Mommy, do you have a baby in your tummy?

In 2006 my doctor found a tumor the size of a grapefruit growing within the wall of my uterus. I had it removed and found out that it was a benign, or non cancerous tumor called a "fibroid". The symptoms I had experienced quickly subsided for about a year until 4 more started to grow in its place. In 2008 I had right ovarian cysts and appendicitis at the same time which required another surgery. A year later in 2009 I had bleeding cysts on my ovary again and adenomyosis, a condition where the endometrium invades the myometrium causing enlarged uterus, pain, bleeding and blood filled cysts within the wall of the uterus. I was faced with the difficult decision of having a hysterectomy, the only treatment which would put a stop to all of these things which were getting worse with time, and eliminate the need for multiple future surgeries.

Adopting Kaleb 4 years earlier healed my heart after years of struggling to become a mommy, and I knew it was time to let my body heal. About a week before my surgery, I was having a lot of discomfort, and holding my belly, when Kaleb said, "Mom, do you have a baby in your tummy?" Boy did I have some explaining to do! I said, "No, I don't have a baby in my tummy, my tummy just hurts, I can't have a baby in my tummy cause it's broken." Since we finalized everything to adopt again, and are waiting to be chosen, Kaleb knows he is going to get a brother or sister, and he said, "Well, how are we going to get one?" I took a deep breath and said, "well, the baby will grow inside someone elses tummy, like you grew in Hillary's tummy, then we will adopt the baby like we adopted you". He said, "Oh that's sweet"! Then he ran off to play with his toys.

I am so grateful for the past 6 weeks that I been able to heal, I am feeling better and better as the weeks go by, Kaleb thinks it is cool that the doctor used a robot to fix my tummy and that he is still going to get a brother or sister. It's like a pregnancy with no due date, not waiting for contractions, just waiting for the phone to ring. I feel calm and comforted waiting this time. I am happy that Kaleb will better understand his adoption by experiencing his sibling coming into our family. I feel so happy and very blessed. I wouldn't change a thing!

Preschool year 2!

Kaleb started his 2nd year of preschool this year. He has the same teachers, but is in the afternoon class. The afternoon class has been nice because we are both grouchy in the morning and it takes us both a while to get moving! We'll enjoy this for one year anyways! Kaleb loves school and is happy to go each day. He makes friends easily and thrives on the routine. Last year he said only a few words and this year he is talking in full sentences, is learning to spell his name, can say the whole alphabet, and can count to 20! He is still having speech therapy once a week at school. It's amazing how far he has come in one year. His favorites at school are reccess, where is usually found on the slide or at the basketball hoops, gym, where is usually bowling, and lunch. His teachers are great and very protective of him which helps mommy not worry too much. I know he is having a blast and learning a lot. I enjoy seeing all of his creative work that he brings home and even doing homework is fun!