Sunday, June 19, 2011

I should be writing it all down...

The details.
The feelings.
The craziness.
But instead, I'm racing around like a nutcase trying to do everything one feels one needs to do before bringing home two babies that are not tiny sleeping infant newborns.

First of all, thank you so so much for all your words of support, love and congratulations! They mean the world to me.

Secondly, I know I am behind on all of your blogs. I am sorry. I am trying to keep up with reading, but commenting, not so much.

We are thrilled, naturally, beyond belief. We had a middle of the night phone call with the US Embassy that left us near frantic, only to have it all resolve within a day. I guess the rollercoaster never ends, and yes, we're fully aware we're trading one for another with parenting.

And while we are thrilled about bringing our babies home to live with us, there is so much sadness I have in my heart for them, for their little innocent hearts.

The loss is tremendous.  It is something I can only imagine in bits and pieces because, as I have pointed out before, I know what it is like to lose my future genetic connection, but I have no idea what it is like to lose my past. My babies will go through yet another traumatic loss as they lose their culture and their language. Naturally we are going to try to do whatever is possible to help them know their culture but we're not foolish enough to believe it is a substitute for being able to be raised in your country of origin, with your first family. So I do hurt for them. I do keep reminding myself that although I am in love with them from the top of my head to the bottom of my toes and that I have been falling in love with them more every day they do not know me. They do not remember me. They are now at the age where they might not readily go to me.

It's ok. We'll figure it all out. This isn't about me anymore, about my expectations, about my needs. It's about theirs.

But, all that being said can I just say how I am dying to hold them again? How I am dying to feed them, to rock them, to read to them, to sing to them, to dress them in the little clothes I have been washing and folding and organizing for the past few days?

We leave at the end of this week, fly for two days (did you know a volcano was erupting near Ethiopia and that for a few days our agency was nervous for us....and that it hadn't erupted in several hundred years so naturally picked the time the MTLs were coming to unleash some airline un-friendly ash into the skies? Although it seems to have calmed down we both felt maybe a teeny tiny bit picked on by the universe....!), land, love on the babies, see the US Embassy, purchase and deliver all the supplies for the orphanage (we raised $4,300!!), and then fly home to land on U.S. soil July 1st. It's going to be a whirlwind.

Speaking of whirlwind, on Friday I decided to cook as many meals as I could that could fit in my freezer to help us out. We won't have anyone staying with us to help out--my Mom can't do it with my Dad's health condition--and while we do have friends who have offered meals I still wanted to do what I could. Let me say I don't really want to see my kitchen for a while....I cooked: 15 vegetarian eggrolls, one veggie fake chicken enchilada cassserole, two vegetarian strombolis, eight black bean cakes, four feta vegetarian 'burgers,' and a lentil 'meat'loaf. Plus I stocked up on some easy stuff to cook and some of our favorites. I had to clean out the fridge and freezer, which always feels good. The deer in our neighborhood ate well, ha.

Otherwise, we've been packing, washing, filling out and gathering paperwork (we have to take NEW employment letters, just in case we lost our jobs this week, a copy of our taxes, a gazillion immigration forms, etc. etc. etc.) buying baby food and formula, sterilizing bottles, packing bottles, trying to anticipate the needs of two virtual stranger infants for a 16 hour flight and pack accordingly (ha, ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!), cleaning our house, hiring our pet sitter, getting them on our insurance, making their pediatrician appointments, installing car seats....you get the drift. We've been busy.

About that long flight....God help us. But, our lovely friend Bea made 50 (fifty!) airline treat bags to hand out to passengers (picture below). In them, there are snacks, gum, ear plugs, and a lovely little poem that says the following:
We're becoming a family of four,
With two children we greatly adore,
Our daughter and son
Bring joy and such fun.
We feel more complete than ever before.

Please forgive their fussing and crying.
You see, it's just their first time flying.
We're now homeward bound
And til we touch the ground
This mommy and daddy are trying.

Isn't that the greatest! Hopefully it will engender some goodwill from the folks nearby as I'm sure we will have some less than beautiful moments on that long flight....

So those are the details as they are. Scattered, unorganized, but I wanted to get these thoughts and these activities down. We're so close.

So close.

50 comments:

  1. What a great idea to give out those bags. How could ANYONE be upset after reading that poem!
    Wow, whirlwind alright! But so so exciting.
    Good luck and I can't wait to hear more when you return with your beautiful family.

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  2. Sounds very like you are 'nesting' :) with all the work you are doing around the house. Those airline treats are such a good idea and the poem says it all. Safe journey to you and your family.

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  3. Your empathy to the babies' past is exactly what is going to make you guys a perfect family for them!!!

    Good luck, safe travels, and welcome to the club!

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  4. Love the treat bag idea! Even the crotchetiest of old men can be plied with food! And the poem brought tears to my eyes.

