Progress with Nursery

I couldn't wait any longer; I had to see the crib up! This weekend Pat finally gave into my nagging and assembled the crib and I immediately put the bedding on. I love it all together! We bought the dresser when we moved and the pink on the drawers can change colors to white, yellow or green. I will probally take the mirror off and use the dresser as a changing station. I still need to paint the room and look for a book case, curtains and lamps. Hopefully we will start the painting in the fall, but we still have plenty of time. I find myself just walking into Lily's room and sitting in the rocking chair to refelct on this whole process. I am a believer in that "things happen for a reason" so I am at peace with this extended wait but I can't wait to have my baby in the crib!

18 Months

In Chinese tradition, the number 18, normally 十八 (shí bā), can also be read as 幺八 (yāo bā), which sounds like 要发 (yào fā), meaning that one is going to prosper. Thus, building floors numbered "18" are often very expensive in China.

That's just a little tid bit of info. I thought I would pass along because we have officially been waiting 18 months! I really have nothing else to say about that!

Still no firm info. about referrals this month. I am hoping they at least get to November 21st but further would be great. We should hopefully know something by the end of next week.

Anniversary

Today is our 8 year wedding anniversary, Happy Anniversary Pat! We have finally been married for as long as we dated. Yes, we dated for 8 years but when you meet as teenagers it does not seem that long. You would think I would be much better at this waiting game!! We have also spent more than 1/2 of our life together which really seems like a long time! I am really looking foreward to celebrating tonight over a nice dinner and a few glasses of wine. It is the time of month where the wait is excruciating, I just need to know how far they will get with referalls this month. The positive rumor floating around last week about making it into December does not seem likely, hopefully we will at least get another 7 days!

Where is Lily?

Well she's in China! We just don't know where in China. Last night I had a dream and in my dream I kept repeating " Jiangsu". That is the name of a Province in China and I don't know why I was saying it but I am wondering if this is where Lily is right now! My friend Dave keeps a cool map that he updates each month. The map shows a sampling of where the babies are being referred from. Looking at Dave's map shows me no recent referrals from the Jiangsu Province lately but we never know what will happen when it is our turn! BTW Jiangsu is # 12 on the map.

Weekend Fun and CRAZY RUMOR!

We had a great day at the beach on Saturday with the "99ers" and then the Murphy's hosted a fabulous cookout! It was so great being with all our friends that we have made over the last 18 months. I actually think I felt some excitement in the air with the November families. Their wait is close to being over sometime in the next 1 - 3 months! We talked about what we think referral day will be like, traveling and "gotcha day". We talked about registering and nurseries. I think we are all staring to see the light at the end of the tunnel! The weekend was followed by a nice lunch with Kathy today. Kathy shares a LID with me and is with my agency so we will travel together. Kathy only lives an hour away so we were able to meet for lunch and a little shopping. We did a little damage at Baby Gap, Gymboree and Pottery Barn Kids! It was a great afternoon!! OK, Now it is CRAZY RUMOR time! RQ reports that an agency told an early December family that they would get their referral in August. There is no way this is going to happen and I refuse to believe it, it is to good to be true. Oh, how I wish to be proven wrong but I just don't think it will happen. So I guess the roller coaster begings for this month. Hold on tight!

Quiet around here

It is that time of month where there is not much going on in "adoption world". The next set of referrals should be here around August 6th and they will probally cover only another weeks worth of dates. At this point I have stopped trying to predict when our referral will arrive. I am now obsessed with when November 30th will receive their referrals. I think that once November is completed there could be a slight speed up and maybe the CCAA will start referring 2 weeks at a time. Also, I am so excited to see three of our November 30th friends get their referrals! I am so excited to welcome home some of Lily's first friends!!!

July Referrals

Referrals have arrived through November 14th. Another week down. Progress but still very slow! At this rate it could take another 3 months to finish up November, I have lost all hope for a referral before Christmas. I have not lost ALL hope because I know we will receive a referral and we will one day bring our daughter home. We will just wait because that is what we have to do.

Happy Birthday Shea!

Shea turned 5 today! So hard to believe that 5 years ago I became a mom. Shea is a sweet and loving little boy who always has a twinke in his eye. He LOVES to play and has the best imagination. He always has a hug for us when we walk into the house and I still get lots of cuddle time from him. My boy is getting big and older and I wish I could capture his youth and put it into a bottle. I am so proud of his kindness and he is a great big brother to Bryce and can't wait for his baby sister to come home!