Falling into Place

Lately a lot of positives have come our way, and I feel so much more optimistic about the adoption process (and life in general), than I have in a long time. It feels like there's a light at the end of the tunnel, and we're barreling toward it. Recently, Ambrose got a new job...the type of job we've dreamed of him getting for several years now. It pays better, has better benefits, doesn't require traveling, and even has an adoption credit! Plus, he's enjoying it! The pay increase, although small, is a definite boon, as we've been struggling these past few years after Ambrose received a pay cut and never quite got back to where he started. We've also completely finished the nursery, thanks to a recent visit from my mom, and I cannot wait to have a baby in the house again! Other, small things, have fallen into place...we got back our son's infant car seat from a friend we had loaned it to, another friend gave us their baby swing, and (as I mentioned in the last post) we've got the cloth diapers ready to roll. And I finally got up the nerve to ask my boss to allow me to bring the baby to work with me for a few months after maternity leave, as I did with my son. I was so afraid he would say no this time around, but I got the green light!! I don't think I realized just how stressed out I was about life and the adoption, until that burden began to lift. I feel buoyant, optimistic, happy...this adoption is going to happen, and it will happen soon. All the pieces are coming together, and now we just need the final, missing piece to complete our happiness.

Cloth Diapers

I've thought a lot about ways we can save some money, once a second child joins our lives. We'll have two kids in daycare, and that's pretty darn expensive. So, I thought, what is one of the biggest expendatures for an infant? Diapers. I started researching cloth diapers, and was pleasantly surprised by what I discovered; these are not your grandmother's cloth diapers. No more diaper pins, or folding diaper flats (unless you elect to go that route); today's cloth diapers have velcro & snaps! I purchased some bumGenius diapers, as those seem to be the most popular (not to mention easiest) ones to use. I've been test driving them at night on our three year old, and I love them! I feel great about not throwing any more disposible diapers in a landfill, and the money we're saving doesn't hurt, either. :) While I have some bumGenius diapers, I will definitely need more once we have a new baby in the house. Right now, KellyWels is having a bumGenius sweepstakes, where you can win the following:

bumGenius One-Size Cloth Diaper Kit valued at $370.

The bumGenius 4.0 One-Size Cloth Diaper Kit includes:

* 18- bumGenius 4.0 One Size with inserts

* 1 –bumGenius Sprayer

* 1 – bumGenius Pail Liner

What a great way to start cloth diapering, or add to your cloth diaper stash! Click here for the entry form. Good luck, and let me know if you win!