Thursday, February 15, 2007

Be Nine


Yes, it is time to acknowledge another LID "anniversary".

Nine. Nine months in line with the CCAA.

I don't need to explain to anyone what nine months usually means to expectant parents. We realized last night that it was a year ago that we announced our adoption plans to my parents.

This is a funny story. We were all in the car - Mom, Dad, Jzboy and me. You know how great it is to do the family-talking-thing in the car, right? Everyone facing forward. I'm sure that you can visualize it. Mom was talking about elaborate trips she wants to make post retirement. Somehow this seemed to be a good place to mention our hopeful travels.

I said, "Jzboy and I are planning on taking a pretty big trip ourselves here in the next year"....."Yeah, we're going to be going to China".

Mom, "China???" Dad...silent.

Me, quite nervously, "Yeah, we're going to be going to China to adopt".

Mom, "Wow...really?...(surprise)...(gush)". Dad...quietly drives.

Jzboy provides some comic relief and breaks the slightly awkward silence in the car by joking, "Yeah we'll be going to China to adopt the ways of the Chinese...to adopt the Chinese culture...chuckle, chuckle".

Courtesy laughter.

I realized then that I'd left out some details. Thank goodness Mom started asking some questions and with some relief that we'd finally let the secret out, I began telling the whole story. The agency, the dossier, the timeline...etc.

Suddenly there was a sound from the driver's side of the car. Dad, speaks.

He said, perplexed, "You mean, you are going to adopt a Chinese PERSON?"

The lightbulb was lit brightly over his head. And, we all had a good laugh. You have to admit that our news was a lot to process what with my anxious storytelling, Jzboy's silly joke and the winding road that Dad was navigating.

That was a very memorable car ride. Funny, loving, happy excitement.

I can hardly believe that was a year ago!

27 comments:

4D said...

Happy 9 Month LID-iversary!

That is a cute story.

Keep smilin!

Anne Marie said...

Happy ninth moniversary!

Love that story! Your mom and dad sound cute. And how perfect is your illustration?

Michele said...

Congrats on 9 months!

Anonymous said...

Ahhh, how sweet!
Stephanie
www.forksandchopsticks.wordpress.com

aimeeg said...

Happy 9! Sweet story:)

NatD said...

Hopefully it won't be too much longer before you actually get to meet your daughter!!

Happy 9th!

Rhonda said...

Happy 9 month LIDiversary! You've gotta be on the downward slope now...

CA Momma said...

9 down. Great story. I can see it clearly.

M and M said...

Happy 9 months!!

I enjoyed the little story!

Debra Sue said...

Cute story - your dad sounds like a hoot.

Celebrate! 9 months could easily be the halfway mark. It's all downhill from here, baby!

Irena said...

I love that story.

See you on Sunday!

Drea said...

Too funny! That is as good as our family conversation went! LOL congrats!

Mariah said...

Oh, very sweet! I can remember telling my Mom and then seeing how the excitement took a little time to develop, oh about 3 minutes!! Ha! Congrats!! I can't wait to see yall in China!! xoxo

Joelle and Chandler said...

Happy NINE! Telling my family was more anticlimactic since my cousin had just gone to China to adopt a year before. I think my Grandma actually said something like, "You ordered me another little chinese grandbaby? Yeah!"

Shannon said...

Almost plays out as if on TV! 9 closer to Buttercup!

Joannah said...

Wow! Happy #9! You're dad is so cute!

Shandra said...

You made me laugh out loud with the Chinese person line.

Cute story to tell your girl one day!

Katie J said...

You're getting closer. Really. Big cyber hugs headed your way...

C's Mom said...

Nine down...gettin' there.

Lovin' that story. When I first brought up the adoption I think my parents thought I meant I was getting another cat. Then it sank in, they were much more delighted with a granddaughter.

Polar Bear said...

Happy 9!!!

What a cute story!

kitchu said...

Your dad's comment, and dawning realiztion, had me laughing so hard! What a great memory. Congrats on being nine months in!
Kris

"M" said...

Congratulations on your 9th!!! Your dad's light bulb moment made me laugh out loud. Great story.

Jen said...

Happy Anniversary! I know it's bittersweet but you're doing great. Remember the marathon :)

I remember when I told my dad our China news. It took him 5 mins for it to sink in and another 24 hours before he could start asking questions. These are great memories for your little buttercup!

Cavatica said...

Your dad's lightbulb is great. Made me wonder if he thought you'd come back with a 35-year-old. You know, a computer technician or a someone to do the laundry or whatever. Or maybe like a long-term exchange student. But it seemed like the idea of adopting a child, your child, just wasn't in his head.

"M2" said...

Happy #9!

Red Sand said...

Happy Month 9. It is a funny one, isn't it?

Anonymous said...

Happy 9 months!Thanks for sharing the great parent story.

Hugs,
Jonni