So, my anxiety hit full speed over the past few days - it was like thinking I was 3 months pregnant when really I just found out I'm 7! I had in my head that Charlie and Edie would go back to school in the fall and I'd have time to "get ready." Change of plans!!
Really working hard on lining things up- turning Edie's room and closet into a space for 2 girls is probably the most concrete thing I can do at this point. Mainly I'm just trying to prepare my heart and mind to be a mom of 3- worried about the transitions for everyone- myself and Everette, Charlie and Edie, and little Song- however difficult or easy they may be-but the nature of which are unknown. It's a different kind of worry than when I was pregnant- as Song will be 2 1/2 years old- full of her own history, comforts, preferences, fears, habits....of which we know nothing about right now.
I'm hoping we go early August to get home in time for Charlie to start first grade on August 20. I REALLY want to be here to help him transition- he is so sweet and sensitive and I think will do better if we are here- but it may have to be my mom helping him, and that's the 2nd best scenario. I've lined up family to be on call as we won't know our exact dates of travel until 2 weeks b4 we leave- thanks family for being so flexible!
The flip side of me is so thankful to be able to meet my little girl 2 months sooner. I do not want her to spend any more days without a family of her own than necessary. We sent her a care package last week and got confirmation that it arrived- it had an album with 25 pictures of us that were labeled mom, dad, brother, sister, dog, etc... (hope she likes dogs!) She got 2 new dresses, a pair of shoes, hair clips, a stuffed animal- and the package had a disposable camera that I HOPE the caretakers will use between now and August. So at least now she knows who we are, and that we are coming for her. I have heard that the staff at this orphanage prepares the children well for the arrival of their new family- so hopefully she is looking at our pictures often and smiling, like we are of her.
The photo above is the latest photo- taken April 2- will ask for another update in a few weeks and maybe get lucky with new pics/info/measurements. OH- and Ev and I have a date tonight to decide on her name! TBA! That's all for now!
