Go.

There have been times in my life that I have felt God nudging me in a certain direction. Usually a direction that I don't feel completely comfortable with.  I don't exactly pride myself in 'living on the edge.' I like to at least kind of know that the end result will be. 

Adoption (a much of life) isn't like that-or shouldn't be. 

Sometimes we just need to trust, and then go.

Bringing home my children from other countries was a big stretch for me.  But I felt God calling me to do it, and it was the best decision I've made in my entire life.

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Things that I've learned

Happy Sunday. 

I am feeling a bit introspective today, which is funny because if you could hear the background noise of what is happening here, you would hear a toddler in the midst of round four of an epic tantrum.

What exactly set it off? It's hard to say. She was terrific in church today (her first service since coming to America), but on the ride home she decided she wasn't happy. And so it began. 

Little Man is outside playing. Smart guy. I am trying to teach him to be patient, but also to do what he needs to do to keep himself feeling sane and healthy. It's tough being almost eight, an only child and suddenly having your life revolve around a two year old. As great as we are doing overall, I feel sad for my first born. This transition stuff is tricky even for a grown up! Now he has to share me and his whole with someone else.

How am I doing? Well, I'm glad you asked. I'm alright.

 Interestingly enough, Baby B has taught (or reminded) of some things about myself during her first week home. 

I talk too much.

I know, shocking, right?

My toddler can't understand much of what I am saying, and me talking just ticks her off more when she's mad. It is much better if I just stick with her, saying as little as possible, and let her know that I love her and am there for her. Sometimes that means I hold her through the tantrum, sometimes that means I just sit with her while she gets it out of her system. Always, it is better that I remain very quiet, still, and peaceful while she does what she needs to do. Somedays, that is easier said than done.

 I am (kind of) tough!

I can manage international travel with an almost eight year old and a two year old.
Need I say more? I'm not saying that I'm going to run out and get a tattoo any time soon but hey those trips are tricky.

I am strong! 

I mean, really strong. ☺I carried a two year old and a diaper bag all the way from from Haiti-and continue to carry her a lot most days (Little Man helped with the carry on.) Not that I'm complaining. It's great for attachment, and I will be pretty buff by next spring if this keeps up.

 I love smooching baby cheeks and getting kisses from my baby (and Little Man).

After waiting so long for my children to come home, I feel like I need to make up for lost time. Baby B has two years worth of hugs and kisses coming to her. Luckily, she doesn't mind. Little Man, on the other hand is such a man, I try not to smother him. After all, he has been home five years now.

Being an independent person makes having someone dependent on you very...interesting.

I am independent to a fault. Little Man came home wired to be pretty independent also. Plus, he was older when he arrived home. He definitely still needed me but most of those early baby needs he had already gone through. I always joked with my family and friends that maybe I wasn't 'wired' to be a mom of a baby. I think I may have even said, "My babies come home potty trained." Oh, foolish girl. God seemed to think that was a funny joke, and here I sit with a precious two year old starter package of my very own. Wow! Babies are tricky folks.

The learning is just starting. This adventure is turning out to be a lot different than when Little Man came home. But, I think that we are up for the challenge.

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Nap-time note...

Since I have a moment...

You know how two year olds have tantrums? Try taking a two year old away from everything that's familiar to them, take away their ability to communicate (which they've just learned how to do), take away their best friend. That being said, things are going amazingly well. In fact, every day is better than the one before. There have been some tantrums. Major tantrums. 

On our way home from Haiti, she had such a meltdown in the hotel that I left Little Man in the locked hotel room, and went down to the tunnel level of the building so that she wouldn't wake up everyone on the floor.

Little Man is having to make some adjustments to his vision of what life is like with a little sister. It's hard to go from being the only child for five years, to having a two year old competing for Mom's attention. Today is his first day back to school while I stay home with his little sister. That was a tough one to take but he handled it pretty well.

We have all shed some tears. There will be more tears to shed. Adjustment takes time.

