16 months and fun nursery finds...

Today is our 16 month LIDversary and we are still plugging along.

There isn't much to say about the wait, except to complain and whine and I just don't feel like doing that today. I do still like to at least recognize the monthly milestones, as it does help to see that we are actually moving forward even though it sometimes doesn't feel like it.








Joe and I stopped by HomeGoods on Friday evening to check out their children's section. They only have one aisle of kids stuff, but there always seems to be a great find.

They didn't disappoint us this time either. We picked up this great wall clock for only $12.99 that totally matches our nursery decor. See how nicely it goes with the wall color?

I've got to give Joe credit for spotting this clock, since it was tucked behind a bunch of other stuff.


We also got this adorable wooden, stacking train. I love the colors and I know that kids love toys that stack. We couldn't pass this up for only $9.99.

Last, but not least, Happy Father's Day to all the new Dads out in Blogville! Hold your baby tight today and remember how blessed you are to have them in your life. Also, I'm thinking of all the waiting Dads today too and hoping your day comes soon to hold your baby for the first time. I know I can't wait to see Joe holding Lauren.

New books...

by my favorite children's author, Karen Katz. While surfing Amazon the other day (a dangerous thing), I discovered that she has a book called My First Chinese New Year. Well, of course I had to have that one. Also, this cute lift-the-flap book, What Does Baby Say, was calling Lauren's name too.



I love the illustrations in her books...they are brightly colored and so adorable.



If you search "Karen Katz" on Amazon, tons of adorable books will come up. Counting Kisses is my favorite so far, but these are really cute too.

Can't wait for our turn...

This video is making the rounds, but I thought I'd post it for those who haven't seen it yet. It's by Holt International adoption agency and it features families meeting their children for the first time. Grab a hankie...

Referrals are in...

Well, it's official...after weeks of waiting and hoping for a bigger referral batch this month, they only got through another 6 days of LID's.

This is the same amount of days they referred last month and the month before it was only 2 days. Unfortunately, we don't know how many actual matches are being made, so we can't tell if they are actually referring the same number of children each month or not.

There are 102 days between Nov 7th (where they left off this month) and our LID. If they were to continue to refer only 6 days each month, we wouldn't have our referral until December 2008. Someone PLEASE let me that's not REALLY going to happen...that would be a 34 month total wait. If they could step it up to 12 days a month, we could have our referral in March 2008. I'm trying to get it to sink in that this may be our best case scenario (a 25 month wait), which is really hard to accept.

As much as I'm happy for those who are receiving their referrals this month, it's getting harder and harder as the months tick by to keep a positive attitude and really enjoy looking at all the referral photos rolling in. Sorry to be such a bummer, but referral day just isn't as much fun as it used to be.

Duck, Duck, Goose...

No...duck, duck, duck, and GIANT duck!

I was at Bath & Body for their big sale this afternoon and got this great big rubber ducky. It's 10" long and 9" tall and totally adorable. It rang up for just $4.50, so I just had to get it for when we decorate Lauren's bathroom.

I'm wondering if Lauren will play with it in the tub or if she'll be scared of it. Guess we'll find out sooner or later.


Ok, still waiting for referrals....come on CCAA!!

Good weekend and Target find...

We had a really good, relaxing weekend. Yesterday we had dinner at Michele's place and had a great time visiting with Kim & Scott and their cuties Jenna & Jadyn, Nancy, Brian & Lily, Megan & her daughter Mia, Heather & Damon, and Laura & Dan. I had a ball with all the babies and I left thinking how much I can't wait until we have Lauren. Thank you, Michele, for such a wonderful dinner and fun night.

Today, Joe and I headed out to the movies (we haven't been to one in forever) and saw Knocked Up. This is directed by the guy who did The 40-Year Old Virgin. If you liked that movie, I think you'll like this one too. You can see a preview here. I love the characters and it's pretty darn funny too.

After the movie, we did some shopping at Target (God for bid I miss a weekend) and we found some really cute knobs for Lauren's nursery furniture. Check them out here.

Well, it's back to work tomorrow....can't wait for referrals!!!! Come on CCAA, we're ready and waiting!

Time to take control...

and kick it into high gear. I've started a new wellness blog and am hoping there are others on the same boat who would like to join me. Read on here.

Need a little cheese with my whine...

Ok, I've tried really hard to stay positive, but I'm bummed out today.

