We’re adopting!

Or, at least, hoping to adopt!

A little over a month ago Mark and I decided to get the ball rolling on the adoption process. Adoption is something we’ve talked about since pretty early in our dating relationship. We weren’t sure if I’d be able to have biological children, giving having Marfan syndrome, and knew that even if I could, I likely wouldn’t be able to have more than one or two. We felt so blessed when I was cleared for my first pregnancy, M, and over the moon when we were given the go ahead to try for #2. After J was born, it wasn’t a surprise that my team strongly recommended against any more pregnancies.

I’d be lying if I said I don’t sometimes feel a twinge of sadness at the thought of never being pregnant again, but I am so excited for us to add to our family through adoption. I know there is one more baby out there for us somewhere. I said as much to Mark when still in the hospital with J. We know our family just isn’t quite complete yet.

After a lot of online research, talking with friends, and prayer over the past few years, we’ve decided to pursue open domestic infant adoption through our church’s agency. For those who don’t know, open adoption means that we maintain some sort of relationship with the prospective birth mother/birth parents/birth family. This may be just periodic emails and pictures, to frequent visits, or anything in between.

Right now we’ve completed the first round of paperwork, as well as our orientation. We’re in the middle of our required readings (our agency uses readings online in leu of a class) and then we’ve got lots more paperwork, interviews, and our home study before final approval from the agency. After that, it’s waiting to be chosen by a prospective birth mother/birth parents. How long all this will take is incredibly variable. I know the Menininho is hoping it won’t be long! He says he is excited to have a baby sister, and that her name is Emily, haha.

I’ll keep you all posted as we move along this adoption journey. I’d love to hear any suggestions of resources or advice from any of you who are part of the adoption triad!