Why the change?

I've had a few comments that my blog, in certain browsers, is extremely difficult to read because a very dark block of pink obscures the text. So in response to the comments and emails, I have changed my template. So Kikalee, hope this is better and thanks to everyone else, who let me know, I needed to make a change.

4 Good, 1 Not so Good

Good 1: Eammon returns tonight from his week in Boston. The house has been too lonely and I don't sleep when he's away, so his return, a good thing.

Good 2: My new July Secret Pal sent this awesome Michael Miller fabric textured scrapbook paper and an adorable frame which I already envision displaying lots of beach pictures of Baby S. Now that the nursery is almost completed and I have this cool new paper, I can get started on Baby S's 100 good wishes book. Thank you my new pal, you have my taste pegged perfectly and both items are such a great match for the making memories theme!

Good 3: After 20 days of being sick with bronchial pneumonia and strep throat, I'm finally breathing close to normal, my energy level though still low, is getting better every day and I no longer sound like Barry White, Selma Bouvier or even Marge Simpson, my voice is almost completely female and back to normal. I can't believe that I have been knocked on my arse like this, but now spring is here and it's time to be healthy again.

Good 4: Now don't be getting all excited about this until you finish reading the Not so Good.

Our dossier (adoption application documents) was logged in (registered) at the CCAA office on August 10, 2005. The fact that it has passed though the review process without any questions or problems is fantastic! The next step for us, in the process, is the Matching Room where we will be matched with Baby S.

Not so Good: The real important date is the one in the second paragraph of the picture. See, dossiers can sit in the matching room for 1, 2 , 3...endless months before they are finally matched and the new parents get their referral. The May 25th date is from last month's update and according to what the agencies are saying, the all important placement date will only change by a mere 5 days!! So, referrals will only come out for people whose dossiers were logged in before May 30, 2005. An entire month for CCAA to match 5 days worth of dossiers! There are 73 days between May 30 and August 10, so if they only match 5 days of dossiers each month, let's see...We should see Baby S's picture sometime in June 2007!

Think I'll become an ostrich and go bury my head in the sand!

Who could it be?

It's Kikalee!! What a sweet way to end the August swap, an absolutely adorable height chart and scrumptious gourmet chocolates from my home state! I love the height chart, it's wonderful as it has stickers for each year up to age 10 and the chart is heavy, like the hard cover of a book, so it'll be a great keepsake for Baby S.

Then there's the chocolate. Now I'm not talking your run of the mill Godiva or any other mass produced chocolates, I'm talking rich, decadent, gourmet chocolate! I'm lucky that I got this picture while the box was still full because had the picture not come out, the box would be down two pieces already. I've already had a gorgeous orange creme and a delicious coffee truffle. Gee, it's really too bad that Eammon is in Boston for the week and I'm here with the chocolates...all alone!

I love that R joined in on all the shopping sprees and helped pick out the gifts, that is soooo sweet! We have loved every beautifully wrapped unique, informative, adorable, interesting, beautiful and practical gift. Thank you for being such a great pal, we're going to miss your packages each month!

Anyone want to place a bet on how many chocolates will remain when Eammon returns Friday night?

Working on the nursery

Now that I am starting to feel better and in hopes of getting our referral sometime this year, I have started working on the nursery again. I have added lots of pictures to the Nursery in Progress link located in the side bar and I have also made a video of pictures, (practicing for the future) starting at the doorway of the nursery and moving around the room.
When I look around the nursery, I can't help but think of all our wonderful friends and my secret pals, whose gifts seem to be in every corner. Most recently we received a Fabulous hand made Raggedy Ann and a beautiful, soft pink knit blanket with hearts, both from dear friends, Pat and Gary. We love them both, thank you so much for thinking of us! My Mom also made an adorable padded book for Baby S, which I know she'll love!

The canvas at the entrance to the room was painted by a wonderful artist in Florida, named Elaine. She was fabulous to work with and the results, Wow! If you are looking for something custom, contact her, she was the best! The canvas is 7 1/2 feet long by 5 feet high so to Baby S, it's just going to seem huge. Gosh, I sure hope she isn't afraid of animals otherwise I'll be in trouble!

Local Adopters gather again

Last night our local adopters gathered for dinner and it was a blast as usual. It was great meeting some new families and of course meeting little Miss Ansley was the highlight of the night.

