Monday, January 31, 2005
I'm an Aunt!
My mom called at 10:41 p.m. Sunday night. Believe it or not, Brett and I were asleep. My sister, Megan, who lives in Germany with her husband Steve, had just given birth to a beautiful baby girl! While it was not quite midnight here in the states, it was 4:45 a.m. in Germany. Sophia Helen Wasilausky was born in the wee hours of January 31, 2005. All 7 pounds, 13 ounces of her! We are so excited and happy for all of them! Megan, Sophia and Steve are all doing well!
# posted by JDonnals : 8:56 PM
Saturday, January 29, 2005
"Classic Pooh" crisis averted!
A few posts back, I talked about my shock and near hysteria over the fact that Target was discontinuing its "Classic Pooh" line of nursery gear. Last weekend I saw a clearance sign and near-empty shelves in the "Classic Pooh" display in the infant section. I bought up everything I could because I didn't want a half-decorated room for Hallie.
Well, I don't know if it was some sick joke or a clever marketing ploy, but today on my weekly trip to Target, the Pooh section was COMPLETELY STOCKED, all of the clearance signs were gone, and there was even some NEW Pooh merchandise! Target really shouldn't play with expectant mothers' emotions like that.
I did buy a comforter set for the full bed that is still in the room (in case mom or dad needs to sleep up there). And I couldn't resist a cute pair of Pooh overalls and a Pooh sweater--both on clearance. (These were winter/fall items so I wasn't worried that they were on clearance, just glad!). Last week I bought a pair of denim overalls and a cute shirt for Hallie, but as I was looking at it tonight, I think is supposed to be for a boy! Oh well, she'll have two pairs of overalls. (We are in the South, after all!)
Well, I don't know if it was some sick joke or a clever marketing ploy, but today on my weekly trip to Target, the Pooh section was COMPLETELY STOCKED, all of the clearance signs were gone, and there was even some NEW Pooh merchandise! Target really shouldn't play with expectant mothers' emotions like that.
I did buy a comforter set for the full bed that is still in the room (in case mom or dad needs to sleep up there). And I couldn't resist a cute pair of Pooh overalls and a Pooh sweater--both on clearance. (These were winter/fall items so I wasn't worried that they were on clearance, just glad!). Last week I bought a pair of denim overalls and a cute shirt for Hallie, but as I was looking at it tonight, I think is supposed to be for a boy! Oh well, she'll have two pairs of overalls. (We are in the South, after all!)
# posted by JDonnals : 7:51 PM
Friday, January 28, 2005
You say it's your birthday?
Well, it is my birthday. I turn 35 years old today-yikes! Brett got me a great gift--a cooking class for the both of us at the Viking Culinary Arts Center! I love to cook and this is great because they supply the ingredients and all of the cool gadgets. You cook, they clean up. Then you get to eat your creation!
But, today I got an even better gift. Great Wall sent out a "Stork Alert." They do this each time they get word that the CCAA has sent the latest batch of referrals. They should get the referral next week. The CCAA left off with dossiers that made it to China by June 23rd. So, it is most people's speculation that this batch will include the last week of July plus August. We are September DTC, so that means WE ARE NEXT! This could mean a February referral, but because of Chinese New Year, it will most likely be early March. Regardless, we are approximately one month away from learning who our baby is, where she is, how old she is! And that is a great birthday present!
But, today I got an even better gift. Great Wall sent out a "Stork Alert." They do this each time they get word that the CCAA has sent the latest batch of referrals. They should get the referral next week. The CCAA left off with dossiers that made it to China by June 23rd. So, it is most people's speculation that this batch will include the last week of July plus August. We are September DTC, so that means WE ARE NEXT! This could mean a February referral, but because of Chinese New Year, it will most likely be early March. Regardless, we are approximately one month away from learning who our baby is, where she is, how old she is! And that is a great birthday present!
# posted by JDonnals : 7:16 PM
Thursday, January 27, 2005
Could this be a sign?
Ok, I had to share this. One of my coworkers, who does not work directly with me, but we do see each other several times a week, just told me that I was in his dream last night! He said it was in the future, we were both older, and we were in an international airport. He said my Chinese daughter was there with me and she was a grown, not a child. He said she was very beautiful and spoke perfect English and Chinese!
First of all, this coworker and I are not THAT close, we do get along well and I think highly of him, but we don't socialize outside of work, so I think it is strange that I would be in one of his dreams! I have talked to him about the adoption, though. Second, he told me he never remembers his dreams, and doesn't know why he remembered this one! He couldn't wait to find me this morning to tell me!
