Abby's Baby

Look what I scored on Ebay. Isn't she adorable? They have more :) The dealer was great I think I paid around 20 bucks for her. She is well made. Here is the Link if you want to check her out.

Mini Reunion

Our friend Molly was home from Chicago last weekend so we had a mini reunion with the local gals! It was great to be together again and PARTAY :) I have to admit though that this girl (me!) is getting a little too old to party like a rock star. Good thing I don't do it very often :)

Meema strikes again!

Abby's Meema is a fabulous knitter as evidenced by this beautiful dress she just finished for Abby. Thank you Meema! I love it and can't wait to see Abby in it :)
UDATE Meema Is a great knitter but she also can also crochet! That is actually what she did to make this beautiful dress for Abby. Sorry Meema!











Just thought I would add this photo of Meema and Cousin Sarah teaching Erin and Christopher how to knit :) Erin is hidden between CJ and Sarah.

Birthday Girls!

This past Sunday we celebrated the Birthdays of my Niece Erin (9) and Annetta (my brothers girlfriend) the newest addition to our family. The cakes this year were store bought :(



We celebrated at Meemas. It was an extra special weekend because Cousins Sarah an Kevin were here for a visit. It had been ages since we had seen them and it was wonderful to have them here :)

We had steamed Crabs and Clams for dinner and they were yummy. I had no idea that Erin and Christopher were such good crab pickers.

Little Miss Porsha wearing her pearls that Meema got her.

She's a princess and she knows it :)

Mr Killy watching for shadows.

The day ended with a beautiful sunset on the York river.

Meet Mackenzie

Yesterday I had the pleasure of spending 13 hrs with Mackenzie. I work with her Mom and she had daycare issues so I babysat :) Mackenzie is 8 months old and probably at the developmental stage that Abby will be so it was great practice for me. We had so much fun and she broke in the nursery for me. This little one rarely stops or sleeps (sorry Courtney :o ) She also tried out some of Abby's toys.

Some of the things I learned yesterday were.... Abby's bedroom door is very squeaky. Makes it hard for a quiet sneaky get away. The lawn people are going to be an issue. After a 1.5 hr nap ( Her Mom says she usually sleeps 2 or 3 hrs) They decided to trim the hedges right out side her window. Woke my girl right up! (Must invest in sound machine). Baby Einstein videos rock! She loved it and watched almost the whole thing at 8 months! My glider rocker is super comfy. I am going to love it! Finally.... A baby's smile is the best thing in the world! (I already knew that :o)

It was so neat to have a baby in Abby's room. I loved yesterday and think I am ready to take my Abby girl on :o I can't wait! Below, the crib finally gets some action :) And also, don't reem me for the pillow in the crib. her Mom brought it and said it is the only way she sleeps.

This and that.

Well lookie here what I found in my mailbox. A second brown envelope. I guess from renewing my I 171 form way back when ??? Seems like it took longer this time around since I don't even remember when I renewed. So I guess I have a spare now. Not necessarily a bad thing :) Let's hope I don't have the need for a 3rd one.

Is it me or is this summer just flying by? Seems like it was just barely June and now were over halfway into July. The drum beat seems to be getting a little louder too. I'm starting to feel like my turn is finally coming. It's like a different phase of the wait. It still feels endless but at the same time it feels a little like it's gaining on me. I have quite a few things on my to do list as well. Time to get busy. I have to admit too that I am starting to get a little nervous. Mostly at night right before I fall asleep. My mind really wanders with a lot of what if's and worries. I can really get myself going sometimes. Guess I better get used to it though. It's all a part of motherhood.

And the current RUMORS???? They sound way to good to be true! I'm not counting on them at all. I will not let myself fall for them again. Just please god let me have my baby in my arms by December.

China Boots!

Every time I have gone somewhere that involved a lot of walking my feet have paid the price. Two times in particular will always remain fresh in my memory. The first time was on my first trip to New York City. It was summer and I wore aerasoles (sp?) slides/mules. I figured they would be soft and comfy (they always had been). Not so much. As I'm sure you know we walked a lot all weekend. By the second day I had terrible blisters. My blisters formed in a terrible place. The soles of my feet. It was awful, the pain I will never forget! I basically had to window in all my blisters with moleskin and wear tennis shoes the rest of the weekend. Not fun.