    I'm so excited for you guys. I'll be thinking of you Friday and wishing you safe travels.

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  5. awww! i'm so excited for you! i can't wait until you get those babies home and start your lives together. and i just love the treat bags, what a sweet idea!

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  6. it sounds as if you are in just the right frame of mind to be preparing for this life-changing event coming up! so many people are so happy for you and with you right now- july 1st is a very special day for us all... we have been hoping for it to come to fruition for so long now... less than 2 weeks! looking forward to many more updates- and congratulations for the big bucks you raised for the orphanage- a wonderful tribute to the children!

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  7. Congratulations! That's a WONDERFUL idea!

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  8. Congratulations! I have been reading your blog for several years now. I am SO happy for you.

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  9. You ARE great parents already and those babies will love you so. Wish you all the best for this long haul adventure!

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  10. Love. It. All. So happy for you and can't wait to hear and see about it when you get back!

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  11. That is the BEST idea by your friend and oh so thoughtful!!! You are going to be the best mom and this post shows it ;) Travel safe and we'll hear from ya when you return!!!

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  12. LOVE those bags, what a super idea! I might have to steal that this summer, when we fly for the first time....

    I'm just so very excited for you, for you to snuggle and love on those little lucky babes. Makes me smile to think of it.

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  13. Your post brought tears to my eyes. i am so, so happy for you two - for you FOUR, really. so wonderful that in a few days you will get to bring your babies home!

    Mo

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  14. I am beyond thrilled for you!!! Cannot wait to you are a complete family of 4, safe and sound in your own house.
    Those goody bags are fantastic, what an adorable idea.
    Good luck getting ready this week, I imagine you can never really be fully prepared or this.
    Wishing you all much love and luck.

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  15. Oh, oh! I have tears! Congrats to your family of four... Wishing you 'double happiness'!

    I hope you encounter kindness from fellow passengers on your flight. I'm sure you will. XO

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  16. LOVE the treat bag idea, I imagine it is going to start a new trend!

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  17. That's such a great idea about the treats! I have never heard of that. Your friend is a very special person!

    I wonder and think of how to soften the pain of loss for a future adopted child. I think once you bond together it will become more and more apparent just how to nurture them, give them some space sometimes, and always be their best role model.

    I hope we hear from you before you go, but if we don't, I am wishing you an uneventful flight and all the happiness you can possibly absorb when you finally take them home!

    Love,
    daisysmom

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  18. oh my goodness! do you know how excited we all get for you reading this post?!? i know i've only been following your journey for six months, but i'm still crazy excited for you guys. and the treat bags and poem--genius! safe travels!

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  19. What a cute idea those treat bags are! And the poem is so sweet. I'm sure everyone will be understanding if the babies fuss or cry a little. Congrats again to you and your new family!

    -L

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  20. I hope the bags are pointless because the babies and you all are doing so wonderfully well that they're not needed! Just their sweet faces alone (even if crying) should be enough for people to understand. My friend Jess helped with the wording & Ava helped me cut/glue the poems. You know she has a little black baby doll & was so excited you're getting a little baby girl "just like mine!"

    So happily excited for you all! You're in labor- all the nesting, nervousnesss, excitement, trying to rush around to get everything done! This IS IT! I am elated for you!

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  21. Godspeed and safe travels. I am so excited for you. Just know that you are both so incredibly resourceful (or this would never be happening) that you will handle whatever comes your way with the babies. I love that you are thinking and talking about their loss, it shows how incredibly thoughtfully you have approached this. Try to write down as much as you can, it is amazing how much I have forgotten already about our first days with our daughter. Again, so excited for you, can't wait for your updates here.

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  22. That poem brought tears to me eyes...that is so sweet and such a thoughtful idea. I am so excited to read the next updates!

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  23. So happy that you have a date of departure! Wow. It's really happening. One thing I thought of reading your gentle comments about the babies losing their past is that they will have each other. That is actually pretty amazing. They will have a piece of their homeland, separate from themselves, but right next to them. I'm positive it will mean something. Good luck to all four of you on the flight back (and everything in between)!

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  24. Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. Those little cuties are so lucky to have you two as parents. How incredible that the four of you have found each other. Have a safe and wonderful adventure bringing your children home. I am so very thrilled for all of you.
    Take care,
    Heather, mom to Lily adopted from Guatemala 2008.

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  25. The treat bag idea...wow! What a great great idea and such a touching thing to do. I bet you will have 50 people all clammoring to hold them and give you two a break should you need it! Wonderful idea. I can only imagine how crazy busy you are right now. My friend just got back on Tuesday...well actually Wednesday due to the same volcano. But their son did awesome. Looking forward to meeting him this week. And thanks for posting your thoughts on the greif you are experiencing with regard to what your babies will lose as far as culture as they are raised in the US. Never thought of that. Should that ever come up with my friend...I'll remember this post and tell her she's normal! Take care...safe travels.

