LID 22 months today!

Wow, I can't believe that it has now been 22 months since I have been logged in for Abby! Add to that the 7 months of paperwork (paperchasing) and I have been waiting 29 months. Incredible..... I still have a candle lit at all times in Abby's bedroom window. It will be there until she comes home.

Babies!

Referrals have begun to arrive..... Although the CCAA has not yet updated their site it looks like November 30 is infact the cutoff date this time around. That is 5 LID days of referrals issued this month. Better then the 4 days worth of LID days of referrals issued last month. (SIGH)

That leaves 7 more days of LID days until Abby day. I don't know when anymore to expect my referral..... They are saying on RQ that December 5 is also a big day for LID days. I'm thinking that maybe December will be my month if I am very lucky. That would put my wait at exactly 2 years not counting the 7 months of paperchasing.

So on a final note, YAY they are finally finished with November!!!! I know that is a big relief for all of those families. Now bring on the baby pictures :)

Well shoot!!!!

It's being said on RQ today that the cut off for referrals this time around will be November 30. Not Fact but currently an R3. The Spanish rumor site is stating this as Fact (If the translation is right anyway)..... I have seen several posts on the RQ forum where people with LID's on November 30 in the US and Canada have been told by their agency's that they are in. I have not seen anyone with a December LID post this yet.....

Sounds like 5 days is all we are going to get. That pretty much squashes my hope for a November referral and probably means I will not be meeting Abby until February. I am tired........... Nuff said!

Heads up

Today I check my email and see one that is from my adoption family advocate. The title of the email was Heads Up. What would you think???? I opened the message to find out that I was being given the heads up that my advocate would be out of town soon. Maybe I am just being a little sensitive but you would think that at this juncture of my wait......... just maybe my adoption family advocate could have thought of better words to use for that email title :(

On a better note though :) Check out these cute cowboy boots I found at Target tonight for Abby. I can't wait to see her in them :)

Babylegs

I found out about these cool additions to Abby's wardrobe the other day. I love them! Babylegs are like little baby leg warmers. I think they will be adorable under dresses or skirts instead of tights. They can also be worn under pants and cover the gap between your babies sock and the pant leg when they ride up. Sound perfect for China and for the clothing police (HEH).

These are the ones that I got (On Ebay actually). They come as one size fits most and evidently grow with your child up to size 10.

Word Out!

So I'm thinking most people think the word verification thing is a pain in the butt. I took that feature off of my comments a while back and besides 1 strange comment that I deleted I have yet to receive any spam. So bloggers unite! Take off that anti spam feature for your comments that makes you type the word 2 and 3 times sometimes when you swear you typed it correctly the first time. Whats the worst thing that can happen? If you find yourself getting spam then just add the anti spam feature back to your comments :P

Fall

List night for the first time in a while I was chilly. It was 68 degrees when I left my Mom's in shorts and a tee shirt. I turned off my air and opened up the Windows. My cats are in heaven. Today we had a high of 72. I am feeling like Fall is finally coming :) I can't explain why but for some reason it makes me feel closer to Abby. Rumor Queen posted some projections today and they appear to point to a possible referral for me in November. September has been whizzing by almost as fast as I would like. I am ready for the October referrals. I can't wait to see how far they get next time. Please pray that they at least finish November this time around. I have actually been studying some travel packing lists and starting to put some things together in groups to pack. I have even started picking out what outfits I want to bring for Abby to wear. I'll probably wear the same thing over and over cause my girls outfits are probably going to take up my whole suitcase :O

More Mackenzie

I got to spend a couple of hours with Mackenzie yesterday. What a cutie she is!!

She was a little different this time though. She is now mobile :O

It was so cute to watch her pull her self up on things and to watch her crawl around. I have some big time baby proofing to do before Abby gets here but don't worry Mackenzie was safe. I was with her the whole time. She was good enough to let me know what areas I especially need to focus on.

Quackers was definitely interested and even tolerated and occasional grab in her direction.

In Memory September 11, 2001

Please don't ever forget..........

