It's true, I really don't have an artistic bone in my body unfortunately (after 1 year as an architecture student I gave up hope of that career and switched to finance which does not require an ounce of creativity!) but I dream of being really crafty and coming up with cool ideas that others praise me for being genius for! Until that day comes, I like to find ideas on other people's blogs on copy them. Here are two really cute ideas I found today that I can't wait to try!
First up, I''m going to attempt this in the next couple weeks for the boys' play area! It's a framed alphabet and wait until you see how easy it is! http://www.designmom.com/2011/01/alphabet-art-by-destri-bufmack/
Next, I'm always looking for little gifts I can add to baby shower gifts since I whole heartedly believe you should buy from someones registry and not tell them your choice of (bottles, pacifiers, toys, etc.) is a much better choice than what they chose (cringe! I've heard this more than once at showers.) but I like to add something they didn't ask for along with something they did. These little owl crinkle teethers are A. Dorable. http://homemadebyjill.blogspot.com/2011/01/crinkly-owl-teethers.html
And with that said, anyone have a really cute Valentine craft idea? I'd love to hear!
Monday, January 31, 2011
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Weight Watchers Weigh In!
I lost .8lbs this week! yahoo! I did not exercise and that was not a good idea so I'm hoping this week to take 3 boot camp classes but I'm honestly a little lazy these last few weeks in that aspect. I'm also trying to limit my splurge day to one meal. We had family in town last weekend and I ate way too much:( I even confess I ate a pint of Starbucks Caramel Macchiato Ice cream in 2 nights, boo! What I do well is I cut up my weeks veggies and make my ranch dip with light sour cream and Hidden Valley Ranch Dip mix on Sunday for the entire week, I've been bringing my lunch, and I don't snack at night. Here's my 3 goals for this week:
1) Drink at least 8 cups of water a day.
2) Workout at least 5 times this week for at least 30 minutes each time.
3) Track everything I eat including my splurge meal.
I really want to hit my 5% goal which is 10 lbs so I have 2.4lbs to go! I was 192.6 when i got pregnant, morning sickness got me down to 183 and when Dylan was born, I was back to 192 when he was 1 week old. Then somehow, 8 more pounds snuck up on me. My goal for this year is 145lbs and then to get pregnant. I've never lost more than 30 pounds in one year and I gained it back in a matter of a few months so I'm hoping this time the weight is lost and stays lost! Have you all seen Esther, faintstarlite on YT, in the new Weight Watchers ad?! She looks awesome and is a really great inspiration:)
1) Drink at least 8 cups of water a day.
2) Workout at least 5 times this week for at least 30 minutes each time.
3) Track everything I eat including my splurge meal.
I really want to hit my 5% goal which is 10 lbs so I have 2.4lbs to go! I was 192.6 when i got pregnant, morning sickness got me down to 183 and when Dylan was born, I was back to 192 when he was 1 week old. Then somehow, 8 more pounds snuck up on me. My goal for this year is 145lbs and then to get pregnant. I've never lost more than 30 pounds in one year and I gained it back in a matter of a few months so I'm hoping this time the weight is lost and stays lost! Have you all seen Esther, faintstarlite on YT, in the new Weight Watchers ad?! She looks awesome and is a really great inspiration:)
Friday, January 28, 2011
Poll Question! Please Vote!
There is a poll on the right hand side of my page.....I'd love for you all to "vote" and obviously this poll is geared to those that have experienced some form of infertility. The answers are limited so if nothing really applies to you, feel free to add a comment below! Thank you for sharing!
Adoption through FC: Questions to Ask at Orientation and Facts
Here is a list of questions you may want to ask during orientation or privately to a social worker:
1) How many newborns come into foster care every month? Do I have to have any special training or are their different requirements to take care of a newborn?
2) Will I be able to get WIC for the baby? (That's what our state program is that provides ALL of your formula and then baby food as they get older).
