Safety First

We had two cribs that I really loved (the same crib- one from Craigslist and one from Mr. N's Aunt and Uncle)...but after Mr. N. read the article about banning drop side cribs we knew we couldn't use them. http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2010/12/end-of-an-era-feds-ban-drop-side-crib/1
This made me a little sad because I really loved the crib that we had. It really was beautiful. Better safe than sorry. We spent the last two days doing crib research and we finally settled on a crib and actually ordered it (get it, spending money, ugh). Who knew it would be so hard. There aren't many reviews from people with baby's sleeping in them. I think after the kid is home no one has a chance to go online to review the crib. Anyway, this is the crib that we ordered. It will turn into a toddler bed, a daybed and a full size bed (once we get the rails for it). I think it looks nice, and will certainly give us peace of mind.

Love~mama

Smooth Comments

Oops. I didn't know that the blog was set to only let you comment if you had certain accounts. I think I disabled that feature...so you have no excuse now. Get on board.

Not much news here on the Burunduk front. The agency has all the paperwork and all is good and the last of the docs are going to Russia this week. We just wait now. Hopefully not too long. The gnomes are lonely (and I can't deal with their complaining).

~mama

P.S. Once the referral gets here we will have to make the blog go private. At that time I will ask for you to send me an email to get on the access list. You can send me an email now and I will start the list for future use if you like. I'd hate for you to miss out on this sweet action. Send it to lkn_56@yahoo.com. Spasiba.

Gnome Home Yippee!

Here are some photos of the gnome home. We love it (yes, bragging). Let me know what you think!

Gnome's in the Houuusse!!

Well, almost. The Mister and I have been working on the finishing touches of the playhouse and it looks awesome (if I do say so myself). I'll post some pics soon, but the Babushka and Dedushka get to see it first since they built the amazing exterior!! Hang out on pins and needles...

until then,

~mama

Acknowledgment is Good.

We received a letter from the US State Department, National Visa Center today stating that they received our approved I600A and that our petition will be forwarded to the appropriate visa-issuing post where the adoption interview will take place in 3-5 Business days. The address for this "visa-issuing post" was for the consulate in Moscow (maybe, I guess I'm not sure. It was in Russian and that was my interpretation of the address without doing any translation research). I don't know what all this means really but it's kind of exciting to get mail, any mail....any acknowledgment from anyone to know that things are moving forward. I was stressed a few days ago because I thought they were asking me to do another set of documents...luckily it was a misunderstanding and all is good. The latest word is "If we need anything else from you we will let you know." The latest set of apostille documents should be in the agencies hands before 3:00 on Monday.

~mama

A gnome by any other name...

I bet you're wondering while I'm still talking about gnomes when I promised to post my endless list of Etsy treasures? Well...let me introduce you to Gabe (see his photo on the right, please). He was a gift from the Little B's aunt and uncle. You guessed...he was found on Etsy!! Yes!! Isn't he adorable? The artist who made this little beauty is Lily from Two Stray Cats. You've gotta check this one out (please note the babushkas). She does wonderful work and even made some blocks for Little B with owl fabric and red minky fabric (thanks aunt and uncle!). Not only is Lily a great artist, she's a lover of animals and generously donates the profits to help animals in need. She's also willing to do custom creations (ahem *cough* like bibs and burb cloths, I'm sure) to help make your vision a reality. Did I also mention that she is nice? Anyway, check out Two Stray Cats, get some cool stuff and help some animals in need!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/TwoStrayCats

as always,

Love~mama

Etsy Update

Sorry, I missed a few nights. I forgot I was going to Miami for a few days, but I am back on track now. I just know you were on pins and needles wondering what suggestions I might have. I have one (of course). This is another baby shop (I promise there will be some grown-up stuff soon). You may or may not know that I am a pattern junkie. I love fabric, particularly mod and retro patterns. Love em! This one has blankets, burp cloths and bibs mostly, with a few other things tossed in for good measure. The name of the shop is Sew Brookstone. There are quite a few things in organic fabrics...and minky...and SO CUTE PATTERNS! Tonight I am attaching a woodland bib and some gnome burp cloths (you know I can't resist the gnomes). There are a lot more cute things where these came from. Please check out their site and see if there is anything you MUST have...keep the crafts people happy.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/sewbrookstone?ref=seller_info

best wishes~good night~happy shopping

yours,
mama

FedEx No Starbucks

The Starbucks next to FedEx closed a month ago just in time for my diet. This could be a good thing since I go to FedEx so much. I really don't need all that hot chocolate (Milk, it's calcium, good for my bones, right?) Anyway, that's beside the point. Our apostilles for re-do came back on Monday when I was in Miami on business. I came home last night and rushed to FedEx to drop them in the mail to the DOS along with our notarized I171H forms. They should be in the agencies hands early next week. Just like that! And still we wait...hopefully these last documents will push us up the waitlist. Pretty soon our whole packet will be in Russia. Let's do this thing!!