Wow and Thanks

Chris and Deb of Sophie's World and Stephe of Giorgia Danette both nominated my blog for the Nice Matters Award. "This award is for those bloggers who are nice people; good blog friends and those who inspire good feelings and inspiration. Also for those who are a positive influence on our blogging world." This was a very nice and unexpected surprise. I am grateful and honored to have been thought of by them. Chris and Deb are the lucky parents of the lovely Sophie. Their blog has some of the most beautiful photos that I have ever seen. Stephe is another single Mom to be like me. She is waiting for Giorgia and one of the most organized Mom's to be yet that I have already learned so much from. You name the topic and she is either on it or researching it. So Thank you to you guys for thinking of me and for giving me this award!

Now comes the hard part. I am supposed to nominate other blogs for this award. How do I choose??? I just can't do it. I don't want to leave anyone out. I feel so fortunate to have become a part of this blogger community that have been touched by adoption. It is a unique and special group of people that I just can't explain to those who are not a part of it. We all share so many thoughts, feelings and things in common. It's like an unspoken bond of understanding that exists whether we know each other in person or not. This special community is made up of a bunch of just plain nice genuine people! So..... I nominate you all. You all deserve the Nice Matters Award many times over. I don't think any of us would be able to make it on this difficult journey without each other :)

LID 21 Months Today!

How many more? Only the CCAA knows.............

Don't Forget!

Just a reminder. Don't forget to set your VCR and DVD players. Tomorrow Friday September 7th on PBS (Check your local listing for showing times) Arthur's show airs featuring the adoption of his friend Binky's baby sister from China!



Thank you also for all of your encouraging comments in regards to the last 4 day batch of referrals. I really appreciate them. You guys are like cheerleaders at the end of a 100 mile marathon. Just when I feel that I can't stand it anymore you cheer me on. THANK YOU :O

Pity Party

Well today's post is brought to you by the number 4. That's the number of LID'S the CCAA managed to get through this month for this batch of referrals. 4 is also the number of months worth of LID'S (per the rumor queen) that have received their referrals over the last 12 months. Kinda makes you ill doesn't it......

I knew the "some of December" rumor was to good to be true. I just knew it! So how come if I knew it then I still feel let down? Gosh darn it!! I was really hoping to have my referral by November. Is that still a possibility????? Now I have to wait a whole new month to find out.

There are 12 LID'S before my day. Of course things have to get even slower now that my turn is finally approaching. Allrighty then. This will be my only post this month with whining. I will allow myself this one day to feel sorry for myself and then I will move on. I'm sure I'm not the only one hurting today.

On a final note though.... YAY for all of you lucky parents that will finally get to see your children's faces this week! :O

Baby has some new boots

I'm still on pins and needles as I wait to see how the latest rumors pan out so....... I got my girl some new rain boots :O After seeing them on this cutie I knew I needed them for Abby. Yesterday as I shopped in Target there they were. I love them and can't wait to do with my girl what this cutie and her Mama did.

I was fortunate enough to spend the evening with them the other night. What fun it was to watch Mom and daughter together and learn all of this new single Mamas tips :)

Rumors

First off thanks to all of you for your opinions on using bumper pads in your babies crib. Seems like it is more of a personal choice and also depends on if your child is an escape artist or not. Guess I'll have to wait and find out :)

So the rumors are all over the place right now. Kind of unusual this late in the month. RQ Says it is an R3 that the 24th is in but is that also the cut off date for this batch of referrals? Some agencies seem to think it might be. Then there is Spain or the European agencies predictions via their message boards and believe it or not they are still saying possibly some of Decembers LID'S could still be included. I am trying just to stay neutral but it's hard. I am really hoping that they at least refer through November 28 LID'S so that the 7 day trend at least continues. So with all these different rumors swirling around what's a girl to do??? RETAIL THERAPY :)

I ordered these sweet hair clips from Ebay. They have a tiny clip attached. I love that they are crowns. Perfect for my little princess.

