Happy Log-In-A-Versary to Us

Well, 1 year since we were logged in at the CCAA. When we got our LID last year, I had no idea that one whole year later we would still be waiting for referral. At the rate things were going then, we should have been home from China with our baby months ago. But, last fall things started slowing down. I kept hoping it was only temporary and that it would pick up soon. It didn't. It seemed to get worse. Then a little better. But with some referrals that came in today, it seems that it has gotten worse again. Only a about a week's worth of LIDs referred??! Ugh! I am NOT liking this. But, what can we do but wait until it's our turn? True, I could sulk a little bit, which I may do with fellow August LIDs, but other than that, no one really cares or can sympathize. Sigh. I had finally (I thought) come to grips with the wholealomst-a-half-month at a time thing, thinking that OK - referral in October and travel in Dec would be alright. But now?! Who knows. I think it will be a sad, sad holiday season. Thank goodness for Q, who will keep me plenty busy, or otherwise I might crawl into a cave and not come out until we have some photos of this long awaited child!
OK - no more pouting posts. Only Bright Side posts from here on out. Really. Beginning tomorrow. :-) I might even change the name of the blog in order to inspire me.

It's Been Almost One Year....

...since our dossier was logged in at the China Center of Adoption Affairs (LID 8/24/05). And like all red-blooded a-parents to-be, I'm getting antsy. And occasionally cranky. But, thankfully, I have a very entertaining 3 year old who has a knack for saying funny things just when I need it most. For instance (his new favorite phrase), at dinner tonight I'm feeling a little blue, just cuz. We are enjoying some tri-color rotini with tomato sauce. (Yes, we live in Indiana, where it is a law that all summer meals must contain tomatoes and/or corn.) Anyway, Q informs me that the green twirly pasta "tastes funky". Of course I cracked up. I didn't know he knew the word funky, but as long as he pronounces the "n" in the middle, I'm fine with him using it liberally. Small child using "funky" at dinner table rates a LF (laugh factor) of 8 out of 10.
Another example: Tonight at bedtime, I say that I'm going to be reading the stories instead of daddy. Q's reply? "I don't think so, Tim" (in his perfect Al from Home Improvement imitation). I was caught so off-guard that a) I laughed and b) I let daddy read the stories (even though it was my turn). LF = 10. [And by the way, Q doesn't regularly watch Home Improvement reruns - he's a Dora and Diego and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse fan, but I guess he has heard his dad say it often enough.] All I can say is Thank Heaven for Little Boys. Now, if only our little girl would get here too.....

Life's a Beach

Well - it was last week. Hence my lack of posting for a while.
We were out of synch with the "real world" and enjoying life on Tybee Island in Georgia. With my parents, sisters, and their families. Eight adults. Five kids. Much fun. But also a little bittersweet for me, since I had always imagined that our little pumpkin would be with us as well. When we planned this vacation, way back when, the wait was still only 6 months, and I figured we would have been home for a few months already. I pictured six kids running on the beach. I imagined how cute Pebbles would look in a little baby swimsuit, trying to keep up with her oh-so-adorable cousins (and of course her super-handsome big brother as well). But alas, it was not to be. Sigh. Well, there's always next year (spoken like a true Colts fan, eh?)...

What's a Waiting Mom to Do?

Friday night, husband working, son asleep...what the waiting mom to do? Take advantage of quiet time to brush up on my Mandarin? (Love, love Chinespod.com) Read about attachment and bonding? Make packing lists? Read the Rumor Queen site another 5 times? Do the dishes? Pack for upcoming vacation? Oh so much to do and, well, not doing it. Instead, sulking in the likelihood that there will be no "All of July in July" (and therefore no "all of August in August"). And sulking in the likelihood that we won't see our daughter's face until October, best case. So, instead of all those constructive things I could do, I make some popcorn (with real butter and salt...nothing low-fat for true pouters), read a little (woo-hoo Jennifer Weiner; need a new best friend?), and watch some "What Not To Wear" on the side (not that I need to...heavens no....I'm giving away all my "mommy-jeans").
And tomorrow, my friends, is another day...

Is My Baby Bird Nesting?

I've heard about expectant moms "nesting" as their due date nears, but is it possible for expectant siblings to do the same? I think my 3-year old, in his own way, is as sick of the wait as we are and is starting to nest in his own big-brotherly way.
He has a huge imagination and is always pretending and acting anyway. But lately, a lot of his pretending centers around his sister. Currently, his stuffed monkey (Curious) is in the baby's crib. I was informed by our future Oscar winner that Curious is his sister and that she needs rest....she needs a blanket....can we turn on music for her?....I was also instructed to be quiet because she was sleeping and that I should leave the door open so we could hear her if she woke up. I also overheard him comforting "her" --- Don't worry, I'm right here....You OK.....
And when we are not upstairs, there is often an imaginary friend/sister that I have to keep up with.
I guess with all the things I've been worrying about regarding the adoption, one thing I can cross off the list is whether or not superboy will make a good big brother. :-)
However, perhaps something I should add to my list is Little Brother. Today my son informed me, rather nonchalantly, that he wants a brother and a sister. At least his demands are down from a few months ago when he told me that he wanted 5 brothers and 5 sisters. Geez. If he only knew! It took us 6 years before we were blessed with him. And it is 2 years and counting as we wait for #2. At about 4 years wait per kid, multiplied by another 9 kids.....oooh. That's not a pretty thought. So for now, we will just focus on what seems like the ever-increasing wait for our daughter from China. What the future holds after that, who knows?

Maiden Voyage

Let the blogging begin! This is my first attempt in the wide, wide world of blogging (yeah, yeah - I'm a little slow!), but better late than never. We - super hubby (SH), genius son (GS) and myself...along with unsuspecting dog and cat - are awaiting the newest member of our family. She is likely born now and waiting somewhere in China. We are hoping to get our referral in August or September. In the meantime, I thought I'd try out this blogging stuff and see if this might be the way to keep family and friends updated when we finally make our big trip half-way around the world.
Stay tuned....the ride is just beginning!