Waiting...

Nine weeks down and still waiting...

Sunny Days!

So Dad posted some great moon pix on his blog that he took last night (and I'm betting that he did not know it was the Asian Moon Festival!). This morning, driving home from work, the sun was so amazing and I thought I should get some pix of it. It was so huge in the sky (the pix don't do it justice size-wise) and the rays streaming off it were magnificent. So here are some sunrise pix as the neon ball makes its way past some morning clouds.

8 weeks down....

It's been 8 weeks since my dossier went to Ethiopia. Each day seems long and grueling but, looking back, it really hasn't seemed that long after all. It is hard to believe that September is winding down. It has finally cooled down (yea!) and is starting to feel like fall. I love this time of year--break out the hoodies! No idea when a referral will come. Two more came this week for a 3 year old and a 5 year old. Exciting that things are moving forward. Courts are due to open in a little over a week and the pediatrician that does all the medicals is back (apparently he had a little hiatus) so maybe things will work in my favor.

Over the weekend, my sister-in-law Lesa and I went baby clothes shopping at Old Navy and Kohl's. Bought several sleepers, nice fleecy ones. I also ordered some long-sleeve onesies from Old Navy (incredible sale) and some socks (I've heard their socks are the best!).

A couple weeks ago I found some cushions to fit the rocking chair in the nursery so now Mom doesn't have to try and make any...here they are with Ollie modeling their comfort. Yes, I posed him there but I did not make him go to sleep...he just conked out.

I also made my fleece blanket out of the same material as my wall-hanging and the quilt Mom made me. I made a similar one for my niece Madi...her's had a green backing.

I'll post again soon...

Happier Post!

So I promised that my next post would not be as dreary as my last. Luckily, it didn't take long to have a better day! No news on the adoption front and work has gotten unbelieveably unbearable (not the work itself, but the "politics") lately but whatev!

So, I went to the dentist yesterday. AUGH! I need a crown and need to have one wisdom tooth pulled...this would all sound scary but I really thought he was going to come up with at least 10 things that needed done. So it was actually a happy visit!

Then I went to put my name on the waiting list at my niece's daycare. It is about 15 minutes out of my way for work but I think it will be worth it. The waiting list at work is horribly long (like my daughter will be old to work there before she will get a space!) and I have been there twice to visit and both times I was treated rudely. So that one's out. My niece's daycare is on my mom's way home from work and also since Madi is there...there will be options for the days when I work past the center's closing time (because not even the hospital's daycare center takes shiftworkers into account). So anyway...I went there yesterday and they were super friendly and very eager to show me around and give me all the details. It seems like there will be no problem to get her in by the time I go back to work. And when I mentioned I was adopting they were very nonchalant; this may sound bad but, just the opposite--everyone usually makes a big deal out of it which my daughter does not need. They have several children at the center who are adopted and they were very eager to know my daughter will be from a different country than the others. They said they had a Chinese New Year's Parade and Chinese food this year for one of the kids and that when my daughter gets into the preschool classes, they will incorporate some culture lessons into the group lessons (yea!!!!). They also have a new toddler that came to them last week they are giving her some one on one time to helping with language skills--wonderful that they recognize the need for some developmental adjustments. I was very excited to hear all this (and the fact that they offered this info to me without my asking shows that they really understand some of the "adoption" issues that are different than their other kids). So I feel very relieved to have that facet of motherhood settled!

Today I received 2 boxes in the mail from the Welcome Addition Club. One had two canisters of Similac and one had two canisters of Enfamil. So I now have enough formula for over 250 ounces! Not sure what I'll end up using but it is nice to get free ones to experiment with. Also lots of great coupons.

Today, Dad and I went and picked up my new couch. One of the local furniture stores was having a great sale and it was actually half price. I didn't NEED a new couch but mine, while comfortable for sitting, was less than adequate for napping. And I figure I'll probably be needing more couch naps and less in-the-bed snoozes in the coming year. The new couch is long enough I can lay down stretched out without scrunching my legs up and it is deep enough that I'll be able to snooze on it with a baby in my arms. They also "scotch-guarded" it with a life-time guarantee against stains, spills, etc.

