T Minus 3 Update

We received this email tonight about 6:15 PM:

Well you could be right. I am already beginning to lose pieces of my mucus plug since yesterday. And the doctor says with me being 3-4cm and the contractions I should be headed to her either tonight or by Sunday. But as soon as I get in the car I will call you. Pray it happens tonight. I can barely get up as it is. I cant wait for a good nites sleep. Sorry you guys won't get any lol. See you soon and get here safely.

Gulp.

T Minus 3; Cupcakes & Pride

Three to go...I think I'll email Lucy today to see how she's feeling. I'll make another post later to give you an update. Excitement is building; family and friends are now calling or emailing daily looking for Finster. Like it might slip our minds to tell them.

I was reading Andrew's Daddies blog, and Paul is making cupcakes. I want to make treats like that for Finster! Paul's doing it all wrong though, so if you're reading, here is my recipe for making fabulous cupcakes:

1-Announce (loudly) to no one in particular, "I'm going to make cupcakes!"
2-Make a lot of noise in the kitchen, looking for cupcake making things.
3-Yell upstairs, "Hey I can't find the blender!".
4-After the response of "You don't use a blender to make cupcakes", wait a few seconds then respond "Oh".
5-Make some more noise, then yell "Which cups should I use?". There will be silence.
6-Over the sound of the blender, yell "How much glitter do you put in?"
7-Pretend to look shocked and hurt when your boyfriend the chef comes downstairs, glares at you, then begins making delicious cupcakes from scratch.
8-Wash away the hurt with a dirty Sapphire Gin Martini, two olives, while he bakes.
9-Enjoy a cupcake!

Duh.

This weekend also happens to be Phoenix Pride. We have an early one because it's either that or bake to death in the June sun. Gregg and I aren't really Pride fanatics, if you ask me they were more relevant in the 90's. For me the party factor has been amped up tremendously, and I bet more then half of the pretty young things trouncing around half naked have no idea what type of issues are being debated in state capitols around the country that will ultimately affect them and their relationships. We went last year, and since we had just begun Project Baby, stopped at the Lambda Legal both to find out what we should have in place locally to protect our family. I was in stunned shock when the two hot lawyers at the booth looked at us like we had three heads and acted like they didn't even know gay people knew kids existed. Zero help or knowledge. Now that's not an indictment of that group as a whole, but come on, it's not like gay adoption is a tiny issue. (Using "indictment" in a statement about lawyers is pretty clever huh?) I love a good party as much as anyone, but it just seems without the dreaded "homosexual agenda" of political speeches and rallies Pride just doesn't seem to matter as much anymore. I guess that's why we only go about every two or three years or so.

Or, maybe I'm just old. Ugh.

T Minus 4, All Quiet on the Western Front

That about sums it up. Even the knots in my stomach are quiet.

T Minus 6 and Evil Newborns

Only six days to go! It's less then a week, and I think we're both back to jumpy nerves again. After going through this once before when we were looking at March 31st for delivery, I think I speak for both (OK all four) of us when I say we're at the "let's just get this over with" stage. We've been packed and ready for weeks, I keep telling The Boys it's almost hotel time, and I know Lucy feels like she's way overdue, even though she isn't. Before I move on with today's dramatic post, let's see where we stand in the betting pool. Sorry latecomers, but the guessing is officially closed now so you'll have to wait until next time or head to Michael's blog, they have a kid every year (*grin*). Anyway, a bunch of you have already dropped off, so let's see who's left:

• Kathryn, April 14, 10 PM, current leader (Also roughly the same time in 1912 the Titanic struck an iceberg and started sinking...um, thanks for that Kathryn!)
• Andrew's Daddies, April 15, 9:47 PM
• April (Anonymous) April 15, 7:42 PM
• Michael, April 17, 2:42 AM
• Jilliebean, April 18, 3:45 PM
• Kate, April 19, 8:10 AM
• Carole, April 19, 11:45 PM
• S, April 20, 10:23 AM
• Michelle, April 20, 2:34 PM
• Ann-Elise, April 21, 6:39 AM
• Susan (Anonymous) April 21, 7 AM

A still to be thought of Arizona themed prize to the winner.

Anywho, last night as I was taking The Boys for our nightly walk, I was thinking about the baby being born and all that she'll do in her life and all that's in store for her. Sweet thoughts. But then it dawned on me...at the same time, somewhere out there, there is a newborn boy being born as well. The same one who's going to set his sites on our daughter 18 or so years from now with impure thoughts in his warped mind. Probably driving some souped up hoopdie, big fuzzy dice and vodka spiked Gatorade, thinking he's taking her behind the movie theatre or wherever youngin's go to get past third base. Sure he looks cute now, but you can be sure he's got pure evil on his mind when it comes to my little girl! So be warned infant little boy (or even gurl!) I know what you're up to, and I see through your veil of cuteness!

See what waiting does to you?

