Success Story
Some of you probably recall my post from earlier this year - before we started this most recent cycle and were in "backup plan" mode and started pursuing adoption. We brought our profile book to a group dinner (because several of the couples who attended knew about our plans already) and another couple shared with us that they were pursuing adoption too.
Well, they got THE CALL on Wednesday!!! A birth mother chose them and the baby is due in TWO WEEKS!!!
I am sure they are in "scramble mode" and a bit overwhelmed right now, but I also know they'll make it through - and I am ecstatic for them!
They are going to make WONDERFUL parents - they are very active (hike, camp, bike) and this child is going to have an EXCELLENT life.
Meet Ellie
In another recent post, I shared how it was time to let go and send our 15-year-old lab mix to go to heaven. We miss her, but also know it was the right choice at the right time.
This weekend, we found our next forever "baby" at our local shelter - a six-year-old black lab mix who is 100% love!
She is fully housebroken, trained and simply a PERFECT dog. She didn't even whine or cry the first night we brought her home. We decided to name her Ellie. Even though she doesn't know her name yet, she does know how to come, sit, down, stay and shake (and maybe even a few other tricks we haven't figured out yet).
Ellie has a very different personality than our previous black lab mix - the best way I can describe it is to say that they are both special in their own way.
I can't, for the life of me, figure out why she ever became a stray. She was clearly deeply loved and she doesn't seem to be the kind of dog who would run away on her own. So far, I can only imagine that someone died, maybe was sentenced to jail, or got into a financial pickle and couldn't afford the shelter surrender fee. I guess we'll never know - but it doesn't matter because we won the lottery again and she's ours now!
My 12-year-old lab still hasn't warmed up to her, but I am sure he will given enough time. It's completely understandable since she's on his territory.
Twinkie Update
Yup, those were definitely kicks I was feeling in my last post. They've become stronger and happen at least once a day now. At one point, I think one of the babies was playing bongo-drums on my tummy.
I went for an ultrasound last Friday and both twins look great. At this point, they said they're too big to measure or get a full "body shot" into one frame. This time the nurse zoomed in on each of their hearts and we could see each of the four chambers.
Baby A was facing toward my back - so no good pictures, but Baby B decided to be photogenic:
(PICTURE COMING SOON)
My belly is now getting bigger by the week.
The nausea still comes and goes, but that's ok. It's all still s'wonderful!
A couple weeks ago, my nurse asked me how I was feeling. I don't like to complain, but was honest that I was still very tired and needed to slow down. Consequently, she gave me two choices - begin to work 6-hour days or work from home two days a week. I gave my boss the option and she immediately said she wants me around as long as possible and convinced our local CEO to allow me to work from home two days a week. It's been FANTASTIC. On a night like last night where I woke up at 3 am feeling very nauseous and couldn't get back to sleep until about 5 AM, that extra sleep definitely helped me function.
Today, my boss finally asked what my plans were after the kids were born and I was very candid with her. I explained that I can't keep working the hours I am now and expressed that I do want to come back, but I hope this work-at-home arrangement is considered a "trial" that will continue. She was relieved to hear that, and we are going to work together to start planting the seed with the local CEO. Hope things work out...
I have been talking to my massage therapist (who I have known for five years, used to work in a day-care center and was a nanny taking care of four kids - two newborn twins and two older kids). We still need to work out the details, but I think she's going to come work for me three days a week. It's really an ideal situation. My house is right around the corner from her office - so she can still continue with her massage therapy too.
So, that's the scoop...
