10 Days and Counting.....

OMG OMG OMG OMG I echo Sue's sentiments: "Is this REALLY happening? Somebody PINCH me!!" Here are the plans so far:

Wednesday, March 5, 2008- LAST day of work (hopefully, for the rest of the school year)

Thursday, March 6, 2008- Howie, Gabi, and I leave for Indiana.

Friday, March 7, 2008- Ellie arrives via a scheduled c-section, at which I will be present.

Sunday, March 9, 2008- Lawyer meets with "A" for surrenders.

Monday, March 10, 2008- Lawyer goes to court in AM to begin ICPC process, as well as to have a letter faxed to the hospital stating that Ellie should be released to us.

Monday, March 10, 2008- Nicki flies in at about 6 pm to stay with us until we return home.

I'm not sure exactly how long it will take for the ICPC to go through. It looks like we could be leaving Indiana as early as Wednesday.

I'm hoping to be able to stay with Elliana at the hospital all weekend. Let's just put it this way, hospital room, or no hospital room- I don't plan on leaving until she's in my arms. Howie and Gabi will come visit during the days.

Ellie's suitcase is packed. Our suitcases are out. Just need to pack us. Well, Gabi packed her suitcase about 2 weeks ago, but I'm thinking I should look into that a bit more..... :)

I'll Admit it, I'm OBSESSED....

Obsessed with thoughts of Ellie that is!! I was talking to Jodie on IM tonight and it occured to me that it is NEXT WEEK! NEXT WEEK our daughter will be born!!! WOWZERS!!!!!! I keep imagining what she will look like. Will she have a ton of hair? (I think she will) Will she be tiny? Big? (I am guessing in the 8 pound range) Will she have all her little fingers and toes? (Despite my unfounded original fears of a missing limb, I am certain she will) Will she know I'm her Mommy and that I've loved her before even setting eyes on her? (I will spend my life proving this to her) Will she know how much "A" loves her? (I will tell her this all the time) Will she know how very very much our family (and friends) have hoped and prayed for her? (We will spend a lifetime "showing" her!)

March 7, 2008

That's the date our daughter is set to arrive. She will be entering the world via a scheduled c-section. I can't believe it!! I spoke to our lawyer today, who had just spoken to "A" at length. You were all soooo right, she just wants her space. He indicated that she is very commited to placing her with us. PHEW!!!!!! So, as it stands- we will be leaving for Indiana on March 6th. I CAN'T WAIT! SEVENTEEN DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for your continued prayers. I so believe in the power of prayer!!

Praise God

Thank you for all of your prayers. I spoke with "A"'s friend today and he assured me that she is still very much committed to placing with us. She has just been having a difficult few weeks and is very uncomfortable (physically). C-section is set for March 7. Please continue to lift her up in prayer that she finds the strenght to get through this.

Please Pray for Us

It's been a very rough couple of days. Have been out of touch with our potential birthmom. I have a terrible feeling. I'm so afraid it's all falling apart. Please pray for her and us. Thank you.

We are Blessed

As we wait for little Miss Ellie to come home to us, not an hour goes by that I don't think about the amazing woman who is making this all possible. I cannot explain in words the love, admiration, and gratitude I feel for "A". I remember feeling this way about "N" too, Gabi's birthmom. It was this immediate feeling of overwhelming love that came from loving her daughter. Our daughter. She has become a part of our lives. We talk about her. We pray for her. We thank God every day for the miracle that SHE will bring us.

I pray that I am worthy of this child. That I can love her enough to encompass both her mothers loves. I want Ellie to know that she has been loved before. Not only by us, but by a woman who's strength is admirable. I hope Ellie is like "A" in so many ways. That she is kind, and giving, and STRONG!

So, as the days of our "Waiting for Ellie" draw to a close, I want to express with all my heart the gratitude I feel for "A". There are no words, no gifts, no emotions that can fully convey how blessed we feel for having her in our lives.

The Next Time....

...you see a picture of this outfit, it will be on Elliana! :) It just occured to me that I needed to find the all important "take-home" outfit for Ellie. With Gabi, it was a no-brainer- she came from the agency all dressed up and ready to go! Those of you who know me well, know that I have a propensity towards obsessing on finding the "perfect" thing. Suprisingly, this outfit was at the very first store I went to! Sue, thanks for the "idea" and Jodie Thanks, for the help finding it! :)

Throughout this 18 month "pregnancy" one of my greatest outlets has been shopping for baby items. I LOVE finding good deals on those cute little outfits and items. :)

I've been hit (twice)

My dear friends Julie and Sue have caught me in a game of "Tag".

Here are the rules: Once you are tagged, link back to the person who tagged you.Post the rules on your blog.Post 7 random or weird facts about yourself on your blog.Tag 7 people and link to them.Comment on their blog to let them know they have been tagged. I'm not going to "tag" anybody back because I am waaaaayy toooo nice for that. (ok, actually my only friends have already been hit) lol.

So here goes:

1. I dislike condiments. That includes Ketchup, Mustard, Pickles, Relish, Salad Dressing, Vinegar, Mayo........

2. If I look at a digital clock and it says 9:11, I say a prayer for the victims that died on September 11, 2001 and thier families.

3. And speaking of clocks, I only set my alarm to wake up on a number ending in "2" (ex: 6:22). Idk Why. (I also make a wish at 11:11)

4. I generally avoid touching public door handles. However, if i must, when I am at work I touch the door first, then the handle.

5. Once I have made up my mind about something, it is VERY hard for me to talk myself out of it.

6. I refuse to eat canned or frozen meats. I eat around the chicken in chicken noodle soup. I only buy meatless lean cuisines. You get the picture here.

7. I have 35 actual first cousins. Just on my Mom's side.

"Make Me a Man"

Yesterday, Gabi and I were lounging in bed, enjoying the beauty of a second "snow day" in 3 days when she said "Let's sing Patty Cake".

Here is the version that my daughters memory has left her with:

Patty Cake, Patty Cake,
MAKE ME a MAN
as fast as you can.
Pat HIM
Roll HIM
and mark HIM with a G
toss HIM in the oven for Gabi and Me!

LOL!!!!!