tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35860543.post8782867870806796025..comments2023-04-12T04:58:59.365-04:00Comments on Party of 5: Hunkering DownHeatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05046870363509253257noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35860543.post-62514403963003052682008-05-15T18:55:00.000-04:002008-05-15T18:55:00.000-04:00Is it soup yet????? I tell 'ya I can't take much ...Is it soup yet????? I tell 'ya I can't take much more of this stress. The waiting for a phone call from K & O is killing me ;-)<BR/><BR/>CandisCandishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15048710772876835877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35860543.post-60919431753892600902008-05-15T14:32:00.000-04:002008-05-15T14:32:00.000-04:00Waiting for the big moment, and wishing you true h...Waiting for the big moment, and wishing you true happiness in all that is to come! Bondye beni bèl fanmi ou!Mamato2https://www.blogger.com/profile/06806107872956157971noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35860543.post-61890404275962848032008-05-15T13:51:00.000-04:002008-05-15T13:51:00.000-04:00Heather & Braydon,I'm so excited for you and feel ...Heather & Braydon,<BR/>I'm so excited for you and feel just a teeny-tiny bit of the expectation you must as I rush to your blog for news every day. I'm praying over your labor & delivery, for K&O, for baby sister...and look forward to reading she has arrived at long last. Oh, I really look forward to your posts about K&O's first reactions to meeting their baby sis too.<BR/>p.s. I remembered her name the other day after seriously racking my brain; I think I was particularly lucky to hear it when we visited with the Waters a few months ago. I won't tell.<BR/>Many blessings!Chapter Twohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08484699863613715240noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35860543.post-71432448938819162482008-05-15T12:00:00.000-04:002008-05-15T12:00:00.000-04:00Hi again Nina! I'm so glad that you felt you could...Hi again Nina! I'm so glad that you felt you could ask us (especially since you feel like you can't talk about it with your parents). I *totally* get it why you don't feel you can talk openly w/ your folks about these things. I am so glad that you felt you could post your comment here -- and I'm so glad you did! Thanks so much for reading. I know there are a bunch of adopted kids/teens/twenty-somethings reading our blog, so I'm sure your thoughts represent that of more than just you. And as an adoptive mom, it is *really* eye-opening and special for me to be able to get to hear your perspective(s). It helps me to think through some of what K & O might go through when they are old enough to start to question all of these things. <BR/>Lots of love,<BR/>HeatherHeatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05046870363509253257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35860543.post-88748744948558895692008-05-15T11:11:00.000-04:002008-05-15T11:11:00.000-04:00This is really exciting, Heather! Wow! I underst...This is really exciting, Heather! Wow! I understand what you meant by "complete". It's another baby, another family member, of course she completes you all. Just like she would have if she were arriving through adoption. No need to make her feel like an outsider just because she's ariving via your womb and not by plane. <BR/><BR/>I do feel, however, that too many adopters (I'm not referring to you!) poo-poo DNA for fear of insulting their own families and adopted children. DNA IS important, just like the DNA that came from their bio family and fills your sweet baby boys is important, the DNA from you an B running through baby girl is also important; just not MORE important. Just thougt I'd pawn my philosphy off on you, not that you needed it. <BR/><BR/>You obvioulsy can't love these boys anymore than is humanly possible and there's no hint whatsoever that baby girl completes you *more*; just completes. Every child should feel that luxury within their families. Yet it's ok to feel peeved, Nina, you have a right to feel anything you want. :)<BR/><BR/>--Cindy (triplet mama)Cindyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10142069245960848781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35860543.post-67842890995387583382008-05-15T10:04:00.000-04:002008-05-15T10:04:00.000-04:00P.S. I am really sorry!!!P.S. I am really sorry!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35860543.post-11792103079349809352008-05-15T10:00:00.000-04:002008-05-15T10:00:00.000-04:00^Thank you for the response and not being offended...^Thank you for the response and not being offended. I never meant anything personally just trying to understand because I would never ask those questions to my parents...it felt safter asking an anonymouse stranger :)<BR/><BR/>My mom was considered 'infertile' when she adopted me and I was told that both my parents always wanted to adopt a lot of kids. Four years after I came home my mother became pregnant with my sister and after that had 2 other children. They never adopted again. It just makes me feel a little insecure (not that I EVER FOR A MINUTE doubted my parent's love). I would never hurt them by asking them that question but sometimes like a bad thought it comes stays for a while.<BR/><BR/>Thank you for your response. I love your blog and you two seem like fabulous parents. I wish you five all the very best in life.