3) Does the state help with daycare costs? (Our state pays up to $700 a month, must be licensed through the state and city though, sorry, can't pay your friend to do it unless they are licensed).
4) Is their a clothing allowance? (Our state is $300 per lifetime, we never asked for the money though).
5) When can I start the adoption process once I bring home a child?
6) How long does it take to get licensed from the time I turn in my application? How long does adoption usually take?
7) Can I take the baby out of state?
8) Do I have to pay for my lawyer and home study up front for the adoption or does the state cover that?
Facts (please check with your state, I'll go based on mine but it should be very similar)
1) You receive a monthly "reimbursement" which is supposed to cover the costs of taking care of the baby from food to clothing to extra utilities to activities, etc. I think what we received was WAY TOO MUCH. It was over $800 a month....seriously, the baby used maybe a fraction of that. This money may stop when you adopt however most people we know negotiated with the state to still get that money and it was called a stipend I believe? This is NOT about the money and getting free money, but seriously, we can all afford to send the kid to college on that amount, so I'm not opposed to asking for it.
2) FC kids automatically receive medicaid. Therefore make sure that you ask how medical care works, here you can take them to any doctor that takes medicaid. If that's how it works where you live, make sure to start calling around to pediatricians offices so you already have a doctor lined up!
3) You should receive WIC and get free formula for the baby while fostering the child and then after that depending on your income. At first, we were so opposed to taking any assistance....but at $27 a can when you can get it for free....why not!
4) There should be daycare assistance. Some people still can't believe I can be a foster mom and work full time! Why would foster kids be any different or less loved and cared for by someone other than a stay at home mom! So just know that you don't have to be a SAHM if you don't want to, but obviously that is up to you! Please go check into day cares if that's what you'll need shortly after the baby arrives because here, you can be on a waiting list for a few months and if you need to go back to work, that's going to be difficult! It's different than when you are pregnant and you know when you'll be back to work. If tomorrow the social worker calls and says come pick up this baby, all of a sudden know you are looking frantically for day care!
5) If the child is native American, they fall under the Indian Child Welfare Act. My honest opinion is that if you want the least amount of risk of losing a baby and you are not native or Indian, make sure you specify the baby not be native American. It's a whole different ball game and the tribes will be involved and their preference is almost always to find a home with a Native American family. However, I'd love for some of you to be willing to take the risk because honestly, there are far too many ICWA cases and very few Native American families willing to take them in and adopt them. The VERY first question my son's birth mom asked was, "Are you and ICWA home?" Really? That's the first words out of your mouth! Ugghh.
6) Ask the social worker, but in our state if you have one child in foster care or you have recently had your parental rights terminated, you DO NOT GET TO GO HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL WITH YOUR NEWBORN. It's sad, it really is, but I bring this up because most of the families I know that adopted infants, that was the case. Here, the social worker notifies all area hospitals several months in advance that as soon as that mom checks into labor and delivery, the state is to be notified and the baby is to not leave the hospital. Even my son's mom had a baby back in June. A sweet baby girl and I was torn up inside on what to do, in the end his aunt took her and it's working out well but we had decided that if the aunt did not do it, we would have been more than happy (albeit tired as heck!) to have her be our daughter.
7) Don't think that other FC homes and adoptive parents will be fighting you over a newborn or a baby for that matter. Just like you've all expressed to me, so many people are worried about the baby going back to the birth mom and for a FC home, a baby is not nearly as easy to take care of versus a 6 year old. Diapers, late night feedings, etc. and school age kids head off to school every day so many FC homes prefer older school age kids.
8) If a parent is in prison (assuming the other parent is not around and not willing to take care of the newborn) and the sentence is for a couple years, it is highly unlikely the state won't move to terminate rights because it's not healthy (in my opinion and many doctors opinions) that a young child be raised by someone for a couple years, then turned over to a parent getting out of prison and hoping that they stay out of trouble and raise the kid properly. And honestly, at least if the mom was in prison when the baby was born or most of the pregnancy, it's highly unlikely she could do drugs and alcohol through much of her pregnancy.
