the corn maze last November (because I love this picture of them!) And playing at the playground (just look at his sweet face!) Well one of the things we've learned about Spina Bifida is that even the specialists can't predict what each individual child will accomplish.  There are ranges within each level of defect but those ranges are very broad.  That is a good thing and a bad thing.  The good thing is that the specialists don't tell you to only expect this or to never expect that.  The bad thing is that the specialists can't tell you what to expect and when you are trying to figure out how best to help a specific child that can be intimidating.  My BFF is always checking out new ways to help Oscar fulfill his potential and advocating for him and he has more than exceeded any of our expectations alr...

Well then head over for Follow Me Chickadee ! And guess what?!  Birth mom has had irregular contractions since late last night.  They could progress into full labor or they could taper off until closer to his due date.  We shall see but it sure is exciting! 

Today our birth mother is 37 weeks pregnant - officially full-term!  Our baby boy's due date is May 23rd and that creates a pretty neat scenario.  When people ask me when our boy might arrive I can say - just about any day in the month of May.  He can safely arrive any time now and since the midwife likely won't want him going much past 41 weeks, there is an extremely high probability that his birthday will be, well, sometime in May!  We are getting so excited to meet him.  I just hope we are lucky enough that I am able to again be there for the birth.  The birth mother has a history of short labor so I need to be able to get there quickly!  I can't believe he is almost here!

Myth: As soon as you adopt, you’ll get pregnant. Resolve  is an amazing organization sponsoring National Infertility Awareness Week (NIAW) to shine the light on this devastating disease.  As their website states: RESOLVE’s goal is to increase the conversation about infertility and to inform the public that: *Infertility is a disease that affects 1 in 8 couples of reproductive age *There are many ways to build a family  *Help reduce the stigma by bringing attention to the details/issues/costs surrounding all ways people diagnosed with infertility can build a family. *Understand when to seek the help of a specialist One big way this can be done is to tackle some of the myths associated with Infertility.  I remember all too well how frustrating it was to try to explain to the people in my life what I was going through while actively trying to get pregnant.  Virtually everything others tried to say to help ended up being hurtful and aggravating and only ...

I am doing two separate blog posts today.  One for 5QF and one to participate in National Infertility Awareness Week  with Resolve .  If you'd like to join in the 5QF fun, head on over to My Little Life  and play along! 1. If you could buy any car, money not an option, what would it be? I am so boring anymore with cars.  Anytime I've ever tried to buy something other than a Honda it has been a disaster for me.  So, I stick to those.  As for the model I am currently coveting?  The Odyssey - yup, I admit it - I actually WANT a minivan.  One of my friends and I frequently do things together out and about with our kids and sometimes we have to take two cars to fit the kids and our stuff.  As soon as my little boy is born we will always be taking two cars unless we leave a kid behind at home.  But, if I had a minivan then we could still go all in one car!  Oh it is the little things.  LOL 2. What was your worst first date ...

Today our birth mother is 36 weeks pregnant.  One more week until he's considered full-term and four more weeks until his due date!  I can't believe how close it is getting.  We are so excited to meet him. I have had a couple people ask me if I was having a shower or if I had registered anywhere and if so would I post the info.  As far as the shower goes - I don't think anyone is planning one for me and I wasn't exactly expecting one anyway.  :-)  I am, though, hoping to have a meet the baby party sometime after his birth so that everyone can see him.  As for registering, I did register at the request of some others for gift ideas.  I know I always appreciate having a list to pick from so I registered at Babies R Us and Target.  On those registries is a 2nd choice carrier - 2nd choice to my ultimate wish of this carrier  or this one .     With having two to take out very soon, a carrier that I can use for the...

Apparently little miss Reagan does not want a pretty proper lady-like picture with the Easter Bunny this year. Yesterday she scrambled away from her daddy, giggling, not watching where she was going and promptly tripped, turned and busted her bottom lip. Just a bit ago I got a call that she was running around outside with Uncle Uncle (what she has taken to calling my brother - if we tell her to say it properly she will but she prefers Uncle Uncle). She ran, telling him - can't get meeeeee - and proceeded to trip and bust her top lip. Today is the day I planned for bunny pictures. My little bruiser is going to be in a pretty little dress with pretty little sandals and a tough cookie busted mouth. LOL I think this is a little karma because it wasn't that long ago that I was discussing a baby product I saw and laughing at who would have to be so over-protective that they would buy THAT ?!?! Hmmmm....not looking like the most ridiculous idea in the world anymore. But, no, I'm s...

