Happy Valentine's Day Secret Pal

I received another gift from my Secret Pal. This time on Valentines' Day. As you can see she sent me some beautiful books, barettes, a babysitter's checklist and some candy. Also as you can see I have already dived into the candy. What's Valentine's Day without Chocolate.

Thank you to my Secret Pal for all my wonderful gifts.

Dave's New Toy

On Sunday we woke up to a winter wonderland. We had a snowstorm all day, and got at least 18 inches dumped in our lap. We didn't mind though for a couple of reasons:

It was a Sunday, and we didn't have to go anywhere. Just hang around the house.

Also, Dave and two other neighbors chipped in together to buy a new snowblower. They just picked it up a couple of weeks ago and this is the first time they got to use it. I wonder how many more snowstorms until the newness rubs off.

I captured a couple of pictures of Dave playing with his new toy.




Here is our neighbor trying out the new snowblower on his driveway:



Our other neighbor had to leave for Las Vegas on Saturday morning, so he missed all the fun. Better luck next time.

We Have Started our Registry

I know this is early, but I have started our registry at Babies R Us online. Actually, I am glad I am starting now because, just looking at everything, it is going to take me awhile to figure out what I want and need.

Does every first time parent go through this? I don't know what to get. It also makes it hard because the registry is filled with things to stock for a newborn and Katy will be about 9-12 months old, maybe older, when she comes home.

Thank God I have lots of friends and family that have gone through this. I am sure I will be asking everyone for advice.

Now I know what you are going to say, "this wasn't part of her February list of things to do". I haven't actually started that list. But I do have 2.5 weeks left in the month. I am just starting March's list early. I have to admit I am somewhat of a procrastinator, but when it comes to shopping, that word does not enter my mind.

Happy Three Month LID Anniversery

Boy those three months went by quick. Our official Log In Date is October 28, 2004. That means our paperwork was logged into the Chinese Agency that handles all the matching of the babies to their forever parents.

Originally when we started this adoption journey we were told we would wait 6 months from our Log In Date until we received our referral. Now that wait has jumped to about 9 months. That means we hopefully will receive our referral sometime in July 2006.

I am trying to stay positive. I am not listening to the rumors circulating around the message boards about a 12 month wait. Still, it is hard not to get down about it. That is probably why I have not so much as thought about setting up the nursery, or shopping for Katy. Won't I be surprised if they decide to speed things up.

So, what I have decided is to start a couple of projects each month. This months projects will be:

• Make a doctors appointment and get my shots started for my trip
• Start clearing out the spare bedroom to turn it into a nursery for Katy
• Learn one new Chinese phrase that can be used when traveling (I will learn to say I Love You in Chinese)

This seems like a good start. I will keep you posted.