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While You Are Waiting
An Excerpt From Adopting a Toddler: What Size Shoes Does She Wear?
By Denise Harris Hoppenhauer
Diet and Exercise
Now is probably not the best time to start a diet. Caffeine, chocolate and doughnuts are good antidotes to stress. My medicine of choice is sugar cookies with frosting and birthday cake.
If you do not have a daily exercise routine, now is a good time to start. If you travel to adopt your child, you may do a large amount of walking or be on your feet longer than usual. Carrying around or picking up a toddler without having the opportunity to become accustomed to it can result in backache or injury. Walking 20 to 30 minutes a day can help increase your stamina and is good for your back.
If you skip the sodas, chocolate or doughnuts, you may even lose a few pounds. This could be an added bonus, especially if you are carrying around 25 or 30 pounds of IVF/fertility-drug-induced "side effects."
Read
Now is the time to study up. Read parenting, toddler and adoption books. Reading is also a great way to take your mind off your adoption. Read for leisure, study up on a hobby or sport, read the biography of someone you admire or read trashy romance novels! Reread an old favorite, finish the one you already started but haven't had time to finish or read something you've always wanted to read.
Paperwork