9) You can specify age, gender, and ethnicity. Don't be surprised when a placement worker calls and asks you to "just think about" taking in a sibling group. I think it's pretty darn rare that moms with kids in the FC system have only 1 kid.....and that they don't go have more after the kids are in the system. But feel free to say no. Discuss with your spouse in what situation, if ANY, you'd be willing to take more than one baby. But with that said, most families I know that adopted babies, just adopted that baby, not a sibling group and a lot of that was that the siblings were already adopted out to families that did not want to adopt more.
10) Babies that are exposed to drugs may see less physical damage than those exposed to alcohol because of how it passes through their blood stream but please research this! Many of the babies are fine and not exposed to anything but others are and before you get overly worried, ask questions and talk to a pediatrician. If the birth mom delivers, the doctors are going to watching that baby very closely for signs of drug and alcohol exposure and other development issues, it's not a guarantee, but where I live, they do a great job of screening the babies.
11) You have to decide whether it's in your best interest to take a chance of bringing home a newborn and waiting for the parental rights to be terminated and going through adoption versus maybe taking in a 6 month old or a 1 year old that is legally free and maybe missing out on those newborn moments. I personally, would opt for taking a chance with a newborn. I do wish I could have been there for some of my son's first moments and having even pictures of that time to show him. But it's not the end of the world. On the other hand by 5 months old, he soon slept though the night for 12 straight hours!
12) You don't have to be rich to adopt. The FC system isn't looking for a bunch of rich couples, they want couples that want to parent a child and love them unconditionally so don't worry that they think you don't make too much. If you are going to do it because you think you'll get free money every month, please stop even thinking about adopting or doing FC. That's just not right to do to any child.
13) There is an adoption tax credit up to $13,000 and some change. Find out more here http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc607.html . Most likely this won't even apply to you if your state is covering the costs in full, but just in case your state expects you to pay anything, this should apply. Also, if you choose to do a private adoption, check out the credit.
14) Closed vs. Open adoption- Everyone that I know has done a closed adoption through FC. Since our son's birth mom relinquished her rights and that allowed her to skip the trial where her lawyer could have potentially fought the termination of rights, we agreed to a letter and pictures every 6 months. But no visits. We obviously are allowed to do visits but at this time, we are not ready to do that and are not obligated ever to do so.
And to wrap this all up, I'm presenting this idea because I've met so many great PCOS ladies and women that have other IF issues and my hope is that all of them get to be mothers some day soon. And I don't believe that just because you adopt and then keep trying to conceive a baby that that meant that adopted baby just wasn't good enough, seriously, that's so far from the truth! Otherwise, wouldn't all great moms just have 1 baby?
And I leave you with this quote:
"If not you, who? If not now, when?
1) How many newborns come into foster care every month? Do I have to have any special training or are their different requirements to take care of a newborn?
2) Will I be able to get WIC for the baby? (That's what our state program is that provides ALL of your formula and then baby food as they get older).
3) Does the state help with daycare costs? (Our state pays up to $700 a month, must be licensed through the state and city though, sorry, can't pay your friend to do it unless they are licensed).
4) Is their a clothing allowance? (Our state is $300 per lifetime, we never asked for the money though).
5) When can I start the adoption process once I bring home a child?
6) How long does it take to get licensed from the time I turn in my application? How long does adoption usually take?
7) Can I take the baby out of state?
8) Do I have to pay for my lawyer and home study up front for the adoption or does the state cover that?
Facts (please check with your state, I'll go based on mine but it should be very similar)
1) You receive a monthly "reimbursement" which is supposed to cover the costs of taking care of the baby from food to clothing to extra utilities to activities, etc. I think what we received was WAY TOO MUCH. It was over $800 a month....seriously, the baby used maybe a fraction of that. This money may stop when you adopt however most people we know negotiated with the state to still get that money and it was called a stipend I believe? This is NOT about the money and getting free money, but seriously, we can all afford to send the kid to college on that amount, so I'm not opposed to asking for it.
