6 weeks, 6 days

So it seems that I assumed too much.  After speaking with our caseworker on Saturday, I came to the realization that the events on the day of delivery won't be as cut and dry as Joel and I thought.  We learned to expect the unexpected.  Joel and I assumed (there's that word again) that we would just be there from the very beginning, but it could be that our b/m may not want us there at all.  We are at her mercy.  Joel and I will expect to have to wait on the "call" from our caseworker.  That's going to be so hard.  Our caseworker told me that she will ask our b/m what she feels like doing so hopefully we will know a little bit more when we meet with her in a couple of weeks.

7 weeks, 3 days

Joel and I received confirmation yesterday that Makenna Michelle Hendrix will be born via c-section on Monday, May 24th, 2010.  It's official, but it still seems unreal.  Our b/m had a doctor appointment yesterday and it was made clear that once Makenna is delivered, she will be taken out of the delivery room, straight to us.  That, I must say, was exciting to hear.  I'm curious as to what the hospital's procedures are, as far as adoptions.  I guess we just have to play it by ear.  We will be relying on our caseworker to direct us, for sure.

The next doctor appointment will be either the 20th or 21st of April (we will have to confirm that).  Our caseworker wants me, Joel, our b/m and her family to go to lunch before the appointment.  We'll see how that works out.  Our b/m has been on the outs with her family and things are a little rocky right now, so who knows what three weeks will bring.

I will be having my first baby shower on May 1st.  We are calling it a "necesseties shower".  It will be a rather small shower mainly for Joel's family, but my mom & niece will be there.  I am so excited for that.  Joel's sisters are doing a wonderful job planning it and keeping the details a surprise.  I like surprises.  :)

Again, we continue to wait.  We keep trying to plan little things on the weekends so we have things to look forward to during the loooooong weeks ahead.  My cousin is having her baby today, so hopefully we will be able to see them next weekend.  This weekend I have a baby shower for a wonderful friend, on Saturday, and I am really looking forward to Sunday and being with family, for Easter.  The OSU Spring football game is on the 17th so we'll probably be in Stillwater most of that day.  There are a couple of baby stores that a friend told us about.  I want to check them out!  Wiggles and Giggles & Butter Bean.  How cute are those names?!  On the 18th I am taking pictures for a family session.  Very excited about that!  They are such a cute little family.  We might go camping the 23rd & 24th or get away somehow.  There are lots of places in Oklahoma we haven't been yet.  Weird I know since we have lived here our entire lives.  Wow.  April is totally booked up!  That is so exciting.  Once we are into May, we will be on the downhill slide.

So, until next time.....................

8 weeks, 1 day.....

Joel and I had our 2nd pre-placement homestudy visit yesterday.  It went smoothly, just tying up some loose ends.  A couple of tasks we'll need to have done and the social worker can start writing her report.  Once her report is complete, she will show it to us for final approval and then it should be submitted to the courts.  This coming Thursday our b/m is "supposed" to have another doctor appointment.  Hopefully she'll be able to keep it and we'll have a finalized date for the c-section.

We've started receiving a few gifts for baby Makenna.  Here are some of my favorites (I love blankets).

This one I just fell in love with from Babies 'R' Us.  I thought it coordinated with the nursery theme.

This was a real surprise.  A co-worker of Joel's gave this to him.  His wife made it.  It's so soft & we can't wait to use it during football season.

Saving the best for last... this blanket was one of two that was made for Aaron when he was born.  The pattern is Precious Moments (little child-like angels).  It has never been used as Aaron (or  maybe it was me) was partial to the teddy bear blanket.  My mother was saving it for us and gave it to me.  I thought it couldn't be a more appropriate & special blanket for Makenna to have.

8 weeks, 5 days........

IF the c-section was indeed able to be scheduled for the 24th of May.  It still seems like such a long way off.  I'm glad March is almost over.  It's such a long month & getting past the end of the month is always kind of difficult, what with Aaron's birthday on the 30th and everything.  BUT, looking forward to all the great things to come, helps.

This Saturday we have our 2nd pre-placement homestudy with the LSW (Licensed Social Worker).  All of our personal references are in (thank you so much to our friends & family for that) & our finger print/background checks have been returned free & clear to us.  Once our visit is complete on Saturday, the LSW will begin writing her report to present to the Canadian County Court system.  That should be all that is needed for the pre-placement homestudy process.  Then it's more waiting.  Thankfully Joel & I have some fun things to look forward to, in the coming weeks, so that maybe the waiting won't seem so terribly long.  It's a lot harder waiting during this process than it is when you're pregnant (in my opinion).  Even when I was on bed rest for the last two months of my pregnancy with Aaron, the wait was much more managable. So we'll continue to wait.  We'll get the house organized and baby'fied' and enjoy thinking about all the fun things to come.

In the meantime, we'll also continue to pray for Steven, Jamie, & sweet baby Ellie and that she continues to improve in tremendous strides as she's been doing since her premature birth date of just over a month.  Elliott Grace Feisal was originally due to join us on April 19th, but graced us with her presence on Tuesday, March 16th.  She's had some minor issues that generally improve with a baby's growth and physical maturity.  Ellie is such a fighter, she's conquering all those issues with great strength.  God has been good to that family and we're so thankful.

Update....

Heard from our case worker today and discussed the chaos that is our b/m.  LOL!  Our b/m had to reschedule her appointment from last week to this week, but made it there yesterday.  Her c-section is scheduled for May 24th, IF they can get it on the books.  Her next appt. is on April 1st & our case worker said that she will keep us posted of any updates.  So if they can get the c-section scheduled then we're looking at just a little over 9 wks until D-Day!  :)

I'm finding it difficult...

not to buy up every cute little thing there is before the baby gets here.  I was on Old Navy.com and found these:

The two dresses are for next year, but everything else is for this Summer.  I loved the swimsuit.  Everyone sing now... "It was an itsy bisty, teen weeny, yellow polka dot bikini...."  LOL!

Week 28

12 more weeks to go.  We've added a few more things to the nursery.  It's almost complete.  We just need the ottoman for the rocker and well, little Makenna.  :)

Nothing new on the b/m or pregnancy itself.  Just more waiting.  I'm anxious to know when the c-section will be scheduled.  Hopefully the doctor will schedule that in the next couple of visits.