I think this is a sign! It may sound crazy, but maybe we were matched with our daughter yesterday, and this is God's way of letting me know??
We are getting very close, so anything is possible. The latest rumor is that those with July 23+ DTC dates and all of August DTC'ers will get their referrals next week. Could we be included? We are early September (9/6/04). Or were we matched and will be notified in February? We'll just have to wait and see. But my coworker's dream made my day!
First of all, this coworker and I are not THAT close, we do get along well and I think highly of him, but we don't socialize outside of work, so I think it is strange that I would be in one of his dreams! I have talked to him about the adoption, though. Second, he told me he never remembers his dreams, and doesn't know why he remembered this one! He couldn't wait to find me this morning to tell me!
I think this is a sign! It may sound crazy, but maybe we were matched with our daughter yesterday, and this is God's way of letting me know??
We are getting very close, so anything is possible. The latest rumor is that those with July 23+ DTC dates and all of August DTC'ers will get their referrals next week. Could we be included? We are early September (9/6/04). Or were we matched and will be notified in February? We'll just have to wait and see. But my coworker's dream made my day!
# posted by JDonnals : 11:58 AM
Monday, January 24, 2005
Day care (and other) dilemmas
Today Brett and I toured another child care center. It was by far our favorite! It is one of only about 5 child care centers in Memphis that has earned accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. It is now number one our wish list! It was clean, bright, and cheerful. The kids all seemed to be happy, clean and content. It is very educational. If we get a spot, they will let me bring Hallie a week before full time care is needed, a few hours a day, to get her used to it.
We are now on three waiting lists and will likely get on a fourth. We just want to make sure we have some backup plans as the day care situation in Memphis is not the best.
Now, we need to find a pediatrician. In fact, that is my goal for this week. There are apparently some great peds in town who have experience with children adopted from other countries. We want to meet with her or him before we get our referral to talk about what we can expect and so she or he gets to know us. Then, she or he can review Hallie's medical reports when we get them (they come with the referral).
The closer we get to referral, the more we have to do for after the referral! But I'd rather get all of this done now so we can devote all of our time to spend with Hallie when she first gets here.
We are now on three waiting lists and will likely get on a fourth. We just want to make sure we have some backup plans as the day care situation in Memphis is not the best.
Now, we need to find a pediatrician. In fact, that is my goal for this week. There are apparently some great peds in town who have experience with children adopted from other countries. We want to meet with her or him before we get our referral to talk about what we can expect and so she or he gets to know us. Then, she or he can review Hallie's medical reports when we get them (they come with the referral).
The closer we get to referral, the more we have to do for after the referral! But I'd rather get all of this done now so we can devote all of our time to spend with Hallie when she first gets here.
# posted by JDonnals : 9:16 PM
Sunday, January 23, 2005
The new kitchen
The kitchen is painted, finally! It only took 2 1/2 years! The color is bold, but we think it looks great! Now, if we could just get some of the clutter and pictures off the fridge!
# posted by JDonnals : 9:36 PM
An emergency shopping spree!
Yesterday we went to Target, and to my dismay, all of the Classic Pooh bedding collection was on CLEARANCE! Normally, I would be happy to save money, but this must mean that they are discontinuing the line. I had already received half of the things needed for the room from my shower last fall, so I bought up everything else that I could--then I came home and got on Target.com to buy some more! Brett thinks I am crazy, but I didn't want a room that was half decorated. So now I have just about everything. I purchased the crib bumper pads, more crib sheets, a lamp and lamp shade, wall decorations. I already have the plush throw, so I didn't get the comforter. We put it all together, and it looks so cute! I can't believe Target would stop selling this, but who knows, maybe not everyone loves Pooh as much as I do!
On the waiting front... the closer it gets, the harder it gets. But there is plenty to do to bide our time. We are visiting yet another day care tomorrow morning. If we like it, which by all accounts we will, that will have us on three waiting lists, and I hope to be on a fourth. I don't know what we will do if we don't get her in to one of these centers. The hard part is not knowing exactly when we will need the care, probably June, but everything is so up in the air.
On another note, I have been chided by a few of my friends for not updating this blog often enough. It appears that some of you are now addicted. Well, I will do my best to satisfy you. Plus, I want Hallie to someday read about all of the craziness her parents went through while waiting to get her!