2) FC kids automatically receive medicaid. Therefore make sure that you ask how medical care works, here you can take them to any doctor that takes medicaid. If that's how it works where you live, make sure to start calling around to pediatricians offices so you already have a doctor lined up!
3) You should receive WIC and get free formula for the baby while fostering the child and then after that depending on your income. At first, we were so opposed to taking any assistance....but at $27 a can when you can get it for free....why not!
4) There should be daycare assistance. Some people still can't believe I can be a foster mom and work full time! Why would foster kids be any different or less loved and cared for by someone other than a stay at home mom! So just know that you don't have to be a SAHM if you don't want to, but obviously that is up to you! Please go check into day cares if that's what you'll need shortly after the baby arrives because here, you can be on a waiting list for a few months and if you need to go back to work, that's going to be difficult! It's different than when you are pregnant and you know when you'll be back to work. If tomorrow the social worker calls and says come pick up this baby, all of a sudden know you are looking frantically for day care!
5) If the child is native American, they fall under the Indian Child Welfare Act. My honest opinion is that if you want the least amount of risk of losing a baby and you are not native or Indian, make sure you specify the baby not be native American. It's a whole different ball game and the tribes will be involved and their preference is almost always to find a home with a Native American family. However, I'd love for some of you to be willing to take the risk because honestly, there are far too many ICWA cases and very few Native American families willing to take them in and adopt them. The VERY first question my son's birth mom asked was, "Are you and ICWA home?" Really? That's the first words out of your mouth! Ugghh.
6) Ask the social worker, but in our state if you have one child in foster care or you have recently had your parental rights terminated, you DO NOT GET TO GO HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL WITH YOUR NEWBORN. It's sad, it really is, but I bring this up because most of the families I know that adopted infants, that was the case. Here, the social worker notifies all area hospitals several months in advance that as soon as that mom checks into labor and delivery, the state is to be notified and the baby is to not leave the hospital. Even my son's mom had a baby back in June. A sweet baby girl and I was torn up inside on what to do, in the end his aunt took her and it's working out well but we had decided that if the aunt did not do it, we would have been more than happy (albeit tired as heck!) to have her be our daughter.
7) Don't think that other FC homes and adoptive parents will be fighting you over a newborn or a baby for that matter. Just like you've all expressed to me, so many people are worried about the baby going back to the birth mom and for a FC home, a baby is not nearly as easy to take care of versus a 6 year old. Diapers, late night feedings, etc. and school age kids head off to school every day so many FC homes prefer older school age kids.
8) If a parent is in prison (assuming the other parent is not around and not willing to take care of the newborn) and the sentence is for a couple years, it is highly unlikely the state won't move to terminate rights because it's not healthy (in my opinion and many doctors opinions) that a young child be raised by someone for a couple years, then turned over to a parent getting out of prison and hoping that they stay out of trouble and raise the kid properly. And honestly, at least if the mom was in prison when the baby was born or most of the pregnancy, it's highly unlikely she could do drugs and alcohol through much of her pregnancy.
9) You can specify age, gender, and ethnicity. Don't be surprised when a placement worker calls and asks you to "just think about" taking in a sibling group. I think it's pretty darn rare that moms with kids in the FC system have only 1 kid.....and that they don't go have more after the kids are in the system. But feel free to say no. Discuss with your spouse in what situation, if ANY, you'd be willing to take more than one baby. But with that said, most families I know that adopted babies, just adopted that baby, not a sibling group and a lot of that was that the siblings were already adopted out to families that did not want to adopt more.
