Sunday Night Musings
I must say we are both getting pretty excited about the TaJdoption, as it has now been dubbed, at least by me. Family has been a favorite topic of ours for as many years as I can remember being together. When we were first married, it was something we’d often openly mull over. On more than a few occasions this would happen on our late Sunday night drives back home after dropping off the “three blonditos” in the East Bay. We’d return Tiffany’s nieces back to their rightful home, adequately worn-out after a whirlwind weekend of adventures together. Almost as soon as we first saw the lit-up city buildings appear, they would engulf us as we crossed back over the bridge from the East Bay. It was then that we’d inevitably curtail another planning-our-future-together conversation for the sake of navigating our way back home and getting ready for the “real world” again. I think we both dreaded the Monday morning return to work even more so because of all the fun we’d just had together, pretending to be a family of five.*
I must say we are both getting pretty excited about the TaJdoption, as it has now been dubbed, at least by me. Family has been a favorite topic of ours for as many years as I can remember being together. When we were first married, it was something we’d often openly mull over. On more than a few occasions this would happen on our late Sunday night drives back home after dropping off the “three blonditos” in the East Bay. We’d return Tiffany’s nieces back to their rightful home, adequately worn-out after a whirlwind weekend of adventures together. Almost as soon as we first saw the lit-up city buildings appear, they would engulf us as we crossed back over the bridge from the East Bay. It was then that we’d inevitably curtail another planning-our-future-together conversation for the sake of navigating our way back home and getting ready for the “real world” again. I think we both dreaded the Monday morning return to work even more so because of all the fun we’d just had together, pretending to be a family of five.*
Our fair city by the bay was a playground for all ages. The experience of spending time with children there—family-style camping on the islands, much-anticipated visits to the ocean, hiking in the lush green hills, and absorbing all the cultural aspects we could— was the initial impetus that led us to decide that parenthood was a life we wanted for sure. In recent years it’s been fun to envision raising a family here in Colorado, TaJ style, in our new urban playground—one with a lower admission fee and a little closer to the mountains. It even has our own little Midwestern version of a shoreline, Confluence Park, just a short bike ride away.
Of course, those family bike rides along Cherry Creek and splashing in the waves are still not in our immediate future. And Sunday nights at home as new parents will no doubt look a bit different for a while. But we’re getting more and more excited about how we'll eventually be doting on the new addition(s) to our family. For now, I'm envisioning cribside acoustic concerts, taking those quintessentially cute photos of tiny feet, and just sitting and watching peacefully sleeping babes. Okay, I know… don’t worry, we’re also eager to partake in the sleepless nights and midnight feedings, stomach the ear-piercing, deepsleep-shattering shrieks and wailing, and managing the incomprehensibly frequent diaper changes. But hey at least there will finally be a chance to put that old rocking chair to good use, even if it does have to be at 3am.
Anyway, on this particular Sunday night, those are the thoughts that come to mind. Our excitement and anticipation are definitely growing, and as we continue with this adoption “process”, we get more of those expectant parent kinds of thoughts. It’s been a really compelling personal and emotional discovery so far, and I must say this journey is feeling pretty good to be on. Next stop: training.
* By the way, my favorite weekend? That trip to the goat dairy in Pescadero. It’s something I still smile thinking about, especially when I’m reminded that my life skills now include an uncommonly intimate familiarity with alpine goat milking.
