Sunday, March 25, 2007

5 Months LID!




Gee, it seems like just a month ago I was blogging about being 4 months LID, and here's it is....5 months!! Oh, yeah, it was a month ago.

I can't decide if this waiting is now going slowly or quickly. When I found out last week that I had only 19 months left on my car lease, I said "Wow-I can get a new car pretty soon!" But when I think about Jordyn in 19 months (ok, so this is my optimistic week -- but maybe in 19 months I can at least think about a referral) I think that it's forever.

Well, every month is one month closer. Positive thinking...positive thinking....what was my new mantra again? Wait, hope, dream, repeat...

What to do with Rotten Bananas



Bake Banana Chocolate Chip muffins of course!!! I'm not much of a baker, but every now and again, the baking muse bites, and I must submit. So...I sifted, and measured, and smashed horribly rotten bananas (they had attitude like you wouldn't believe) and voila! The kitchen smells yummy. And it's all nice and clean, because, while I'm not a neat freak by any stretch, I do like to 'clean as I go' when cooking.

But I really, really can't wait until this kitchen is a huge disaster, because I'm baking with a little girl. Because she's doing the stirring and measuring and getting flour and eggs everywhere. Because baking with a little girl is so much more fun than baking alone.

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

My Latest Internet Obsession...Puzzling

I love puzzles. Word puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, logic puzzles, you name it, I'm your puzzle girl (except for that damn Sudoko -- can't do those, and I've officially given up).
I was internet browsing one day, and came across this really cool site! The puzzles have all of these wild cuts (this is not your grandma's jigsaw, that's for sure!) and lots of different themes to choose from. My favourite cut is the '70 piece Bulbs' one -- extra fun!! There's even a ladybug puzzle, for those who believe that all ladybug sightings count, even ones in puzzles! Enjoy!

(could this posting have more exclamation marks?!?)

My Carnival Adventure!

Well, no, it's not as exciting as you might think. I've just joined the Crazy Hip Mamas Webring, and their latest 'challenge' was to pick a random blog and visit, then tell others about it.

I came across Amber's site called Crazy Bloggin Canuck (yes, you heard me...CANUCK). The first random blog I come across is written by a fellow Canadian, albeit from the USA. It's okay...I'll forgive her! Her blog is awesome -- cool graphics, and hilarious stories and pics of her kids and family. Particularly liked the potty training story. Her writing is too funny!!! (and the pictures that she's added don't hurt either.) Can't wait til I have Jordyn at home and can write about my own traumas in these departments!!

Thanks Amber -- I'll be visiting again!

Monday, March 19, 2007

The Meeting of the Giant and the Sprout

An historical moment occurred tonight -- the meeting of the 'Giant' and the 'Sprout'. I had dinner with Rhonda and Josh tonight, and as we had never met in person, and in lieu of red carnations in lapels, I described myself as 5 feet tall (the sprout in the story). Rhonda told me that she was very tall (the Giant), but not a giant at all -- just a very elegant woman!
She and Josh were lovely -- it's so nice to meet people with whom you've only chatted online -- a little bit like a blind date too!
Despite the many problems that Rhonda had with her dinner (how many ways can they screw up Salmon? Well...when they bring out chicken, that's a big problem) we had a nice time and a good chat. All about adoption stuff, and other stuff as well (which is always nice -- good to get out of adoption mode once in awhile).
And...so generous!! Rhonda gave me this keychain




(I know the pic is a bit blurry, but couldn't seem to get it any clearer). The writing means 'good luck' or 'good fortune' which I know we can all use a lot of! Thanks so much R and J!! Looking forward to getting to know you both better as the time goes along

Sunday, March 18, 2007

Visual DNA

Ok, so I hopped on the Visual DNA bandwagon -- here it is!


