All your questions: Answered

Things have been cuh-ray-zee around here lately.  But I wanted to answer a few of the questions that have been asked of us lately about what is happening with Clara's birth and adoption.  Are you ready?  Here we go...

Will we be present at the birth?  I will (at least that is the plan).  Paul will not (he has to work and can't go down and hang out until Clara decides she is ready to come).

What happens after Clara is born?  Um, we basically adore her.  End of story.  Just kidding.  There is a mandatory 48 hour waiting period under Texas law until Kayli and the birthfather can sign their paperwork and placement can occur.  At the moment, there are some slight logistical considerations that might move that timeframe out just a bit, but nothing that we are very concerned about.

Where will we stay while we are out there?  Probably in a long-term stay hotel like a Residence Inn with a kitchenette.

How is Kayli doing?  Really she is the one to answer that question, but things are going very well and she has already had some contractions and is on some natural herbal supplements to prepare her body for labor and get things moving.  Paul and I can't wait to see her again!

When is Clara due?  Do we have any ideas of whether she will come early or late?  Kayli's due date is May 13, but we are all hoping and praying that Clara comes earlier than that - maybe even by May 10.  There are a few hiccups with the adoption process itself that would make it so much better if Clara comes by next Tuesday (one week!), so if everyone can please keep this in their prayers when you are praying for us, that would be so wonderful.

When am I flying to Texas?  Sunday, May 8.  Mother's Day.  Could anything be more appropriate? 

How long will I be there?  We aren't really sure at this point.  There is a paperwork issue to get what is called an ICPC clearance that we have been told takes anywhere from 1 week to 4 weeks to obtain before we can travel interstate with Clara.  So most likely, I will be in Texas for anywhere from a couple of weeks to a full month. 

Will I be there by myself?  Well, yes and no I guess.  Paul has his new job so he won't be able to stay in Texas for the entire time while we wait for the ICPC clearance but he will be there for at least a little while after Clara is born and during placement and maybe even a little bit after that.  My mom is planning to come down and help me the last couple of days I am there so that I don't have to travel back with Clara and all of our gear all on my own.  And I am hopeful that Clara and I will get to spend lots of time with Kayli's family too.

What sorts of things do we still need?  At this point, not a whole lot newborn-wise.  We have bottles, binkies, formula, pajamas, rompers, outfits, socks, hats, little gloves, a diaper bag, carseat, stroller, and boppy.  What we don't have are a changing pad to go on the dresser, clothes and pajamas in size 3-6 months and larger, diapers, diapers, and more diapers, a baby bathtub, baby bath towels and washcloths, a nightlight, and probably dozens of other things that I just can't think of off the top of my head right now. 

Are we going to register anywhere?  Yes, we are *sort of* registered at Babies-R-Us.  I say sort of because I went through there in a whirlwind once just scanning all sorts of random stuff willy-nilly and I have no idea what is on that registry now compared with what we already have and what we still actually need.  We are going to try to clean it up and fix it sometime this week if we have time before the baby comes. 

Will we be having a baby shower?  Yes.  Our ward throws a shower for each new mom where just our ward members come and a friend has also said that she would like to throw a shower for us for friends.  Both showers will probably be happening sometime in June when we get back. 

Any other questions friends?