~mama

Etsy Bitsy Spider...day two

As promised I have a new suggestion for day two of the Etsy Extravaganza. Today's Feature is Valeriya: Custom Creations for Your Little Ones. This shop has many fantastic handmade items including clothing and gift sets. I particularly love the outfits designed for little girls. Check out the Gnomeville shirt and the Matryoshka skirt. These are just a few of the many wonderful and playful things created by Valeriya. The thing that peaked my interest in her collection was the Matryoshka burp cloth set (see image). I loved it so much I put it on the wish list! Please check out Valeriya and and buy a present for your little one (and if it's the Gnomeville shirt I must see a picture!) Happy Etsy shopping. Support artists, collectors, thinkers and doers!!

Valeriya Shop:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/valeriya?ref=seller_info

~mama

Junkie

My name is mama and I am an Etsy Junkie. I can't help it. There are some really awesome things on there and I want them all. I always find jewelry I love. I really like things that are unique and adding things to my Amazon wish list from Etsy is a great way to spend some time while waiting :) Hey, I know I will probably never get most of it but a girl can dream. In the next few weeks I will post some of my favorites. Tonight I was looking at diaper clutches and wipe bags. This site has some nice bags and some good ideas for friends who are expecting. I have decided that I will try to get all the baby shower gifts for friends from Etsy sellers from now on. Leaves less room for duplicates from the shower registry! Anyway, my featured Etsy shop for tonight is...

TREASURED TOTES DESIGNER TOTE BAGS. Gotta love the Dino Dudes...and the Mod Elephants...and the Robots...well, lots of great things! Please check them out and stay tuned for more of my favs from Etsy!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/TREASUREDTOTES08?ref=pr_shop

~mama

It has been determined that...

you are able to furnish proper care to an orphan as defined in Section 101(B)(1)(F) of the Immigration Nationality Act.

WE ARE LEGIT!! MY FINGERPRINTS WORKED!! We have our I171H form in hand!!

Can you all say woot??

Also, the DOS messed up one apostille so we need to fix it...and send in one signed form...and then we will be officially registered in Russia and ready to go. SO EASY.

I can't tell you how happy I am right now...but I know that one day soon I will be much happier.

~mama

Hearts in Hand

Our agency finally has the dossier in hand. They will review it soon to make sure that they have everything and we have done everything correctly. Thinking that I won't have to re-do something really isn't an option at this point. Everything we've done so far has had hurdles so I am sure this will be no different. I know that sounds pessimistic but it's my reality. I am happy that they have it and I await the next step. It has been over two months since we were fingerprinted at USCIS and still no results and no I171H form in the mail. Maybe this week we will get this form and they will tell us that the dossier looks amazing! Maybe. Eh. I'll keep ya posted. Peace out.

~mama

Planting a Garden

Today we sent in our dossier. Finally. Even though we've been on the waitlist for a little while this seems like a big step. We also sent in a bunch of other paperwork and checks (ugh). It feels good. If only we had some champagne! Clink! :) And now that we've planted this giant seed I hope that our baby garden grows faster and we receive a referral soon.

love always~thanks for checking in sweet friends, family and secret friends too.

leave a comment. make a waiting mama smile.

~mama

Anniversary

Welcome June 2nd. Today marks 1 and half years since Mr. N. and I jumped on the adoption bicycle and began our journey together. I really thought we would finish last summer. Never would I have predicted the fingerprint issues and personal hurdles that would keep us from finishing earlier. I truly believe that things happen for a reason and that we are where we are today for a purpose. Things will work out like they are supposed to and that's that. I can see the rainbow from here...and I like what I see. 2011...make us proud. We're ready.

~mama

Take the Good and the Bad

YAY!! We got the apostilles back today! SO MANY! 64 all together. Well, 63 really since they didn't do one document (that is a $20 document so they needed more money) which means another letter and blah blah blah. Geez DOS you're making us work for this one!! I should have stock in FedEx. Anyway, I am just happy to see all those blue certificates!! Here's a photo of SOME of them...they wouldn't all fit in the picture (in case you were wondering what all the hub bub was about).

~mama