again.

Just a short while ago, I decided to add this blog to the Top Baby Blog directory.  With our adoption just getting started and my brain kicking into baby mode, I thought it would be fun to try out and to meet like minded bloggers.

Little did I know,  my little blog would top the charts at #4 by the end of our first cycle on the list.  #4 is pretty amazing considering the fact that there are almost 3000 blogs total in the directory.

There are no "prizes" for being on top, and there are no "perks" either.  The one thing that I cherished from being on top was meeting so many awesome people, moms, and adoptive parents.

It has been a blessing for our little family.  

I also enjoy the traffic that it brings to Run With Scissors and the sweet giveaways I am able to offer you all.

That is why I am asking you, just this once, if you could please hop on over and vote for us.

If every reader of this blog voted, just once, we would be #1.  

All you have to do, to vote, is click on this link

http://www.topbabyblogs.com/cgi-bin/topblogs/in.cgi?id=jmaclean

and then the owl on the left.

That is it.

You can vote every single day if you want.

Each vote is appreciated. Each comment you leave, each message, each friendship...a blessing.

I can only imagine how great this blog will be once little Amelia has joined our family.

Vote for us!

Vote for Amelia :)

Thank you so much for blessing us and for taking a minute out of your day to do this.

xo

janel

P.S. Don't forget to vote :) All it takes it two little clicks.

after.

**

I got home from work and decided to run the curling iron through my hair again.

I re-applied my makeup.

Adam and I sat together and said a prayer of thanks.  

We asked for strength, peace, and for His will to be done in this situation.

We arrived 15 minutes early to our meeting. 

Adam wanted to wait in the car but I couldn't wait another second.

We went inside, and were asked to wait in a small room until our social worker came and got us.

5 minutes later, in walked our social worker.

I was super nervous and Adam was my rock.

The nerves were like "first date" nerves.  

The, "I hope she likes me" nerves 

and the "I want everything to go perfect" nerves.

Our social worker informed us the "E" was upstairs, and very nervous.

So nervous that she felt like she was going to throw up.

Me too!

That made me feel a little better.

We walked upstairs to our meeting room and my heart was beating out of my chest.

The second I saw her, my body was filled with peace :)

We smiled, we hugged, we admitted our nerves and it began.

The birth mother is lovely.

She's an artist.

She likes Sherlock Holmes

She reads the baby Tennyson and Byron.

She's so sweet and soft spoken and we absolutely loved her.

We talked about music, faith, books, pets, everything.

Our birth mother was an adoptee as well so she knows exactly what a gift adoption is.

We talked about her delivery plans and where we would fit into to all of that. 

We talked about how "open" this adoption will be.

After she left, our social worker informed us that "E" loved us so much and is very content knowing that we will be extremely loving parents for her baby; our baby.

After a few questions and answers with the social worker, she explained that the next time we would here from her would be when "E" delivers.

At that point, it hit me, this is FOR REAL.  

I hadn't been sure before if we were the only family that "E" was considering or if she was meeting with other families as well.

No, we are the only ones.

The chosen ones.

The blessed ones.

Meeting "E" was a very special gift, one that I will treasure forever.

I am excited that I may be able to tell our baby that she "has her mother's eyes." 

I am excited to share with her that I met her birth mother and that she loved her so very much.  I can't wait to share with her how smart, and lovely, and courageous, and loving her birth mother is.  

"E" is the women who will give us our heart's desire.

"E" is scheduled to be induced on the 29th of February, if she doesn't have the baby before that.

She is already dilated though and can literally go into labor any day.

It's happening :)

In the back of my mind, I know that things aren't done until they are done and that there is still a potential for things to go wrong.  Right now though, I am only allowing myself to focus on the positive and the excitement of the moment!!

God is good.

xo

janel

P.S.  My sister is having a baby boy!!!  She found out yesterday! (This has been an exciting week for baby news).

Double P.S.  The reset the votes over at Top Baby Blogs. We would really appreciate your votes to help us get back on top :)  We ended the last round at #4 out of over 3,000 blogs which is so amazing and 100% because all of our awesome readers. 

All you have to do is click on this link

http://www.topbabyblogs.com/cgi-bin/topblogs/in.cgi?id=jmaclean

and then click on the owl on the left.

That is it, two little clicks.

Also remember that you can vote every single day. 

Thank you so much!!!