First of all...it's looking like instead of the rumored large referral batch this month, they may only get through Nov. 7th (that would be 6 days worth of LIDs). According to RQ, some people with a Nov. 8th LID are being told by their agencies that they didn't make the cut. For us to see a referral this year, they would need to make it through the end of November by next month, cover all of December in July & August and all of January in Sept & October. That would be the only way (besides them all of a sudden doing 30 days each month) that we could have our referral in December.

On top of that, the USCIS just decided to allow one free renewal of the I-600A effective July 30, 2007. I'm happy for my friends who WILL benefit from this, but it's about four months too late for us! We mailed in our new I-600A with a hefty check just last month.

Like I've said before, this is a roller coaster ride and some days are up and some days are down...this one is down.

Opinions needed...

on the paint samples we put up today. Click here to check them out.

I've been a bad girl...

on my day off today. Instead of taking care of the many things I have to do around the house, I headed off to the mall. First stop was Coach for the new ergo leather tote that I've been drooling over (note to self: unsubscribe to the Coach e-mail newsletter)...


Then to Macy's where I got sucked right into the cosmetic/fragrance area by an over zealous sales clerk. I really think when they spot someone with a Coach shopping bag in tow, they figure they have a sucker who has no problem spending money. Well, she was right...I picked up Vera Wang's Princess spray and body lotion packaged up in a cute little shopping bag with extra samples and purse size lotion. I deserve it, right? Plus I've got to smell good while sporting my new bag.


Last stop was the women's department where I got a few summer shirts...finally something I actually needed. ;)

Good things come in little packages...

like the sample size paint cans we bought to try out colors for the nursery. Check them out here.

Another month down...

and still counting!

Hopefully this month's referrals will be out soon and we can do our monthly guesstimate on when we'll get our first glimpse of Lauren. I find myself thinking more and more about what she will look like, how old she'll be and where she is.

As we get closer to referral, I feel like I'm riding a roller coaster...the same one we were on years ago when we were trying to get pregnant. I thought that ride was over when we decided to adopt, but I learned pretty quickly that we're right back on. As the months go by, it feels like the drops are steeper and the ride gets more out of control.

Run, do not walk...

to Starbucks to get this TOTALLY adorable travel friendly tic-tac-toe set. The ladybug and turtle pieces tuck away inside the bag and it folds up like a purse.


When unfolded, it makes the cutest game board with soft material that the velcro game pieces stick to. Pretty cute, huh?


By the way, how do you like my bloggy makeover? I felt it was time for a change. Miyoung, is this look easier on your eyes? ;)

The cookie knows...

that I need some major motivation to get moving on the nursery. Maybe the rumored larger than expected referral batch this month would be just what the doctor ordered.


Wouldn't it be awesome if the CCAA actually mananged to get into mid November this month?

Happy Mother's Day!

A great BIG Happy Mother's Day to all my friends celebrating their VERY FIRST Mother's Day as a new mommy (Michele, Nancy, Kim, Julie, Jacquie, Kim, Gen, Tiffany, Christi, Mary Mia, and Lisa). It's been such a pleasure to get to know all of you over the past couple of years (wow, it's been that long?) and watch you all become mommas!

Joe and I had a busy weekend. Yesterday we prepared a Chinese food dinner (kung pao beef, cashew shrimp, and egg flower soup) and brought it over to my in-laws' house to celebrate Mother's Day. Joe's mom is pretty much house-bound at this point, so we decided to bring the meal to her. It was a nice dinner and I think everyone enjoyed it.

Today, we took my mom to Macaroni Grill for an early lunch. We had great service and the food was delicious. Of course, we had to top off lunch with their wonderful chocolate cake...it's to die for!

My mom surprised me with a "mommy-to-be" card and the cutest t-shirt for Lauren (she just couldn't resist this one)!
















Here's the framed, photo collage I put together for my mom. I even left a spot for Lauren's referral photo.


When we got home, there was a rose bush planted in a hand-painted pot with a card. It turned out to be from my nieces and nephew. I love how my nephew writes his name on the card...



My brother called to tell me later that the petals of the painted flowers on the pot are actually the kids' fingerprints. Isn't this an adorable idea?? I LOVE it!



My furbabies got me something for Mother's Day too...

As much as I enjoyed this weekend, I am SO looking forward to celebrating my first Mother's Day with Lauren. Hopefully that will be this time next year!

Referrals are in...

The CCAA hasn't updated their web-site yet, but it seems they got through dossiers logged in before November 1, 2005. They left off at October 26th last month, so that's six days. This is better than the two days they did last month, but not the two-weeks we were hoping for.

