It hurts to even look outside the windows here. We have hundreds (there were over 800 at one point) of wildfires in California and the air is just thick with smoke. It's hazy and just getting worse. It hurts to breathe. I don't think there's an end in sight.
So that brought to mind my old friend from the post title. (Quick, someone not named Elana name that artist and song. Way too easy for her). I try to tell myself it's just foggy all the time and conjure up romantic images but it's more like being stuck at a campfire with no smores.
I was my hair and it still smells like smoke. It burns to breathe. This just can't be good for any of us.
In other news we are moving forward on as many fronts as we can find. Garden State sent out a new list and for the first time ever (in something like 3 years I think) there are two sets of embryos that appeal to us. I've also been in talks with the lovely Tertia and Dr Champagne. Tertia has found a mighty fine donor for us and Dr Champagne assures me that we have tons o' sperm in Cape Town so I could do another solo trip.
And we got a call out of the blue on Monday from our local adoption agency. We took classes with them and they did our home study. They offer a la carte pricing so we chose not to use their outreach services (they work with tons of folks and often have a really long wait). Anyway they are working with an expectant birthmother and have done a lot of reaching out to other groups all across Northern California and have not had success. So they thought we might be interested.
Yes, please!
So our profile will be shown to the young lady in question. She has a list of her own and it's fairly short. We meet 2 out of 3 requirements so perhaps she'll pick us. One of her requirements is a biracial couple and that seems to be the sticking point. Can you believe there is not a single biracial couple in Northern California who are interested in an open adoption? Seriously. We have heard the efforts the agency has gone to and unfortunately for the young lady she might have to choose between geographic closeness and ethnicity.
She's also been matched twice already. Both couples got pregnant. BOTH. Can you imagine the pain that must have caused her? At least they told her. If she wants to meet with us, we do plan on telling her we might be adding to our family through both adoption and donor gametes.
We don't have a lot of other information at this point but what we do know matches up nicely with my list from that recent post. I'm still ruminating on my list and truly appreciate all the input from you guys. You had some very thoughtful and thought provoking comments.
So smoke or no smoke, we're marching ahead. It's good to have multiple plates spinning in the air again. I thought the mister might not agree but, like always, we seem to be on exactly the same page.
Oh and one last thing. Guess what I scored on craigslist yesterday? The coolest baby hammock in the world, in exactly the color that I wanted, at a substantial discount. Now if I could just find a wii fit.
oh, man...i totally know the answer!
sounds like things are moving on all fronts. i'm excited for you guys!
Posted by: elana | Wednesday, 25 June 2008 at 14:49
What a cool hammock!
Fingers crossed for you guys. One of these times HAS to be THE time . . . (This is my own personal mantra.)
Posted by: beagle | Wednesday, 25 June 2008 at 14:52
Wow! I'm totally impressed. My husband won't agree to us pursuing adoption and IVF at the same time. I'm envious (in a weird way).
Posted by: Trace | Wednesday, 25 June 2008 at 17:59
Happy to hear such a newsy update. You have been busy!!
And, I totally can't believe there is not such a biracial couple in your area, weird. But...here's hoping that this might be it! Wow!
Posted by: Louise | Wednesday, 25 June 2008 at 19:23
I am so happy to hear about how many options are coming together for you right now. Hoping for true synchronicity for you here. I haven't been posting much but I'm looking almost every day to see how you are doing and what's going on. I am so pleased I checked today!
How awful about the fires, on so many fronts. I hope that things are under control soon.
Posted by: Roni | Thursday, 26 June 2008 at 07:35
I hope this woman turns out to be your future child's birthmother. Thinking of you!
Posted by: Clover | Thursday, 26 June 2008 at 09:55
Hoping one or more of those plates work out. I can't believe you found one of those of Craig's List. Very cool.
Posted by: amber | Thursday, 26 June 2008 at 13:43
Ben Folds Five --Smoke! :) I lived in NC for 4 years, so I became familiar with and then a huge fan of Ben. I normally lurk on your blog, but thought I'd say hi. I sincerely wish that you get lucky with adoption soon. You have endured so much, and continue to remain positive and not jaded! I am someone who is still in the trenches of infertility, and I have little hope for success, so I really admire your temerity. I hope you get your happy ending soon!
Posted by: Lea | Thursday, 26 June 2008 at 15:30
Did you see the sun tonight as it went down? Really, really red and strangely wouldn't show up when I tried to take a picture with my digital camera...
Sounds like you are rebounding nicely. I'm still crossing my fingers for you!!
Posted by: PBfsh | Thursday, 26 June 2008 at 20:39
Lots of pokers in the fire!
Good luck!
Posted by: Lut C. | Friday, 27 June 2008 at 14:39
That is one funky hammock. You sound fired up (seriously, no pun intended) about all the paths you are exploring, and I am glad to read this.
Posted by: Jan1902 | Saturday, 28 June 2008 at 06:12
I was just reading on spaceweather.com that all the smoke from the wildfires in northern cal is making the sun appear lavendar. Is it lavendar where you are? Kinda cool if it is - though still not cool that there are so many fires.
Posted by: daisy mae | Sunday, 29 June 2008 at 17:05
I hope all this activity brings you to a busy day phone call telling you you have been selected! The phone will ring when you least expect it to.
I hope those fires are way way away from you all.
Posted by: tubeless | Sunday, 29 June 2008 at 22:13
hi millie, I just found your blog in a post about blogher (lori's) and wanted to introduce myself. First, I wanted to wish you well on this current situation. Good luck!
I'm also in norcal and we've recently moved on to domestic open adoption. From the Qs you posted before, I think we are doing our home study with the same local agency. I think there's also a chance we may be considering the services of the same facilitator, so I'd really be interested in hearing whether you were satisfied with the way she eventually handled your last situation... and anything else you'd be open to sharing... Please feel free to email me if you are up to it. Thanks! And best of luck again!
~luna
Posted by: luna | Wednesday, 02 July 2008 at 07:40