And we got the call!!!!!!

Helllo All! 

It has been such a great week the Esden's!  We officially went off hold on June 20th.  For those that didn't know, with Elena's arrival we had to go on temporary hold for our adoption until Elena was officially 3 months old.  That of course happened on the 20th which just so happened to also be the day we got our referral!  Literally hours after Jana wrote an e mail to our agency reminding them that we wanted back on the waiting list they called with the great news.

Now, for those that don't know, a "referral" is the part of the adoption process where you are matched with your child.  We of course set "parameters" early on the process for what we felt was the best fit for our family (gender, age range, HIV positive or negative and so on).  Our request was for a healthy 0-12 month old boy or girl)  So Jana picks up the phone and see's that it is our agency calling.  We both think it is to confirm we are off hold but low and behold they have a referral for us!

So what did she say?  Well first we hung up the phone and called her back once we got Callie and Elena settled in.  We wanted to be able to listen intently to all she had to tell us......

........we were told there was a baby boy, 9 months old, healthy, and happy waiting to join our family!  She told us the little they know about his life then the best part, she told us she was going to send a picture for us to see, along with the rest of his information.  I of course couldn't wait to lay some eye on this little guy!  We hung up the phone after a few more minutes of talking with our agency and quickly opened up our e mails to await the information and picture.  We refreshed our inbox a couple hundred times and then it was there!  For the few seconds it took to open the picture (which felt like forever) neither Jana or I took a breath.  Then there he was.  Cute as all get out really!  Curly hair, happy face, healthy looking.  It was really a weird moment to finally lay eyes on something/someone you have been waiting so long for.  Below, although blurry, is the photo I made us take just after we looked at the picture.  Had to take at least one to document the moment right?  We really just looked at the picture for awhile and pointed out how awesome he looked.  Callie came in at some point and asked who it was.  When we told her it was her brother from Africa she clapped her hands with excitment and asked when he was coming!

After that the day was shot.  Jana of course was supposed to be working but we both walked around like in a daze, unable to put focus on any important task and somewhat in shock as to what just happened.  We called our parents and siblings then spent the rest of the evening talking about how cool the day was!

So what now?  Courts in Ethiopia close sometime in July or August for the rainy season, so we will not be making our first trip for court probably until October when they reopen.  After passing court, this little boy will official be considered our son in Ethiopia.  Then we come home and have to do a little more waiting until the US Embassy clears our case.  Then we go back and bring him home!  We still aren't done waiting but so glad to start this next chapter!

Jana and Eric

For all of those who give a sheet!

Wanted to take a moment and give a special thanks to all those that have ordered sheets or requested information about sheets.  Jana and I really appreciate the support from all!

Many have asked for more information about the sheets, so I have written some info below.  If you are interested in getting an order form to either place an order yourself or for others to order, please email me or Jana directly at eesden@yahoo.com or janalge@yahoo.com.  We will send you an order form that lists all the colors, pricing, etc.

Sheets:  They come in all sizes (twin, full, queen, king, california king).  The are 1200 thread count microfiber sheets.  Jana and I have sampled them ourselves and slept on them the last 2 weeks (washed in between week 1 and 2  :) ) and really like them.  I actually prefer them to our cotton sheets.

Cost:  All sheets, all sizes are $40.00.  For each set ordered, we will raise approximately $20 for our adoption fund.

Colors: Available colors include eggplant, sage, light blue, beige, chocolate, gray, navy blue, camel, white, black, mocha chocolate, and burgundy.  The order form that we send out lists all colors and shows a small sample of each color on the bottom of the sheet.

How it all works:  When 12 sheet sets are ordered, we purchase them from the company and they ship for free to any location we specify.  If you collect 11 sheet orders, we will also order you a set of sheets for no cost (to make 12) and have them shipped directly to you for you to distribute to your friends/family.  If you just want to order a set for yourself, we will ship out orders to any location and take care of the shipping cost ourselves.  

