Journey to Parker's Little Sister!!!

OUT OF RETIREMENT TO INTRODUCE A SPECTACULAR GIRL!!

2008-02-04T20:23:00.000-06:00

!!!INTRODUCING!!!!

AVERY KRISTINE

So where have I been since oh, July? Busy with stuff which I will actually post later as I have had many complaints. Today, my friends, who might actually read this still, I want to let you know that my GREAT friend Robyn saw her baby girl for the first time.

I met Robyn through a group of ladies going through the adoption process along with me. She has been waiting since December of 2005 to meet her daughter. To put in "time" terms, she has been officially waiting since four months before I even began the adoption process in April 2006. Needless to say, she has been paitient and unwavering.

Well all of that paid off today. Avery Kristine met the world today! She is adorable and as you can see, well worth the wait. Not only does a daughter a family make, but this little girl gives hope to many, many adoption families. Hope that they will get their daughters one day. It does happen and Robyn and Paul are proof of that.

So Robyn, Paul, Martha, and James H., "SALUD"!! I cannot think of anybody who deserves this beautiful girl anymore than you do. Welcome to the rest of your life!! CONGRATULATIONS!!

I look forward to seeing you all together soon!!

P.S. I promise to post again soon!!

Hello Out There!!

2007-07-24T20:03:00.000-05:00

4th of July Fun! Love Parker's Face

I would apologize for not updating this sooner but I honestly do not think anybody reads this anymore. I wish I could update this more often but time seems to pass me by.

First of all, let me congratulate three of my closest friends and a cousin who just welcomed babies. Three girls and a boy, all healthy. You know who you are and your babies are all BEAUTIFUL! I am so happy for all of you!!

Life is good! We had a great summer vacation in Michigan with Matt's family. Parker got to see his cousins, grandparents, and great grandparents. The weather was nice and it was nice just to relax and get away from it all. We also so some of our great friends for a short time and Parker just had a blast with his new friend Zach...we can't wait to travel with them again!

Parker and his friend Zach

Zach's Mom Brenda...My Good Friend/Roomate in College...the only person I can truly live with (besides Matt :))

Work is good and very busy. I have been averaging 45-50 hours a week and I finally am slowing down a little. I have to admit, I have never had a job this busy but it is nice to go into the office and have the day fly by. Matt has helped out so much over the past few weeks as he has had time off...but he is now back at work so I am going to slow down a little.

Parker loves his preschool and the lady who takes care of him is AMAZING. He swims everyday and has a beautiful tan. He is swimming underwater now and just having a ball. It is hard to believe that school is only a month away and then lessons start again. I am looking forward to fall though.

Zoey, our 'She Beast', is weighing in at about 60+. Yes, she weighed 17 pounds when we got her on April 4th. So not even four months later she is 43 more and still growing. I will try and take some new pics soon.

As for the adoption...since this blog was started to post updates about our adoption...there are none. And there will not be any updates anytime soon. I sent an email to my contact at my agency last week to see if she could give me any additional information that the generic info I already get. Needless to say, she didn't have any additional and she stated, "I refuse to believe that your wait will get to 7 years". Wow, I wasn't thinking beyond 3 but since she mentioned it, I am guessing that is what the current numbers are pointing to. Nevertheless, it is out of my control at this point.

We have decided to move onto "Plan B".

I hope everybody is well...I don't hear from too many people anymore but I know everybody is busy. Love Ya!

MARCO...

2007-05-21T21:16:00.000-05:00

Parker's First run through the sprinkler of 2007!

Zoey the "She Beast" 13 weeks old

POLO!!!

Well, I am guessing that most people won't even notice this post. It has been almost four months since my last post. What can I say? Excuses I guess. Honestly, the truth, we have been busy and I guess what we have been busy with isn't all that interesting to other people.

Catching up on four months would take me a gazillion pages. Let me sum it up in a nutshell...we got a dog, had a great turn out for this years March of Dimes walk, found out it will take most likely 3 years before we get Larkin, my Mom retired, one of my best friends is about to have a baby, work work and more work, and Parker getting older.

