The pieces are finally fitting together

Today was a pretty amazing day!!!

We had our second approval panel in 8 weeks.  This time it was to be matched to little one.  Despite there being much more riding on this panel we weren't as nervous as out last panel, but don't be fooled into thinking we weren't nervous.  I can tell you, we were nervous!  We had a better idea of what to expect but ultimately this was a bunch of people telling us we could or couldn't become parents to little one!

The panel, made up of the lovely chair-lady and a few other faces we remembered from last time, grilled us slightly and then sent us out into the waiting room.  Only a few minutes later the lovely chair-lady came into waiting room to deliver the verdict.  She cracked and wide smile and said "The answer, of course, is Yes!!"  Apparently it was a unanimous decision!

We were both totally overwhelmed, and excited, and happy, and relieved and hopefully.

It's hard to think that of all of the people we met at our prep group in January this year, we are the first to actually be matched to a child.  More importantly it's hard to believe that, even despite all of the work we've put in and after all of the meetings we've sat through, we are finally on track to become dads.

So now yet another countdown begins.  Next week we have our introduction meeting to discuss how, when and where we will begin to connect with our child.  I like saying that, 'our child'.  But that's what 'she' is now.  For so long we've thought about little one but know we can really think about what it will be like when she is here in a few weeks time.

Meet the foster parents

This process always has it's ups and downs but the key thing to remember is that everyone involved is working to one common goal and that is always the best interest and welfare of the child.  It's hard to stay focused on that sometimes as the selfishness of human nature means you want everything right now but it's a good thing that the professionals never let go of what really matters.

The timescales of when little one could/will be home with us have been delayed slightly but, as much of a bitter pill it was to swallow, the reasons behind such a decision make total sense in the scheme of things.  And it's not like things aren't going to happen, they'll just take a few more weeks.  And what is a few more weeks when a) we've waited this long and b) we've got the rest of our lives together?  So it won't be this Christmas, but it'll be next Christmas, and the one after that, and the one after that, and.......

We also meet with little one's foster carers this week.  It was pretty daunting but they were a lovely couple and made us feel very much at ease.  We've read so much about little one and seen gorgeous photos and a very informative DVD but nothing measured up to seeing the people that have cared for little one for so long talk so openly and lovingly about little one's development, habits, personality and energy.  You could tell just how much affection they have for little one, it was very moving but great to see.  I hope those bonds are recreated with us.

The bedroom is coming along.  The first bed didn't work so we bought another.  That bed was totally wrong (internet purchase!!) so now we are on our third bed.  This one is a winner.  We've started to decorate the room too.  We're also putting together a book for little one.  It'll have picture of us and the dog, little's one room (once it ready), family, friends, places we'll take her etc.  Hopefully it'll give little one an insight into who we are.  I hope little one likes what they see!