So much for getting rest before the baby arrives!

My brother James gave me some words of advice, as a parent, "get as much sleep as possible, do things like go out to the movies, parties, etc. before the baby is here." This was about a month ago, before we knew how soon we would be leaving. I tried to heed his words of wisdom, but since the date has come upon us so suddenly, we have been scrambling everyday to get ready. I seem to wake up between 4 and 5 am, every morning. We haven't had time to relax or go to the movies.
I am so excited and there is so much to do! So much to think about. I can't get back to sleep. I usually need a nap these days.
This morning was no different, I woke up at 4:44 am (Mary says that is the "angel hour"). I got up and started putting the piles of baby stuff into the suitcase. The hardest part was figuring out which of the beautiful outfits to bring. Shaela had received so many beautiful clothes from wonderful people (including a big basket full of clothes from Nona and my sister, Michelle's boxes of designer outfits). We are told to pack lightly. Only 44 lbs/bag. Our bag weighs 15 lbs, so only 29 lbs of stuff. I just weighed the babies bag, only 38.6, whew! I can put more stuff in it.

James also told me that his back has not been the same since having his son, Benjamin. He stressed to get in shape for the baby. Justin and I had two weeks of carrying around backpacks with 25lb bag of rice and me- 2 gallon bottles of water. I don't think we are quite in optimal shape. But it is weird that when you adopt, you don't have the time to build up muscle strength like you do with a growing newborn baby. Shaela is already at least 21 lbs (at 11 mos), so we have to plan on her being approx 23 lbs. That is a lot if you are not used to it. My biggest worry is if I have enough energy and stamina.

It is funny how one can be a first time mother in her 40's and also be mistaken for a grandmother. We had a dog sitter of Spanish decent, come to our house and see the baby stuff and asked me if I had grandchilderen. It was so weird! Age check!

Justin and I both got some serious stomach pains three days apart, about a week ago. We MRT that it was Shaela's stuff and it helped us clear out old traumas, before her arrival. I hope she is doing well. We have been clearing her pretty frequently. Initially, when we received her picture, we were clearing her of mostly general stuff like sadness, grief, yearning. Then we had sent her our pictures and a teddy bear which may have gotten to her recently. Our MRT indicated that she was then yearning for us! And we started clearing more specific things related to us. It was quite interesting. It seems that she is wondering where we are, and why aren't we there yet?! It is so fun to have the ability to remote test and do clearing ahead of time and to help her already.

I do worry about our dogs, Tara and Kobi while we are away. Kobi had a major accident last time we were away. He had to have his tail amputated and he was bleeding all over the house for a month. They know we will be leaving and that something is up, seeing all the baby stuff and suitcases. They both have been acting strange. They have been my surrogate babies for three years. I love them soooo much! I have been trying to communicate to them about Shaela and how there is so much love for everyone.
Enough for now. Have a great day everyone!
Blessings, Debbie