Ugghh...I have PRS

Some of you may not be familiar with this affliction, but in many ways it is similar to "other" syndrome that stops by once a month. It is Pre-Referral Syndrome and it doesn't matter how far back in the queue, if you are a woman and you are waiting for a referral, you probably get it every month. Fortunately there is no bloating (unless you begin stress eating) or other ickiness, but it isn't completely pain free. Here are a few of the symptoms you may suffer from:

• Fatigue--from staying up late cruising RQ and every adoption blog you know. You especially look for other waiting parents who are also experiencing PRS and for any new blogs out there that show pictures of recently matched happy families.
  
• Irritability--see above
• Bouts of crying for no reason. Sometimes from the stress of waiting and sometimes because you are experiencing the same hormones of any expecting mom. Don't get me started on any sappy commercials or sentimental movies...those are the worst!
• Manic--on the other end of the spectrum are those who get charged up and begin nesting. These moms are busy repainting their house, finishing the baby's room, and cleaning from top to bottom.
• Baby shopping at Babies R Us or Target. Need I say more?
  
• Headaches and eye strain--again, too much computer face time.
  

I'm sure this list could go on and on so feel free to add your suggestions. I've been running since around 5 am so I am not exactly the brightest bulb in the house right now.

The amazing thing about PRS is that your body seems to know when it is that time of the month, even if you haven't been obsessively checking the CCAA website or RQ. For me, there is always this great sense of excitement and hope that this month will be the big month, because as Kristen pointed out to me, the slow down occurred the very month we got our LIDs. They were referring 11 or more days per month until then and then suddenly it was only 2 or 3 days. How awful! It will feel really incredible when the day finally comes and they begin referring 2 weeks of LIDs. How much fun will that BE! Right now it just feels like we are treading water.

C'mon CCAA give me something to talk about!!!!