Cribs and strollers and carseats, oh my!

Since the last post, we've completed our application for our Arizona agency that will actually match us with our child and we've submitted all of our paperwork to the US government as well. So now we wait for the government to approve our application to adopt internationally and then we will "be in the clear" to be matched. So we're on the cusp! After we're matched, we should have our child about 3 months from that point. We're still thinking some time this summer.

In the meantime, we've been busy preparing ourselves for this big life change. We spent a lovely day recently with friends of ours with 2 beautiful children, a little girl adopted from Vietnam and a little boy adopted from South Korea (see photos). When we spend time with them, it gives us a window into what's right around the corner for us and we can't wait!

We also made our first trip to Babies r Us (http://www.babiesrus.com/), where we started a baby registry and lost ourselves (and our minds!) in the confusing world of strollers, high chairs, baby carriers, etc. Who knew such a little person could need so much big stuff? We had a great time imagining ourselves and our baby (who is probably 4-5 months old now!!!!) using the things we picked out. It made it much more real, more palpable, and more exciting. I'm ready to be a domestic diva!

This Saturday, we are spending all day at a Baby Care class for adoptive parents, where we will learn all about the practical side of parenting (you know, changing stinky diapers, sleep schedules, learning how to protect yourself from the inevitable spitting up episode - I know, a futile effort). Next month, we take a CPR/First Aid Class that's required. So we continue to prepare and plan as we dream of holding our little one in our arms :)