Our dog's name is Zoey. She is a Newfoundland and a real pain in the ass right now. I love her to death but she eats everything. Primarily human flesh. Parker has cuts on his legs and I have cuts all over my arms as does Matt. My shoes are all narled on the heels and Matt has lost a few pairs of pants to this dog. She is 13 weeks old now and when we got her six weeks ago, she was just shy of 18 pounds. As of yesterday, she is just shy of 38. Thank God I don't gain weight at that rate. She is sweet but a puppy so she is a handful. We will be training her as soon as we are able to.

Parker and Matt are great. School is ending this week for Matt. He has to work most of the summer but it is always more relaxed when the kids are gone. Work is going well for me, I am at the point where I appreciate all the vacation I get. We are looking forward to taking a trip to see Matt's family, my family and our good friends this summer. Visiting the midwest is always a great way to beat the heat in the summer.

I'm afraid my M3 Posse thinks I have neglected them. I have seen most of them since the March of Dimes Walk. By the way, Parker's Peeps raised almost 1k this year and we had a turnout of 14 people. WE had a great time and I am so thankful to my friends for walking...even if it was muddy and we did get seperated. Hey we got bread an ice cream sandwiches! YUM!!

I have been a little out of the loop with busy weekends and such but honestly, I think I am just removed from the adoption process in general. We have pretty much officially been told it will be between a 24-36 month wait time. With only six months down, we are feeling a little bitter at this point. Actually, I shouldn't say that...we are over it at this point. We were upset for about two days because we felt lied to and and completely disengaged from our agency but now we are just pressing on. Possibly looking at other options. No we are not dropping out of China but with the possibility of not meeting our daughter until late 2009/early 2010 we need to figure out a plan B.

So I'm sorry M3 if you guys feel I have been absent lately. I miss you guys I just needed some much needed time to reflect on this process. You have all been so great an helpful and I am so happy you are all close to getting your babies! I can't wait to meet all of them.

I am off to bed now...but I wanted to touch base with my friends! Love you All!!

P walking across the new floor!

2007-02-12T19:07:00.001-06:00

P walking across the new floor!
Originally uploaded by redgal7474.

I can't believe how fast he is growing!!

Yes, it has been awhile...

2007-02-12T18:57:00.000-06:00

Superbowl Sunday! Go Bears! My new favorite picture!!

Hi Everybody! I am once again a bad blogger...don't I get an excuse of some sort? Working Mom, Three Year Old, Beginning Pilates, starting work on March of Dimes 2007, working on getting a dog? Any of these work?

Actually, in all honesty, I didn't think I had that much good stuff to report...maybe it was the holiday post slump. The good news is that this Friday marks our 3 month LID...I would like to think the next gazillion months fly by just as quickly. I honestly start thinking about her and then I try to push it out of my mind. Then I will see some adorable little Asian girl somewhere and I will think about her again. Then I will push her out again. Then I think about doing her room...than I ignore it again. My M3 posse wisely warned me from doing her room early and I am heeding their advice. I go into stores and honestly suprise myself by not buying her things. To date I probably have about 8 articles of clothing for her. Which is not like me at all...in regards to my shopping habits. When I was pregnant with Parker, after the first 12 weeks, I was balls out buying things. I guess it is the intangible of not knowing when she will come. I think maybe six more months and I will at least have a better idea??? I would like to think. Oh Larkin...Mommy does love you so much and hopes time flies by so quickly!

On another note, work is good and Parker is great in preschool. We were actually home today as he has a terrible double ear infection...um, I thought tubes are suppose to prevent this??? Appearently, I was wrong. Not too bad though. I have been at work almost six months now...hasn't time flown and he has only been really sick twice. I don't care he is my first priority and I get a rediculous amount of sick and vacation time. Plus, I worked from home today so it is a moot point.

