8 Months LID

As of December 20 our dossier has been logged in in China for 8 months. Still looking like early 2008 for referral at this point in time.

China has issued some new guidelines for potential adoptive parents including BMI limit, income and net assets, health, etc. These apparently will apply to families logged in after May 1, 2007.

Abecederian Meme

I have several blog posts pent up in my brain, but due to just finishing up a class for work, getting rear ended and spending the last two evenings at the chiropractor trying to have the damage undone I just can't spit them out right now...weekend starts tomorrow evening, though so check back soon to hear about the death of my Borns, ChicALTgo, The Perfect Piece and more!

Until then, passed on from SBird:

A is for age: 37
B is for Beer: Yuengling
C is for Career: Safety
D is for my Dog’s Name: Tuesday
E is for Essential Item I Use Everyday: Dental floss. Yes, every day
F is for Favorite T.V. Show: varies, currently Scrubs
G is for Favorite Game: Cranium
H is for Hometown: smallish college town
I is for Instruments I Play: clarinet and took fiddle lessons and would like to again
J is for Favorite Juice: Fresh squeezed orange with lots of pulp
K is for Whose Butt I’d Like To Kick: No one, but would love to tell mean people where to go
L is for the Last Place I Ate: Home
M is for Marriage: 3 years
N is for my Name: Mary
O is for Overnight Hospital Stays: Zero
P is for People I was With Today: Husband, coworkers, chiroprator, massage therapist
Q is for Quote: Currently see title quote
R is for Biggest Regret: None. If I had done anything different I wouldn't be who I am or where I am today and I like the who and where of me, so no regrets.
S is for Sport: Scuba diving
T is for Time I Woke Up Today: 6
U is for Current Underwear: VS Body by Victoria
V is for Vegetable You Love: Onions, mushrooms, kale, yams, tomatoes, etc.
W is for Worst Habit: Procrastination
X is for X-rays I Have Had: Dental
Y is for Yummy Food You Ate Today: Vegan shitake miso veggie soup
Z is for Zodiac: Aries, Rooster

ChicALTgo!

It was a blind date. An art show and a nice dinner. Would we like each other? Would we find things to talk about? Would we laugh?

The answer is YES! A contingent of 9 ALTS converged on Chicago one weekend in December (I'm counting the 3 husbands as ALTs by association). We met at the One of a Kind Show at the Merchandise Mart - one of the group's gals and her husband were showing their beautiful work there. I'll never forget going up to the group and asking "are you all part of an online group meeting here tonight?" It sounded so incredibly stupid, but I felt instantly comfortable with these women hearing their knowing laugh.

After browsing the show we headed to Coco Pazzo for a lovely meal. The conversation flowed so easily...adoption talk, ALT talk, everything talk minus a lot of the fluff the ALT group was created to avoid. There was so much laughter and fun I didn't want it to end. It was hugs all around when we parted ways and I felt like I found some great new friends. It was in instant connection. Can't wait 'til the next get together!

November Stork Alert!

Congratulations to families with LIDs between August 26, 2005, and September 8, 2005 - your referrals are on the way!

Another small batch means we're still looking at early 2008 for our referral. And no, that's not a typo, that's an "8".

7 Months LID

I almost missed it - we are now 7 months into our official wait for our child. Just today there are some positive rumours, but they are just rumours so I don't put much stock in them. Time will tell. As of right now if things stay on the same schedule as far as referrals we are looking at early 2008 for our match.

Travel Training

We got our travel training video from our agency this week. At first I thought it kind of odd considering we won't be traveling to China anytime soon, but after watching realized it did give us some things to think about and plan for. The best part is that the video was a little reminder that we are still in this process. With the wait so long sometimes it seems like receiving our referral is too far away to even think about...

Dim Sum, Moon Cakes and Wolves, Oh My!

My family came to visit last weekend. They usually come in the summertime and while I was a little disappointed that I couldn’t show them our beautiful prairie garden and organic veggie abundance we had a great time.

We visited Brookfield Zoo – the best zoo in the country. If you are ever in the Chicagoland area, it’s definitely worth the visit and they are open every day of the year. Bring comfortable shoes…the zoo spans over 200 acres.

We did fondue for dinner – I love a good fondue meal and the social aspect it promotes. There’s no wolfing it down or hurry. It was very relaxing.

Saturday it was on to Chinatown for Dim Sum at the Phoenix and a stop at the Chinese bakery. I purchased 2 mini moon cakes to try – one with lotus paste and one with bean paste – both were awesome! We tried a variety of other goodies as well and everything was superb.

Of course the weekend was too short and we look forward to seeing everyone around the holidays. And hopefully they’ll visit in the summer next time and enjoy our little backyard urban oasis.

Autumn Thoughts...

Hey! Where'd all the green stuff go? Where'd my shade spot go? Will someone please tell me what's going on here???

Ahhhh...that's more like it...a little berry patch of green and some sunshine...um, except it's a little chilly...can someone bring me my fleece?