10) Babies that are exposed to drugs may see less physical damage than those exposed to alcohol because of how it passes through their blood stream but please research this! Many of the babies are fine and not exposed to anything but others are and before you get overly worried, ask questions and talk to a pediatrician. If the birth mom delivers, the doctors are going to watching that baby very closely for signs of drug and alcohol exposure and other development issues, it's not a guarantee, but where I live, they do a great job of screening the babies.
11) You have to decide whether it's in your best interest to take a chance of bringing home a newborn and waiting for the parental rights to be terminated and going through adoption versus maybe taking in a 6 month old or a 1 year old that is legally free and maybe missing out on those newborn moments. I personally, would opt for taking a chance with a newborn. I do wish I could have been there for some of my son's first moments and having even pictures of that time to show him. But it's not the end of the world. On the other hand by 5 months old, he soon slept though the night for 12 straight hours!
12) You don't have to be rich to adopt. The FC system isn't looking for a bunch of rich couples, they want couples that want to parent a child and love them unconditionally so don't worry that they think you don't make too much. If you are going to do it because you think you'll get free money every month, please stop even thinking about adopting or doing FC. That's just not right to do to any child.
13) There is an adoption tax credit up to $13,000 and some change. Find out more here http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc607.html . Most likely this won't even apply to you if your state is covering the costs in full, but just in case your state expects you to pay anything, this should apply. Also, if you choose to do a private adoption, check out the credit.
14) Closed vs. Open adoption- Everyone that I know has done a closed adoption through FC. Since our son's birth mom relinquished her rights and that allowed her to skip the trial where her lawyer could have potentially fought the termination of rights, we agreed to a letter and pictures every 6 months. But no visits. We obviously are allowed to do visits but at this time, we are not ready to do that and are not obligated ever to do so.
And to wrap this all up, I'm presenting this idea because I've met so many great PCOS ladies and women that have other IF issues and my hope is that all of them get to be mothers some day soon. And I don't believe that just because you adopt and then keep trying to conceive a baby that that meant that adopted baby just wasn't good enough, seriously, that's so far from the truth! Otherwise, wouldn't all great moms just have 1 baby?
And I leave you with this quote:
"If not you, who? If not now, when?
Adopting through FC: How to start the process
I'm going to abbreviate F0$+er C@re for now because I really don't want someone googling this topic and finding it until we are done with our adoption because you never know who's reading! Once we are finalized, I'll go back and edit, so bear with me for now please!
Make the Call- Please visit this website http://www.adoptuskids.org/resourceCenter/rrtPackets/chooseState.aspx and click on your state and you should find a number to call your FC system. Our state has a lot of information on their page (I'm very impressed!) and what we did was call and ask if there was an orientation we could sign up for and there was and we did. It was about an hour long, there was about 6 families at ours and it went through the basics of how children come into the FC system, what resources are available and what's involved in the approval process to do FC and adoption. In our state, you have to be approved to be a FC home before you can do adoption because it's not like this all happens in one day, so technically you are fostering a child until the adoption is finalized.
Fill out the paperwork- We received a large packet of papers at orientation to be filled out and faxed or mailed back to our state office. Don't be super worried about any of that, unless anyone in your household has been convicted of violent crimes, crimes against kids, etc. We filled out the packet of paperwork and then they assigned a licensing worker to us. Also at this time, make sure whether you need to be getting finger printed or any other steps. Again, none of this costs us any money at this point.
Home Study- The FC home study is a little different that the adoption home study. Prior to the licensing workers arrival, we received a copy of the rules of FC and a sheet of "Saftey Requirements." The safety stuff had to be completed prior to her arrival and it doesn't mean child proof your entire house. It does involve (for our state), installing extinguishers, working smoke detectors, making sure the water temperature isn't too hot, storing chemicals in a place where kids can't get to or putting a child proof latch on your cabinet, and making a box in case of a natural disaster (radio that works on batteries, a first aid kit, a couple gallons of drinking water and non perishables which can be soup and granola bars, my ex-military husband bought a ton of MRE's, yuck!). So this step may cost you a little bit of money but you should be able to keep it under $100. Then the licensing worker came, went over all the rules, then checked that we met the safety requirements. At this time, depending on your state, you should be able to show the licensing worker where the child would sleep or if necessary, have the room set up. The licensing worker will talk to you about what your preference for children is and please speak openly and honestly with her because when she goes back to her office and talks with the placement worker, you want to make sure she conveys your wishes (even though they are written on paper) clearly!