My 31st birthday is Saturday...I cannot believe how time has flown. I remember being so drunk on my 19th and 21st birthdays. I guess I took a break on my 20th...I was just living it up in college. I remember going to Vegas on my 21st birthday with my Father. I met him there for a long weekend from college...I had always wanted to go and he took me. It was a blast. I remember going to New Orleans two years ago for my 29th birthday and then last year skiing with my friends. The older you get, the faster time flies. I know I will turn around and I will be 40. No, to all my friends, there is nothing wrong with 40...it is just that time passes so quickly.

So this weekend, Matt is taking me to Cirque du Soliel. I love Cirque and we have been to six of their shows but my absolute favorite is La Nouba in Disney World. We saw it on our honeymoon and I have been hooked ever since. Lucky for me, they are in town right now so I get to go see Corteo with Matt...it will be fun! Other than that, I am having a fairly low key birthday...

So yes, you read correctly...we are getting a dog. We have talked about it for awhile now but we vowed to get a dog from puppyhood. We really had a bad experience with Illinois. We gave him a great six years but he was truly damanged goods. I am glad we rescued him but he was a lost soul. Poor guy. I grew up with cats and Matt grew up with dogs and since many of our family members are allergic to cats we decided on a dog. I did a ton of research and really wanted a family oriented dog...so the winner is...a NEWFOUNDLAND. Yes, you read right...a gigantic dog. But, read the info on them and you will be sold as well. They are perfect with kids and known as the gentle giant. We are going to get a female so she should be smaller than the 150lb male. Hey what can I say, I like big things. Look at Matt!! We will be getting her sometime in March...she is in Arkansas right now.

So I am signing off for tonight. I promise to be a better blogger...I really do. Kelley...I have been thinking of your foot...you are going to look so good in your Jimmy Choo's; Erin...I love your new doggy...miss you; Christie...I am thinking of you and your family and I do try to post on your father's blog; Robyn...you are so close woman I can taste it...I know it will be this summer; Val...I feel like the biggest ass for not emailing you lately about your visitor...I have been thinking about all you though, I promise. Love you all!!

P.S. I am still having problems with posting pictures on this stupid blog. I can't believe I am not that blog saavy. Help!

Gotta Love a Head Cold!

2007-01-04T18:31:00.000-06:00

Hello all my peeps! Well I have had a major head cold the past two days and it has wiped me out. The good news is that referrals have come for almost all of September, the bad news is that none of my pals have their babies yet. We are getting closer with every passing months. I am so very excited for all of them because they are towards the end of their wait and I am just at the beginning. So I will have so much encouragement when I get frustrated towards the end of my waiting time.

Holidays went well but I still need to pull down my decorations. I love putting them up but I dread taking them down. Onward towards Valentine's Day though...and adding another notch on the life ladder...my birthday is only a few days after V-Day. I can't believe the year has flown by so quickly. Just a year ago I was getting ready for a 30th birthday bash with a bunch of my girlfriends. We went skiing in Colorado and it was a blast. I had no idea I would be adopting and I definitely did not think I would be keeping track of blog. Besides adding to my family, I met five of the best ladies I have ever known. We have great times together...they are so great!!

Oh and a year ago I was an at home mom, planning on going to nursing school and just hanging out with my son. Now I am working again, have a little girl on the way, and great new friends. And the year has flown, I can't even tell you. I am posting a picture from last year's trip.

So my New Year's Resolutions are this: Speedy Referrals for my friends (since I can't control this, I will try and keep them cheery with my humor), work on the profanity (cut it down some), try and drive only 10 over the speed limit, lose about 25 pounds, save a ton of money so we can fly business class to China, and LIVE EVERYDAY TO ITS FULLEST! The merry go round goes so fast...you just have to take it all in when you can! Love you all!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

2006-12-27T19:25:00.000-06:00

Well I hope everybody had a great Christmas!! We have been busy in our house. A few weeks ago, Matt's parents came to town for his graduation and I do not think we have slowed down until just today. I am beat. So my husband is now offically a Doctor. He can't peform surgery but damn, for all that schooling he should be able to. I can't begin to tell you how proud I am of him and I also how happy I am for my family. Not only will this degree enhance his career opportunities, but he will now have more time to spend with us. Of course, now I am convinced I need to finish my Master's Degree which I am halfway done with...but then that thought goes to the back of my mind. What's a girl to do?? I need to know when to say when.

