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.

Our Autumn Dreams Website is Up and Running

After we submitted our paperwork to China, I joined a Yahoo Group called October DTC 2005. This is a group of people that all had their paperwork submitted to China at the same time. We will all be receiving our Referrals at the same time and may even meet up in China when we pick up our babies.

They have developed a website just for us. It is called Autumn Dreams. I wanted to share it with you. This will be a very exciting page once we all receive our referrals. It will be the first glimpse of our beautiful babies.

The URL is http://www.geocities.com/autumndreams2005dtc/.

Chinese New Year is January 29, 2006

We are not sure when Katy will be born, but I have been doing some research and found this info on what the Calender Symbol for 2006 and 2005 are. Depending on what year she is born she will either grow up to be like Donald Trump or Emeril Lagasse. Whatever she is I hope she is happy and healthy.

Year of the Dog - 2006

Dogs are honest and faithful to those they love but they tend to worry too much and find fault with others. They make ideal secret agents or business people.

Famous people born in the Year Of The Dog:
Shirley MacLain, Henry Cooper, Slyvia Sims,Dolly Parton, Liza Minelli Jane Asher

Year of the Rooster - 2005

The sign of the Rooster indicates a person who is hard-working and definite about their decisions. Roosters are not afraid to speak their minds and can therefore sometimes come across as boastful. They make good restaurant owners and world travellers.

Famous people born in the Year Of The Rooster:
Michael Aspel, Yoko Ono,Rod Stewart, Mia Farrow, Eric Clapton

Thank you again Secret Pal

My October DTC Secret Pal sent me this wonderful gift for Janary. The pink blanket is my favorite. You can't see it, but it says "I Love Mommy" on the blanket. This brought tears to my eyes because it is my first item that says those words. I have waited a long time to hear that.

Thanks again Secret Pal for your thoughtfulness.

A Happy New Year

I know this is a little late, but I wanted to post it anyway. We had a wonderful New Year's Eve at our neighbor/friends house. This picture was taken just after 12:00 am. The group is our very good friends that live in our neighborhood. I have to say that Katy is going to enjoy her new home and friends. We live in the greatest neighborhood in America.

Thank you P & H for hosting such a fun party. Can't wait until next year when Katy is going to be in that picture. (If she's not asleep already.)

Thank you Secret Pal

We got home from my Sister In Law's house for the holidays and to my surprise I received my first gift from my Secret Pal. I belong to a Yahoo Group called October DTC 2005 group and joined the secret swap they have. We are assigned a secret pal who will surprise you with a gift every month.

I was very excited to see what she had sent to me. I thought I would share with you what was sent. I would like to say thank you very much for the thoughtful gifts.

Checking In...

Hello Everyone,

I know it has been awhile since I have posted to my blog, but it has been a busy couple of months. I can't believe it has been two months already since we had our paperwork sent to China.

Unfortunately, it seems that the referral process has slowed down. Wouldn't you know it. There has been alot of changes at the agency that handles all the matching in China. They have also received a very high number of Dossiers. So what does this mean?

Well, instead of our 6 month wait for a Referral, we are now looking at an 8-9 month wait. That means possible travel to China in August or September. At least it is less than a year.

I keep thinking, next Christmas we will have Katy home. I will get to shower her with gifts. I can dress her up in a beautiful Christmas outfit and take her picture and send to all my family and friends. We can hang three stockings on the mantel. Maybe we can even get a real Christmas Tree, instead of the fake one we have put up the last 14 years.

I have done nothing yet to her room. Thought I would wait until after the holidays. I did receive the Chinese New Year Barbie's I sent away for and they are beautiful. I also bought a Christmas Ornament to commerate our wait this year for her. It is a cute little Panda, surrounded by a Quilt with Ladybugs on it. I put the tree up this year just so I could hang it the ornament.

Well, that is all for now. I will check in again shortly.

I wish everyone a Happy, Safe and Fun Holiday Season.

Chinese New Year Barbie

I found this great deal on one of my message boards. This is a Dolls of the World Chinese Barbie. You can find this on Amazon.com. If you go to www.lovewithoutboundaries.com , and then go to the shopping link on the left hand side, you can get to Amazon from that link. This will get money donated to the charity.

They are offering the doll for $19.99. If you order now you get one for free, and free shipping. It is a great deal. I just ordered two. One for my baby and one for a Christmas Gift.

Come to think of it, this is the first thing I have bought for Katy. What a weird feeling. I guess I have to start somewhere.