I read an article today that I couldn't agree with more.  It is an opinion piece titled  Parents, don't dress your girls like tramps .  If you have the time, please go read it.  It's really good.  I'll wait... Did you read it?  Are you saying hell yeah like I am?!  This article speaks to so many aspects of my beliefs anyway that I was floored.  First - personal responsibility.  I am pretty big on taking responsibility for your part in things.  I don't want to hear a bunch of excuses and have to walk through the dust cloud of someone trying to deflect blame away from themselves.  If it is truly someone else's fault that will be clearly evident and you won't even have to say a word.  So, for all the whining about companies making inappropriate items, it is ultimately the parents' failure if they buy it.  Oh and then the whole be a parent and not a friend thing.  Can't even tell you how many times I've trie...

I am so glad Friday is here even though this week did go by pretty quickly for me.  I have no real big plans for the weekend.  We will be out all day on Saturday and still nothing yet planned for Sunday.  Maybe I'll be able to knock off some of the organizing I want to get done - but then again, maybe I'll find something better to do.  :-) If you are looking for some Friday virtual fun, head on over to My Little Life  and link up for some 5 Question Friday fun. 1. What is your favorite sign of spring? Well living in Florida we get spring much sooner than most of the rest of the country.  As much as I dislike birds and they dislike me, I do love to watch the mating rituals and listen to the chirping as they pair off.  We have a cardinal pair living in our yard right now and they are hilarious to watch. 2. What was your best birthday ever? Oh this is easy - it was my birthday in 2009.  It was my first birthday as a mommy (finally!) and my h...

As much as I love animals and support their humane treatment, I've never been a fan of the organizations that are more talk, pomp and circumstance than they are direct help for animals (PETA, Humane Society of the United States - NOT to be confused with individual local humane societies with actual shelters, etc.). I've often shaken my head at the tactics, antics and cultish behavior I've seen from such organizations. Well PETA has managed to touch a nerve with me and I had to speak up about it. Their latest campaign is Win A Vasectomy where " In honor of National Infertility Awareness Week (April 24 to 30), PETA will give one free vasectomy to a man who has recently had his companion cat or dog neutered."  A voluntary vasectomy for a man I have no issue with.  The neuter of a companion cat or dog is awesome.  It is the "In honor of National Infertility Awareness Week" that ticks me off. PETA says, "Human overpopulation is crowding out animal lif...

Recently I wrote about how we were having a difficult time naming the soon to arrive baby boy.   Just for a little perspective, back when we got the call that the birth mother was pregnant again (about 10 weeks along) I announced to some of my friends that the baby was a boy and his name was Lucas.  Throughout the next few months I would text out other announcements that it was a boy and his name was ____ where I would insert the name of choice for that day/week.  For the first couple of months I went back to Lucas several times.  My husband always said Duff.  It started as a silly toss out name before we knew Reagan would be a girl and then he tried to convince me that he really did like it so he tortured me with it.  It got dropped until we knew this baby is a boy and he started again.  Only I think this time he really had himself convinced that he liked it. Anyway, after the ultrasound confirmed that the baby is ...

I read a blog post recently where a mom was trying to figure out whether her 5 year old son would benefit from a delayed kindergarten start and it got me thinking.  The Florida kindergarten statute says that in order for a child to enroll in kindergarten, the child must have attained the age of 5 on or before September 1st.  For Reagan, with a December birthday, she will be 5 years and roughly 9 months old when she starts kindergarten - so almost 6.  At first I was upset by this because, after all, she is (in my completely unbiased opinion) brilliant and certainly doesn't need an extra almost year! :-)  After a while though, I became glad that the decision was out of my hands - meaning that I simply am not allowed to send her during the calendar year she turns 5 so by default she will be older and more mature when she starts school and therefore less likely to struggle due to maturity issues.  And ...

One of the not so fun sides of adoption is when you get blindsided by unplanned-for expenses.  I think I am a little more sensitive to the money portion of it simply because one of the (many) biggest insults of infertility in general is how much it can cost to become a parent and that unfairness has aggravated me from my very first bill at the reproductive endocrinologist (fertility clinic).   But we've dealt with it and moved forward regardless and somehow made it work. Then I got a call this past Monday (not from the birth parents) and the gist of it was, oh by the way, we forgot to tell you about this expense and we'll be needing $2,300 before the birth.  *GULP* We are less than 9 weeks away from the due date and you didn't think to warn me of this potential expense?!?!  Awesome.  So, Saturday is phase one of fund raising with a yard sale.  I have mounds and mounds and mounds of pink clothes that obviously won't be getting used again with the next ba...

Naming our soon to be baby boy is proving to be quite a difficult task.  The names I love, my husband hates.  The one name he keeps threatening me with is never going to happen so I really wish he'd stop bringing it up!  LOL  Naming Reagan was a piece of cake, Emily did it for us so all we had to do was follow along.  I keep asking her to name this one too but so far she hasn't.  So, I continue to throw out names and my husband continues to shoot them down and here we sit with less than 10 weeks until his due date and he doesn't yet have a name.  To make matters worse, I seem to have a new favorite every other day although I have noticed two names that make repeat appearances as favorites so I am hoping to get my husband to agree to one of those.  Ah well, maybe one day soon the little one will have a name.  Stay tuned...