We had a wonderful early Christmas with Matt's parents in town and graduation was great as well. What made the weekend extra great was that I got to see three of my M3 friends for lunch. Kelley and the girls came, lovely dressed up and sassy Robyn, and Valerie who always makes me laugh (especially with the napkin at lunch)! We missed Christie and Erin...although Erin not so much as she was cruising and vacationing...so jealous. I have hooty hoot story about my in laws to tell at our next meeting ladies...I don't want to spoil it here but after a few drinks, you will all be rolling...this is what I came home to after our lunch that day. And no naughty thoughts...it is nothing like that. Oh by the way Robyn, no lime green drinks. They leave my body the same color as they went in...a little freaky.

Parker had his tubes in his ears and all went well. I think his speech has improved already. I am so glad we did it when we did. He was out of it until about mid afternoon and then he was fine from then on. I am sorry I missed my M3 lunch and ladies I have your gifts. Nothing like delayed gifts to keep the season going.

Christmas was wonderful and I got some great stuff. Parker got way to much so I put a lot of things away and will parcel them out over the next few months. Christmas is overwhelming for me so I can imagine a child's mind just spinning out of control. I really do love the holidays but they always seem so anti-climatic to me. There is such a big build up and then poof, they are over in an instant. Parker didn't sit on Santa's lap this year as he was terrified...so maybe next year.

I am looking forward to a weekend away with my husband this weekend. We are going to a wedding in San Antonio and after we booked the reservations, we found out our beloved Hawkeyes are playing in the Alamo Bowl...against Texas. So to all you UT fans...boo. We will be going to the game and then running back to change for the wedding. It will be fun for both of us. It has been almost two years since we have been away together. I will miss my friends this weekend so Happy New Year to you.

I am having problems posting pictures again so I will try in a different post. My wish for this new years is that referrals speed up, and at the very least all my friends have their babies home by summer. I think it is possible...just keep thinking and belieivng. I am going to put some serious miles on my car going to the airport! Love you guys!!!

LID!!! WE HAVE ONE! AND I AM A BAD BLOGGER!

2006-12-10T21:05:00.000-06:00

We were LID on November 17th. So here we are almost a month later and I haven't posted it yet. I would love to think every month until we get Larkin will pass this quickly but alas, I know it will not. It has been very hectic since my last posting.

In a nustshell...we went to Michigan for Thanksgiving where Parker proceeded to get sick and we ended up in the ER due to his ears. He has had a chronic ear infection for months now but before you freak...this is not a painful ear infection. Our ENT has been following him for several months and we have gone through rounds of antibiotics...nothing cleared it up. We then tested his hearing and our doc said he wasn't concerned with what it looked like in his ears as long as his hearing was compromised. We were suppose to follow up in mid December again. Well, then we went to Michigan and we realized we had to have it done. It was a very long plane flight back. Needless to say, Parker will be having tubes put in on the 22nd. So, for me, the mother who bragged about her kid never having an ear infection...will not be eating her words. I have a feeling these will make such a noticeable improvement in his runny noses, colds, etc.

Don't get me wrong, I am not complaining at all after everything Parker has been through but come one, the kid deserves a break. At least the kidney stones are gone...probably shouldn't say that out loud should I?

So my husband is graduating with his PhD this upcoming Saturday. I am so proud of him in so many ways. I have to admit, I am also ecstatic that we can put all of his schooling behind us. He has been in school every since we graduated with our undergrads in 98. Maybe I will finally finish my Master's...who knows?