Room Set Up- By this time in the process for us (the first visit from the licensing worker), we thought we would not get pregnant, it was late January, or early February but we decided to create a neutral bedroom that could be easily changed depending on gender. Now this is where you spend what you want and can afford. We bought a crib, painted the walls and did a little decorating (I think you can go back to one of my YT videos in February and it's on there) and set it up with a dresser and a twin bed. You obviously can do this on the cheap if you go on craigslist or know someone with a crib. But you do need this stuff. They will not give you a baby on the premise that you'll rush around the day off and get a bed for the kid! This part can be emotionally a really awesome feeling, or really hard. I was excited to do it personally. I felt like I was moving forward to becoming a mom and FINALLY I could go baby shopping for myself and not for another damn baby shower! HA! Also, I'm going to assume most people reading this are thinking of adopting an infant so I'll just use that example. You will need to get just a few toys (they can be used, whatever you want) and some basic clothes. The licensing worker needs to see that the baby will be clothed! We went to once upon a child and I picked as much gender neutral options as possible and very basic onesies, pants, socks, pajamas and I bought about 2 outfits and a pair of pajamas in each size up to a year (because at least the next day you can go shopping after the baby arrives, but the first day, don't count on taking a baby for a couple hours shopping!) You DON'T have to buy diapers, formula, bottles, etc. (at least where I live).
Training and Classes- Our state requires 20 hours of classes and we did them over a Friday night and all day Saturday. Both parents had to attend and it was AWESOME! I can't even explain what it was like to be in a room of about 12 couples that were all super excited to become foster parents (a few already were because of emergency placements so it was nice to hear their experiences too). I can't tell you how many tears were shed during these classes. Most of the men included. Obviously classes are different across the country so I really hope you enjoy your classes and have a great teacher like we did! About 8 of us went out to lunch each day together and had a blast and on Saturday night 6 of us went and hung out together at one of their homes, it was crazy that we just all had this instant bonding and we are all still great friends:) So definitely try and meet other couples at your classes so that you start creating a support system.
Second Home study- So now the licensing worker came back, did her final approval, looked at the bedroom and it was short and sweet and she left saying, "Expect a call from us any day with news that we have a child for you!" We were stoked, I randomly took a pregnancy test as soon as she left and BAM, I was pregnant. I talk about that in my YT video, that was a crazy day!
Next I'll do a post of questions to ask and some things that might be helpful to you!
Make the Call- Please visit this website http://www.adoptuskids.org/resourceCenter/rrtPackets/chooseState.aspx and click on your state and you should find a number to call your FC system. Our state has a lot of information on their page (I'm very impressed!) and what we did was call and ask if there was an orientation we could sign up for and there was and we did. It was about an hour long, there was about 6 families at ours and it went through the basics of how children come into the FC system, what resources are available and what's involved in the approval process to do FC and adoption. In our state, you have to be approved to be a FC home before you can do adoption because it's not like this all happens in one day, so technically you are fostering a child until the adoption is finalized.
Fill out the paperwork- We received a large packet of papers at orientation to be filled out and faxed or mailed back to our state office. Don't be super worried about any of that, unless anyone in your household has been convicted of violent crimes, crimes against kids, etc. We filled out the packet of paperwork and then they assigned a licensing worker to us. Also at this time, make sure whether you need to be getting finger printed or any other steps. Again, none of this costs us any money at this point.
