Required Reading for all my Family Members

I think everyone has figured out that I am a little bossy. Well that trait is not really unique to my family. We are all pretty opinionated. Some of the things that I am asking be done once she is home is way different then when others who have had babies in my family. Well this is a different situation completely not bad just different.

There are some things you all understand and other things I just know you are shaking your heads and saying "That just sounds crazy!" By the way this includes Gerard at times too.

The biggest thing that I am asking is that you follow my lead. I know that everyone is so excited and you all want to be apart of her life and we want you to be excited. Please understand that I have no intention of keeping her all to myself forever.

I am asking that you please redirect her to me or Gerard so that we can meet her needs (food, diaper changes, rocking to sleep, need for love and affection). She needs to understand that we are the ones who will keep her safe, love her unconditionally and provide for her. Without going into much detail about her past I ask that you trust me when I say this is what is best for her now and for her future relationships with us and all of you.

Please keep the gifts to a minimum. There are a lot of you and only one of her. Think of the amount of stuff that she will have if everyone always gives her just one gift all the time. The best things that you can give her is your love, your prayers and time to understand and know her place within this big family. I would rather her self-esteem be over flowing then her toy box. Kids really like the simple things.

If I say "NO" to her or you I really mean it. This is not up for discussion. I won't think it is funny either if this rule is not followed.

I know that this may sound harsh but please be apart of the solution not part of the problem.

It may seem as though I have sailed through this whole process and to some degree I have but believe me there have been times when I thought that I could not go on one more minute. This was hard, way harder then I thought it would be. There has never been a minute that I have not thought about her and what is best for her. I know that as you read this you are saying me too and you may be right to some degree but it is not the same for you as it has been for Gerard and I believe me.

I have read many different books and even listened to different seminars about what to expect. I may have been short with some of my loved ones from time to time I ask you to please step back and think about things from my perspective. I have had very little control over this whole process. How would you do if you were in my shoes? Would you cry non-stop? Would you be angry? Do you think you could be happy every minute? I think I have done way better then I thought I would but there may be a time when I need to fall apart, allow me the respect of doing that in private if I need to or just to listen if that is what I am asking. No extra opinions are necessary.

You all may think that I am a bit chicken for posting like this as I leave for Moscow but I wanted to make sure that each of you read this article that I have found right before she came home. As to being a big fat chicken I say Bock, Bock, Bock, your right, I too get overwhelmed.

Please, Please, Please read this article I promise you will feel enlightened about how Anna Catherine may feel when she gets home. Click Here!

I think this web site (Click Here) is a very good resource for many of the things that I "plan" to follow when we get home. Take the time to look through it. I think you will feel better prepared for Anna Catherine to come home. Now on to the fun stuff off to go get my baby! This is the last post about my fears for a while now, yes I know all are saying good, me too. Look up I might be flying above you right now! I love you all.

To my blogger friends your support is overwhelming great. I love you all too!