I'm completely exhausted, spent from the long weekend. We dropped Sydney and her dad off at the airport earlier today.
It was a whirlwind weekend, full of getting to know yous, adoption-related activities and typical tourist things. The days were long but they flew by.
Saturday was consumed by a long meeting at our adoption consultant's house. Sydney and her dad got to hear (and see) open adoption in action. There was the ususal smattering of adoptive parents, preadoptive parents, another expectant mom and a birthmom.
Our activities on Sunday were split down gender lines: baseball for the menfolk, shopping for the womenfolk. Maternity shopping at that.
I don't want to digress too much but can I just say how weird it is to shop for maternity clothes? This is something I know nothing about (neither did Sydney) and it was beyond surreal. But we persevered and found Sydney a few things that should tide her over.
Monday was back to our consultant's house. She met with Sydney and her dad for about 2 hours. Then we all met together for a bit. One of the things that I love most about our consultant is that she really spends time with expectant moms and their families and educates them about their rights, supports them, gives them great resources and forges connections with other women/families who've been there.
After all the touchy-feely stuff we headed into The City for a fun-filled afternoon full of bridges, harbour sealions, tacky shops and, yes, cable cars.
Today started early early EARLY with a counseling session for all. This wasn't something we'd done with other NPLS because we never "matched" with one before but it was incredibly helpful.
We're lucky to have an local who specialies in working with all members of the constellation. The therapist first met with Sydney alone, then Sydney's dad. Then the two of them together. Then the mister and me alone. Then all of us. Lots of pieces to this adoption puzzle.
In a couple of short hours she was able to help all of us identify some of our needs with our current situation and express them. The effects were powerful!
Sydney stated very clearly that, at this time, she's very committed to an adoption plan for this child and she wants the mister and I to parent her child. Her dad was able to verbalize that her family loved and supported her and would support her decision to place and understand her reasons for wanting to place. It was really important to Sydney that those words were said out loud.
The mister and I also did a bit more "claiming" than was comfortable to me (but again, important for Sydney to hear) and assure her we were thrilled she wanted us to parent this child and committed ourselves to her, and would support her if anything were to change.
And then she shared the gender with us. She'd actually shared it with many other people over the weekend but thought we wanted to keep it a surprise. We told her of course we'd love to know.
It's a boy!!!
I have no idea how to parent a boy but am relieved the clothes are at least a lot cuter. We don't have good "boy names" but are working on our list to present to Sydney. We told our families tonight. It seems as though there's a very good chance we'll add a boy to our family in about six weeks.
Squee!
EEEE! I'm so very excited for you all! What wonderful news!
Posted by: Jen | Wednesday, 03 August 2011 at 05:57
Awesome news and so exciting! Best wishes to you all!
Posted by: Sharon Green Long | Wednesday, 03 August 2011 at 07:38
That is so amazing. I am thrilled for you. I've missed your updates. Will you become a parent blogger now so we can share in your early parenting fun and troubleshooting? It is so helpful to hear how others that dealt with IF turn that issue into the past and face the new joys and challenges that are life after the IF intensity - whether that means having children or not. Sending thoughts your general direction for smooth sailing for the next long while.
Posted by: Sue | Wednesday, 03 August 2011 at 10:44
So excited for you Millie! Boys are fun!
Posted by: statia | Wednesday, 03 August 2011 at 11:44
My goodness, that's so much to take in. I'm thrilled for you.
Boy's clothes cuter? I've always found them so much more boring around here.
But I think there's way too much pink in the girls department. I do my best to pick around it.
Posted by: Lut C. | Wednesday, 03 August 2011 at 12:17
Boys are such different creatures from girls, but can be so much fun! Six weeks! My goodness this is beyond exciting!
Posted by: Summer | Wednesday, 03 August 2011 at 14:09
Wow, you better get busy! and Yay, so glad things went well :)
Posted by: Jill | Wednesday, 03 August 2011 at 17:10
6 weeks is going to fly by. Here's to baby boys!
Posted by: jen b | Wednesday, 03 August 2011 at 20:35
OMG. So happy for you. Boys rock. My boys almost 22 and I can't imagine life without him. Good luck to you!!
Posted by: Kellie Jensen Walton | Wednesday, 03 August 2011 at 21:05
look at you, posting again!
so very excited for you and the mister and your growing family. it's all pretty amazing!
Posted by: luna | Thursday, 04 August 2011 at 22:31
Wow! Such excitement. Good luck on all sides with the preparations!
Posted by: Bea | Friday, 05 August 2011 at 07:00
Wow. Congratulations. That's fabulous.
Posted by: Michell | Sunday, 07 August 2011 at 23:30
Amazing. And awesome. Can't wait to hear more!
And if you feel comfortable, would you mind talking a bit about what kind of "claiming" you guys did? And did doing more come out of your first experience with OA? Agan, just ignore this, if you'd like!
Posted by: Anna H. | Tuesday, 09 August 2011 at 16:03