So, all-in-all a better few days! Going to get off now and do some shopping at Old Navy--they are having a great baby sale and have lots of onesies and bodysuits for INCREDIBLE prices. Not to mention that they have more than just pink and blue. I love their chocolate and pink line of clothing. Too bad I don't know sizes yet...just going to shop a little big and will fill in with smaller later if I need to.

Bummed!

So this week has been kind of a bummer, emotionally speaking. Referrals are coming in for my agency which I should be really happy about--and I am (congratulations to those whose are getting matched up). But it is still hard to watch referrals being given out to others... My paperwork has been "in-country" for almost 7 weeks and still no news. The referrals coming in now are for kids that are already in the House of Hope and I knew that there were no babies in the House right now. Thus, I knew that my referral would take longer than those asking for older children. Still, it has been hard this week. I am excited that progress is being made but I still feel sad and slightly jealous (okay, REALLY jealous!). But that is what this roller-coaster is all about.

Thanks Jenni for all your words of encouragement and your emails, they have meant a lot. The BTDT crowd is so wonderful to have and hopefully I'll be joining that group soon.

Not much else to report. Working hard and trying to muddle through. I promise my next post will be happier!

Happy New Millenium!!

It is now officially the year 2000 in Ethiopia (as of about 45 minutes ago). Kinda of weird to think about the fact that the whole world is not on the same calendar as us. Hmmm...

Happy New Year

Happy New Century

Happy New Millenium

I don't wanna be like Cinderella!

Update on the adoption front--NOTHING!!! Emailed Lindsay yesterday (for my weekly nagging about referrals--she promises me I'm not nagging but she probably commits hari-kari everytime she sees my email address...just kidding! Lindsay is great, very patient!). Anyway she said no news, but maybe some referrals in the next couple weeks...whether mine is among these remains to be seen. Please, Please, Please.

So, shifting gears. Lots of people ask me why I'm not married (is this really a question that needs to be asked?). Hmmm...maybe because I've never met someone who I want to marry, or vice versa. I'm not gay, I'm not mean, I'm not a moocher...I'm extremely shy, socially inept, overweight and intimidating. That last one floored me...I had a coworker tell me a couple years ago that he (if he was still in the "market for a girl") would find me very intimdating! Since when is owning my own house and being independent intimidating? Sure I'd LOVE to be married, never thought I wouldn't be...but I also know that my life is not going to be put on hold while all the guys around get over their inferiority complex because I know how to mow the lawn and handle a drill!

So in honor of that sentiment, here are the lyrics to a wonderful song that sums it up perfectly! (When I get it figured out, I'll actually make the song play on my blog...still working that one out!).

Cinderella

When I was just a little girl
My momma used to tuck me into bed and she'd read me a story.
It was always 'bout a princess in distress and how the guy would save her
And end up with the glory.
I'd lie in bed and think about the person that I wanted to be,
Then one day I realized the fairytale life
Wasn't for me.

I don't wanna be like Cinderella,
Sitting in her dark cold dusty cellar,
Waiting for somebody to come and set me free.
I don't wanna be like Snow White, waiting
For a handsome prince to come and save me
On a horse of white, unless we're riding side by side.
Don't wanna depend on no one else.
I'd rather rescue myself!

Someday I'm gonna find someone
Who wants me body, soul, heart, and mind,
Who's not afraid to show that he loves me.
Somebody who will understand
I'm happy just the way that I am.
Don't need nobody taking care of me.
I will be there for him, just as strong as he will be there for me
When I tell myself it has got to be an equal thing.

Chorus

I can slay my own dragons.
I can dream my own dreams.
My night in shining armor is ME.
So I'm gonna set me free!

Chorus

Nerd Alert!