Yesterday I went to Tuesday Morning. I hadn't been there in over a year. I scored big with this blanket. It is made by Kecci. They make diaper bags as well. I actually did not buy this yesterday. I then kicked myself all last night and this morning for not buying it. I ended up running back on my lunch hour to get it. It was the only one they had. See I was meant to have it. It is super soft. It retails for $48.00 and I got it for $19.00.

They also had this Lovey there today. I had been looking for it since I had seen it at a recent baby shower that I attended. It wasn't there yesterday. Anyways I picked up 2 of them for $4.99 each. The pictures are not that great because my camera will not zoom for some reason. This too is super soft!

Then this cute flannel jumper for the bargain price of $6.99.

And last of all this sweet dress for later. Size 6. See the little head scarf attached? $14.99 So now bring on the referrals before I do any more damage :O

Another one

So I really have not so much to post. I am just hanging out waiting for the referral rumors to start and anticipating how far they will actually get. Anyhoo, I have another opinion question for all of you out there.

Bumper pads. Did you leave them in your crib or take them out??????

Meme

Shannon (Who I hope to meet one day since we both reside in Virginia) has tagged me for the middle name meme.

You have to post these rules before you give the facts.

1) Players, you must list one fact that is somehow relevant to your life for each letter of your middle name. If you don’t have a middle name, use the middle name you would have liked to have had.
2) When you are tagged you need to write your own blog post containing your own middle name game facts.
3) At the end of your blog post, you need to choose one person for each letter of your middle name to tag. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

Here goes....

L Love- My heart is just bursting with it for Abby!

E Endless- That is what this wait has seemed to be.

E Excitement- I am so excited! My referral is finally getting closer!

So I guess I got off pretty easy. I have seen this Middle Name Meme all over the blogs so if you have not been tagged yet have at it :)

Thanks You All!

Wow , Thank you to everybody for all of your opinions and suggestions and especially for all of the links to what worked best for you. . As I read all of your comments I went back and fourth with my decision :) You all have excellent rationales for both the high chair and the booster seat. The biggest deciding factor for yes to the high chair is the fact that as a single mother it will be a more secure option in keeping her safe. Not that I would confine her in it, but I liked the idea of rolling her around in it while I do a needed task. meaning maybe if I walk a few steps away I can be assured that she won't fall out. The reason I would choose the booster seat would be because it takes up less space and she would actually be a part of the table verses sitting next to it. So....... I am leaning towards the high chair, but ultimately I will continue to ponder this question while I wait for Abby's actual referral. I will see how old she is and then make my final decision.

Opinions please

High chair or booster seat??? I had decided on a booster seat but people at work seem to think a high hair would be better. What do you all think?

Enough already!

I don't get it. Lately there seems to be an outbreak of trolls and just downright mean people attacking various blog sites by making hateful comments. Why???? Are they just so miserable that they feel the need to make everyone else miserable as a result? I just can't begin to imagine what type of person exists that could actually take pleasure in knowing that their actions are purposefully inflicting pain onto someone else. I feel very sorry for the people who have to live around people like that. I mean if you get your jollies off of attacking people that are clearly happy and you don't even know them personally then how do you treat the people you see in person everyday???? What really disgusts me is that the nice well meaning people have to suffer as a result. Bloggers just get fed up and decide to make their blog password protected as a result. I don't blame them but then the innocent ones lose in the process. It's not the blog owners fault. I'm sure they are gun shy after being burned and how can they really know who everyone actually is when deciding who to let have access to their blog. So I just wanted to say that "Mean People Suck!" and "Thanks for ruining it for the REST of us!" Okay. I'll get off my soap box now...........

Night shift

I signed up to work extra at work tonight. I haven't worked a night shift for many years. When I first started working in the ICU it was mandatory that all new nurses work nights and you had to wait your turn to receive the desirable day positions. I worked nights for 3 years before my turn to move to day shifts came. Night shift was rough for me. I had no problem staying up at night but all I wanted to do was sleep on all my days off. The shift differential for nights really helped but in the end it just wasn't worth it.

