What's All the Buzz? Or How the Chipmunk Got Her Stripes

Ever since we started our Russian babymaking plan we called the little one the burunduk (chipmunk). This gradually turned into baby B or little B or The Bee. Which in turn has given me an obsession with bee stuff. I just found a whole nest (ahem) of cute bee stuff at Gymboree that I MIGHT have to get...A-DOR-ABLE. I should probably stop sharing all my finds! They will all be gone when I want to buy them! Keep thinking good thoughts regarding getting some travel dates. Oh, and also think good thoughts for my friend TF who is waiting for a court date for her little girly!! Thanks everyone.

hugs,

~mama

Ding Ding Ding!! Round 5...or 20

Hey- not much to report about here. Just working on round 20 (it seems) of the paperwork. Adoption is a world made of paper. Just when you think you're done *BAM* more paperwork...mostly asking the same thing. I have to say that I'd do a lifetime of paperwork for this little girl.

If you're reading this now that means you figured out the private blog thingamajig. Thanks for following along on our journey and giving us support. The support (and advice) you give makes the process that much easier.

~mama

Art for the Nursery...On a Dime

I can't believe that I just discovered Cavallini paper! This stuff is so beautiful and it only costs $4.50 a sheet!! Many of these would look cool framed in a vintage or vintage/mod nursery. You can find them online or at some paper and stationary stores (see link above for a good selection). You can also see them being used as decor here. Enjoy and let me know if you like them too!!

~mama

Stay off the Internet

Ugh. I was just reading an old blog about a couple that went to Russia a few years ago to meet their referral and the baby had been adopted in-country when they arrived (in the car anxious to go to the baby home and then BOOM...bad news). They then had and met several other referrals they had to decline for medical reasons...also another one that was adopted out right before they traveled. The blog has no ending. It just...ends. Reading this made me feel a little sick to my stomach. I haven't always had the best luck. When something is going great I often think that it has to be too good to be true. I'm guessing the rollercoaster of joy, fear, dread, elation, REPEAT is common with adoption. I just hope this rollercoaster leads to the right place...

I should really stay off the internet.

~mama

P.S. Did I mention today that she is beautiful?

One Week

In about 30 minutes it will have been one week since I knew you were waiting for us (Daddy called me!). In about and hour...it will have been one week since we saw your beautiful face for the first time. I have smiled more this week that I can ever remember...hopefully we will get travel dates soon so we can hold you in our arms and kiss your little face. Until then my love, play hard and sleep tight.

~mama

The Clock is Ticking...

REMINDER! If you want to follow Hearts on Strings please send me your email in the next day or so!! If you have already sent it you are on the list! If you haven't sent it then...well, not so much. Please send NOW.

~mama

Eye on the Prize (you'll want to read this one) wink wink

and....

IT'S A GIRL!!!!

waiting to set travel dates!! I have to keep pinching myself!! Is this real????

Setting the blog to private in the next week or so, so if you want to keep following send me your email address NOW.

Over the moon,

Mama

Singing Songs

I found myself singing while making dinner tonight...then realized I was singing "Wish you Were Here." I wonder where that came from...

~mama

Hoping for (Karma?)

I had a strange feeling that we would get "the call" while I was away in Seattle last week. We had a referral a year or so ago (way before we were ready or expecting one) while I was traveling on business in Philadelphia. I think much like watching a pot boil...referrals happen when you are looking in the other direction. I tried to focus on work and the trip in hopes that our pot would boil. I did a crossword puzzle that had my first name in it AND the word Russia (Karma?) the restroom attendant at the airport said "pazhAlusta" and "spasiba" (Karma?) I ate at the Russian bakery three times (Karma?) and had a drink called Leninade (Karma?). I thought my stars might be shining in the right direction. At last we didn't get THE call, but we did get A call. When you are working on your dossier and home study you are in constant contact with your agency. Once this is done and you have sent a check things get quiet during the wait. This is stressful for the type A people. Hearing anything- good news-bad news or a "how do you do?" is always good. It makes you feel a little less like your living in some dark dream floating on a sea looking for a place to land. Anyway, she called to say that my lack of fingerprints has me in less regions and that is what is taking longer. She wanted an update on my fingerprint situation. They spoke to the Mister since I was away and my coordinator is out until tomorrow so I will call tomorrow night to see what she wants me to do. I might do my prints once more to see what happens. If they work (not likely) it will put us in more regions and move things along faster.

I had a dream Saturday night that I had a little blond boy. I was buying him a t-shirt with the staircase by MC Escher printed on the front. A tiny little t-shirt with all kinds of stairs leading no where and everywhere at the same time. Do you think this means something?

On that note I will leave you with a photo of my cheese and onion roll from Piroshky Piroshky and my Leninade.

Love to you and thanks for listening.

~mama

Girl Whiles Away Her Summer Waiting For The Phone To Ring

I saw this headline on Yahoo (it was from Dear Abby) and I had to read it to make sure it wasn't about me...

Back from the West

Sorry I haven't written lately! I was in Seattle last week. I will report soon...not much to report but I can tell you a little about my trip. Thanks for checking in guys!

hugs!

~mama

Baby Chic

Looking for cool baby and child room ideas? Check out Apartment Therapy Ohdeedoh. They have lots of kid's room tours with tons of creative ideas. I love looking at them. Enjoy!

~mama

Tick Tock

One year and eight months TODAY since signing with our agency.

Today's Lesson Boys and Girls...

FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME

This is very common in international adoption (here in the US too) so I thought I would post a little bit about it.

So what is it?

FAS is a lifelong yet completely preventable set of physical, mental and neurobehavioral birth defects associated with alcohol consumption during pregnancy.

FAS is the leading known cause of mental retardation and birth defects. Did I mention that it is 100% preventable?

Prenatal alcohol exposure does not always result in FAS—although there is no known safe level of alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Most individuals affected by alcohol exposure before birth do not have the characteristic facial abnormalities and growth retardation identified with FAS, yet they have brain and other impairments that are just as significant.

Individuals with FAS may have growth deficiency and evidence of central nervous system dysfunction, mental retardation, and other neurological deficits such as poor motor skills and hand-eye coordination. They may also have a complex pattern of behavioral and learning problems, including difficulties with memory, attention and judgment.

Alcohol related disorders affect more newborns every year than Down syndrome, cystic fibrosis, spina bifida and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome combined. THIS IS 100% PREVENTABLE!

To read more about FAS or to be an advocate for activities and policy-making related to FAS please refer to the National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.

~mama