High class

Second Parent Adoption

Julie and I are in the final phase of Dru's adoption! Our court date is just a few weeks away. According to our lawyer, we shouldn't be worried about the hearing. If there were to be issues the judge would have had objections already. We are still a bit anxious. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.
For those who are interested in how important this is...
Second parent adoptions provide children being raised in same-sex families numerous financial and legal protections not otherwise afford to them including, but not limited to, the rights to:
· Inherit from the "second parent;"
· Receive damages should the "second parent" be wrongfully injured or killed;
· Receive worker's compensation benefits based on the "second parent's" work-related injury;
· Receive social security benefits should the "second parent" become disabled;
· Receive health insurance benefits from the "second parent's" employer;
· Have visitation with the "second parent" in the event of parental separation; and
· Receive child support from the "second parent."

Second parent adoptions also protect the integrity of the family should the child's biological parent die or become incapacitated. In the absence of an adoption, the child could be removed from the non-biological parent's care to be placed with relatives of the biological parent or in foster care. This may be true even if the biological parent has designated the other partner as the child's guardian in his or her will, as such designations can be successfully challenged in court.
Moreover, second parent adoptions are critical should the child become seriously ill. A "second parent" can take parental leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act, can consent to emergency medical treatment for the child, and cannot be prohibited from visiting the child in a hospital or medical facility.
(excerpt from www.mckinleyirvin.com)

Dru is 6 months!

Here is a pic from Dru's 6 month photo session this past Monday. On Tuesday she had her 6 month "well baby" doctor appointment and found out she wasn't so well. She has an ear infection :( She then had shots which were the most painful to date and has needed Motrin for the last 3 days. In addition to that she has been teething. Needless to say she has been in amazing spirits for dealing with all of that. We wish you a great Memorial Day!

Happy Mother's Day!

It was our first mother's day and we are exhausted from all the activities! It is still strange and overwhelming to have such a joy in our lives. Dru has made being a mother seem easy (so far). She can now roll all the way over and the two front bottom teeth have cut through the gums. The changes seem to happen so fast.

We participated in the Race for the Cure again this year. Our team name is Marsha's Milers. We walk in memory of my aunt Marsha who lost her battle with breast cancer in 1994. Now we also walk in celebration of my aunt Yvonne and other breast cancer survivors we know. Due to the chilly temperature a few of us decided to walk inside. Here is the group pic and Dru with her two moms.

Cutie Pie

Oh my goodness! Isn't she the cutest!!?

(I took this pic on my phone)

My Moms

Mama and Me

Mommy and Me

First Week of Daycare

Ok, so I knew it would be hard, but clearly not aware how much I would struggle. I was crying so hard when we dropped her off Wednesday morning I couldn't talk. Julie had to talk for me. We had to wake her up, which she is not used to nor fond of and we dropped her off around 7am. I cried all the way to work, and off and on all day. I think my co-workers were a bit confused on how to handle me. I only called to check on her twice. Both times she was doing well except that she was only drinking half of her bottle.

She was sleeping when I went to pick her up. Of course she was even more confused to see my face when I woke her up. It was a bit overwhelming for both of us. Today wasn't quite as terrible. I still struggled but no tears. She ate a little better and gave the ladies more smiles and giggles. Here is what she looked like when I picked her up... I did laugh a bit when I got over the shock!

(Her face says it all! I guess the girls didn't see the results of the poll.)