So let me tell you what I am looking forward to...Christmas Eve, and Christmas! I LOVE the holidays! I am also looking forward to early next year because I know all of my good friends are so close to getting their babies. I cannot WAIT to go to the airport to see them all coming home. Robyn is first up and then Valerie...girls it is so close I can feel it!

I hope all is well with everybody! Happy Holidays!

Happy Thanksgiving and all that Jazz!!!

2006-11-20T20:59:00.000-06:00

Yes, I finished my mantel this weekend. I just got those weird red things...Matt things they look like they came out of the Grinch movie...

Yes, yes, I am lax in my blogging. I know, I know. My good friends like to remind me all time that I'm sucky blogger. Maybe I will get better once I have my official LID. Tick tock Damnit. I called GWCA last week and they seemed to think I would get it this week. Why? I don't know, maybe they are just putting me at bay. I will call again tomorrow. I'm like a kid in a candy store. However, I think I am pretty much out of 2007 in regards to getting Larkin. A girl can dream right? Maybe I should focus on the tummy tuck instead for 2007??:)

So we are off to Michigan this week to the inlaws for Thanksgiving. It should be a great time as Parker loves to see his grandparents and I have fun just enjoying the weather in the Midwest. I also get to see my Aunt and Uncle who are coming up from Chicago...to see Parker, not so much me. It is nice though that he has extended family. I do not have any grandparents left and came into the world with only one...grandparents are amazing and I always get pissy at my friends who take theirs for granted.

Let me tell you about Matt's Grandparents. Matt's Grandfather is "Gomp" and his Grandmother is "Gommie". These are two very amazing people and very kind. It is great to see Parker with his grandparents, let alone his great-grandparents. Well, the story goes that when Matt's parents called Gommie and Gomp to tell them Parker had been born, Gomp was so upset that he hung up the phone. We didn't find out about the until about a year ago but it hit him really hard. We didn't show them pictures of him while he was until the hospital until just earlier this year. It was very hard for them because they just didn't know what to think. So after Parker had been in the hospital a few months, Gomp sent this little gift to the house. It had a little boxing glove ornament in it and a note that said "Keep on fighting Champ". Well, you can see Parker holding the little ornament above and I really think that it is the true testament to a good, strong support system. It is amazing to me to see what was three years ago and what now is today. I am in awe of my child everyday for everything he went through. I am in awe of myself and Matt for dealing with that head on and never thinking negatively. I honestly feel like I can tackle anything after going through that.

I remember waddling down to the NICU by myself the Friday after he was born. He was born on a Wednesday by the way. Matt had spent every night in the hospital with me and that Friday was the first night he went home. I made my way down the NICU, albeit very slow, and then I was alone with Parker for the first time. As alone as you can be by a bunch of nurses, doctors and sick babies. I sat down at his bed warmer and I cried. I cried. I cried. Peter, the wonderful night nurse came over to me and said, "First time down alone huh". He gave me some Kleenex and let me be alone with my son. For the next 84 days I watched the miracle of life, science, gifted nurses and doctors, and love and support heal my son. I realize how fortunate I am to have a 26 weeker with no lasting problems in excellent health. Read the statistics sometime and you will be shocked at how lucky we are.

So tomorrow I am off to my annual Obgyn appt. My doctor is my hero and I love him for saving my child's life. I am done birthing children as I can go through it again. I did mourn my pregnancy and it still stings like a bitch to go through the maternity ward. But will I ever complain? No, my son is healthy and I am the mother of a daughter not yet conceived. By some miracle, I found my daughter in the American Way magazine of all places. I found women who turned out to be some of the most wonderful women I would have never met if I didn't read that magazine. These women all have a story, all of have their own fertility issues, and all have an amazing sense of humor. I am very thankful.