Brought to you by the letter "B"

I have been house bound with bronchial pneumonia and strep for the past twelve days, so when the postman rang the bell with package in hand, it was time to celebrate.

This was the first month of my new August swap and it was an ABC swap. My wonderful new pal sent a box full of "B" items, all of which I love! The Bibsters, bunny, binky and the butterfly rattle are definitely going to China with us and probably the Ladybug book too. The book is so cool, it rattles, crinkles and has parts that can be moved and played with, along with a cute little story. I also love the love bug bib, the colors are so pretty and it's so cute, if you squeeze the bug's belly, it squeaks! I can't wait to have little Baby S wear the bib and play with toys and book.

Thank you, my new August Pal, all the gifts really helped to make me feel better today.

97.2

I have been very sick since last Sunday, running a fever of well over 100, so when I saw 97.2 (yes, that is my normal temperature) on the thermometer this morning, I was ready to dance for joy. I would have too, if I wasn't so darn exhausted and sore from five days of attempting to cough up a lung or two. I sound like Barry White impersonating Marge Simpson and all I can dream about is being able to lay flat in bed for more than 18 seconds without my lungs filling with fluid.

I feel so out of the loop, being 5 days behind on blogs, boards and emails, but I'm just too tired to sit at the computer for more than a few minutes. Plus, getting to the computer involves climbing Mount Everest, OK it's only one flight of stairs, but I'm sick!

Off to try and nap in the recliner. Catch up with everyone soon.

7

When we started the adoption process, the wait once your dossier was logged in at the CCAA was between six and eight months. BUT, things have sloooowwwweeeeddd dooooowwwwwnnnnnn. Here we are at seven months and we aren't even close! I do hope that things speed up somewhat so that we can get our referral maybe late summer???

Surprise!!

Tonight was a surprise 40th birthday/citizenship party for Eammon. He was both surprised and delighted that so many of our friends along with my parents, came to celebrate with him. Eammon was spoiled with a wonderful variety of beers, the few which still remain are pictured to the right.
Truth be told, the real belle of the ball was little Miss Emily, who had been home for less than 24 hours.
Turns out, Emily and Eammon became citizens on the same day!
Emily got a few prezzies too.
The other star of the evening was Charleigh who was adorable mugging for the camera.
Testing out my new glider, my Mom got lots of love and attention from Emily & Charleigh.
Sonia and Hugh, who will be next to receive their referral got in some practice hugs with Emily while everyone else ate, drank and celebrated.

205 New American Citizens

This morning in Atlanta, Eammon, along with 204 other people, from a total of 66 different countries, took their Oath of Allegiance and became U. S. Citizens.

The ceremony was very touching and as I listened, I felt happy and proud that so many people chose to become U.S. citizens. I realized as each name was called and Certificate of Naturalization presented, that for some, becoming a U.S. citizen won't change their lives dramatically, but for others the impact on their lives and the lives of their family is huge. I felt somewhat sad hearing the names of the countries and knowing that for some, the conditions and/or politics of their homeland forced them to leave everything and everyone they knew behind and that they may never see their county of birth again.

So of course all of this got me thinking of our daughter and what her future holds. We feel strongly that our daughter will first and foremost be an American. We'll expose her to the culture and traditions of her birth country and will help foster a sense of pride in her Chinese heritage, but we won't force her to be involved in Chinese language, dance or other classes unless she has the interest and desire. I hope that she grows up proud to be an American, proud to be of Chinese descent and I hope that someday she will chose to travel around China and learn of her birthplace. Overall, I hope that our daughter grows up proud of who she is and happy to live in the U.S., a country which truly is a melting pot of people from diverse backgrounds, cultures and origins.

It could only mean one thing

What does it mean when there's a giant box at my door? It could only mean that my August/September CCAI Secret Pal sent another gift. She must already have children as she sends the things that I really need along with stuff just for fun. This package included Six adorable bibs each with a funny saying, disposable bowls, cups and spoons which will be perfect to take with us to China, and lots of toys for Baby S. In addition, she sent this absolutely adorable metal ladybug which I keep moving from place to place, trying to find the perfect spot to put it on display.

Even though I don't yet have a name to attach to you, my pal, know that I am sending good vibes for your upcoming surgery. Thank you for all the wonderful gifts!