T Minus 7

One week to go. We're still looking at Monday, April 20th for the due date. I really don't have anything to report. We're waiting. Our bags are (still) packed from the March 31st due date fiasco. I wish that never happened; all the emotion of waiting was poured into it, then nothing. So in a way it feels like we're two weeks overdue and counting. It's hard to concentrate on anything. The worst is when you have nothing to do. We did our usual household cleanup on Saturday, and Sunday went to my parent's house for Easter brunch. We were back home before two o' clock, and I felt like I was sitting around just waiting. Then I remember about the people who have been waiting for years, or had birth mothers that changed their minds at birth after a long wait, or (worse) had the child for a day or two and then had it reclaimed, and all the other horrible adoption nightmares. I feel like it's wrong for me to be this wound up over an extra 20 day wait. Still when the call could come at any moment, and you're a state away, it's nerve wracking. I'm so glad I have Gregg, The Boys, and my friends and family to lean on. Oh and gin. I'm glad we have gin too. Hee hee.

Let's Put a Chick in the Nest

We found this cute rug at Target. I would have never thought that pink and greens go together so well. Lots of her outfits are pink and green, and it looks great.

The nursery theme is "butterflies". I found these at a site called butterfly grove, and they are gorgeous. Fabric wings on a wire frame. We hung some from the ceiling; others are mounted on the wall.

For this butterfly quilt, I painted some wooden clothespins pink and then glued these shapes I found at Michael's Crafts on top of them. I used double stick tape to hold the pins to the wall and then hung up the quilt.

I got the supplies for the name graphic at Michael's as well. After painting the letters, I used double stick tape to secure them to the wall. The ribbons give them a hanging look. I was thinking of attaching her new baby cards people send her from the ribbons.

This is a cute fan. It has pastel blades and little butterfly pulls. I hope she likes it!

T minus 9 and counting...

T Minus 10, Take 2

Well there are 10 days left to go. Today is Good Friday, the day when, after one last supper, Jesus was put on the cross because he had hidden everyone's eggs which really angered his Peeps (or at least that's my understanding of it).

Yesterday we received a nice email from "Lucy":

Hello Bobby and Greg, Well I had the final ultrasound today and the baby is looking good. Good spine, all fingers and toes in tact. I was even able to see her little face and chubby cheeks. Heart beat was good and she gave the techs a show. Well that's all for now till the 15th. Until then or baby comes talk to you later.

I still don't think this is going to go the distance. Maybe this weekend?

Due Date Ping Pong

Here's the latest...after her doctor appointment on Monday, Lucy reports her due date has been adjusted to April 20th, so we're now in the two week window. I just have to say, what the hell is wrong with doctors in California? Come on how hard is it to figure this stuff out? I mean, I don't know nothin' 'bout birthin' no babies, but I've never heard of due dates being moved around so much so late in a pregnancy. She has one more appointment tomorrow for a final ultra sound, so we'll see if they change it again. At this point I'd guess if they do it can only move back earlier. But that could be our wishful thinking.

Wait--Is This REALLY Happening?

The news just came out...Vermont just became the fourth state to legalize Equal Marriage. (I refuse to call it Gay Marriage, because that implies it is somehow different, and it's not. We still can raise kids, pay a mortgage, and stop having sex just like straight married people.) This after Iowa last week. Hey California Supreme Court...you hearin' this??

Chase's Big Chance--CANCELLED Due To Finster

Ripley Getting Serious Air Time at Cosmo Park

Poor Chase! His debut as a professional sports dog will have to be put on hold for now. If a certain baby girl had followed the original plan and appeared at the end of March, Chase was going to enter the Splashdogs competition at Scottsdale's Canine Thunder Event on April 25th. Splashdogs is a canine athletic organization that puts on competitions for dock diving. You may have seen it on TV. The dog runs down about a 25 foot dock and leaps off the end into a pool. Dog with the longest jump wins. The record is something like 27 feet. Loving the water, Labradors outnumber all other breeds at this sport. We go to Cosmo Park to play, and they have a cement dock that goes into a lake built for dogs. The Boys have a blast tearing down the dock and launching into the air chasing the toys we throw into the water. Chase likes it so much that if you throw the toy from the beach, he'll run over to the dock, jump off the end, then swim out to get the toy. Ripley entered a Splashdogs contest about a year and a half ago shortly after we adopted Chase, who still had too many "issues" to work out to allow him to join in as well. Problem is, he is so used to jumping into lakes that he's not too keen on pools, which have crystal clear water. I think that spooked him because in the last few feet of his run he'd put the breaks on as if to say, Whoa, are you sure there's any water in there? So a jump that could have easily been 15-20 feet ended up at 7. Well so what we can't all be Michael Phelps right? Unlike Chase, who has no fear of anything (well except garbage trucks) he won't even jump into my parents pool without lots of coaxing. So I want to try Chase next because after a few practice jumps I think he'd do great. Oh well, there's another event in October...

