3 in a bedroom?

Whether we adopt or birth a third baby, either way, it'll be in THIS house. 

This 2 bedroom, city house. Which means bunk beds are absolutely necessary. 

Good thing I love me some bunk beds :) I have great memories of sharing a bunk bed with my sister growing up. We were in bunks until we moved to a 3 bedroom home when we were 8 and 10 respectively.

Here are two simple bunks that I have my eye on. The IKEA one turns into two twin beds which is a huge perk, but has no storage and is made of less quality wood (and is actually $100 more!). The Brick one is white which I love and a bit higher quality, but doesn't turn into twin beds which would limit it's lifespan. Both are simple and I love how the ladder doesn't jut out but is attached to the structure.

{The Brick, $199}

{IKEA, $299}

But is it just me or are kids rooms getting a little out of hand? While researching bunk beds it was actually difficult to find the two I've posted above. Because all the bunk beds these days are so outrageous. 

They're enormous structures, complete with staircases, and cost nearly $1,000!!

What has happened to the classic bunk bed?!

[source]

I thought I was immune...

to baby fever.

My friends felt it when they wanted another one, and after Oli I didn't.
I hosted baby showers, visited newborns, played with sweet smelling 1 month-olds, and celebrated with friends over their recent pregnancies. All.Without.The.Fever.

Not that we didn't want more kids, as you know, we are adopting!
But we were sure of one thing: NO MORE BABIES.

Until last week. We were discussing the V word (vasectomy) and Brad asked an honest question.  
Are you sure you don't want to have just one more?
My response was emphatic. You can read all about it here. But then last night as as were sorting through baby things to lend/give to a pregnant couple we know, it hit me. The fever.

Now, to discern if it's legitimate or not.
Is it just a hormone surge, emotions or nostalgia? Probably.
Is it just because our kids are in the same room now and sleeping through the night together? Maybe.

But while we're on the topic, what are my reasons for not wanting another baby, aside from adoption (because that would happen down the road regardless)?
I need to evaluate them, because last time I checked they weren't so solid.
They were temporary things. Fleeting things. Vain things.

Like how much I dislike pregnancy. (which is only 9 months)
Like how my pre-baby body is finally back. (and this body is not forever!)
Like how I can function as a non-mom some days because I only have 2 and they're pretty manageable. (but I am a mom! is it so horrible if my life reflects that all day, every day?)
Like how exhausting the first 6 months are. (again, it's only 6 months)
Like how awful breastfeeding was with both babies. (who says I have to?)

Plus I never wanted another biological child. And never wanted another baby (biological or adopted).

But if I do (not saying I do, just saying I'm thinking about it today!), would I seriously let 9 hard months followed by 6 exhausting months and body image issues be the defining factor? I hope not.

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from a former foster kid...

A reader of my blogs contacted me recently, suggesting this blog. I'm so glad she did.
It's written by a former foster kid, and it is among the most insightful and helpful things a future-adoptive-parent can read. Especially if you're like me and want to adopt FROM foster care/ banque mixte.

Don't get me wrong. It is not encouraging. But it's real and eye-opening and has reminded Brad and I why we are so passionate about adopting a child from foster care.

For many reasons, but here's one biggie: Foster kids are only kids until they're 18. Then they're phased out (read: kicked out). Often to the streets, with no family or adults to care for them.

Read this post to get a better idea. Be prepared for adult content in this blog.

who came to be

This is an amazing video because it talks about EVERYONE involved when a baby is adopted.

The birth mother
The advocates for life
The family friends
The adoptive parents
The baby.

So often it's easy to completely forget the birth mother in all of this. And I love that this adoptive family didn't. They got to know her well and to this day they value her. For the sacrifice she made. For the bold and scary choice she made to carry a child full term that she didn't want and couldn't parent. For the gift she gave them - their daughter, Chapel.

It's amazing to see in living colour, what comes to be (or rather, WHO comes to be) when a woman bravely declines abortion and chooses life for her child. Watch and be moved...