October/November Stork Alert!

Congratulations to families with LIDs from August 10 through August 25th - your referrals are on the way!!!

Update November 3: CCAA website is now showing reviews completed through January 31, 2005.

6 Months LID

Here we are - 6 months past our LID. When we started pursuing China adoption this is the month in which we would start counting the days until our referral. Instead we find ourselves counting the months. Maybe years. Yes China referrals continue to slow. Right now my guess is next fall at the earliest for our referral...maybe later...maybe even 2008. So please don't be hurt or take it personally if over the holidays you ask us about our baby and we cringe. or roll our eyes. or sigh. Not that we're in a big hurry now (see past LID months re: my new job/FMLA), it's just that it seems so far away...

Tuesday In Action

We shot this film at dog beach last summer shortly after our pit bull Tuesday started agility classes. We can't get enough of her trying to incorporate her new skills into her beach play. Enjoy!

Happy 3rd Anniversary!

I can't believe it's been three years since we stood in the sand of Lumahai beach on Kauai and said our vows. I'll never forget a moment of it. What a beautiful day and what a wonderful three years! I'm so in love with my husband...Happy Anniversary Honey!!!

It was back to Roy's, a Hawaiian fusion restaurant, for our celebration dinner. It was amazingly good as usual. And for the fourth time we celebrated our union with molten chocolate souffle - top that as an official wedding cake! For those on Kauai, it's known as warm chocolate cake at the Hukilau Lanai restaurant at the Kauai Coast Resort.

We stayed at the Marriott downtown and did a little shopping the next morning. Picked up some new wine glasses to replace the ones we've broken over the years and stopped at our favorite chocolate shop - Vosges Haut Chocolat. It's a Chicago original and oh so good. Very unique flavors inspired by places around the world.

Chit Chat

Assigment from AtomicMama by way of Pomegranate:

1. Your child's Chinese name (assuming s/he has or will have one)... are you a) using it as a middle name, b) using it as a first name or c) not using it at all? Why?
We wouldn’t even consider taking away the name she is given – it’s the only thing that’ll be all her own when she comes to us. It will be either her first or middle name. We are fairly set on Hana for the "American" name, but lately Jacek has had some pretty cool ideas - both American and Chinese so stay tuned! If we are referred a boy we like the name Alexander but are still working on finding more options to choose from.

2. Red threads - yes or no? Discuss.
No red threads. A fellow AltDTCer says it perfectly here.

3. What are you most looking forward to experiencing with your child/what do you most enjoy doing with your child?
Everything! I can’t wait to watch our child discover the world, grow and find joy in the simple things. I can't wait to hear her giggle and I especially can't wait to see her interact with nature.

4. What's your favourite book about adoption?
So far it’s Real Parents Real Children – it's a great reference for child development stages and how adoption and non-adoption issues come into play. I haven't read many yet, but I have a pretty extensive Amazon wish list and plan to dive into the rest pretty soon.

5. What will/do you miss most about your life pre-parenthood?
Alone time. I'm a quiet person most of the time and really enjoy a few minutes of me time each day, even if it's reading or meditating right before bed.

6. What's your favourite children's book (any age group)?
Gotta love Dr. Suess books!

7. Lifebook - excited to start or terrified of screwing it up? Top tip?
I’m very excited about it. I love to create stuff like that but I'm not into paper scrapbooking - too many pieces and parts. I plan to learn digital scrapbooking where all the pieces and parts are electronic. That way it can easily evolve as our child grows (of course I'll keep archived versions of each stage).

8. What hobby do you secretly hope your child will take up and love?
Anything related to nature, animals and the outdoors – and of course scuba diving when he/she is old enough. We love diving and how cool will it be to share the beauty of the underwater world with our child?! I also hope she loves to read - reading makes life richer.

9. Co-sleeping - "well of course" or "maybe but I just don't see how any of us would sleep"?
No co-sleeping here. At first if we need to hold and cuddle for her to go to sleep we will but will put her in the crib for the night. We have enough room to have the crib in our room and right next to the bed for touching and comforting. In bed with us would be a disaster and probably not safe for a baby - we have enough trouble with just us in bed – we both tend to sleep sprawled out a bit.

10. If you'd had sole choice of your child's name (assuming you didn't), would it have been different? Wanna tell us what?
I like that she will come with a Chinese name. Their naming conventions are wonderful and Jacek has already picked out a few meanings/names he likes. American names we like are Hana and Maija (said like Maya, Polish spelling). I also like the name Claire.

11. In the movie of your life, who plays you?
Clare Danes.

12. Sleeping. Light on, light off? No, YOU silly.
Off.

13. China - experiment with food or not?
Of course! We can't wait to try authentic Chinese. We can't imagine going to China and living on rice, KFC and MickeyD's - ugh! Now I'm craving Dim Sum - thanks A-Mama!

