Hi Jean, thank you so much for the site compliments. I am just glad that you are here to enjoy them and chat! Give us more details on the playgroup you mentioned if you can.

hi my name is courtney i am a SAHM of a 2 yr old girl. we live in Fort Meade. and i would love to find some play groups around. i heard about this web site from the Bartow book babys. and i love it!!! My husband and i are originally from south of Buffalo NY, we have been living in Florida for almost 3 yrs. 2 of those in Fort Meade. I'm looking forward to meeting other moms and hopefully getting together for our kids to play.

Hi Courtney! Thank you for introducing yourself and I am glad to have a mom from Fort Meade on here. I want moms from the entire county to enjoy this site. I'm glad you are enjoying it! Please keep checking in, I will be proposing play date opportunities in future, but feel free to request one yourself. Welcome to PolkMoms!

Hi, my name is Gloria and I am expecting my first baby girl in about a month. I learned about this site from the Ledger's article.

Most of my family lives in the Northeast and as I was born and raised in Jersey, I'm hoping that I can pick up some tips and advice about resources and help in the local community as to my new baby.

Well, onward I go as I worry about everything from daycare to baby girls future husband. LOL.

Hello, My name is Ann. I was born and raised here in Lakeland. I am a proud mommy of a 15 month old little girl. My husband and I were blessed with her when she was a month old. Her name is Savannah Grace! Savannah is currently our only child, but we are hoping to adopt again later this year. Thought about going through Florida Baptist Childrens Home. Would like to hear from other moms who used FBCH!

Hi Gloria, I am so glad that you decided to check out the site! You have to be so excited about the new baby! Keep checking in, I am sure moms, including myself will be more than glad to share our experiences to maybe help you prepare for yours.

Boxer421, Welcome to PolkMoms! I am glad to see so many moms with adopted children on the site already. I know adoption can be an emotional option for parents to consider. I really hope that some of you adopted moms can give advice on this site to people prospectively thinking of adoption.

Hello Boxer421,

we went through the Florida Baptist Childrens Home in Jacksonville with our oldest son. We were his foster parents first and then we were able to adopt him. We are in the process of updating our homestudy because we just moved to Winter Haven from Jacksonville and are looking into adopting a little girl. We have two adopted sons.

Who did you go through for your first adoption? Good luck

Hi ladies! My name is Jennifer (Jen) and I'm a 33 (eek! It hurts to say that... I prefer 29 plus shipping and handling!) mom of two beautiful girls. Alyssa is 9 and Alexis is 4. I am divorced and I work night shift (law enforcement)so there is little time for me to have a life outside work and being a mommy. Both my girls are involved in sports and I enjoy coaching soccer each year (though this year is going to be quite a challenge!)
I'm also a forums poster but I didn't get the notification from Heidi (now I just feel left out, lol) I actually stumbled across this by accident but think it's a marvelous idea as I need to connect with other moms... especially other law enforcement moms (or anyone who can relate to my situation) and can offer advice on how I can find ME time and enjoy the occassional night out without feeling guilty for missing another night at home (since I'm at work most nights I feel horrible about having a night out on my nights off!).
Kudos to The Ledger for this site

Hi Jen, I am glad to have you join PolkMoms! I am glad you found us, even if it was by accident.

Hi momof2boys,
We adopted Savannah from a step relative and used an adoption attorney in Brandon. The unprepared couple knew that we could not have biological children and that we were on an adoption waiting list with our attorney. We had already tried one attempt of in-vitro fertilization. We were also hoping to adopt through the State Foster Care System but after several years of heartache, that did not work out either! Even though our State experience was not a good one, we still want to encourage others to become Foster Parents because there is such a great need! I did read that Java Jackie(I believe) was adopting now through FBC Home. Would like to her from her also. Thanks!

Boxer421 and other adoption moms, I went to the Bloomin' Arts festival today in Bartow. While there, I had a mom ask if someone would start a forum on adoption. It sounds like already there are some of you with a wide range of experience in a lot of adoption avenues and conception issues. If you are willing to start a discussion, moms or moms to be can go through and read and understand the process. All of you moms that have experience can help moms prepare and understand the options. Please consider sharing your knowledge.

Boxer 421,

I went through 4 ectopic pregnancies and then a failed in-vitro it was very hard. We decided to become foster parents in 2001 and in Jan. 2002 we received a 21 month old little boy and then in July 2002 we went through a private adoption attorney and adopted a three month old little boy. Then in 2003 we were able to adopt our foster son two days before his third birthday. I will admit it was a rollercoaster ride with the Dept. of Children and Families, but we are looking into possibly fostering to adopt again. Not sure, because I want to adopt an infant that we can bring home from the hospital. Like I stated in my earlier post we are having our homestudy updated through the Baptist Childrens Home because we started the Foster process with them in 2001.

Good luck with your adoption.

Hello all! My name is Tricia, and I am also a SAHM. I have 2 daughters, Hayley Ann (7) and Savannah Grace (2 1/2). Since my first daughter was born, I have gone back and forth between SAHM and full-time employment. SAHM is my favorite, of course! I am really glad that this site has started. I am looking forward to learning new things and making new friends. This time around all my old SAHM friends are back to working! My youngest keeps me pretty busy, though! Hope everyone had a great weekend, and I look forward to more discussions!

Hi Tricia, Welcome and thank you for joining PolkMoms! I have jumped on and off the employment ship myself. I am glad to be home, that is my favorite job as well. I feel blessed, I don't know how working moms get it all done!