Monday, May 31, 2010

The end of the baby phase, or is it?

We had 3 kids in a little over 4 years; the oldest was 4 yrs and 2 months old when we had the third.

So, we were used to babies.

Life with a baby is just what we did. When the baby grew up into a toddler, another baby took its place.

In the case of our 3rd child, the crib was actually still occupied with baby #2 when baby #3 came along (he slept in a pack-n-play for the 1st six months)!

Diapers, pacifiers, baby monitors, nursing sessions, infant car seats, baby gates, a changing table, a crib, a stroller. . .

Were all a part of every day life for years!

But, then our youngest baby began to grow up.

And slowly the baby stuff began to disappear from the house and from our lives.

And now that he's 3 and pretty reliably potty-trained, I hardly ever even grab the diaper bag as I'm walking out the door anymore!

When I'm around a friend who has a real baby (as opposed to my 3 year old one!) I am reminded of just how far we've gone from the baby phase.

And it occurs to me how strange it may be to go back.

I didn't imagine we would.

As we wait to be matched with the child we'll adopt from Ethiopia, our requested age range is 0 to 30 months and we completely expected to get a referral of a toddler rather than an infant because many families only request infants.

But, it seems now that infants from Ethiopia are being more readily matched through our agency rather than toddlers, with some families who specifically requested a toddler waiting longer than the families waiting for infants.

The trend could completely shift back again before we are due to get a referral (still likely months away), but still, it does make me wonder if we'll get matched with a baby.

It will be a blessing either way, a baby would likely have fewer transition issues, but a toddler would be closer in age and more able to play right away with our other 3 kids.

It is kinda weird not knowing what to expect, but God knows just the right baby girl or toddler girl for our family, and the not knowing is just part of the crazy adventure of adoption!

One thing I do know, though, we won't be getting 16 babies like in the picture of all my daughter's dolls she decided to bring downstairs and lay out in our entryway!

Although that would certainly launch us back into baby-mode in a hurry!


This post is part of the Moms' 30-Minute Blog Challenge.

10 comments:

  1. I can't imagine how exciting that must be. The waiting would have to be hard!

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  2. Praying the Lord will bless you with that baby (or toddler) soon!

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  3. How exciting to have that wonderful surprise though. Either way, you will be ready with open arms. Enjoy the journey!

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  4. What amazes me about the journey is how little and how big they can be all at once. My baby is 14 months--still definitely a baby--but when I hold my friend's newborn, I realize just how big my little man is.

    Good luck to you. I know how endless the wait can seem...we didn't (quite) get to finish the wait when we were planning to adopt overseas; God had other plans. Three of them.

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  5. How exciting this all has to be for you. I LOVE that the Lord knows just exactly "who" He has planned for you and that "whoever" that is ~ is just right for you and your family. Soo exciting! Have a wonderful day... HUGS

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  6. Cute! I know what you mean about being in perpetual baby mode! We just had number 7 who is only 14 mo. younger than #6. We have two sets that are 14 mo. apart and it seems like we've got babies everywhere! :)

    I can't wait to hear about the child God gifts you with...I'm sure you'll keep us updated, right? :)

    Have a happy Gratituesday!

    Sarah

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  7. We are definitely in the midst of "baby season" here - no idea what life is like without a diaper bag! *gasp* Haha. Prayers going up for your family and your new little one who will soon be joining you.

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  8. What a blessing your family will be to the baby you will be gifted with. You know the youngest is always the baby!
    God Bless You!

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  9. i know just what you're saying, though we aren't quite heading back to those baby days. :) when #4 was born, our kiddos were 6, 4, 2, and brand-new. now the youngest is five, and we're adopting a 3 (almost 4) year old from ET.

    i know God has your specific family in mind for a wonderful little someone. i can't wait to find out who that will be! :)

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  10. Good luck with your adoption and may God bless your child and family, regardless of their age.

    Myself I hope to adopt a boy and girl together (toddler boy, infant girl, bio siblings as is law to adopt two children together where I live), but I do not know if I will be allowed to adopt two at once because I am single. It is something I will have to look into more.

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I'd love to hear what you think!