The second time it happened was in New Orleans. I think I was stupid enough to wear the same shoes. It was spring this time. I went for a nursing conference. I didn't think there would be a lot of walking involved. Boy was I wrong. First I had never been to New Orleans and had no idea it was going to be so much fun. The first day we got there we walked every where (including) Burbon street. You guessed it ! That night the same thing. Blisters on the soles of my feet. Agony the next day and another trip to the drug store for moleskin. You would think I would of learned. The conference was at the convention center (pre Katrina) and that place was huge. My feet were literally burning.

So, (on this so exciting post) the next time I went to New York City I was ready. We went during the Christmas holiday and I wore a pair of Ugg boots. They were so comfortable and I did not get one blister and we walked every where! I know my China trip will involve tons of walking. Plus I will be carrying Abby for a large part of the trip. I need some comfy footwear. Blisters would ruin things in a big way. So tonight I found my dream pair of Ugg boots in Chocolate and I ordered them. I got them at zappos.com. A great deal!

I still believe everything happens for a reason. I'm pretty sure I will be traveling in either the Fall or Winter Months so the boots will be perfect :) But I am still definitely adding moleskin to my packing list.

LID 19 Months Today!

And now it's 19. I said I would not speculate and I'm trying not to. I don't think My Abby will be in my arms until after the New Year is here. I'm not counting on it. Really I'm not. So how come I am still hoping that she might be or could be??? It's a nagging feeling that I can't shake. A feeling of it could be possible..... I'm letting myself think it could happen sooner then it probably will. I think it will be close and could go either way. There I go again speculating! I don't want to, I don't want any more disappointments. Even though I know it's likely I can't just let myself believe I will meet her next year. I know... I am going to be sorry... My hopes will end up being dashed.

Referrals!

They are coming! According to Rumor Queen the cut off is November 14th. That leaves 24 days (of LID'S) until it's finally my turn. Now bring on the pictures and a Big Congratulations to all you Mamas and Papas to be :'D

Happy Independence Day!

8 things Meme

I have been tagged (Thanks Laura and Sarah) to name 8 random things to come up with about myself.



1- I have broken many bones. My wrists between the 2 at least 7 times. I wasn't terribly clumsy, I just tend to stiffen up my arms when I fall. In case your wondering the hows, the first time I was playing circus and fell off my rocking horse while standing, the second time was exactly one year to the date of the first. I fell at school while doing the crossbars and trying to skip one. I don't remember the order of the rest but twice involved a ball that I stopped with my hand, once a dark collision with another person while playing manhunt, once roller skating, and finally again on the crossbars at school. It was in gym and I told the teacher I couldn't do it due to my history. She made me do it anyway. You guessed it, I fell not only breaking my wrist but also my ankle as well. I again broke the same ankle several years later in a car accident. (My sister was driving). Also (can you believe it?) I have broken my heel. I don't recommend jumping off the back of a jacked up pickup truck onto concrete.





2- I was born in Vecenza Italy. I also lived in Cadiz Spain for three years as a child. I loved Spain. I remember quite a bit and would love to go back one day.





3- I have been an ICU RN for 13 years and I love it. I most love that by the end of the day I know I was able to make a difference for someone else.


4- I am a shy person pretty much everywhere but at work. Not sure why I am not shy at work. I guess I just really feel good about what I do.




5- I decorate cakes. I have never had any formal training, just kind of learned on my own. I have made almost every single Birthday cake for my Niece and Nephew here in Virginia.


6- I am addicted to the Weather Channel and CNN. I must check them both periodically through out the day.


7- I have gained way too much weight during this wait for my Abby from China. I need to work seriously on this now before she gets home.



8- I never thought I would still be single at this point in my life. It's partly my fault though. After being burned a few too many times I have built up a significant wall of protection around myself. I need to put some windows in though cause I really hope that I'm not single my whole life.



So there you have it. 8 random things about me. If you haven't done this Meme already consider yourself tagged.

All Done!

Abby's dresser is all done :) I think it turned out pretty well. I can't wait to start putting her clothes away in it. I'm also thinking that I might be able to put a changing pad on part of it? What do you guys think???? The dresser is actually wider then it looks in the picture and it would fit one.