Thanks again to all that have inquired, purchased, passed on the word and so on.  We really appreciate it that you give a sheet!

Eric

All settled in.......

I know I say this every time......that I need to get better at this blog thing.....but at least this time I have an excuse.  It has been a bit crazy the last few months.  Although crazy, we have really enjoyed every moment we are spending as a family of 4.  At first it was hard to transition back into baby mode.  We had said goodbye to diapers, to being up at crazy hours of the night, or at least temporarily.  I don't know if it is because we are older now but the lack of sleep this time around is more difficult.

The transition from having only one child to two certainly was not without its challenges, but we seem to be getting into the swing of things and settling in.  Occasionally I work up the courage to ask a parent of 3 children how challenging it is.  Part of me wants to know what I am in for while another part is afraid to hear someone say it how difficult it could be.  Luckily the response has been mostly positive.  Of course having more children means more responsibility, but I find comfort in hearing that the hardest part for many parents is the transition from one to two.

So where are we in adoption world?  We have been on hold since the months leading to Elena's birth.  Although on hold, we continue to move up the waiting list and currently reside at number 8.  Just a few weeks ago, the couple at number 7 received their referral, so we are really on the cusp of the next chapter of this journey.  We have a meeting with our agency planned this week to discuss going back onto the list starting June 20th (Elena will be 3 months old) and literally a referral could come at any time once that happens.  Now don't go gettin' all excited.  The time between referral and bringing "baby in Africa" home could very well be another 6 months, but we find it refreshing to put this long and arduous waiting part behind us.  We can handle this next stretch for sure.

But with this new excitement and movement comes added cost and really the biggest chunk of financial strain in the whole process.  As most know, it is not cheap to adopt. Whether international or domestic it does not matter.  And at the time of referral a hefty chunk of money will come due to put the next chapter in motion. Since starting the process, we have had to commit to a different lifestyle and put a focus on saving, selling on Craigslist, and with the help of many family and friends, we also tried our hand at fundraising with an awesome garage sale last fall.   We are also members of a Facebook support group that includes other adoptive families within our agency.  It has proven to be a great resource and location for information-sharing that helps clarify how certain parts of the process work.  It was also a great resource for how to find creative ways to continue to fund raise and find ways to not be overwhelmed with the financial strain of the process.  It was from the idea of another friend that we decided to partake in a fundraiser that has proven most successful for many of our fellow adoptive families.

There is a company called Sanders Collection that is friendly with adoptive families.  This company manufactures microfiber bed sheets which are sold to retailers and also can be used in fundraising programs.  Jana and I gave the sheets a test run and we liked them.  Comfortable, soft, and in good quality.  They cost $40/set with no extra for delivery.  They come in a variety of sizes and colors.  For each set we sell, approximately $20 will go into our adoption fund. 

After a few days of printing, packaging, stuffing, and mailing, we plan on mailing out info on the sheets to family and friends to see if this could help raise some funds while helping others get a good nights sleep!  Keep a look out in your mailbox.  We tried to send out to those people whom we can't reach through social media, so if you don't get anything in the mail don't fret.  Shoot Jana or I an email or Facebook message if you are interested in some sheets, and we will take it from there. 

Thanks to all who continue to read this blog and follow our journey.  We appreciate the support through the process and general interest in our lives.

All my best,

Eric

Welcome Elena Faye Esden!!!

Well I guess this blog post is long overdue?  As most know by now we have welcomed yet another member to the family.  Elena was born on March 20th at 6:23am.  At 7lbs 1oz, she came rather quickly after Jana started laboring around 9pm the night before.

