Something Worth Reading and A Couple Reality Checks

I didn't blog yesterday. I had a super busy day. I know you were all so dissapointed because you spend your days on the edge of your seats waiting for my latest earth shattering, life changing post. Or at least that's what I tell myself.

However, I do have some blogworthy news in regards to our adoption. We received our biometrics (otherwise known as our fingerprint) appointments yesterday. Yippee! Every step is one step closer. We sent in our I-800A application two weeks and two days ago so I'm really pleased with the turn around. Our appointments are set for the 11th of July in San Antonio which is actually the day Patrick is supposed to leave to take the youth to camp in Dallas. His parents along with the other sponsors are going to take kids to camp, and Patrick will have to drive up that night after our appointments. Not ideal, but it will work.

Now for a reality check. I've had a couple here lately.

Reality Check 1: Money Matters
Yes I get to take maternity leave when we adopt, both of our trips as well as any pre-adoption appointments are covered by FMLA, but unlike last time I will not receive disability pay. Nevermind the fact that I pay a hefty amount toward my disability insurance every month. So I will essentially have 8-10 weeks without any pay. We've always been good about keeping a nice cushion in our savings account, but going that long without any pay will cut into it substantially. Not to mention that adoption isn't cheap . . . not in the least. Having a baby isn't cheap either, but if you have insurance it helps offset the cost and whatever you do owe can be paid out in payments. There are no payment plans in adoption. The result is we are going to have to sacrifice some and save more. Of course that would all change if Patrick sold a really expensive property . . . anyone in the market for a multimillion dollar property? Just kidding . . . I mean unless you really are interested. But in all seriousness, no matter what it takes, it will be worth it once we get to bring our little girl home.

Reality Check 2: Weighty Matters (This isn't meant to be serious, so please don't take it too seriously or be offended by it.)
I'm not 29 anymore. Actually, I'm 30. I turned 30 three weeks ago. I didn't tell you. I'm in denial. I'm also in denial about approximately 5-7 lbs that I may or may not have gained. Ever heard of paper pregnancy? Well I hadn't either. At least not until about a month ago when another adoptive mother mentioned it. Remember how when you were in college and studying all night and you would eat a whole box of Cheez-its and not gain a pound? Well, it doesn't work that way when you're (almost) 30 and doing adoption paperwork.

Anyway, today I had my annual doctor's appointment, and he asked me if I had any concerns. I said, "Well yeah, did you notice I've gained a little weight?" His response? "Me too. I just look at food, and I gain weight." So we spent the next five minutes talking about how we can no longer eat a bag of Oreos without gaining any weight (or at least I did. He probably kept wondering when the crazy lady was going to leave). Then he basically reminded me that I'm 30 (thanks doc.), I've had a baby, and my metabolism has slowed down. He told me not to stress too much over the fact that I'm probably not losing that 5 lbs. And you would think that would depress me, but it didn't. People, I felt liberated. I felt like it's okay to have a bit more jiggle and wiggle than I did before I had Andrew.

So I went shopping, and bought a few things I needed in a size up. Not all my clothes are too tight, but like I said, I've been in denial for a while. Lord have mercy, it's good to button my pants without holding my breath (no I wasn't wearing shirts that showed off my muffin top . . . don't worry). Now this doesn't mean that I'm going to let myself go, stop working out, and eat ice cream all day (wouldn't that be glorious?). What it means is that my days of shortish shorts and bikinis are most likely gone, and I'm okay with that.