If they could manage to get back to referring two weeks every month, we may see a referral this December or January '08. Here's how it would look:

May referrals through 11/11/05
June referrals through 11/25/05
July referrals through 12/9/05
August referrals through 12/23/05
Sept referrals through 1/6/06
Oct referrals through 1/20/06
Nov referrals through 2/3/06
Dec referrals through 2/17/06 (us)
Jan referrals through 3/3/06

According to the polls on RQ, November is a BIG month and it may take the CCAA three months to get through all the dossiers. If this is the case, we can add on another month or two.

This would put us at a 22-24 month wait from our LID of 2/17/06. Doesn't the CCAA realize that we're NOT getting any younger?? I would have NEVER imagined in my wildest dreams that it would take this long to get our referral...this is so frustrating!

Nursery update...

Pop on over to my nursery page and let me know what you think of my latest find and paint chip colors.

Help, I'm suffering from CHAWMS...

That's China Adoption Waiting Momma Syndrome (CHAWMS). Here's the symptoms:

• Constant, nagging feeling of being preoccupied
• Unable to concentrate on any one thing for any length of time
• Unable to focus on projects at home or at work
• Thoughts constantly drifting towards adoption related things
• Feeling like a scatter-brained fool at times
• Chronic forgetfulness
• Unable to go one day without reading blogs or checking on Yahoo groups
• Unable to go half a day without checking RQ
• Unable to go one minute without thinking about your future daughter

Does anyone else suffer any or all of these symptoms? Lately, I've found myself saying "sorry, this waiting is frying my brain" much more than I should be. It seems the closer you get, the more intense these symptoms become. Also, no matter how often non-waiting friends say they understand, they just can't. They feel bad that we have to endure the wait, but just can't really relate to the all encompassing, life on hold, don't know when it's going to end feeling of this wait. CHAWMS can only be truly understood by waiting mommas.

I've seen bloggy friends take a "break" and try to re-group, but how the heck can you just chill and forget about the adoption for a while. I just don't think I can do it. If anyone has taken "the break" and was successful at substantially reducing the CHAWMS symptoms, please let me in on your secret!

Cabazon outlet mall shopping....

This coming Saturday, my friend Linda and fellow waiting momma, Laura, are heading out for a Cabazon outlet mall turn-around trip. Cabazon is about 1/2 hour outside of Palm Springs and has some great stores including Coach, Brighton, and Crate & Barrel. There are actually two outlet malls side by side (this one and this one) making one GIANT shopping mecca.

If any local AZ mommas would like to join us or if any CA mommas would like to meet us there, just let me know. You can e-mail me at suzieq1@cox.net.

Vegas trip...

Our Disney Summit Waiting Mommas group is planning our next trip and it's Vegas, baby! This is open to waiting mommas, hubbies, family and friends. We are looking at weekends in September/October.


If you're interested at all in joining us, join our Waiting Mommas group here. There is a poll up right now to select the dates.

If you're not a big gambler, don't worry, neither am I. There's PLENTY to do in Vegas besides gambling.

CCAA website....

Has anyone else noticed that the CCAA website has been down all day? Hmmm...wonder what's going on. Has anyone been able to pull it up today?

Strange find update...

Well, here's what you get if you find a nut and a screw in your chocolate chip cookie bag. You get this e-mail reply...

Thank you for contacting us about Keebler® Chips Deluxe® Right Bites™ Chocolate Chip cookies. We are sorry that your experience with this product was unsatisfactory.

A report has been made to our Quality Assurance Department. Our goal is to provide consumers with wholesome, high quality products, and we have established strict control measures for each part of the manufacturing process from the delivery of ingredients to the distribution of finished packages. The information you provided will help ensure that our products and services continue to meet the highest quality standards.

To assist in our investigation, we are sending you prepaid mailing materials to return the sample, UPC symbol, and the part of the package that includes the manufacture code. It will include a DHL Worldwide Express airbill for your use in sending your package to Kellogg. Please call 1-800-225-5345 (1-800-CALL-DHL) and tell the representative that you need to make arrangements for a package pick up at your home. The original copy of the airbill will be yours to keep as your receipt. Once your package is turned over to the DHL Worldwide Express courier, it should arrive at Kellogg within two working days. We hope you will be pleased with your next purchase, and will enclose coupons for you to use the next time you shop.

...and you get a postage paid envelope to mail your find (aka, the evidence) back to them so they can "investigate." Oh, you also get two coupons for a free Kelloggs item at a value up to $5.00.


Wouldn't you think finding a greasy nut and screw would warrant a little more than a form letter apologizing for an "unsatisfactory" product? I would think that steel machinery parts in your cookie bag would surprise them at least a little bit. Makes ya wonder how often this happens, doesn't it?

