First, it dawned on us this weekend... the probability that our child has been born & is alive & well, in Russia right now. The idea is awe-filling.

A life changing decision, as it approaches, makes me reflective and sentimental. I am the classic "this will be the last time I...." mentality. When we got married and I moved cities, I did everything in that town "for the last time" it seemed. At least, the last time as a single girl. :)

We are going through this again, approaching the adoption. Turns out my husband is the same kind of mentality (in a smidge less emotional way!). He pointed out that we should enjoy this late summer and fall, because it's the last time we will have to ourselves. After a child, other priorities quickly fall into place. The "important people" priority list gets shuffled around.

We have a friend who is not in the same "place" as us. This person is still single & does not have a significant other. This person had a hard time when we got married, realizing (and not accepting, it seems) that our first priority was each other, even in social situations.

Now that a child is on its way, we are sensing an even greater shift toward nonacceptance of our situation from this person. There will be no more long dinners in restaurants. There will be no "crashing" at friends' houses after a late night. In fact, Doug and I laugh about the fact that we'll be more "homebody"-ish than ever before!

Our social life will evolve and change quite radically when a child enters our family, as our child's needs, wrapped into our new family's needs, will be our greatest priority. We are ready for this. But I don't know that we've prepared everyone for it!