Reagan is very into opposites right now.  It is really fun to see what she knows.  I had recently bought her a book on opposites and am extra happy to read it to her now that she's decided that is the topic of choice.  We play the opposite game all the time.  Her favorite is Up and Down.  She'll say "Mommy, Mommy. Uuuuuup" and point her little hands up.  Then she'll say "Doooooooown" and point her hands down.  Then we giggle and repeat about 100 times.  Earlier tonight she surprised me with a new one.  She was sitting behind me on the couch and we were playing the fake scare me game (she thinks scaring and being scared are totally hilarious) when she gently pushed me forward.  She said "Pushhhhhh" while she was doing it.  Then she grabbed my shirt and pulled me back up saying "Pullllllllll".  And we did that about 100 times (no need for crunches for me tonight! LOL).  I am so impressed with how much she knows. Another fa...

So I have a secret.  A secret I've had since November.  It's a pretty awesome secret too.  A few people knew about the secret but not yet "the world".  Keeping secrets is fun and frustrating at the same time.  Thankfully something happened today and I don't have to keep the secret anymore. I am sure that some people might have a few guesses by now.  Probably had a guess or two just from reading the post title.  Some may even be right but probably more are wrong than are right.  But the ones that are wrong are most likely close, very close.  This secret is so AWESOME and so perfect and I can't even believe how lucky we are.  I am sure that by now y'all are thinking out with it already!  So okay, out with it.  I just wanted a little extra build up to fill the post preview. :-) Back in November we got a phone call from Reagan's birth parents.  They informed us they were expecting another baby due in May and that they want...

Woo-hoo!  It's Friday!!  I have a few small home improvements projects on my agenda plus making time for some fun this weekend.  I hope everyone enjoys theirs! Now on to 5QF with  Mama M ! 1. Have you worn the same outfit more than one day in a row? Yup!  Happens quite a lot on the weekends (well, as long as the clothes don't get gross from the first day).  I tend to pick favorites and then I want to be in that outfit all the time.  LOL 2. If you had to choose any LARGE city to live in, which would it be? In or near?  Does Orlando count?!  LOL  I suppose if it had to be IN a city larger than Orlando I would choose...um...hmm...(looking at a wikipedia list of the largest cities...Istanbul was Constantinople...) OH!  Got it!  Madrid!  Definately Madrid.  I love Spain! 3. Fly or drive with the kids on vacation? Either/or is fine with me although my recent actual vacations involved both.  Reaga...

Lately I have seen many news stories that identify the mom as the adoptive mother when it has zero pertinence to the story itself.  That bugs me.  It wouldn't bother me as much if every other story always identifed parents by HOW they became parents yet it seems the reporters like to throw in the term adoptive as if that makes any difference whatsoever.  Occasionally that can provide added details to a story (as in, if speaking of the act of adoption) but usually it means nothing and most times it seems as if it is being used to discount the role of the mom or the bond between mother and child.  When will they get it that the mom is the mom.  Period .  HOW she became the mom doesn't really matter.  The other irritating thing is when people ask a mom who became a mom via adoption about her child's "real" parents.  Hmmm.  Real parents?  As opposed to fake ones?  As opposed to make believe ones?...

Here are a few updates to catch me back up. 1. Reagan still has her paci for nap and night time (and during the occasional public meltdown). She went 3 nights without it and then began demanding it again. I probably could have forced the issue but we all know my soft spot for pacis and her dad is no help to be the strong one there either. So, maybe one day she’ll be paci free. 2. The diaper debacle . Well we seem to have found a combination that works. For nap and nighttime we put a Pull-Up on OVER her diaper (as opposed to instead of her diaper like we had tried) and make sure she is in a one-piece sleeper with the zipper pinned up. It’s a good thing that works because we were so tired of changing that crib! 3. I’ve learned not to ask Reagan open-ended ‘what do you want to eat’ questions because the answer that way is always “ Chicken, fries !” Meaning of course, nuggets and French fries. Instead I give her a choice between 2 things or I just ask her if she wants the 1 thing. I...

Life has been very hectic lately and I haven't had the time I'd like to update my blog and also to keep up with blogs I like to read.  Tonight I took some time to read through my good friend LeeAnn's blog.  We talk a bunch IRL so I've known what's been going on in her life but I also LOVE to read her blog and see what she's blogging about and what cool giveaways she has going on.  Tonight I came across one I could really, really use.  For many reasons beyond it's a good idea, we've been trying to cut costs and save money and work towards a healthier bank account.  One of the ways we are interested in is using coupons.  To be honest, we've been talking about it for months but haven't actually started doing it full force yet.  The biggest hold-up is the organizing of coupons.  Taking a bunch in your hand or an envelope and trying to get through a shopping trip only to fumble through them at checkout and/or realize you left some ones of the ones yo...