Home Study- The FC home study is a little different that the adoption home study. Prior to the licensing workers arrival, we received a copy of the rules of FC and a sheet of "Saftey Requirements." The safety stuff had to be completed prior to her arrival and it doesn't mean child proof your entire house. It does involve (for our state), installing extinguishers, working smoke detectors, making sure the water temperature isn't too hot, storing chemicals in a place where kids can't get to or putting a child proof latch on your cabinet, and making a box in case of a natural disaster (radio that works on batteries, a first aid kit, a couple gallons of drinking water and non perishables which can be soup and granola bars, my ex-military husband bought a ton of MRE's, yuck!). So this step may cost you a little bit of money but you should be able to keep it under $100. Then the licensing worker came, went over all the rules, then checked that we met the safety requirements. At this time, depending on your state, you should be able to show the licensing worker where the child would sleep or if necessary, have the room set up. The licensing worker will talk to you about what your preference for children is and please speak openly and honestly with her because when she goes back to her office and talks with the placement worker, you want to make sure she conveys your wishes (even though they are written on paper) clearly!
Room Set Up- By this time in the process for us (the first visit from the licensing worker), we thought we would not get pregnant, it was late January, or early February but we decided to create a neutral bedroom that could be easily changed depending on gender. Now this is where you spend what you want and can afford. We bought a crib, painted the walls and did a little decorating (I think you can go back to one of my YT videos in February and it's on there) and set it up with a dresser and a twin bed. You obviously can do this on the cheap if you go on craigslist or know someone with a crib. But you do need this stuff. They will not give you a baby on the premise that you'll rush around the day off and get a bed for the kid! This part can be emotionally a really awesome feeling, or really hard. I was excited to do it personally. I felt like I was moving forward to becoming a mom and FINALLY I could go baby shopping for myself and not for another damn baby shower! HA! Also, I'm going to assume most people reading this are thinking of adopting an infant so I'll just use that example. You will need to get just a few toys (they can be used, whatever you want) and some basic clothes. The licensing worker needs to see that the baby will be clothed! We went to once upon a child and I picked as much gender neutral options as possible and very basic onesies, pants, socks, pajamas and I bought about 2 outfits and a pair of pajamas in each size up to a year (because at least the next day you can go shopping after the baby arrives, but the first day, don't count on taking a baby for a couple hours shopping!) You DON'T have to buy diapers, formula, bottles, etc. (at least where I live).
Training and Classes- Our state requires 20 hours of classes and we did them over a Friday night and all day Saturday. Both parents had to attend and it was AWESOME! I can't even explain what it was like to be in a room of about 12 couples that were all super excited to become foster parents (a few already were because of emergency placements so it was nice to hear their experiences too). I can't tell you how many tears were shed during these classes. Most of the men included. Obviously classes are different across the country so I really hope you enjoy your classes and have a great teacher like we did! About 8 of us went out to lunch each day together and had a blast and on Saturday night 6 of us went and hung out together at one of their homes, it was crazy that we just all had this instant bonding and we are all still great friends:) So definitely try and meet other couples at your classes so that you start creating a support system.
Second Home study- So now the licensing worker came back, did her final approval, looked at the bedroom and it was short and sweet and she left saying, "Expect a call from us any day with news that we have a child for you!" We were stoked, I randomly took a pregnancy test as soon as she left and BAM, I was pregnant. I talk about that in my YT video, that was a crazy day!
Next I'll do a post of questions to ask and some things that might be helpful to you!
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Because Life's Not Fair....But It's Beautiful :)
Here are a few blogs, not about infertility, but about resilience and about taking a moment to look at everything beautiful in your life instead of everything that didn't happen according to what you had planned.