Once I get her dresser filled then I will tackle her closet. It's not to pretty right now. Thanks also for the suggestions to separate her clothes by size. I'm embarrassed to say that I have done that. The clothes in her closet are size 9 months to 12 - 18 months. I know, I am out of control :) A lot of the clothes are hand me downs though. I am never one to turn those down. I love baby clothes! Plus I have been buying cute baby stuff for others for years and it's now finally my turn :)

I will say though for you guys that are much earlier in the process, if you can control your self try and space buying your baby clothes out. The reason I say that now is because I am still seeing Lot's of cute stuff I want out there. Now I am having a hard time though cause I know she will never be able to wear everything so I can't justify buying anything else. (Unless of course it's really cute!)

The Red Couch: Chinese Adoption

I found this cute video on you tube. It shows a travel group shooting their red couch photo. Can you say ADORABLE? I love how the camera turns to record the paparazzi. I bumming because by the time I get to go over the White Swan will be closed for a facelift. Oh well.

Thank you also for all of your crossed fingers. My ac coil just needed to be unclogged and of course some freon. Thank goodness!

Oh what a Mess!

My babies room is a mess! A while back I painted one of the dressers from my room for Abby's room. You can see it in the picture. It used to be cherry but i painted it white and changed the drawer handles to these cute knobs that I found at Target. Well now all of those drawers are packed and I still have a lot more to place. Her closet is a wreck and I can't begin to organize it until I put away all of her non hanging stuff first.

If your still with me on this oh so exciting post, I decided to move my other dresser into her room. So I'm painting it tonight. Now my stuff is stacked in my closet but my girl needs the dresser more then me. She definitely has more clothes then me.

I had planned on getting new bedroom furniture anyways. the dressers belonged to My Nanny. I think she would like the idea of her dressers being in Abby's room.

By the way my shelf is still hanging!

Six more drawers for Abby's stuff! I'm so excited :) Once all of her clothes and accessories are put away then I will finish her closet. Then with the exception of a few little things her room will be done. Now I have to convince Quackers that this is really not her room....

Signs that my Niece made for Abby's door. Did I mention that it is currently 80 degrees in my house right now? My thermostat is set on 65. The air con people are coming tomorrow. Fingers crossed that I only need Freon.

Yikes!

I guess first timers like me need to be ready for anything :O

Just a funny

Since I have nothing to post, I give you this :) And yes I have 2 cats.

Diary Excerpts From A Dog And A Cat

The Dog's Diary

8:00 AM - Dog food! My favorite thing!

9:30 AM - A car ride! My favorite thing!

9:40 AM - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!

10:30 AM - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!

12:00 PM - Milk bones! My favorite thing!

1:00 PM - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!

3:00 PM - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!

5:00 PM - Dinner! My favorite thing!

7:00 PM - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!

8:00 PM - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!

11:00 PM - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!


The Cat's Diary

Day 983 of my captivity.

My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep my strength.

The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet. Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates my capabilities. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a "good little hunter" I am. Bastards!

There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of "allergies." I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage.

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow, but at the top of the stairs.

I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog gets special privileges. He is regularly released, and seems more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded.

The bird must be an informant. I observe him communicate with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe. For now!

Cool Stuff

My friend Randi sent me the link to this

This cute little pan can be found at Williams-Sonoma.

Diana

I have always admired Princess Diana so I made sure to watch Matt Lauers interview with William and Harry tonight. I think she would be pretty proud of how her boys have turned out.

Dads day!

Happy Fathers Day to all the Dads and Dads in waiting out there and a special BIG HAPPY FATHERS DAY to all of the Dads in my life! I hope you have a GREAT day :)

Summer time

I saw my first lightning bug tonight. I know summer doesn't start officially until June 21st but to me lightning bugs always mean summer. Tonight as I watched a lone lightning bug flash on my deck I started wondering............ What makes them flash. I googled them to see.

Turns out they make their own light due to some sort of special cells in their belly. These cells produce a chemical and a enzyme that combine to make the light. What I found even more interesting was that when the lightning bug is flashing they are doing so to attract a mate. When the perfect mate is found she flashes back to signal that she's into the mate. They then due some heavy flashing between the two of them (I guess their flirting with each other?) before they actually mate. It's true I'm not making this up. I read it here.

Anyhow...... I really didn't have anything to post until I saw the lightning bug. It got me thinking. Spring sure did fly by fast. Now if only summer will do the same. No offense to all of you summer loving folks out there, I just really want time to fly so I can get my referral :)