How did we get here?!

How did we get here? This is a question I have asked myself over the past 2 months. When Chad and I first got married we knew we wanted to start a family after our first year of marriage - just in case there were complications and it took longer than we anticipated. After 5-6 months of trying on our own I sought my doctor's help. He began with routine blood tests which showed my progesterone levels were in the critically low ranges. This meant I could miscarry every month without supplements. So he began by putting me on 3 rounds of progesterone daily, as well as glucophague and clomid. After some strong advice and research I decided to avoid the clomid due to so many people finding a link between this pill and breast/ovarian cancers. The glucopahgue made me extremely sick - almost felt like it should be morning sickness.
Here we are a little over a year later and IVF seems to be the next step. I know so many couples that have tried IVF and have had success and many that have had failures. It seems like such an expensive risk - not to mention all of the drugs you have to take while pursuing this option. Will I ever go for IVF? YES - I am not totally opposed, but that isn't the option that is best for me right now. Someday I definately want to have biological children if it is possible. But right now I don't feel that invasive procedures are best.
Out of sheer curiousity I decided to look into adoption as a potential option for us to begin our family right now. After doing some research and speaking with several agencies I felt in my heart that this was the way God was leading us. I had had several dreams about it for months previous to my research so it seems that this is a great way for us to begin our family!
This past month we have been researching several options to find the best fit for us. We thought we were set on international adoption from either China, Korea, or Russia. We are too young for China and Korea, but Russia would work. After further thought and consideration I felt in my heart this was not the best option for us since it was extremely expensive and very risky. I also knew what I really want is a newborn - not an 18 mos. old child. Especially for my first! :)
Once we settled on domestic newborn adoption the next step was to find an agency. Internet searches are not ideal but was the best option for me. We had bought a book called The Idiot's guide to Adoption and it helped steer us in the right direction, giving me plenty of questions to ask agencies about their programs.
We have decided Adoption Network Law Center in California was our best option. They seemed very nice and I connected to them right away on the first call. We have a phone consultation set up for next Tuesday with Jennifer our adoption consultant. We also have a home study screening next Wednesday in Bloomington with Liz a social worker from ABC counseling.
Chad and I are filled with a mixture of emotions - excited, anxious, scared, nervous, etc. We know this is the first step to becoming a family. We are ready for this journey....because at the end of it is our baby waiting to come home!