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  26. Tears after reading that little poem. I know it's been said but what a GREAT idea. Will be thinking of you pretty much constantly for the next few weeks!!!

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  27. So amazingly excited! I too have thought a lot about the exact things you've mentioned grieving for your children- how adoption is sometimes served up glossy and golden in a general sense, but yet when it's a personal story there is so much more raw emotion and circumstance that needs to be sifted through and cried over and dealt with.

    It's amazing that your story and their stories will now be forever tied together, and what might not have started so "Once upon a time...." undoubtedly will finish with "Happily ever after!"

    :)

    PS- don't worry about the online shower- I'm going to work out what I can and in-box you after July 1.

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  28. More tears over here after reading that poem! Your friend is such a sweetie - what a lovely idea. I'm beyond excited for you, and can't wait for you all to be back home safe and sound.

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  29. Over the moon happy for you guys! You deserve this in a huge way. Can't wait til you unite as a forever family.

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  30. OMG, those bags are amazing. What an adventure you're about to embark on. I'm thrilled for you guys and can't wait to hear more. All your organizing is going to pay off. And, you guys are going to be AMAZING parents. Good luck!

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  31. This is my first time here, and I wanted to wish you HUGE congratulations! Your *son and daughter* (doesn't that sound cool?!) are blessed to have you. You appear to have a wonderful support system in both person and spirit. Best of luck in your travels. Look forward to "meeting" your entire family soon! ~ kekis (http://fertileramblings.blogspot.com)

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  32. Congratulations, so happy for you all.

    Good luck and safe travels.

    -mym

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  33. It is all so amazing and incredible. I've been reading your blog for a long time and I am SO HAPPY for you!
    Love Amy x

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  34. Oooohhh I'm so excited and happy for you! I feel like crying!

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  35. That little airline poem made me cry my eyes out. I am so excited for you guys! It is going to be hard...newborns are easy compared to older babies but it will resolve and you will have an absolutely beautiful family.

    Not a word about the blogs...we don't care! I am just so excited for you! Hugs!!! safe trip. Give those babies lots of hugs and kisses!!!!!

    BTW...told hubby about your news and he asked if we could possibly find the monkey that my DD loves to death so that we can send you 2 of them:-)

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  36. I can't believe that in 10 days you will be home with your babies!!!! I *love* the treat bag idea! Gooooood luck and I can't wait to see pictures and hear all about it. (and veggie egg rolls sound really yummy!)-Molly

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  37. Those gift bags and that poem just make me want to cry with how sweet they are....it makes so happy thinking about you guys passing them out!

    Good luck on your journey! And of course a volcano is erupting, OF COURSE IT IS.

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  38. woo hoo. have an amazing journey and let us know what we can do for you here.

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  39. The gift bags are amazing!! So excited for you and your family. Will be thinking about you a lot in the following weeks and looking forward to updates when you get home with the BABIES!!!!!!!!

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  40. You could totally win me over with Oreos!

    Cooking ahead of time is a great idea - I would have never thought that far ahead. You guys are going to be wonderfully busy :)

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  41. I am so excited for you all to bring your babies home and hope that everything goes as uneventfully as possible, or at least that anything that goes awry is easily solved (as you know SOMETHING always goes awry with international travel!). And, the poem/gift bags is SUCH a great idea!!! Good luck!!! Oh, I'm sure that you have plenty of advice on bringing them home, but definitely don't forget to have them suck on something during lift-off and touch-down.

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  42. Ashley, it's Erika from DS, I am SO, SO, SO happy for you!!!! This is awesome news!

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  43. What wonderful news! The poem and gift bags brought tears to my eyes - who could give you a hard time after that? Good luck on your journey!!!

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  44. Finally got my act together and can comment from home at least! MTL, I am so fricken thrilled for you!!! Your last post literally made my week!

    And $4,300?!?!?!?! You guys are amazing - how wonderful for the orphanage!!!

    Your babies are really coming home... So happy for you.

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  45. from the bags, to the poem, to reading your emotions/post...i'm totally crying. i am so happy for you both and for the family of four that you now are!

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  46. OMGosh I have goosebumps and couldn't be happier for you! Big hugs!

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  47. Thinking of you. Maybe you are flying right now? Maybe you're just getting ready to fly? So so excited for you all. You're in my thoughts. : )

    Mo

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  48. Just clicked over from One Egg Please and wanted to say how freaking amazing this all is. Wishing you a wonderful adventure and reunion with your babies! Safe travels.

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  49. Another crier here. I love the poem and the gift bag, but more so the thoughtful friend that pulled it all together out of such love and support. I am wishing you all the best and cannot...CANNOT...wait until your babies are in your arms in your home.

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