[SchmennaLeigh]

Congrats, SkiBunny! (Awesome on the scrapbook!!!)

[memoree]

I echo what mommy24 said! Congrats!

[AwaitingBeloved]

skibunny, your friend had a brilliant idea! Congratulations!

[bromanchik]

What a great idea!!

Please feel free to come back here for support anytime. We are behind you.

[BMOM&MOM]

Dear Ski Bunny,

I am so happy for you...Congrats....I wish all the best and I agree with the others come back when needed....I wish when I was pregnant there was a place like this to turn to....Cindy

[FauxClaud]

Ah...I love hearing news like this...
Really, it makes my day

And what a brillaint idea...I am stealing this one! Hug your friend for me!!

Jumping for your joy!

[heartened]

Wonderful news - Congratulations!!!!

Feel free to stick around for support, parenting tips, etc. There are so many incredible moms & dads around here of all shapes & sizes who have great advice to offer if you want it! From deciding whether to breast or bottle feed to what kind of diapers they like, and everything in between. A lot of smart people here!

[Ski_Bunny]

It was quite ironic...my friend has no connections to the adoption "triad" that is spoken of so often.

She told me I was a prospective parent just as much as those featured in the profiles provided by an agency. I should make the book for the baby's benefit no matter what.

An interesting piece of advice from someone I never expected it from.

[cute]

Ski_Bunny: So happy for you I truly am...I relinguished in the sixties & I can tell you if I could go back my decision would be to raise my own child.Good on you and as everyone else has said please come back as we have all been there done that.You are going to be a great mom!!! Just my opinion!

[momof2under2]

Congrats Ski Bunny! I am an adoptee and I would adopt someday if I felt I wanted another child as I can no longer have anymore babies. I just read this whole thread and your journey and the decision to keep your child brought tears to my eyes. You sound like you have your head on your shoulders and I believe you will make a wonderful mother.

I am glad you decided to keep your child. I wish you all the best and I hope to see you in the parenting part of the forum!! I can assure you that being a first time mom is scary and it's normal to have doubts. Just look for resources and help from your friends, family and those of us here.

[JenHen]

Congratulations on your pregnancy and on your choice to parent. I bet you'll be a great Mom. I didn't read the whole thread, and I hope I don't offend anyone but....don't forget about child support from your child's Dad.

Accepting child support does NOT make you any less of an independant woman, and can be a great benefit to your child!

Again - congrats!!!!!!

[katieleigh10]

You've recieved a ton of great advice from these ladies, but I have to say you must must follow your heart in all of this. Do what YOU feel is right and it will work out. Do NOT do anything that you will regret because of a man that obviously wants nothing to do with your child.

I know exactly what you're going through, the situation is almost identicle. I had been dating this guy for over a year, I found out I was pregnant, I was shocked and scared, he wanted me to have an abortion. I wouldn't. He then had a change of heart and wanted to be a dad, then he fell off the wagon, and decided he wanted nothing to do with me or the baby. Partying was more important. So I spent the last 3 months of my pregnancy alone, debating the fate of my child. Should I keep her, should I give her up. I absoloutly made myself sick. I couldn't decide. I went to counseling, I went to adoption agencies, I did it all. I still couldn't decide. Then a couple of days before I went in to labor my social worker told me that my baby would have to go in to foster care...I freaked out, and pretty much decided she was coming home with me, and then I'd decide. Then she was born, I saw her and fell even more in love. My parents (who had been pushing adoption) fell in love, and did everything they could to support me. I finally decided I couldn't give her up, and she was staying with me. She's now 2 months old, and I'm as happy as I've ever been. I couldn't imagine giving her up.

If you need to talk, feel free to PM me.

[katieleigh10]

Ah now I see that you've decided to parent. Yay! I'm glad.

[FauxClaud]

Oh Katie..I am so glad to hear the update!!!!

Woopee!!!

[cr653]

hi!
i have not read the other answers you recieved,
but,
if it makes you feel any better, i had babysat for years,
and i had our long awaited child with my Dh,
BUT,
we took ALL the diapers they gave us to change our first child's diaper the first time,
i woke up ever couple minutes the first months to make sure he was breathing,
i had NO IDEA how to breast feed or fix a bottle,
had never seen a child before a circumscision, nor did i know exactly how to take care of the tender skin after.
i was clueless regarding pediatricians, carseats (and instillations!), and was very vague regarding insurance.
i am still clueless in regards to daycare and aftercare.

so,
IF you are finanicially or almost finacially able to care for you child, and DESIRE to do so,
i say,
give it a go!
you are in the same position as most first time moms (and while a loving attentive father woulld be great, im finding that most will say even in a marital relationship the dad's arent necessarily all that much help for the first months anyhow... )

cris....just my opinion, but i have NEVER been a single mom so take my post lightly!
best wishes as you make (and remake) your decision over the next few months!!