Metamorphasis

Cacooning.  That is what the time period is called by adoptive parents when they bring their child home when an adoption takes place.  People do this to help their child attach and bond with the family - to have a true sense of belonging and to find their own special place in our home.  We were told by one adoption agency to plan on a full three months before we even let family or friends hold our child.  Many children in orphanages have multiple caretakers.  People who have eight hour shifts and who go home at the end of their days.  I am not sure, but I believe that is what our son is experiencing right now.  We most likely will not follow the suggested timeframe, especially since after three months Melissa's adoptive leave will be finished, but we will definitely experience cacooning the first month+, as long as Christian needs to know how loved he is and that he is an equal member of our family.

If cacooning is the next phase we will enter, then I believe we are officially entering the phase of metamorphasis.  I can feel our family dynamics shifting and developing.  Our family has been so blessed these past two months by the generosity of our friends and family, and we are so thankful for this.  I can tell that I am nesting.  I keep sorting and reorganizing the clothes we have been given for Christina, pulling out toddler toys, making room in Abby's closet, and purging anything we no longer have a need for.  The dust bunnies better hop away, because once I am done with all this organizing craziness I am looking forward to a full scrub down so our son comes home to a clean and child-proofed home.   

We realize how fortunate we are to have such wonderful people in our lives, but I do find myself savoring a quiet day in and wanting to spend the day with the kids even more than setting up big adventures like we have done in the past.  I always enjoy my time out when we do make the decision to have an exciting day, but more often than not I prefer to just be home.  This must be part of our metamorphasis process. 

Don't get me wrong - we have been keeping super busy.  The first week of our summer vacation was spent wrapping up another great school year.  The second week was spent helping my parents with their garage sale (which also served as an awesome fundraiser).  The third week I went to NY to visit my grandma and family.  The last week and all of next week are now full of garage sale planning.  I can't even begin to describe how appreciative we are of all that our friends and family have given us.  All three stalls are full.  When I say full, I mean FULL.  I have about 12 tables set up with items above and below them, heaping full.  We even have bigger outside toys out on the porch because everything doesn't fit in the garage.  Our friends are helping us set up this week and a few are even helping during the sale itself. 

We have had our 1800 paperwork in Texas just over a week now, so any day we should get that returned in the mail.  On Wednesday of last week I received a text from the USCIS department that they had received our paperwork.  Once we have that returned I can start applying for our visas and the next steps.  In about eight more weeks we should be leaving!