As of late our night shift has become quite short though. There are more opportunities for overtime as a result. Plus I get the shift differential added in as well. I know it won't be tomorrow but Abby will be here soon. I really need to start working more and saving as much money as I can. I usually have no trouble sleeping in on my days off. Wouldn't you know that today I was up at 10:30 am. That's early for me. I don't have to go in until 11:00 pm so hopefully I will be able to get a nap in this afternoon. Wish me luck :)

Painting update

My initial paint job is about done. I just need to touch up the mistakes but thought I would post some pictures. Below is the rug that was my inspirational piece.

The walls are actually a kind of sage green but look grayish in these photos. I love my wreath. I have had my eye on it for several months now but it was ridiculously pricey. I made a deal with myself. Finish painting and I got the wreath.

My living area. I tore down my mini blinds. Still trying to decide on a window treatment.

The other side of my living area is the dining room and it backs up into the kitchen and foyer.

I'm still trying to decide what color to do the kitchen.

So I think it turned out pretty well but I have to admit that now that the walls have color the rooms seem a little bit smaller. So next on my to do list is Abby's room. I just need to paint the trim in her room and paint her closet. Then I will do the kitchen, then my room and finally both bathrooms. Now that I have started I am very motivated to finish. That should make the next couple of months fly by then hopefully my referral will come?????

Thank you Courtney

Mackenzie's mom Courtney gave me these wonderful gifts for watching her the other day. She really didn't have to. I absolutely loved hanging out with Mackenzie and would do so again ANYTIME! I do love the presents though and had to share.

This cool bag was made out of Japanese Kimonos.

She also gave me this cool butterfly. It will fit perfectly in Abby's room.

LID 20 months today

I can't believe it has now been 20 months since my dossier was logged in with the CCAA! I'm still hoping I will be in China for Christmas. No matter what happens my baby is getting closer that is for sure :)

Also THANK YOU so much for all your prayers and wishes sent for my sisters family and for Maddy. They are hanging in there but it is stil very hard for them.

In loving memory

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.

The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance.

His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

My sister and her family lost a beloved member today. Miss Madeline (shown above opening her Christmas stocking) was her Mommy's girl and first baby. What a good girl she was and we will all miss her. Cancer took her away she had multiple myeloma. Please say a prayer for them and for Maddy...........

Babies!

Some lucky families today received a wonderful surprise. Referrals arrived today and it appears that the cutoff date this time was for LID'S on or before November 21st. My congratulations to all of the families who had their dreams come true today! Referral pictures are starting to pop up and as always the babies are beautiful :).

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As for me, that leaves just 17 more LID's until Abby day! (Actually I was wrong! There are 15 LID'S days until Abby Day) I'm hoping that the at least 7 day trend will continue for referrals. If it does then just maybe I will get my referral in November. That remains to be seen though. Rumor has it that there were some pretty big LID days logged in for the rest of November.

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As far as my painting frenzy...... It was halted by work today. We were slow and I had easy patients that actually probably did not even need to be in the ICU. I kept thinking, "I should be painting!" Unfortunately I work tomorrow too. I so wanted to paint a little tonight but instead I taped off more areas so tomorrow night hopefully I will still be motivated. I will be sure to post pictures once I am done.

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I don't know what is up with blogger tonight! It won't let me leave spaces between my paragraphs .

Nesting Again

So just in case you were wondering how much stuff can you fit in a bug? I am nesting again. It comes in spurts. I packed up all of Abby's clothing that was bigger then size 18 months. Meema and Da were kind enough to let me store them in their storage garage. That really helped to free up some more space in Abby's and my closets.

I actually had more stuff packed in here before I thought to take a picture (Potential blog content ya know :o).

I have also been sitting with only 2 walls painted in my living room for a while now (I know you just shuddered Connie :o). Last night for some odd reason I felt the need to paint. So at 10 PM I started and painted until I ran out of paint. When I got up this morning I went out and got more paint and more paint for the foyer and kitchen as well. I'm on a roll :) But now that the painting is almost done I really feel the need to get some new carpet. Don't know if I should wait till after Abby is bigger or get something good and stain resistant now.

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.