But Baby B is running and laughing and playing like your average toddler. She likes her baby cousins, but isn't too sure about whether or not they are going to steal her toys. She teases her brother. She loves to be carried around...a lot! (I tell you, I am getting in a workout every day just by carrying her around.) Grandma and Grandpa's trampoline is a big hit. Baby B is even picking up English. Just today, as I was emailing some info for work, I said to her, "Those are Mama's things." Without a pause, she parroted those words right back to me, twice. I couldn't believe it!

Last night, bedtime was a breeze! Not a single tear shed. Today's nap, she fell asleep in three minutes. Yay! It may be a one time thing, but I'll take it.

So, although our journey is just beginning, we are becoming more of a family every day. 

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So, now that we're home

Now that we're home, I know people are waiting to hear about how things are going, see tons of photo updates, etc. 

Yikes, no pressure right?!

Okay guys. Let me put it this way, suppose you were pregnant...for years. Then suddenly you have a toddler. This is where everything gets very real (now fairy tale imaginings anymore.)

How does that feel? 

Wonderful, overwhelming, surreal, amazing, tiring...you get the picture. (Little Man didn't realize that his new 'squishy and cute' sister would be having toddler tantrums. )To put everyone's mind at ease, we are doing really well. Every day is better that the one before. Baby B is a super smart, funny, loving little girl.

 There are definite hiccups (which I will share with you one day) but we are becoming a family.

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We are home!

We are back from our trip to bring Baby B home! Sorry that I couldn't tell you all of the details ahead of time, but I wanted maintain a certain degree of privacy for my kiddos.

We have pictures that I will be sharing, when I have the time today (I hope). It's funny how I don't seem to have as much time for 'stuff' with a two year old around! :)  Little Man and I are exhausted. 

She's a busy Baby B.

Right now, our little princess naps. So I thought I would grab a moment to say 'Hi'.   I will have a lot to share about the ups and downs of bringing home a two year old.

Oh and feel free to check out the FB page for a picture of Baby B.

JustB-Adoption Facebook Page

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Any Advice?

Here is what I've been thinking about lately. Since this is the month we travel plane rides, with a toddler, are in the not to distant future. It's been awhile since I brought Little Man home from Ethiopia (five years next week). Little Man will be a big help, but I want to make the trip as pleasant for Baby B possible.

I have some ideas (stickers, bandaids, and tape are always a hit) and I am packing some books that are supposed to be tear proof. 

But a person could always use some more ideas.

What are some things that you all have found helpful when travelling with a toddler? 

Leave your ideas in the comments section, on the FB page, or feel free to private message me.

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Something's Coming...

I know I've been absent a bit lately...and today is supposed to be the day that I post a 'Just B' post. However, things are moving fast around here lately. Work is insane. Plus, I have been trying to plan ahead for when I take my leave to stay home with Baby B.

Baby will be be coming home this month! Yep, you heard me right. I am in the midst of trying to prepare myself for having a two year old. This weekend I'm hoping to get the car vacuumed out and shampooed before I set up the car seat (I just can't wait any longer to put it in there.) Even the thought of having a two year on a plane seems a bit daunting. Thankfully, Baby B is a pretty mellow little girl so I don't think she will be one of those children that is screaming through the entire flight. I just want to make sure that I have plenty of things to keep her busy, just in case she doesn't sleep much coming home.  

Little Man is getting very impatient for his little sister to come home. Even though the light is at the end of the tunnel at this point, I think that both of us feel like we will be holding our breath until she is actually home.

Meanwhile, the toddler bed is set up. All of her clothes are washed and ready for her. I have a blankie for her to snuggle with (and to keep her warm on the flight home) and I have to finish the doll that I have been making for her.

Lots to do. At least it helps me to feel like I am doing something useful until she comes home.

So, stay tuned. :) Not to mess with you or anything but...

To paraphrase a song from Westside Story, 'Somethings coming, and I know what it is and it is gonna be great! The air is humming, cause something good is coming!'

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