Dear Graysie,

Today I flew home to Kansas. It was my first flight all by myself! I was so nervous I drank 4 cranberry juices really fast and then felt really nauseous the rest of the way home. I’m lucky it’s only a 90 min flight!

My parents were waiting at the gates and you could tell they were very excited to have me back. My mom said I look really healthy, that I have the pregnancy “glow”, and that I finally look pregnant. All I heard is “You look fat!” Yuck! Not what I wanted to hear. I know she meant it in a nice way, but the last thing I want to look like is pregnant! I’m almost 8 months along, and I know that logically I should “look” like I’m very pregnant. I also know it wouldn’t be healthy for you if I didn’t gain an appropriate amount of weight (I’ve already gained 12 lbs!). But, “looking” pregnant makes it so public. Hiding you behind big sweaters or oversized sweat shirts is my protection from curious, judgmental, pity filled eyes.

After leaving the airport, my parents took me to a late lunch and I told them all about my stay in Colorado. I gushed about how amazing your “parents to be” were, and how I already adored your “soon to be” brother and sisters. I described how gigantic yet homey your new home is, how adorable your lavender and lime green baby quilt is, how massive your Great Dane puppy Jack is, how your neighborhood looks picture perfect, and how you already have a swing set and trampoline waiting for you in your backyard. I told them that your life will be prefect because Ambyr, Josh, Emma, Kaidon, and Mihya are the perfect family that God has chosen for you.

My parents seem relieved that we have found your family. They plan on meeting Ambyr and Josh in a couple of weeks. I know they will love them as much as I do!

Love,

Amanda