On the waiting front... the closer it gets, the harder it gets. But there is plenty to do to bide our time. We are visiting yet another day care tomorrow morning. If we like it, which by all accounts we will, that will have us on three waiting lists, and I hope to be on a fourth. I don't know what we will do if we don't get her in to one of these centers. The hard part is not knowing exactly when we will need the care, probably June, but everything is so up in the air.
On another note, I have been chided by a few of my friends for not updating this blog often enough. It appears that some of you are now addicted. Well, I will do my best to satisfy you. Plus, I want Hallie to someday read about all of the craziness her parents went through while waiting to get her!
# posted by JDonnals : 9:40 AM
Monday, January 17, 2005
Words of wisdom
I've heard pregnant women say everyone offers them advice. The same can be said about parents-to-be who are adopting. But, instead of people stopping me on the streets or at work to offer words of wisdom, I have hundreds--maybe even thousands--of others to offer advice through cyberspace.
I am now a member of at least six Yahoo chat groups on the Internet. One is for families adopting from China with September DTC dates. One is for families adopting from China with September DTC dates who are using Great Wall Chinese Adoption. One is for all families (past, present, and future) who are using GWCA. One is for member of FCC Memphis. One is for members of FCC Memphis who are waiting to adopt. One is for all families who have, are in the process of, or are going to adopt Chinese children. On each group's site, members post messages, post opinions, ask questions and get answers.
Whew! There is a lot of information out there. Some of it is good, and some of it is bad. I got caught up reading about some bad things that happened to one family who was adopting from China. Then, I stayed up nearly all night worrying about the "what ifs..." What if that happened to us? What if there is a problem with our dossier? Those questions started to lead to more ridiculous thoughts. What if there is another SARS outbreak in China? What if the devastating tsunamis had hit China instead of India?
I finally decided that nothing in life is guaranteed, and I shouldn't make myself sick worrying about things I cannot control. I must have faith that all of this will work out and we will have beautiful baby daughter in a few months. I have stopped reading negative messages or stories and am focusing on the positive.
Most of you know I can't stop reading the messages posted on those sites, or posting myself! Some of it is good information. And, yes, I've dished out some advice, too!
I am now a member of at least six Yahoo chat groups on the Internet. One is for families adopting from China with September DTC dates. One is for families adopting from China with September DTC dates who are using Great Wall Chinese Adoption. One is for all families (past, present, and future) who are using GWCA. One is for member of FCC Memphis. One is for members of FCC Memphis who are waiting to adopt. One is for all families who have, are in the process of, or are going to adopt Chinese children. On each group's site, members post messages, post opinions, ask questions and get answers.
Whew! There is a lot of information out there. Some of it is good, and some of it is bad. I got caught up reading about some bad things that happened to one family who was adopting from China. Then, I stayed up nearly all night worrying about the "what ifs..." What if that happened to us? What if there is a problem with our dossier? Those questions started to lead to more ridiculous thoughts. What if there is another SARS outbreak in China? What if the devastating tsunamis had hit China instead of India?
I finally decided that nothing in life is guaranteed, and I shouldn't make myself sick worrying about things I cannot control. I must have faith that all of this will work out and we will have beautiful baby daughter in a few months. I have stopped reading negative messages or stories and am focusing on the positive.
Most of you know I can't stop reading the messages posted on those sites, or posting myself! Some of it is good information. And, yes, I've dished out some advice, too!
# posted by JDonnals : 9:04 PM
Saturday, January 08, 2005
Hallie's room is just about ready... and so am I
I would say Hallie's room is about 90% finished. We bought the crib and dresser last weekend. Both are assembled and ready to go! I am waiting for the crib bumpers and a few other things. I have to hang the pictures and the curtains, and then I think it will be just about there.
The room's just about ready...and I am more than ready to get our daughter!
The families with July DTC dates just got their referrals yesterday! So that means we are up after next! Anything can happen, but we should get word (the referral) in March!
The room's just about ready...and I am more than ready to get our daughter!
The families with July DTC dates just got their referrals yesterday! So that means we are up after next! Anything can happen, but we should get word (the referral) in March!
# posted by JDonnals : 1:17 PM
Monday, January 03, 2005
Happy New Year! Dave and Lin Kelch, Brett and Jennifer, and Don and Kathy Wilson partying on Beale Street just before midnight on New Year's Eve.
# posted by JDonnals : 11:04 AM