We really enjoyed Callie's birth, well as much as one can really but having Elena at home was pretty special.  In the days leading up to Elena arrival Jana had been quite uncomfortable having mild contractions every so often.  Things escalated on the evening of the 19th and as we laid down to bed it became quite clear that the show was starting.  Jana as always was amazing.  I really admire her focus and commitment to natural childbirth.  And to be able to birth at home just made the experience that much more incredible.  Jana's aunts Stephanie and Bev were here to help, along with my mother Lynn and Jana's cousin Sarah.  Everyone played their part and helped with the process.  Elena was born just after 6am, just in time for Callie to wake up and meet her new sister.


Bringing Callie in the room to meet her sister for the first time is something I will never forget.  With all the people in the room she was a bit shy, but crawled right over to Jana and Elena and was the best big sister the rest of the day.  Since then she continues to be very gentle and is interested in all things having to do with Elena, including changing diapers!

Having a newborn once again has been a sometimes hard, but fun change.  There are of course the nights of hardly any sleep and we have had plenty of those!  The biggest change is that instead of sleeping when the baby is sleeping (which is what we did with Callie), we are busy entertaining Callie and keeping her happy!  It is hard but so rewarding at the same time.  And to think, #3 is not far behind!  I see a lot of Starbucks iced coffees in my future!

We have had a lot of help from family since Elena has arrived.  Jana's aunt Bev is literally a saint.  She came days before the birth but also stayed nearly 2 weeks after to help with the transition.  My mother has also been awesome!  Having her own house just down the street is seriously so convenient.  Living alone in Florida and away family, Jana and I have gotten used to doing things on our own, but having some extra help now and again is nice too!

YOIKES!

After reading my last post that is really all I can say.....YOIKES!  There I was saying that I needed to get better at this "blog thing" and write on a more consistent basis and I go almost 2 months without a single entry! Yoikes!

Not much to report on the adoption front.  We are now number 15 and didn't move at all last month. Both Jana and I still think a lot about our impending adoption but have to be honest and acknowledge that most of our time these last few months has been spent getting ready for the baby in the belly.  Jana is 36 weeks, almost 37 weeks pregnant come tuesday and if I am not speaking out of place, she is ready for the pregnancy to come to the finale.  Personally, I think Jana does pregnancy very well but as we approach the finish line I can completly understand how woman look forward to sleeping on their bellies again, eating whatever they want, and essentially just having their bodies back.  There has of course been betting on when baby in the belly will make her appearance.  The due date is March 26th, but given the bumpy road of this pregnancy (it's surprising start, a resolved placenta previa) I have my bets on an earlier arrival as opposed to an ontime or late one.

All things are set for the new addition this month.  Room is done, Callie's old bottles, diapers, toys unpacked, and final arrangements are coming in place this week for our expected home birth.  We look forward to having Jana's aunts Bev and Steph, as well as my mother assisting with the birth.  Since Jana's sister Leah is also expecting (due date 2 days prior to Jana's) Jana's mother will be in Wisconsin helping with Leah's delivery.

(Jana-8.5 months pregnant with her mother Renee)

As we approach one finish line of growing our family Jana and I have tried to enjoy some of the last weeks we will have alone with Callie as a family of 3.  Trips to Disney with family, a day at the Strawberry Festival, vacations to the keys with grandparents, and even just quite days at home have kept us busy with Callie.  She says she is excited about seeing and meeting the baby in the belly.  I am positive she will be a great helper as we begin again at the starting line with diapers, broken sleep cycles, and bottle feeding......I guess good preparation for it to start yet again this coming summer when we bring home baby in Africa.......YOIKES!!!!!

 

Jana and Callie on the Teacups at the Magic Kingdom (January)

Callie watching the sunrise in Isla Morada, Florida-on vacation with Grandma and Grandpa Esden

 

Callie and Jana watch another sunrise toegether in the Keys!

 

 

Callie and Me on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad!  (Yes she road that)

 

Happy New Year! We are ready for 2013!

I need to get better at this blog thing.  Most people I see do an entry everyday, or at least once a week.  With the impending arrival of 2 new children, I highly doubt that will be achievable.  Regardless, a lot has changed and happened since out last entry.

