I have a worrier in the family. I won't say who, but he worries about EVERYTHING. And sometimes he says things that can be (in my humble opinion) insensitive. So this worrier shares with DH and I that he is concerned that two children will be too much for us to handle. I won't lie...my feelings were darn hurt. REALLY hurt. And I sulked a bit, especially since I had wrestled with so much self doubt lately. But today, I decided that I will not let these words hurt me. I am sure he did not mean it to come out that way since he can be very reactionary to things. Besides, when someone underestimates you, I find the best thing you can do is prove them wrong. So here are some progress notes for us so far:

• We actually did our home study paper work and delivered it to IAG.
• I found a pediatrician...she did residency in California where there is a strong Ethiopian community that she worked with.
• Selam! See, I learned something in Amharic. I am also going to buy these super fun and educational toys (http://www.amharickids.com/toys.aspx)
• Best carrying device? We'll get two baby bjorns for walking around and a fabric sling for home. Done!
• Decorating the nursery? I finished stenciling the border and the crib is assembled. This weekend we refinish the old dressers. And wonderful MJ gave us the cutest rug that she made herself when her own son was a baby. It is cute, it is soothing, it is hip!
• Read some good books on feeding of babies and toddlers and I ask any and every parent I meet a ton of questions.
• I finished the book There is No Me Without You by Melissa Fay Greene. What Is The What is next on my book list.
• We are coming up with creative solutions for child care so the kids are ok and we don't go to the poor house. A combination of working from home and local care at a nice lady's house.
• We are going to another country to find our children. A country that is really, really, REALLY far away. That's a hard thing to do.
• All this while revising a script, working full-time, taking care of three pets, regular chores like laundry, cooking dinner, and washing dishes, and blogging on a semi-regular basis.

I think if anyone is at home with doing too much, it is us. Which is exactly what you need for two children.


Also, people actually like to help when children are involved. People offer to babysit, people cook you meals once in a while, people will want to hold them and offer advice (albeit too much advice at times)...we might be able to con a friend or two into changing a diaper. So, the well intentioned "advice" seems a bit misplaced. If other people are capable of raising two children, why can't we?