KelleHampton.com
First, grab a box of Kleenex's and start with this post http://www.kellehampton.com/2010/01/nella-cordelia-birth-story.html and if you are like me, you'll probably spend many hours over the next week catching up on all the posts from Kelle over the past year. She has the sweetest little girls and beautiful photography.
http://nieniedialogues.blogspot.com/
Stephanie Nielson survived a near fatal plane crash that burned over 80% of her body in August 2008, start here http://nieniedialogues.blogspot.com/2008_08_01_archive.html but also, jump right into present day. She's an awesome mom and wife and her story will make you stop for a moment and appreciate life and how precious it is and how quickly it could end.
http://www.reagansblob.com/
My new favorite. At first when I found a link to her "blob" I kind of just didn't get it, there was this super stylish lady with cool outfits and then, there it was, the story of her journey through motherhood under circumstances many would think they couldn't endure. Read this post http://www.reagansblob.com/2011/01/piper-jane-reunited/ and you'll start to understand how life's not always easy but just because something is far from easy, doesn't make it any less amazing. And I'm in love with all the "Piptures"!
KelleHampton.com
First, grab a box of Kleenex's and start with this post http://www.kellehampton.com/2010/01/nella-cordelia-birth-story.html and if you are like me, you'll probably spend many hours over the next week catching up on all the posts from Kelle over the past year. She has the sweetest little girls and beautiful photography.
http://nieniedialogues.blogspot.com/
Stephanie Nielson survived a near fatal plane crash that burned over 80% of her body in August 2008, start here http://nieniedialogues.blogspot.com/2008_08_01_archive.html but also, jump right into present day. She's an awesome mom and wife and her story will make you stop for a moment and appreciate life and how precious it is and how quickly it could end.
http://www.reagansblob.com/
My new favorite. At first when I found a link to her "blob" I kind of just didn't get it, there was this super stylish lady with cool outfits and then, there it was, the story of her journey through motherhood under circumstances many would think they couldn't endure. Read this post http://www.reagansblob.com/2011/01/piper-jane-reunited/ and you'll start to understand how life's not always easy but just because something is far from easy, doesn't make it any less amazing. And I'm in love with all the "Piptures"!
A Little Food Break
Let's take a break from the serious talk, let's talk food!
I made Cooking Light's Basic Banana Bread on Monday and it was FANTASTIC! Definitely not a diet food or something I could eat every day but it hit the spot on Monday and Tuesday and then I'm letting the hubby finish the rest. Here is the recipe (I omitted the icing on top):
Yield: 16 servings (serving size: 1 slice)
Ingredients
2. Combine first 4 ingredients in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed. Add granulated and brown sugars; beat until combined.
3. Weigh or lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour and next 5 ingredients (through ground allspice). Add flour mixture to banana mixture; beat just until blended. Pour batter into a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 55 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from oven; cool 10 minutes in pan on a wire rack. Remove bread from pan; cool completely. Combine powdered sugar and milk, stirring until smooth; drizzle over bread.
I made Cooking Light's Basic Banana Bread on Monday and it was FANTASTIC! Definitely not a diet food or something I could eat every day but it hit the spot on Monday and Tuesday and then I'm letting the hubby finish the rest. Here is the recipe (I omitted the icing on top):
Yield: 16 servings (serving size: 1 slice)
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups mashed ripe banana
- 1/3 cup plain fat-free yogurt
- 5 tablespoons butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 6.75 ounces all-purpose flour (about 1 1/2 cups)
- 1/4 cup ground flaxseed
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
- Cooking spray
- 1/3 cup powdered sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons 1% low-fat milk
Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 350°.2. Combine first 4 ingredients in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed. Add granulated and brown sugars; beat until combined.
3. Weigh or lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour and next 5 ingredients (through ground allspice). Add flour mixture to banana mixture; beat just until blended. Pour batter into a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 55 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from oven; cool 10 minutes in pan on a wire rack. Remove bread from pan; cool completely. Combine powdered sugar and milk, stirring until smooth; drizzle over bread.
Nutritional Information
- Calories: 167 Fat: 5.1g Protein: 2.9g Carbohydrate: 28.3g Fiber: 1.5g
Maureen Callahan, Cooking Light, OCTOBER 2010 Original Recipe Here
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