<BR/><BR/>I really appreciate the time you took to answer me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35860543.post-12133095626399716792008-05-15T09:35:00.000-04:002008-05-15T09:35:00.000-04:00I need to respond to Nina's comment ---Dear Nina,Y...I need to respond to Nina's comment ---<BR/><BR/>Dear Nina,<BR/>You have misunderstood my words about our family feeling "complete" with the addition of a third child. I want to explain, because I can see this has caused you some angst. As an adopted child yourself I can imagine some of the thoughts/fears/sadness/confusion that you must feel. There is a lot of background to this. I will try to give you a glimpse here. I have written a small bit about it on this blog in the past. For example, see the post here:<BR/><BR/>http://johnson-mccormickfamily.blogspot.com/2007/08/open-book-answers-part-4-by-heather.html<BR/><BR/>Braydon and I never tried to get pregnant before adopting Kyle and Owen. In fact, I was on 'the pill' the entire time we were deciding to adopt, adopting, and all through the past many years (including when I got pregnant!! - it was *very* unplanned!). Braydon and I were committed to adopting regardless of whether or not we ever had biological children some day. Adoption was our first choice. We adopted before ever even trying to get pregnant. Kyle and Owen have been the purest joys and hugest miracles of our lives. Adopting them was the absolute best thing we have ever done with our lives. They have made us the happiest and most contented parents on the planet. But long before we were ever even married Braydon and I knew that we wanted three kids someday. We both come from two-kid families, and we both KNEW without any doubt that we wanted to have THREE (not one, not two) children -- for lots and lots of reasons on many levels. While adopting Kyle and Owen we knew that we'd have a third someday. That was our plan. However, since we adopted Kyle and Owen we have deeply questioned our desires to have three kids -- simply because Kyle and Owen have seemed like the PERFECT children for us and we have often thought we should just stay with two since it has been so PERFECT. (Plus, it is a ton of work! And we were questioning whether we could handle three!!!) But there has always been a nagging little sense that we're supposed to have three. We can't explain it. It makes no rational 'sense', but it is a FEELING that we've had all along. We have always felt that three children would complete our family. Because of our incredible experience with adoption, and because of our moral and spiritual and philosophical beliefs/values, we have very seriously considered adopting a third. In the summer of 2006 we seriously explored domestic adoption, contacting many agencies, etc. And over the past couple of years we have also very seriously considered trying to get pregnant too. We have spent countless hours discussing the options and trying to figure out what we wanted to do. In the end, we never actually made the official decision, because this pregnancy 'just happened' without our planning. In a huge way, this has been a blessing to us -- because we were so conflicted about it that we really might never have been able to make a concrete decision ourselves. It does feel to us that adding a third child "completes" our family -- it completes our dreams of what our family would be. It has absolutely nothing to do with adopted vs. biological children. I am 100% positive that if we were in the process of adopting a third right now that we'd feel the same sense of "completeness" about it. I hope this explains to you where we stand. <BR/><BR/>I do have to tell you that I am offended by you saying that it seems that "Kyle and Owen were not enough." I know you don't mean to offend, and I know you have your own personal issues going on here, but I am a MAMA BEAR and I don't like anyone saying such things about my baby boys!!! They are my precious pride and joys -- my dreams come true -- my heart and soul and mind -- and they are more than enough (more than anything I've ever deserved or dreamed of) plus a whole lot more! Our reasoning for having a third has nothing to do with them not being enough! My boys are the whole world to me and then some. :) I am sure that your folks feel the same way about you. <BR/><BR/>I thank you for your comment. I know we have lots of adopted kids who read this blog. And by your comment you allowed me to be sure to explain exactly where we -- as adoptive parents -- stand on this. Thank you Nina!! <BR/><BR/>Email me anytime at hbj 2 @ lehigh . edu (no spaces).<BR/><BR/>Love to you and all the other adopted kids who are reading,<BR/>HeatherHeatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05046870363509253257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35860543.post-47290731791017053782008-05-15T09:02:00.001-04:002008-05-15T09:02:00.001-04:00Happy Due Date! May today be the day!Happy Due Date! May today be the day!Amandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16892138406707793114noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35860543.post-18179481907678722732008-05-15T09:02:00.000-04:002008-05-15T09:02:00.000-04:00Happy Due Date! May today be the day!Happy Due Date! May today be the day!Amandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16892138406707793114noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35860543.post-23709990023408086572008-05-15T07:29:00.000-04:002008-05-15T07:29:00.000-04:00Beautiful.Not only am I waiting for your announcem...Beautiful.<BR/><BR/>Not only am I waiting for your announcement that she is here and her name but I am waiting for the updated picture of the boys at 4 sitting by the tree.:)Hollihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17769334647328805623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35860543.post-20173553678903539802008-05-15T00:27:00.000-04:002008-05-15T00:27:00.000-04:00Really enjoyed what you shared in this post--it wi...Really enjoyed what you shared in this post--it will probably be the last long one for awhile--hehheh.