I have an idea!

So, we got home too late to take more pictures outside with the dogs. I've been wanting to take a picture of them sitting at the top of the stairs with me below them. We tried that while Mike was cooking us dinner. I got a few in before they had to go watch him cook in case he dropped something. I think this might work for keeping them enclosed a bit and less likely to wander off. I got a few decent ones, and at least I have an idea about how to make it work.

Here is a cute one:

That is Indiana (Indy) on the left. He is part lab, part beaver (at least according to my table leg). Pretty girl Leila is on the right. Is this a good picture for the profile? I want to try to get them on the same level, both laying down, but Indy is pretty darn cute here.

Okay, so about my idea. I want a family picture of the four of us, and based on the other day that won't be too easy. So, I figure we will take a bunch of pictures, pick a good one out of us trying to get a good picture and call it "attempt at a family picture." I think it could work. I definitely think it will reduce the stress of trying to get a great shot of the dogs sitting still, etc. And it has the added bonus of showing us laughing and having fun (I hope). I can picture it - I just hope it will work out that way!

And I must say, I am LOVING my new camera!

Never work with animals

We tried to take some pictures of the dogs this afternoon for the profile letter. It ended up with me and Mike getting frustrated and the dogs getting lots of extra treats. Guess which two doggies will be learning how to "stay" on command!

I just sent an email to find out the status of our home study. I'm feeling a bit stressed out with finishing all of this up now that school has started. I'm trying to take it one day at a time!

Time to rewrite my life

So much for "That is the best letter I have ever read! Don't change a thing!"

I heard back about the first draft of our birthmother letter, and overall the comments were good. I am still processing a few things that were suggested. I am most frustrated by the fact that some of the suggested changes make it sound like all of the other letters I looked through.

Yes, I know they have experience with "what works," and I do value their feedback. One of the things that I am trying to do is have different headings for the sections. I really (really, really) don't like the "About Crista" or "About Mike" or "About Us" headings.

I'm going to have to think about it for a bit to see what I am going to change and how. I'll have to go back and look at the suggestions when I'm not so frustrated with getting paperwork together for our house refinance people. I swear I have never filled out so many forms as I have this summer.

Past, Present, Future

Well, I attended my first baby shower since moving out of fertility treatments, and it went well. Mike and I had fun purchasing little girl socks, bibs, and onesies for our friend that is due next month. The only thing I wasn't able to do was pick out a "congratulations on your new bundle of joy" card. Couldn't do it. So, I found a nice "I'm glad you're my friend" card instead. I did fine at the shower and even enjoyed cooing over my other friend's 6 month old that she brought along. I think it helped that there weren't any games and not too much talk about being pregnant.

While at the shower, in addition to sharing updates about our adoption, I was able to share my wisdom (what there is of it) with an acquaintance that is starting her IVF process. She asked how I did it all while working, so I had to explain that I didn't - we did them over the summer for just that reason. Good thing too because the weight gain from the hormones meant I didn't fit in anything I owned, other than sweatpants. I finally lost the rest of the weight this past spring, only to gain it back over the summer. Darn those tasty treats, especially a great cake recipe I saw at Here We Grow!

As for where we are with the adoption, we met with our local social worker earlier this week and handed over the rest of the paperwork she needs. She said she would be in touch this coming week. Yippee! We also went and got our certified marriage license and worked on filling out forms for our agency. Still have to work on the profile form stating our preferences for drug use, ethnicity, etc. I want to try to get those forms done this week, if possible.

I am still waiting to hear back on the birthmother letter draft I sent in for review, and I have been working on the layout for the letter. We also still have some pictures we need to take, but that will be fun with my new camera! If the number of pictures we have already taken of the dogs is any indication of the number of pictures we will have of the kid, I'm going to need a bigger hard drive.

I am still debating about how open to be on this blog. I have shared it with friends and family, so I'm not worried on that end. I also have it blocked from being searched through browsers. I guess I question sharing pictures and general info about the actual adoption with our names and faces attached to it. I would appreciate any feedback any readers want to share!

We are starting teacher in-service this week. Let the fun begin!