14. What's your favourite China adoption blog (after this one of course..ahem...)?
The ALT DTC posse (links on the right) and also ChicagoMama, Mimi Smartypants, Do They have Salsa in China, Waiting for Sophie…

Blog Updates

In case you didn't notice, I tought I'd point out some changes I made recently...

First, if you look up in the title box you'll see a new quote by Rachel Carson, author of Silent Spring. I love this quote - it really reflects one of the biggest wishes I have for my future child. I also hope to instill a deep appreciation for the natural world, so it's a bonus that this quote is from such a person.

Next, I've updated the links on the right side of the blog. I added a couple new China and adoption links and links to the blogs of fellow AltDTCers - short for alternative. It's a group of super down to earth open-minded parents with 2006 LIDs who get together on a message board for discussion, support and a lot of fun - without all of the religiosity, ladybug, redthread fluff that seems to creep into other DTC boards.

Finally, if you scroll past the blog links you'll see the new FAQ section. Here you can link directly to the answers to all of those burning questions you have about our adoption. There are only 2 links now, but this section will keep growing so check back often.

September Stork Alert!

The CCAA has announced that they have completed matching for July 23 to August 9 LIDs! If average days referred each month stays around 18 days as this batch, we are looking at early 2008 for our referral. I'm hoping things speed up enough to get us a fall 2007 referral and China trip - of course you don't always get what you wish for - time will tell!

Congratulations to everyone getting their referrals this week!

5 Months LID

We've just passed our 5 month mark! We've been officially waiting in line for 5 months - doesn't seem that long! We've been so busy with summer, our garden, the fence, events and my new job that time has just flown by.

Wait times continue to grow and we're ok with that. For me a big part of it is the new job - I can't take FMLA for a year anyway. We have more to do with the house and the time will enable us to save more money prior to China. We also value our couple time and are cherishing our time together sans child.

I feel bad for the many parents feeling despair and frustration with the long wait. Many have experienced years of infertility, which must make this so hard for them. I wish I could wave a magic wand of zen over the China adoption community so all could feel a sense of peace in knowing they will have their child at the end of this rocky road.

Beauty and the Beast

You've seen the beauty in my last post, now let me introduce you to the beast...

A few weeks ago I was clearing spent veggie plants in the garden when all of a sudden a prick and searing burning sensation overtook my lower arm. Not a bee in sight. It happened right after brushing up against a little weed and I ended up with 5 welts. I asked friends native to the area to see if they had any idea what plant had stung me...and got some pretty strange looks. It appeared as if I was a complete nut case.

Alas I am sane. Today I was once again the victim of this beasty little plant - once again I have welts and lo and behold there was the same little weed poking up at me. Angry over my relaxing garden time being so rudely interrupted, I stormed into the house and consulted the great Google to see what attacked me.

Stinging Nettle. It's an herb. You can boil it and eat it in soup. It has little hairs all over it that act like mini hypodermic needles and inject poison into your skin. Apparently it has tropical relations that can do real damage. In my world it will be henceforth called beastweed. Ouch.

Plumeria!

Fence Me In

After two years in our house we finally got our privacy fence! It looks amazing and it makes the yard look so much bigger - not sure how that works - I figured it would make it look smaller because it boxes it in. The fence also gives a great background to our gardens.

I did totally lose my fledgling woodland native garden - I guess the installers thought they were weeds - they trampled every last plant - you can't even see remnants of them. The good news it gives me an excuse to hit my favorite native nursery in the spring.

So why the privacy fence when we have awesome neighbors? Well, we sometimes like our privacy and don't want to be social every time we sit outside. We also got the fence for our dog. While I'm heartbroken for her that she can't sit at the front gate anymore and look out, I feel better knowing she is safe from rowdy rock throwing teenagers, hoods who might steel her to train their fighting dogs or anti-pit bull wackos who might slip her a little yummy antifreeze.

I felt bad when she first ventured outside after the fence was set. She loves to greet the neighbors and watch the dogs 2 yards down. She had a look of utter confusion on her face. It really was sad. So I showed her that if she puts her paws on the ledge of the porch she can still see - you can't imagine the relief I felt to see that tail wagging!

Almost There...

Aloha! You see that little flower in my profile? That's a plumeria, the heavenly scented tropical flower used to make Hawaiian leis. On our first visit to Hawaii I quickly fell in love with the flower's simplicity and smell. Ahhhhhhh....

Anyway, we brought home a plumeria tree. It was basically a stick in a bag, we planted it and amazingly it grew. It lives outside in the summer and comes inside when the temperature goes below 55. It drops its leaves in the winter in our climate. We got 2 leaves the first year and a few more each year since. Earlier this summer it started growing a strange top. We thought it was branching off. We were wrong...after four years it's FLOWERING!!!

My very own plumeria right in my very own back yard! Here's the first bloom beginning to open - and the smell!...sigh! I'll post a full bloom soon!

Goodnight all, I'm off to dream of Hawaii...