<BR/>My sis-in-law is due in July, and we are the designated hitters for our three-year old nephew when she heads for the hospital. We were just thinking we might not make it to PA for the Haitian reunion if she "blows" that weekend. I hope not because the Peanut would love to meet Ky n' Ow-anne.<BR/>Best wishes for a safe and (relatively) painless delivery. May all your hopes and effort bear fruit.<BR/><BR/>C-Candishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15048710772876835877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35860543.post-84676107171188255922008-05-14T19:35:00.000-04:002008-05-14T19:35:00.000-04:00Would you have adopted if you had a biological chi...Would you have adopted if you had a biological child(ren) first? Because the 'complete' comment sounds like you don't really think kyle and owen were enough. You could have said that you were estatic/happy about the new arrival but you choose to use the word 'complete' meaning adopted kids don't feel like a real family.<BR/><BR/>As an adopted child I don't know if I'm projecting my own fears but it just made me sad.<BR/><BR/>Please don't take offense -- I don't expect this to be published just sharing my thoughts.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35860543.post-80217376477827061342008-05-14T16:37:00.000-04:002008-05-14T16:37:00.000-04:00Your description of K and O is sooo much like what...Your description of K and O is sooo much like what my Aunt J has expressed the last few weeks (month) of her twins. Specifically, one of the girls has been much more 'needier' than usual. As the due date came and went so did the raw emotion and nerves - of everyone involved.<BR/><BR/>When I spoke to J this morning she said "Emma has grown up overnight. I can't believe the difference."<BR/><BR/>Congrats!! I'm soooo happy and excited for you.Story of our Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01617622682686871400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35860543.post-91738851120094056322008-05-14T13:55:00.000-04:002008-05-14T13:55:00.000-04:00Dear Heather and Braydon,When I was about to go in...Dear Heather and Braydon,<BR/><BR/>When I was about to go into labor I was very scared and I thought, oh my gosh this baby is coming out, one way or another. I had NO control over the situation.<BR/><BR/>My very wise, practical, down-to- earth Mom said to me with a smile, "Hey do you think if it was so bad there would be all these people in the world?"<BR/><BR/>Made alot of sense to me.<BR/><BR/>As Gail says...all of us (your extended family) are thinking about you.<BR/><BR/>CarolAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35860543.post-77559917438565009992008-05-14T13:30:00.000-04:002008-05-14T13:30:00.000-04:00I am inspired by your patience and willingness to ...I am inspired by your patience and willingness to talk all of your boys' emotions through...what amazing parents you are. We eagerly await news of Baby Sister's arrival. Thank you for allowing us a bird's eye view as we follow along with your adventurous life!Mark and Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15092529758375734896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35860543.post-65746495880987101762008-05-14T13:13:00.000-04:002008-05-14T13:13:00.000-04:00I love that picture!!! Heather, you look gorgeous ...I love that picture!!! <BR/><BR/>Heather, you look gorgeous being so close to your due date. I know how uncomfortable you must be, but you look amazing. <BR/><BR/>I am checking your blog a few times every day just hoping to see the big announcement. <BR/><BR/>I can totally relate to your post. Our twins were a total surprise pregnancy. I thought I was dragging and feeling off because we had just moved across the country. Lo and behold, I was pregnant with the twins! What a shocker. <BR/><BR/>We were a wonderfully happy family before their arrival, but as you said, now we are complete. <BR/><BR/>All my best to you. I can't wait to see the pictures of the boys with baby sister!!kirbmomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01405940481297802893noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35860543.post-26546099277790163352008-05-14T11:52:00.000-04:002008-05-14T11:52:00.000-04:00we are counting down with you guys! this is a very...we are counting down with you guys! this is a very exciting!!!!! <BR/><BR/>xoxo<BR/>loriAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35860543.post-32114321975568657252008-05-14T11:46:00.000-04:002008-05-14T11:46:00.000-04:00Once again your way with words have touched my hea...Once again your way with words have touched my heart. I hope Baby Sister's arrival is easy and fast and you can (finally!) introduce her to those amazing big brothers.<BR/>My thoughts are with you. All the best.Anihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09513687544829152823noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35860543.post-58892710591758750912008-05-14T11:10:00.000-04:002008-05-14T11:10:00.000-04:00Heather,You might be surprised to know how many of...Heather,<BR/><BR/>You might be surprised to know how many of us there are waiting eagerly to hear of Baby Sister's arrival. Personally, I think about it almost once an hour and am cheering for you, all of you. You must be so excited!<BR/><BR/>GailAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35860543.post-80864786582431111612008-05-14T10:24:00.000-04:002008-05-14T10:24:00.000-04:00It's sounds like you're getting very close! What...It's sounds like you're getting very close! What an amazing time for all of you! Good luck!Jesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10338232754452474187noreply@blogger.com