Two McDonalds Equal One Healthy Person

Tim and I met at the gym in 2000. We were both in super shape. Fast forward seven years, and, well, there's a bit more flab between the two of us. The funny thing is that we each have half the healthy/weight loss equation down pat. Tim goes to the gym just about every day, but he eats poorly. I'm quite good with food (cooking veggies right now, actually, and haven't had McDonald's since I watched Supersize Me at least six months ago), but I don't make the time to exercise.

Yesterday, I scolded Tim for loading up a piece of bread with whipped honey. It was very uncalled for, but I hate to see him putting toxic stuff into his body. Well, today I got my just deserves when he e-mailed that he had eaten a healthy lunch and I was "morally obligated" to ride my bike after work. The guilt was a great motivator because I rode on my indoor bike after work.

I enjoy exercising once I'm doing it, but I'm not good at motivating myself (we actually trained for and completed a 40-mile ride in May). So, might this bordering-on-verbally-abusive method be the final jump start to get my butt in gear? Plus, I need to keep reminding myself that I'll soon need less weight and more energy to keep up with a little one. I sure hope I can keep it up. The publication for which I work has been featuring a staff fitness challenge since January and I've got until November-ish to get reveal-photo ready. I will NOT be the only one who's fatter than the "before" picture. — Sarah

Farmers' Markets, NPR and Primetime

Before Tim's class tonight we met at a nearby farmers' market. We love going to the various ones around town since we're buying locally, often organic, and it's usually cheaper than the local supermarket. But I think we're a little addicted now. We have so much yellow squash already, but Tim had to have more today. And I've still got eggplant from a Saturday market that I need to use. By the time Baby M comes we just might turn veggo — ha, just kidding.


I've been a very bad journalist this week and haven't been listening to NPR, so I was delighted when a friend passed along what I've been missing:a series on adoption.

And then another friend told me that Primetime ABC is having a special on domestic adoption tonight. I hope I can stay up that late.

In the meantime, I'm going to start the final Harry Potter book. Tim finished it early Monday morning, and I swear he's been looking at me with a smug "I know what happens" look! I know a lot of people think it's silly for adults to read this series, but I think it's well written and as someone who reads all day during her day job, it's nice to have a little escape! - Sarah

The Buying Game

Yesterday my mom and I went to Babies R Us. It was my first time there. Ever. (Whenever I go to a baby shower I tend to lean toward Target.) To say that I felt overwhelmed and on the verge of a panic attack is an understatement.

For starters, who knew there were so many strollers? I read Consumer Reports so I thought I had done enough research, but obviously not. I was easily swayed by pretty colors. Plus, there are things I'd not really thought about it yet, such as a pack n' play for my mom's house.

Secondly, it's virtually impossible to buy anything ahead of time since I have no idea how old our child is going to be. We're approved for a child up to 12 months, so that's a wide weight range. I'm an insane planner, but I guess the only major thing we can buy now is a crib. I just don't want to be dashing around town the weeks before we travel.

And then there's the issue of used vs. new. Buying used baby things weirds me out for some reason. However, as long as you check on recalls, is it really that bad? I've seen a ton of used cribs online. One thing I'd never buy used is a car seat for safety reasons.

How have you fellow future adoptive parents handled these issues? Do those of you who have been there, done that have any advice?

I have purchased one thing used, though: the bedding! I actually found it on eBay for a lot less. The bumper was never taken out of the package, the skirt was used (since it never touched anybody's skin a little wash is all it needs) and the quilt just rested on the back of a chair. I can't wait until it comes in. — Sarah

FAQ #2

We're frequently asked "Why Ethiopia?" which is a very valid question considering there are tons of options out there, everything from going through additional IF treatments in hopes of having a biological child to becoming foster parents. There's no real answer other that it felt right, but here are some thoughts:

1. Additional fertility probing ceased to be an option. It's a very personal thing that's hard to articulate, but we just felt the toll on ourselves and our relationship was too great. We stopped at a logical fork in the road. Had we continued I'm not sure we would have quit, which is too painful to even begin to think about. Secondly, from the moment Tim and I started talking about marriage and kids, which wasn't too far into our now seven-year relationship considering we moved in together eight months after we first met, we talked about adoption. We always knew adoption would be part of our life, we just didn't know when.

2. For various reasons, many of which are simply in our head, we didn't feel comfortable with domestic adoption.

3. Thus, we wanted to adopt from a country that took wonderful care of their children and that we could travel to, and Ethiopia fit the bill. These folks love children. In every picture the agency's sent us the staff is obviously smitten with these kids... trust me, it's not a publicity shot. Additionally, Ethiopia has a beautiful history and culture. And most importantly, these children need loving homes.

4. (Cue Stevie Wonder's "We Are the World") I grew up watching the famines of Ethiopia on the evening news and always wondered why we couldn't just bring a child to our house and feed them? When I found out that Ethiopia embraced adoption by Americans (few African countries do) I was so jazzed. - Sarah

Rug

Here's the rug that we bought over the weekend. I think it's going to look nice with the bedding we're buying from Baby Gap. What do you think? — Sarah

Update on Virginia Professor

Those accused of inciting violence in Ethiopia, including a former Virginia professor, have been given life in prison. — Sarah

4 Months Down!

Saturday we passed the 4 month mark. If all goes as estimated, we'll be matched with a child in 8 months. I know that seems like a long time, but time has been flying by. And if you think about it, it's kinda like a pregnancy now.

In other adoption news, the RESOLVE group that I was going to has formed an adoption group and we met for the first time last week. It's so helpful to talk with people who are going through the same things as we are.

Oh, and we also found a rug to match the bedding I'm getting from Baby Gap. It's dark brown with dots.

My brother, John, went back to Hawaii this morning after a 2-week visit. Please keep him in your thoughts as he prepares to deploy. — Sarah