Baby in the Belly: Jana is now over 28 weeks.  We have gone through a few hurdles over the past few weeks but are happy to say things are looking good.  Jana's placenta has been, shall we say, not so well positioned and since the 9 week ultrasound at a lower position in the uterus, one that is not ideal for a natural delivery.  With such, we had to have a follow up ultrasound at 20 weeks and again this week.  Can't say I was disappointed, as we were able to see baby in the belly moving all around in there.  With a sigh of relief, we got the results which showed the placenta is moving higher and higher which will allow for our planned home and natural birth!  With that worked out, we have started the planning for the birth and are excited that my mom and Jana's aunts Bev and Steph will be coming to help.

Baby in Ethiopia:  With such good news there is some I guess you could say "not good news" in relation to the adoption.  Since Jana is getting later into the pregnancy, we are approaching the time where she would not be able to travel to Ethiopia for court if we were to receive our referral in the coming months.  As you may have noticed from previous posts, things have really picked up.  We are now number 18, and move nearly 5-6 or 7 spots each month.   With these numbers and with the flexibility of our in referral criteria, we could easily be looking at receiving a referral in the coming month or two.  With this conflict, we had to go "on hold" until early summer at which time we will then go back at on the waiting list (probably at that time will be number 1) and hopefully quickly get a referral and start to next step of the process.  This would put us traveling to Ethiopia as early as August if all goes smoothly. 

Can't say we really know what would have been best here.  Part of us wanted to have the adoption finished before the arrival of biological baby but were scared to think of going from a family of 3 to a family of 5 so quickly.  It is surely disappointing to have to delay the process as this also means we have to update our home study and other paperwork, but this also gives us the time to focus on Baby in the belly, get settled into being a family of 4, then work on number 5.

A special thanks......

to all those that help make our garage sale fundraiser a huge success. We raised a lot of money and are so thankful for all those that helped!  For those that don't know, Jana and I had a humungous garage sale last weekend to help raise funds for our pending adoption.  Friends, family, strangers, neighbors all donated items to the sale making it one of the largest garage sales I have even been a part of let alone seen.

Jana and I wanted to take a moment a once again thank all those that contributed item to the sale:

Courtney Festa

Amy Robinson

MaryAnn Lock

Rich and Bonnie Wallace

Ola Plaskon

Lynn and Lane Esden

Lynn Olmsted

Kevin O'Brien

Sherri Sartin

Our neighbors Heather and Lonnie for the use of their tables

Kerrie Ireland

Over the last month all these people have donated boxes of items that we were able to sell this past weekend.  Initially, Jana and I thought that this was going to be a bust.  At most we might get a few people to donate some small items but it turned out to be an episode of hoarders in our garage the days leading up to the sale. Computers, furniture, housewares, linens, clothes, toys, bikes, fish tanks, movies, books all made up the sale.  From 7:30am until 2pm we had people constantly in and out of our garage. By the end of the day, 3/4 of the items donated and in the sale were gone!

Although we were of course excited about how much money we raised we also enjoyed watching people happy and grateful for their purchases.  Many people from a variety of walks of life benefited from the donations we received and were able to take home with them.

Seeing as this was to benefit our adoption Jana had the great idea of designing shirts for each of us to wear highlighting our adoption efforts (see photo below).  Many people noticed and would ask what the shirt were for which sparked some great conversations about adoption and our personal story with complete strangers throughout the day. 

.............as a side note we moved up a total of 8 spots last month making our new waiting list number 23!!!  When I first saw that number I was in shock.  With the impending arrival of baby in the belly in March it looks like our referral could come somewhere around that same time if it continues to move at this rate.  Of course this would pose challenges for Jana to travel to Ethiopia and thus delay our acceptance of a referral, but I guess we will worry about that when we get there.   That topic can take up a whole nother blog.  In short, we are taking it one day at a time.   :)