Pregnancy and adoption

Someone told me this weekend that basically I'm "pregnant" right now in that we are in our fourth month on the waiting list. I never really thought of it that way, but we have an estimated 5-8 months left of waiting for our referral. Hopefully those months of waiting fly by!

The more I consider it, the more I'm amazed at the similarities this adoption journey has to those of my experiences being pregnant with Oliver. In the beginning of both my pregnancy and adoption I wanted a baby.....then it evolved to wanting the baby I am "pregnant" with. Feeling the indescribable bond to that little life that you haven't even seen yet.

But knowing the whole time that they are there...and that they are yours.

Although the physical part of being pregnant is challenging.....morning sickness, headaches, getting really huge, pain and discomfort, it doesn't even come close to the longing I feel for my girl in Ethiopia.

The aching in my heart at times is so consuming and genuine for this little one. See, there is real pain involved in adoption too!

When you are physically pregnant, the outside world knows you are preparing for your new addition. That a new life will be joining you, and changing you and your family forever. It's hard to show the outside world how you feel in your heart with adoption.

So, I'm showing off my "ultrasound" picture.......



And telling the world how I'm feeling these days: