a little perspective

I wrote to Debbie this week, asking how many families are currently waiting, how often they meet with new birth mothers, and how often new families get on the wait list.  Here was the response:

We currently have 9 other families who are open to AA/biracial and either gender.  On average we receive 5-8 calls each week from birth mothers having either AA or biracial babies.  However, on a yearly basis we receive around 300 birth mother calls from women having either AA or biracial babies.  Last year of those 300 that called 39 made a plan of adoption.  So many times women call “in crisis” and by the time the consultant meets with them which is within 24 hours of them calling, the crisis has past.  We receive around 2-3 new families per month. 

So that helped me wrap my brain around it a bit.  With most agencies you are on a list, and when your number comes up, you are referred to a specific baby, and the adoption process moves forward.  But since the mothers choose us from a pool of families, there is no way to know when it will happen.  This definitely put things into perspective, and we're good with it.

lute is TWO!

"Mama, bur-day party?"

"Mama, blow candles?"

"Mama, cupcakes?  Blue cupcakes?  With spfrinkles?"

"Mama, open pwesents?"

Check.  Check.  Check. Check.

now we wait... again

We are so excited to be at this point in the process.  The life books have been made, approved and sent.  We've gotten our final acceptance letter, and should be on the wait list as of Monday. I can't believe we're finally here!

So, here is what we know.  The wait could be one month (holy moly) to a year.  Originally we were told  six to nine months, so this new window is a little bigger.  I am going to keep six to nine months in my head, because that seems more likely.  BUT we didn't specify a gender, we are open to multiples, and we have no racial preference (a vast majority of the mothers are African American and we are excited about that!).  So basically Debbie, the woman who oversees the process, told us our wait probably won't be super long.  I have no idea how many people are on the list, but I'll take her word for it.

Lute is now asking about a baby brother and baby sister on a regular basis.  I don't think he has any idea the impact it will have on his world, but I am pretty sure he is going to be really excited to have a playmate.  He is the best... so much fun these days.  Two in just two weeks!  I can't believe my little baby is becoming such a big boy.