Can you believe?

Two weeks from tonight baby Abel will be in the crib next to me.

Yup.

It's for real.

I have a plane ticket (and a dent in my bank account) to show for it.

Couldn't be more thrilled!

A weekend as it should be.

This weekend was geeeorgeous and it was about time for some weekending.

Got myself organized and cleaned up my filthy dwelling, played outside a bit, took in a double feature (one rom-com and one documentary... I like to think of myself as balanced!), and ended the weekend with a kick-ass show.

Yes, the way a weekend should be.

(I did work most of the day on Saturday and wrote a paper Friday night, but it still felt great!)

Things are winding down with school and things are winding up with anticipation of meeting the little one, who is plumping up and looking very huggable and kissable these days.

I am hoping to leave for Ethiopia in exactly two weeks. TWO WEEKS. I hope. I hope. I hope.

Adoption Rule of Ten

Ten pounds.

Ten new gray hairs.

Ten bucks in my bank account.

And, all worth it when I see pics of my sweet boy.

:)

I don't recommend.

I do not recommend pursuing adoption (alone) while holding one full time job, one consuming part time job, and going to school.

There should be rules against this.

The good news-- I will finish this degree the SAME day I am likely to travel to Ethiopia.

Finish. Baca. The end.

That means hours of novels, romantic comedies, and trashy mags await me on that flight!

The only thing keeping me going right now is sweet, sweet updates of that smiley baby boy.

Soon.

Waiting again...

Here I am again... waiting.

This time waiting to arrange travel based around my potential embassy date in Ethiopia. The US Embassy and my agency cannot confirm this until they receive our translated adoption decree and birth certificate. Hopefully only 2-3 weeks until I will know for sure when I can go get that sweet boy.

For now, I am finalizing things in his room, buying him too many cute clothes, and trying to enjoy these last days of the "single life."

I will say, though, that as much as it stinks to be waiting again... this wait is different. That boy is my boy. I'm just waiting to go scoop him up.

P.S. Dear Chicago, did you remember that it's Spring now? How 'bout a little sun??

So, should I buy the mom jeans now?

It's official!

Baby Abel is my son!!

I am ecstatic and can't WAIT to meet him in person-- hopefully within a couple of months.

Thank you for all of the prayers, wishes, and love.

We are now a family of TWO!

Big love today,

Sara

** I can legally post pics of Abel now, but I am just feeling weird about posting pics so publicly of my son...whom I've never even met. I leave you with a couple of snippets of the cuteness. If you are just dying to see him, email me and I'm happy to send you pics!!

Humbled

I have been continually humbled by kindness and support since starting the process to adopt Little B. Family, friends, new friends, and total strangers alike have offered love, kind words, and encouragement along the way.

But, just this week the kindness reached new heights. After voicing concerns, some pals in the adoptive community offered their help in a very tangible way and have eased this new momma's heart. I am so, so grateful to you and you for your unbelievable help and love for kids in need. Thank you!

And to my mom and dad who drove six hours to Chicago to work all weekend helping me get things organized for Little B's (hopefully soon!) arrival... a big THANK YOU! It is exciting and oddly calming to have a nursery in my apartment.

I am hoping for BIG and GOOD news this Wednesday on our second court date. I would love your prayers, wishes, and good juju for that day.