A few days before Christmas, I was sitting at the computer reading email (reading all the posts from the Yahoo group of waiting moms, of course!), and enjoying some Christmas music playing in the living room.

Then it happened - "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” came on - the original, old Gene Autry version. I burst into tears, crying like a baby.

It was like an out of body experience - I felt like I was hovering over the scene watching myself - bawling like crazy, typing away at the computer.

"Hmmm….what is going on here?” (I say as I watch myself, analyzing the situation).

Why on earth would "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” make me cry uncontrollably?

Am I being sentimental about my childhood? Am I homesick for my family in Texas? Do I still wish I were 5 years old? (well, honestly - sometimes I do!)

Fast forward about 3 hours. My husband and I are enjoying a delicious dinner (which he cooked!), and it happens again. This time the song is sung by a precious child with a bit of a lisp - "Happy Birthday Jesus”. I burst into tears and my poor husband looks stunned!

Doug: "What's the matter?” "What's wrong?”

Edi: "Nothing - really, I'm fine, honey. I'm not sad. Nothing is wrong. I'm happy. I'm just crying.”

Within a minute or two, I AM fine - as if nothing at all happened. My husband

OK, admit it! I know that there are at least a few of you out there who can relate to this! Emotions run high during Christmas season, anyway - and when you add a 'pregnancy' to it - watch out world!

I'd be willing to bet that there are pregnancy-like hormonal changes that happen to us when we are paper-pregnant! Is there a doctor in the house that can confirm my theory? If not a doctor, how about another mom or two?

Whether or not there is a scientific basis for my paper pregnancy theory, the fact remains that parents waiting to adopt experience many of the same highs and lows - plus some. Practice giving grace to ALL expectant Moms and Dads - whether there pregnancy creates a bulging tummy, or a bulging file of paperwork.