Local waiting China moms for "Italian night" at the Zimmerman's. Thanks for hosting Jill!  

Fellow waiting China moms and I had lunch Friday at Tea Leaves and Thyme Tea room in Woodstock. ooh la la! Like my hat?? 

These little kitty cats belong to my friend Leigh Anne. They are my China adoption inspiration! Thanks for the update Leigh Anne! 

On the edge of my seat

Fellow adoption travelers: I, like many of you, am on the edge of my seat waiting for referrals. There's a message on CCAI website today which indicated that referrals are indeed on the way, but..............That this batch may only include those with LID through March.

Of course, I have always known that time frames are elastic and that referral wait time speeds up and slows down periodically with China adoption. But I have to confess, I felt like I had been kicked in the gut when I read this. I was clearly not alone, as the adoption boards lit up like a Christmas tree when this came out.

I have been charting LID to referral times (C'mon admit it.............You do it too) and this shouldn't set us back more than a month or so. I now expect a referral in April or May instead of March or April, and in the big scheme of things, I know this isn't catastrophic by any means.

But ugh!

It really helps to be on the boards with so many parents working on their second or third adoption, and I so appreciate all the encouraging messages coming from them today. It has really helped me keep things in perspective. Many have shared their experiences of delays in the past, and indicated that without these delays they wouldn't have their current child---which would be unimaginable for them. Others have shared that back in the "old" days referral wait times were 10, 12, and sometimes 14 months, so I keep telling myself that a referral in 7 to 8 months is cake! My mind knows it, I've just got to give a pep talk to my heart.

Freebie for us MIT's

In case your wondering...............MIT is "mother in training"

On the advice of a friend and my homestudy Social Worker, I went ahead and joined the Publix Baby Club, and not only did I get a bunch of coupons, but the above book published by the American Society of Pediatrics. This book is a wealth of info, especially for someone starting MIT from square one. It contains info on practical "how to" kind of stuff, sample appropriate menus for different ages, info on various illnesses and problems, developmental milestones, bonding...........and much more. Love it!

To get your own freebie, just pick up a registration card at your nearest Publix, pop it in the mail, and you'll get your book in about 4-6 weeks. cool beans

My give a damns busted

Anybody out there familiar with the country song "My give a damns busted?" well, so is mine. Matter of fact, I should make that my canned answer for anything not about babies, adoption, China, China travel, China history, etc. etc. etc. I am a woman possessed, but I'm not alone. There are many of us out there, I've discovered.............. Stalking adoption blogs, reading every book on babies, adoption and China within a 200 mile radius, diligently cutting quilt squares, decorating nurseries, charting referral times and provinces...................And the list goes on.

I work in a nursing home, and one of my residents,(we'll call her Ms. M) sits in the hall every day chewing gum. This is her favorite (and only) activity, per her choice. One day, I was feeling particularly chipper, and stopped for a moment to chat with her. Our encounter went as follows:

Me: Well, hellooooo, Ms. M! How are you today?

Ms. M: You got any gum?

Me: Well, no mam, but.....How are you feeling?

Ms. M: No gum???? (with a dismissive wave of the hand) Move on down the hall, child .........Just move on down the hall!

Ms. M gave me a chuckle because I know just how she feels. Not related to adoption or China???? Move one down the hall, child.....Just move on down the hall.

ladybugs everywhere

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, to my August-DTC Secret Pal for the ladybug surprise on my doorstep. I love the ladybug earrings as well as the picture frame. Interestingly enough, the picture frame had 5 lady bugs on the top, and I am so hoping we get our referral less than 5 months from now! (for newbies to China adoption, ladybugs are symbol and a sign of good luck in our adoption community)

On Saturday morning, I joined some fellow club members (Roswell Junior Women's Club) to volunteer as "Buddies" for the Miracle League. This is a wonderful program that gives special needs kids the opportunity to be part of a team, to "hoot and holler" and run the bases, and just be a kid. Not only do the kids get to take part in a quintessential childhood experience, but to learn new skills and interact with people, which can help develop concentration, social skills, and build self esteem. Anyone looking for a worth while volunteer opportunity should consider your local Miracle League! For more info, check out www.miracleleague.com


Not only was it rewarding to watch the kids meet new challenges and have fun, but it was just as wonderful to see beaming parents, grandparents, brothers, and sisters, cheer them on, watching them succeed in areas that so many of us take for granted.

I know what its like to watch someone you love accomplish something that you, and they, thought might not be possible. I love someone very much, who has overcome what once felt like insurmountable obstacles to craft for himself a life that is rich and rewarding despite the challenges. He amazes me daily with his gumption and determination, and I admire and respect his refusal to give in to the limitations that illness and society might place on him if he let them.

When Jimmy and I first decided to proceed with adoption, a person close to us expressed more anxiety than excitement. The anxiety centered around the fear that we might adopt a child with "some kind of problem." We, like all waiting parents, send prayers for Amelia's physical and mental health every single day. But the bottom line ---I'm a bottom line kinda girl if you haven't noticed----is that life doesn't hold any guarantees for anyone. Not for birth parents..........Not for adoptive parents. All that we can do is hope and pray that we get the child we are meant to have, and for the strength and wisdom to steer that child through whatever obstacles she may face. I can't bear to live my life as a captive to the fear of what if???

If Amelia has some "sort of problem", what we'll do is this...... We will love her and care for her. We will make sure that she has the best care and education possible. We will laugh with her when its funny, and cry with her when its sad. We will cheer her on when she succeeds, and console her when she doesn't. We will do everything in our power to make sure that she has the love, security, and resources to succeed, whatever life's challenges. That is what parents do.

As a teenager, I had a poster that pictured a mountain climber ascending the peak of a snow capped mountain. The caption read: "If you never risk going to far............how will you know how far you can go?"

How far is too far to be a mother????

Beyond infinity, I'm sure.

The Famous Brown Envelope

We received the BROWN ENVELOPE yesterday! Its essentially just an acknowledgement from the American Consulate in China that we have been approved to adopt an orphan and that they will be expecting us to make an appointment for our babies visa. It also contains paperwork that we'll take with us to China. I'm usually the worlds worst at keeping up with things but this....I'll clutch within an inch of its life for the next 6 months.

Only 4 and a half months until we get our referral IF we keep on the current schedule.

Woohoo!

These are the fellow China Adopters that we meet for a monthly dinner. We are all adopting within a 6 month period, and all live within a relatively small radius. Next Month is Italian night. Thats Amore...

Thank you Secret Pal

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, Secret Pal!!!!!!!!!!!!

I came home to a package of goodies from my September LID secret pal.

She really went above and beyond the call of palhood with:

Ladybug magnet and note pad(ladybugs are a symbol of Chinese adoption)

Pink Journal with matching pen

Hooded baby towel and 6 matching wash cloths (pink-my favorite)

Baby Einstein lullaby CD

I had piles of laundry practically slithering toward the laundry room on their own, but after opening my package, I just said "SHOO! BAD LAUNDRY---BACK TO THE HAMPER!"

and kicked back with a big ole cup of coffee, put on the lullaby CD (which I listened to 3 times) and read several chapters of my Discovery Channel Insight Guide to China---which I highly recommend!

what a lovely afternoon

hmmmmm......thats peculiar. I know it wasnt there yesterday 

Thank you for the beautiful dress grandma Jessie!-----Amelia's first dress sewn by my mom--who also sewed many dresses for me. sweet. 

Pretty in Toile 

China Adoption Sonogram. Cute