One Week Down...

about 24 weeks to go.

I can't believe only a week has gone by since we dropped off the paperwork. This is going to be a long 6 months.

I think I need to find a list of things that need to be done before I leave. I know I have to find a pediatrician, setup the nursery, paint the kitchen, but being the wonderful procrastinator that I am, i haven't started anything. I keep thinking about it. I guess it's the thought that counts.

We did receive a very encouraging thing in the mail. It is the infamous "Brown Envelope". This is a package of more forms, but it comes from China. It is the visa forms that need to be brought with us when we travel. I think i need to check with Wide Horizons to find out if they need to be filled out now or later.

Ultrasound Picture

I thought I would share my ultrasound picture with you all.

We are "Paper" Pregnant !!!

After one surgery, 4 IUI's, 3 IVF's, numerous fertility drugs, shots, ultrasounds, bloodwork, one cervical ectopic, I can happily report that Dave and I are expecting a baby.

We just sent off our paperwork this week to China.

What happens next? We wait. The wait will now be 6 months until we see a picture of our little one.
When will we get her? I will travel to China 6-8 weeks after that so we are looking at June or July.

I can't believe it. I think the next 6 months is going to go by verrry slowly. Although I have a lot to do from now until then. We have the holidays to get through, shopping for baby stuff, painting of the nursery, painting of the kitchen, bags to pack. I have numerous books i want to read on parenting, attachement and bonding etc. Hopefully this stuff will keep me busy.

All i know right now is that Dave and I are going to get our baby soon. Let's just hope I don't gain the pregancy 35 lbs.

This is what a completed dossier looks like.

If anyone wanted to know what a dossier looks like before it is sent to China. Here it is.

High Hopes for my nieces.

Here is a picture of my two beautiful nieces. I can't believe how big they got. It looks like my sister has high hopes for their education. They better start saving now.

Another poem I found on the message boards called "Dreams"

I dream of you all day,
Think of you while I sleep
Thoughts of you are always with me...
Dreaming of the day that we'll meet.

I wonder about the little things,
What makes you smile?
What makes you cry?

Who do you call mommy?
And is she good to you?
I wonder do you need me...
As much as I need you?

I promise you I'm looking,
And one day soon we'll meet.
Until then, she'll take care of you...
And I'll see you in my dreams

I Got Them !!!!!!

I was very excited this morning to see the Fed Ex guy with my Certified Documents from the China Consulate. It took under 10 days to get it done. Yeah!!!

Now Dave and I have to get some pictures taken and everything will be off to the adoption agency. It looks like we will be done in October. Can't believe I met my deadline.

Tracking Number #831973800790

I would like to give a small piece of advice; if you are waiting on a package that you know in your head is supposed to take 20 days, yet you have the tracking number don't obessively check Fed Ex every hour. The information will not change. Sort of like "A Watched Pot Never Boils"

When I sent my documents to the China Consulate in New York to be certified, I had to send them with a self addressed Fed Ex Shipping Label. I decided to make a copy of it. Now I have found myself obsessivly checking Fed Ex's tracking website at least six times a day. I have had to leave the paperwork at my office so I won't keep checking it at home. I have checked it twice today, and it still has not shipped. Mind you it is NOT supposed to ship until at least next week.

I will post as soon as I get the packet. Or as soon as Fed Ex has it on their tracking website. Whichever comes first.

Thought I would give an updated timeline

1. April 4, 2005 - Filled out and sent our Registration to Wide Horizons
2. May 6, 2005 - Packet A - Gathered and sent all docuements to begin our Homestudy
3. May 20, 2005 - Packet B - Gathered and sent all documents to begine our Homestudy
4. May 15, 2005 - First visit with Social Worker
5. May 19, 2005 - Brigit's visit with Social Worker
6. June 7, 2005 - Dave's visit with Social Worker
7. June 9, 2005 - Home Visit with Social Worker
8. July 22, 2005 - Home Study completed, written and sent to BCIS
9. July 22, 2005 - I600A form sent to Wide Horizons to be sent to BCIS
10. August 6, 2005 - Fingerprinting Appointment in Boston for Dave and Brigit
11. September 3, 2005 - Received 171H from BCIS with a Favorable Determination
12. September 7, 2005 - All Dossier Documents notarized, and a copy sent to Wide Horizons for review
13. September 14, 2005 - Dropped all notarized docs to Secratary of State's office in Boston
14. September 19, 2005 - Picked up the Certified docuements and sent them off to the China Consulate in New York