Callie & Elise's Story
By Elizabeth W
When I think about my girls, I am in awe. They arrived via different processes and countries. I experienced infancy with my eldest daughter from China (adopted at 9 months) and toddler "hood" with my youngest from Guatemala (adopted at 19 months). How did this all begin? It started with a simple list of "where do I want to be in 5 years." At the time I did not realize how powerful this process would be for me. I was on the road to becoming a parent. I did not consider any option but adoption. For me, adopting from China was an easy decision. I had collect several articles about adopting in China and a good friend had recently returned from China with her daughter. It called to me. I knew that China was where I had to go. I attended an informational meeting at WHFC and I was off and running. It became the decision on which everything else was based: career, housing, and travel. Everything was neatly planned and I waited. I was patient and I knew it would happen. Less than two years from when I started, I received a picture of my baby.
What I did not know, as no parent understands, is how everything else would change. In China, I found new friends that have grown into family. My social circle changed as I became a suburban Mom. A process I did not foresee and I did not realize how much I would enjoy. I also saw my family as they accepted and adored her. She is my cuddlier, my social butterfly and my creative "princess". My house became full of pink dress up, markers, and Polly Pockets. And at the end of everyday, I watched my sleeping child (yes I finally got her to sleep) and I wondered how I survived with out her.
Now I look at my youngest daughter. Home for just under a year at 2 1/2. She is a bundle of personality. She enthusiastically reports on her daily activities and feels every moment fully. She and her older sister have bonded beautifully as they cuddle, laugh and fight like any sisters. Their personalities are completely different and yet they are one. My second adoption was not smooth or fun and yet I would not change it. I decided late to pursue a second adoption. Due to changes in China program and the wait time, I shifted my focus to Guatemala. I received a referral quickly but the process dragged on for 19 months. During that time, I received photos almost every six weeks of my growing baby in Guatemala. I had moments of panic when I was sure she would never come home. But in the end, my eldest daughter at 4 and 1/2 and I flew to get her. The toddler/preschooler relationship of the two girls worked perfectly as they could play immediately. The timing also allowed my eldest daughter to explore her own,albeit limited at this time, understanding of her adoption. I strongly believe my eldest daughter made me a Mom and my youngest daughter made us a family. I feel settled. I feel complete. I love my children so deeply. And most importantly, my girls are happy, curious and surrounded by friends and family who love them.
I am grateful that as a single person I was able to adopt. I am grateful to their birth mothers for making an extraordinarily difficult decision. I am grateful to my friends and family for their acceptance and love. And most of all, I am grateful to my girls as through their eyes I see the world around me clearer than I ever had before.