unrecognizable reflection

Have you ever been shocked by your reflection?

I was shocked on Sunday.  That happened as my family was walking into Mass on Sunday morning and saw our reflection in the glass doors.

It is one thing to be mama to this family....to be inside and living the everyday.  It was completely shocking to see what everyone else sees when they look at us.  Family of five with back to back babies.

I relived this experience on Tuesday when I took my daughter to ballet class.  I had taken her twice previously, leaving the babies at home.  Tuesday, I brought the babies.  As I walked in, I can't even begin to tell you the looks I received.  It actually makes me laugh.  I can't even describe the feeling of being infertile and looking uberfertile. I caved and explained to the two women that Augie was flirting with that I was a foster mom.  I am not quite sure why I felt the need to offer a disclaimer, but I did.

I remember having Augie as a baby and the feeling of being satisfied with our family size.  My hands were full.  My hands are full again.  Five years ago I had no idea if we would be blessed with the gift of parenthood.  Today, we are blessed!

I have been busy on the name hunt and finally dragged hubby into the search.  As of tonight I have my top pick.  Hopefully we can confirm within the next week or two.  :)  If all goes well with the TPR, I hope to announce sometime next month.

Advent Reflection

Wow. What a time to reflect. Last year at this time we were writing about our advent. The season of anticipation. Last advent we were filled with new hope. Our home study was complete, we had gotten our first "situation" phone call about a possible adoption opportunity - we were anxious with anticipation that we might meet our child in 2007. Little did we know that a child was about to come to us in a way that was beyond what we thought possible. Of course, with God....all things are possible.

We guesstimate that H entered our lives around 12/20. Last night, I had the opportunity to kneel by my bed and watch her sleep. To see our baby girl, with her hands in that precious baby sleeping position (fists clenched, arms raised above her head in "strong man" position), my eyes filled with tears as I watched her - breathing, smiling, dreaming. She is so beautiful. What is even more amazing, she is ours. For the first time we are not watching a friend's baby, we are gazing upon our child.

2007. Anticipation. Certainly we don't have anything to ask for this Christmas. We have everything we have been hoping, praying, wishing for. H is our gift. H is all we want for Christmas! We are so thoroughly grateful that God chose to bestow this grace upon us, that he decided to make us parents of this amazing child.

Congratulations to our friends that have recently welcomed (or are preparing to welcome) their own miracles into their lives. We can't wait to meet your blessings as well!