Those Three Daddies

This is what you look like when you spent all morning dock diving, swimming, playing ball and Frisbee, and "chasing tail" at Cosmo Park. It's five hours later and they've barely moved. Yay exercise!

We've talked a lot, and other open adoption blogs have talked a lot, about Birth Mothers. But what about da baby daddy? Birth Fathers are part of the story too. I'll talk about our daughter to be's Birth Father here a little bit. At the moment, he is out of the picture and Lucy does not know where he is. The IAC has investigated all of the addresses she has given them, but no luck. Therefore, he will not be able to sign relinquishment papers giving up his parental rights. Even if he did respond, (in California anyway) he'd still have to meet with the IAC to sign, which is unlikely to happen. Since the agency has worked with Lucy to do their due diligence on locating him and they cannot, his rights will be terminated in court as "failure to locate". Of course we have to hire a lawyer to do this, but it has to be done. I wish it didn't; I wish he could participate in the process like Lucy, and see what the future holds for his unborn daughter. But I guess if he doesn't care enough to stick around to help her mother give birth or be a supportive parent, well, that says a lot. My gut tells me he's aware of what's happening and just doesn't want to deal with it, so no response is his method of choice. Still, wouldn't it be nice to meet the people who are going to raise your daughter as their own?

OK Scratch Everything and Move It Back 3 Weeks!

Yes, it's April Fools Day. No I'm not making this post up, it's true.

After two weeks of alternating knots and butterflies in my stomach, we get to do it all over again. I emailed "Lucy" tonight to say how glad I was the baby was not born today and have her birthday on April Fools. This is the reply I got:

Thank you so much Bobby. I was actually thinking the same thing. I went to the doctor today and thought the info they gave me was a really cruel April fools joke. Well as it turns out my due date has been set back. According to the ultra sound tech dec 17th reading was wrong. I was not 5 1/2 months I was about 22-23 weeks meaning my new due date is April 22. That is the 40 week 9 month mark. But with all the pre contractions and pressure she may come a little bit early. I will continue to have weekly doctors appointments until delivery. My next appt is april 8th. I will advise you of status then but earlier if she decides to make a guest appearance. Talk to you soon. Have a good night.

Arrrrrgh! No no no no no! Just when the hourglass was finally running out, it's been turned over and started again. Ugh! We have been on edge...drama over leaving town for Mema's funeral...packing bags for the "come at any time now" call...preparations to send The Boys to the PetsHotel...jumping every time the phone rings...checking email every ten minutes...and now we get to start doing that all over again! What can I say? We'll wait some more. The contest is ruined. (No Michael, you don't win by default!) So all our emotion goes back in the bottle for a few more weeks, and I guess we start the baby pool contest all over. So same rules as before. Whoever comes closest without going over. All the hints you need are in Lucy's email. Place your bets...

T Plus 1

Well we're one day over the due date, which makes Kathryn and Michael happy, since they are now the only two left in the contest. I think Kathryn has the advantage because she won't drop off for another two days since the guesses look like this:

• Kathryn, April 1, 12:03 AM
• Michael, April 3, 2:42 AM

Maybe it's good Louie didn't win. Since it's an Arizona themed prize, and he lives in Phoenix, what could I send him that he doesn't already have? My water bill I guess. Oh well.

I'm kind of keeping my fingers crossed that she doesn't decide to appear today. I know I'd hate to go through life with an April Fool's Day birthday. "Happy birthday, April fool". Shut up moron. LOL.

Zero Hour is Upon Us...

The countdown is over and...no baby! There's more waiting? Geez! We waited for the homestudy, the letter text, pictures, paperwork, website approval, matching, a month of pregnancy, and now...keep waiting! Gregg and I are late to every family function, so looks like we may have the perfect daughter for us! I'll keep you posted...what else really is there to say except...the waiting is killing us! As soon as she thinks labor is starting, Lucy will call us and we'll be off to L.A.

T Minus 1

Argh, one day left till the due date! We heard from Lucy tonight, and she says she is feeling some pain and thinks she's getting close. Now of course if she were me, she'd have an efficient German birth that is right on schedule with a minimum of pushing. But let's check on you guys to see who's still in the pool. Remember, it's person coming closest without going over, just like Price is Right. The only playas left are:

• Louie, current leader, March 30 11:25 AM
• Kathryn, April 1, 12:03 AM
• Michael, April 3, 2:42 AM

Really, where do you people get your times from? The rest of you all guessed early and are out. (I'm impatient and would have preferred one of the early guesses win!)

This is for those of you who haven't gotten to this stage yet. Let me say right out I didn't expect the waiting to be this hard. Hell we were thinking last weekend would be Finster's big moment. There is a constant knot in our stomachs and we are finding it hard to concentrate. Each day is like torture! We are so glad our relationship with Lucy is so good and our worries about the adoption going smoothly are minimal. I'll be so glad when this is OVAH!

I know I know nursery pics. You need something to look forward to right?