What would you consider to be the best Nursery Theme?

Over the past couple of weeks, Chris and I polled our friends and family members via this site on what they would consider to be the best Nursery Theme? Astonishingly enough, over 70 of you voted and with 25% of the vote, the winner is “Noah’s Ark”. “Wish Upon a Star” was a close second with 24% of the votes and third place went to “Monkey Business” with 14 votes (18%). Chris is distraught because his personal favorite, “ ‘B’ is for Bear” came in 6th place with only 6% of the vote. I thank all my peeps for insuring this wasn't a top three contender.

Be on the lookout for pictures of the nursery online. I can’t wait to start painting (okay… I mean hire a painter)

:)

One down... two more to go.

Wow… I have so much to catch you all up on. Last Saturday, we had the first of our three “Homestudy” reviews take place. We made arrangements to meet with our social worker, Justine, at Starbucks located within a Barnes & Nobel just outside of the city. We were extremely nervous but were calmed when we were informed that this would be more of an informational type of meeting. What to expect from the agency, the forms that needed to filled out, what we need to put in our autobiography, etc. No biggie… right?

We arrived at the bookstore early than planned, so we headed to the adoption/parenting section to browse through some books. That’s when we found “ And Tango Makes Three” [see posting below].

Once it was time for our appointment, we headed to the semi-crowded coffee shop and instantly knew whom we were to meet. There sat Justine with a smile on her face and an expression of shear joy for the work that she does.

After we got introductions out of the way, and the logistical issues that we needed to collect/take care of, the conversation flowed to how we met, why we chose adoption as the route to start a family (versus surrogacy), what our individual strengths and weaknesses are, what the strengths and weaknesses of our relationship are, discussions about our families and the overall views of adoption, our stance on parenting and religion, and anything else that you may find on a episode of “In Treatment” on HBO. About halfway through the conversation, we could sense that everyone in the coffee shop realize what the three of us were discussing and the room seemed to go silent… which was slightly embarrassing when at one point the subject got a little emotional and tears started running down our faces. Thank God for crying children (that will be the one and only time that I say that) because its broke up the attention on our, and placed it on the table behind us.

All in all, it was a wonderful afternoon. We’ll be doing our home inspection towards the end of April / beginning of May, and spending the next couple weeks getting our portfolio ready.

It Takes Two To "Tango"

Today we've added another childrens book to our collection (now we just have to chose which room will be the nursery and start storing everything in there), And Tango Makes Three. The book is based on the true story of Roy and Silo, two male Chinstrap Penguins in New York's Central Park Zoo who for a time formed a couple. The book follows part of this time in the penguins' lives. This book teaches children that it's okay to be in, or know, someone who has a "non-traditional" family.

The pair were observed trying to hatch a rock that resembled an egg. When zookeepers realized that Roy and Silo were both male, it occurred to them to give them the second egg of a mixed-sex penguin couple, a couple which had previously been unable to successfully hatch two eggs at once. Roy and Silo hatched and raised the healthy young chick, a female named "Tango" by keepers, together as a family.

The book has generated controversy among parents in some parts of the United States... actually, the American Library Association reports that And Tango Makes Three was the most challenged book of 2006. Earlier this month, the Washington Post printed Two Guys and a Chick Set Off Tiff Over School Library Policy, which covers the story of the book being pulled from library shelves in Loudoun County elementary schools this month after a parent complained that it promoted a gay agenda.