Well. We were officially on "The List" as of Monday the 10th. Wednesday the 12th, I got a phone call from our counselor with a situation. A baby boy, born on August 5th was in the Cradle nursery and his mother was looking for a couple to place him with. He was born premature, but was checked by the Cradle's Dr., who said he was in excellent condition. Jeremy was out of town, so I called him as soon as I could, and discussed the situation with him. We decided, after thinking about it all day Wednesday, to allow our profile to be shown.
I couldn't fall asleep Wednesday night. I was tossing and turning, my mind was racing, I was making lists of what we would need...thinking, what will the baby sleep in, what will he wear, what will he eat, poop in, ride in, stroll in?!? I finally got to sleep at about 2:30 am. I woke up early to take the trash out to the curb, and thought that I would just drop back in bed and sleep for a while longer...not happening. So I looked online at bassinets, car seats, cloth diapers, bottles, cribs, changing tables, wipe warmers, bottle warmers...who knew there were so many products out there for consumption?!? I waited till a decent hour (7:30 am) to call our counselor to let her know our decision, and she wasn't in the office yet...but she called me back when she got there to let me know that our profile was on its way to the birthmom...along with 3-7 other profiles. But we're in the running!
Then she and I talked about the baby, the birthmom (high school graduate who wants to go to college) and the birthdad (not involved), her family (very supportive of the decision) and boyfriend (not the birthdad) and why they were choosing not to parent. We talked about the timeline we could expect (about 2 weeks to hear yes or no) and what would happen if we were chosen to parent this baby. We discussed the incredible timing...I think this has to be a record if we are actually chosen!! We talked about how excited Jeremy and I are to even be in this situation so soon, and how even if we're not chosen, how exciting it is to have a trial run! She let me know that all we needed to pick him up if we are chosen is a change of clothes and a car seat.
Later that day, I called Jeremy's sister Heather, and went to pick up the baby stuff she has lovingly saved over the years. Pack N' Play, Diaper Genie, clothes, BOOKS! and so much more...I was so excited to get home and do some precious, sweet, teensy little laundry!
I was always pretty set against having the nursery set up with the crib, changing table, etc. before the baby actually arrived, but after this situation I have changed my mind completely. I was completely stressed because our baby wouldn't have the things he or she needed to be comfy in our house. So Saturday (after much internet research), Jeremy and I went shopping. We bought some Dreft to wash the precious, sweet, teensy little laundry. Then we went home and ordered the bassinet, car seat, stroller and swing. Sunday, we bought the crib, mattress and changing table/dresser that we wanted. This week, we are finishing all of the little things that still need to be done in the nursery, we'll put the crib and changing table together, and we brought the bookshelf down to the garage to be painted.
So we wait. And while we wait, we wonder; is this little boy our son? It would be so nice to say yes, but there are 3-7 other couples who would love to say the same thing. I am sending my most loving thoughts to this girl and her boyfriend and her parents, that she and they are able to make the best choice for this little one. Whether the choice is us or not.