Too many shoes...

I was at Barnes and Noble the other day and picked up the cutest book for Lauren's collection. She can learn how to tie her shoes with Mr. Spider.



Each page shows a different activity and has a pop up shoe for practicing.


Pretty cute, huh?

Strange find...

I had a little something extra in my 100 calorie pack of chocolate chip cookies...



I ate a few of the cookies, then shook the bag a little and something just didn't seem right. I reached in and pulled out a steel nut. I dumped the bag out and there was a screw in there too! My husband, being the mechanical guy that he is, had to see if they fit together and sure enough they do. I think it was a bad day on the old assembly line over there at Keebler. I can't believe that these parts came loose and both fell at the exact moment that my tiny little cookie bag was passing through.

At least it wasn't a finger or something totally gross like that. I'm going to e-mail Keebler and see if they want their parts back. ;)

I thought this only applied to Vegas...

My friend, Janet, clipped this out for me. She saw it in a magazine while we were in Disney...go figure!

Back from Disney and 14 months down!

We had a fabulous time at Disney! My friends, Jennifer & Christine, and I got in on Friday afternoon and met up with Shelley, Joannah, Janice, Kim, Hayley & Hannah, Lisa, and Michelle for dinner at Mimi's Cafe. It was SO nice to meet everyone and to see Lisa again.

We spent Saturday at Disneyland and Sunday at California Adventure. Both days we were at the parks bright and early and didn't give up until almost closing. We had a great time running around like kids and I loved every minute of it...except of course that Space Mountain ride. Christine and I both were a little green after that one, but everyone else loved it. At least we went...we had thought about chickening out at the last minute, but buckled up instead. We both regretted it in the end.

We had a great bunch of women on this trip! There were nine in our group and we stuck together almost the whole time. Everyone just went with the flow and we all had a lot of fun. Everyone got along great...I think it's that special adoptive momma connection!

Here's a photo slideshow of the trip...



Yesterday was our 14th LIDversary!!! Has it really been this long??

We are currently working on updating our homestudy and getting our I-171H renewed. Who would have ever thought 14 months ago that all these documents would actually expire!

Having fun...

No time to write because we're getting ready for a full day at California Adventure, but I wanted to post a couple of photos from dinner on Friday night and yesterday. Gee, can you guess who's wearing the hat in the photo below?

We made it!

A couple of shots on the airport shuttle bus..


Jennifer

Christine

Lisa and I already got the wi-fi going...

Off to California...

Well, our Waiting Momma's Disneyland trip is finally here. Jennifer, Christine and I catch a flight early this afternoon to LAX. I'm so looking forward to seeing Lisa again and meeting so many new bloggy friends.

I think I'll bring my laptop along since the room is supposed to have complimentary wi-fi. If we get some good pics, I'll try to post over the weekend.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Well, it officially sucks...

Well, it's official...the CCAA only got through two days, yes you read that right, TWO DAYS of LID's over the past month! The rumors of this had been buzzing for a few days now, but I was refusing to actually believe it until I saw it with my own eyes on the CCAA website. Well, there it was today as clear as day. Two lousy days...October 25 and October 26...and that's it.

For us to get our referral this Sept/October time frame, referrals would have had to go through mid-November. There are 113 days from where the CCAA left off until our LID. If they can't even maintain two weeks of LID's each month then we may not have a referral until next year sometime! My head is just reeling right now and at this point it may only be a good cry that will help.

Guess who I met today??

Little Miss Tess!!! Julie and Tess are in town visiting family for Easter so they came by. Julie and I have gotten together a couple of times in the past and I was so excited to meet Tess. She is just as cute as her blog photos and very outgoing and funny.

Nancy and Lily came by and we had a really nice afternoon chatting and playing with the girls. Lily and Tess were born only one day apart, which I think is pretty cool!

With the rumors of a tiny referral batch this month, I really needed some cheering up and these two were just what the doctor ordered. (click image to enlarge)

Addy update and bracelets added...

Thank you all for your prayers and good wishes for Addy! We took her in for an echo cardiogram today and her heart is in better shape than they expected, which is good news. The only downside is that her blood pressure was very high and she is now on a new med to see if they can get it under control. We'll take her in for a blood pressure check in a couple of weeks and see how she's doing on the meds. Hopefully we'll have our old girl with us for a while to come!

On another note, I decided to add a couple of bracelet styles to my Close at Heart jewelry site. One with ladybug beads and one with an Asian flair (the large beads have Asian characters on the back side). If you like them, I have ordering instructions on the site. I'd love to make one for you.