P.S. Don't forget to vote :) All it takes it two little clicks.

a plea.

Hello there!!

First of all wanted to thank all of you for helping Run With Scissors make it into the

 Top 10 of Top Baby Blogs!!

What an accomplishment considering their are over 2500 blogs on their site.

If I could just ask you all to hop over there some time in the next couple of days to give us another vote, it would be greatly appreciated :)

Numbers 11 and 12 are catching up :)

All you have to do is click on this link:

http://www.topbabyblogs.com/cgi-bin/topblogs/in.cgi?id=jmaclean

and then click on the owl on the LEFT!!!

That's it!! Two little clicks. 

 If everyone who stops by this blog voted, it would make a HUGE difference.

Thank you so much.

Love,

Janel, Adam, and soon to be baby :)

The Baby List-2

Hello all!

I am back today with the Baby Wish List Part II.

These are some "gear" things that I want to have before the baby gets here.

To be ready :)

1.  McKenna Stroller

McKenna Car Seat

2. His Skip-Hop Diaper Bag

Hers Petunia Pickle Bottom Cake Diaper Clutch

3. Puj Infant Sink Tub

4. Aqua Bumbo Seat

5. Mamas and Papas Apollo Bouncer

6. Moby Bath Spout Cover

7.  Boon Drying Rack

We already have our crib and changing table/storage units.  I am not sure what high chair to go with yet?  Any suggestions?  I want something that is safe, efficient, yet not an eye sore.
Can you see anything else that I may need right away?
These lists make me even more anxious and excited for a baby.
Thanks for being so excited with me. Your comments and emails really help me through this waiting period :)

xo
janel

P.S. Don't forget to vote :) All it takes it two little clicks.

Top Baby Blogs

Sooooo, here is the thing :)
Top Baby Blogs has done their big, once in a blue moon, RESET.
This is a good thing because the people who were on top seriously had tens of thousands of votes and no one would be able to catch up to them.
Anyway, you thought I asked for your votes a lot before...
Ha!
So yeah, please vote for our blog!
Now we have a HUGE chance to make it on top!!
All you have to do is click on the banner below

You will always see this banner at the end of each of my posts and also on our sidebar.
Once you click on that banner, it only takes one more click!!
All  you have to do after that is click on the owl on the left!

That is it!! That is all that you will have to do.  It literally takes two seconds and it will mean so much to our little family :)

You get one vote, every 24 hours.

The more votes, the better so spread the word!!!

Thanks everyone!!

xo

janel

nursery news...

The past few days, I have been coming home from work and working like crazy in the nursery.  I just want this space to feel so loving for our little one once she gets here.  Almost every single aspect of this room (besides the furniture) is handmade and I am so happy about that.  I find if I have a few spare moments, Im using them to sew up a little toy, bib, or quilt.

I am in love with our baby so much and Ive never even met them!

Well, here is the progress that I have made this week...

And this is where I became a genius :)  Remember that this room is a tiny space in our tiny condo.  This is also somewhat of a shared space with two huge shelves of my craft/art supplies.  I knew that I would have to get rid of a lot of my things or store them at my parents house to make room for this nursery.  Both of those ideas just weren't going to work for me though because I actually use my supplies almost daily. So, I have been stressing and brainstorming like crazy on how to conceal all of my supplies in this room...

Two wall hooks + a long strand of wire+ two hemmed vintage sheets= the world's most beautiful fabric panel/curtain to cover the ugliness!!!

Plus I love the effect of having a "wallpaper" looking wall, without the wallpaper!!  

I seriously find myself in this room constantly, just staring at it, my heart swelling with love... 

I seriously can.not.wait.

I have a few more elements that I need to add for this room so check back later for my nursery wish list :)

I love you guys!!  Thank you for sharing in the excitement of all of this with me :)

xo

janel

P.S.  Don't forget your daily vote!! It only takes two quick little clicks, starting with the banner below...

Top Baby Blogs

I am so excited to say that Run With Scissors has officially been accepted on Top Baby Blogs for a "hip" blog on adoption!!

I would looooove it if you would click on this link

to vote for us!!

You can also click on the button on our side bar --------->

or the link at the bottom of each post :)

You can vote once every 24 hours.

I would LOVE to at least make it into the top ten and with all of my amazing readers, I bet we can do it!!

thank you!!!

xo

janel