when dd arrived, I went to a woman and had henna on my hands in beautiful traditional middle eastern designs. This was my way of celebrating this transition to parenthood (plus when the henna is on your hands you can't do anything for at least 24 hours-he he he
).
maybe a celebration, some formal ceremony/ritual with family that will make you feel more entitled. We're taking dd to my family church in RI for her christening, then going to dh's family church where he was christened for a blessing, our way of bringing her into our family and family traditions. Is there something similar you can do?
when I look at dd I see her birthmom, clearly inscribed on her face. But she laughs for me and dh, she reaches for us when she's tired, fussy, scared. those are the things that make me feel secure about my place in her life. When someone says that dd looks so beautiful, i just smile and say "thanks". I may not have put the genes together, but i did do her hair, dress her, all of those things that help that beauty.
I think you're on the right path. I like the idea of the bracelet:-).
Lisa
__________________
-first time amom to dd, born 7/7/04
-placed in our arms by a very loving bmom 7/9/04
-bfather's rights terminated 9/7/04
-just connected with bdad!!! 2/9/05
-visited bfamilies for a week, awesome trip 6/05
-bfather signed legally binding open adoption
agreement 7/05
-finalized (woohoo!) 18th of November 2005
-Thinking about adoption #2!
[color=Purple] Support All Families. Advocate for the Return of the
Non-Traditional Families Forum