Friday, March 16, 2007

A Letter for my Daughter




I was cleaning out some old paperwork and came across this letter that I wrote to Jordyn this past August. I was at a friend's cottage, and was just enjoying the sun and fresh air -- this is what I wrote:


Dear Jordyn,

Today, a butterfly came to visit. I watched it flying on the beach, and it looped and flopped in great circles. She must have been tired, because she came and sat on a clump of grass right beside me. As she caught her breath, I had a chance to take a good look -- a beautiful Monarch, black and orange, with the most delicate specks of white.
One day, you will see such a butterfly, and I bet you'll chase it. Maybe you'll call it - "Come here, Butterfly, and play with me!" I'll remind you to be gentle, that butterflies don't particularly like playing with little girls. You'll say, "Oh, Mama, I'm always gentle."
I'll teach you about butterflies. How they start out as caterpillars, rest in their cocoons for awhile, and then emerge as butterflies. You'll say, "How do they do that Mama? Why?" I'll tell you it's the way they are.
I won't tell you yet that little girls are like butterflies too. When you come home to me, you will be transforming from a caterpillar into a butterfly. What kind will you be?
I won't tell you yet that little girls in Canada are lucky, because they can become caterpillars and butterflies many, many times in their lives. I hope I can teach you how to move slowly and cautiously, like a caterpillar. How to take time to rest, think, and change. How to emerge as a beautiful butterfly time and time again, as you grow from baby, to child to woman.
I'm going to watch butterflies a lot more carefully from now on.

Love, Mama

Thursday, March 15, 2007

A New Look

I decided the blog needed a makeover, so I chose a new template. What do we think? I'm going to leave it for a couple of days, and see if I like it. Opinions are welcome.

My New Mantra





I saw this great picture on someone else's blog. The mantra of adoption: Wait, Hope, Dream. Will I ever be holding Jordyn in my arms?

Oh yeah....Wait, Hope, Dream, (Repeat)Wait, Hope, Dream....

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Shopping in America!

I went to Buffalo today (well, technically Niagara Falls, but everybody tends to say 'Buffalo'). Did lots of shopping with my good friends, and fellow teachers, Rochelle and Cathy. We even got to pass Fantasy Island and shout out "Fun, Wow!!" Does anyone except Rochelle and me remember this commercial??? Always seemed like the coolest place to go -- actually kind of depressing when you pass by.

Before any of my Canadian friends slam me for spending my hard earned cash over the border, I'm an honourable Canadian, and claimed my purchases. Still think I saved some money, though! I bought a black dress for an upcoming soiree (very elegant, very pretty), a couple of watches, and some fun stuff for Jordyn.

My favourite outfit is the adorable denim skirt and top -- The Children's Place rocks!! Amazing sale racks -- I didn't spend more than $3.99 per item, and only .99 for a couple of things.




I also found these Pampers "Pocket Bibsters", which are not the most environmentally friendly thingys, but seem like they'd be great for travel to China.


I really hope that I'll get to use these things some day. I know that some people think I'm jinxing myself by buying things for my child, but it makes me happy. I've had so much bad luck with baby stuff at this point, that I really doubt that my purchasing anything for my daughter will have any impact on the universe. And really....who cares? It makes me happy and makes the endless months of waiting go by a teensy bit faster if I buy the occassional thing.

Thursday, March 01, 2007

A Delivery for Jordyn!


So...when you're pregnant, the situation is generally obvious to all. Well-wishers abound, gifts and blessings for the coming arrival are bestowed, and generally, people feel happy just looking at you. In the adoption world, things are different. We have babies coming....but know one knows. We are 'pregnant' in our minds; expectant parents in every sense of the word. We are expecting a little person to be in our homes at some point. We are expecting a long and ardous journey to get there. We are expecting our friends and family to be patient with us as we learn about how to create our families in what might be a new and unique way to most of us.

In order to make this ride much more pleasant, the various adoption groups create 'secret pal' gift exchanges, and 'virtual' baby showers. I just participated in my first shower with my DTC group!!! (for the uninitiated, DTC is "Dossier to China" - the time that our documents were sent to China. Mine were sent in September 2006, and the group includes Americans, Canadians and Europeans. The internet is a wonderful thing!) The theme was "Prince or Princess" (or anything royalty related) and the idea was to send your partner an appropriate gift to arrive before today. There is even a 'virtual' shower in our chatroom, although I don't know if I'll be able to participate in it.

Yesterday, a delivery came for Jordyn...a sweet bib which says 'Princess' on it. So lovely. I'm not much of a 'princess-y' kind of girl myself, but the gift is so cute, and came from a sweet person in the States who I know went through a lot of trouble to get this gift here on time. So....thanks Malia!! I can't wait until my Jordyn messes this up!!!