So my friends, those who didn't think I could be very emotional or sincere, I am thankful for may things this season. I am thankful that I am going to be a mother again, I am thankful my son is happy and healthy, I am thankful that my husband is graduating with his PhD, I am thankful for my health and for finding my friend in my head and being able to proactive about it, I am thankful one of my best friends who has had so many fertility issues is finished with her first trimester on Thanksgiving, I am thankful that my parents are an active part of my son's life and I am thankful for all of my new friends. I love you all. Happy Thanksgiving!

Picking a Pumpkin!

2006-11-03T21:03:00.000-06:00

Picking a Pumpkin!
Originally uploaded by redgal7474.

Okay, bear with me on this. I am trying to upload photos using Flickr...I haven't quite figured out how to load several at once. Here are a few from the pumpkin patch last weekend. I will load more of Parker in his Halloween costume later tomorrow. He was a Cardio-Thoracic Surgeon and he made away with a lot of candy. Good for him, bad for me. He loves to unwrap candy but not so much into eating it.

I promise to write more this weekend and I will try to be a better blogger from now on. I am still learning how to juggle the working mom thing. By the time I get home with Parker at night it is 5:30 and I just want to hang out with him. We put him to bed and I am usually exhausted so the blog is suffering. I will keep up with it though, I promise!

So to all my ladies...how long did it take you to get your LID? It has been two weeks...tick tock.

Oh, and on a weird note, does anybody else get the Pottery Barn Kids catalog? Love their stuff, hey, check out the new girls/baby furniture line. Notice what it is called??? THE "LARKIN" COLLECTION. Damnit. It was mine first. They owe me.

Parker and I in a barrel...

2006-11-03T21:01:00.000-06:00

Parker and I in a barrel...
Originally uploaded by redgal7474.

Testing.

WE ARE DTC!!!

2006-10-26T20:43:00.000-05:00

Okay, so I haven't been as good about posting but I did have a legitimate reason for holding off. We are officially DTC...Dossier to China. Six months of paperchasing and we are done. Now we are just waiting for official Log In Date (LID). Hopefully we will find that out in the next few weeks. I am just so happy to be done with the paperwork. It seems like the six months it took went by so quickly so I am hoping the time until we meet our daughter will fly as fast. Oh, our daughter by the way...her name is....

Larkin Anne

We will also incorporate part of her Chinese name. What a wonderful journey so far. I have met so many wonderful people who I know I will be friends with forever! I can't wait go to the airport several times over the next several months to wait for my friends returning from China with their daughters! It takes a truly special person to adopt a child and all of these people in my adoption group and wonderful souls! So here we go onto the next chapter!!!

Tick Tock, Tick Tock

2006-10-09T20:50:00.000-05:00

Yes my friends. I am still waiting. Here is what I was waiting for as of last week. The authentication of my birth certificate from Chicago, Matt's authentication of his birth certificate from Los Angeles, and the authentication of our 171 and application letter from Houston. Well, the good news is, Chicago came through and I have my authentication letter. The bad news is, as of today, I still do not have the three other things. Now in all honesty, the 171 and application letter were just sent off last Tuesday overnight but Houston was very prompt with the authentications of everything else. I called the Chinese Consulate today to find out where Matt's birth certificate was as I know it arrived there on 09/27. Let me tell you how helpful she was. Anyway, if I don't get it tomorrow, i will be calling again. The good news is that I have another copy of Matt's birth certificate with its certification but I really dont' want to have to send that. So this is what it all hinges on folks. All I need to do is make my copies and I will hopefully be DTC. So I was hoping I would get it there this Wednesday so they could send it to China this Friday. So keep your fingers crossed for next week. GRRRR!!

On another note, we sold the beast this weekend. No, not Matt (HAHAHAHAHAHA!), the beast is my big Sequoia. It was just too much car for us even with Mei Mei coming. Plus now that I am working it sucked too much gas. We got a great price for it and now we are looking for another car. Yes, I am currently renting a stripped down Taurus and I am really missing my car. Hopefully, we will have a new car by this weekend! Any ideas from anybody (sorry to my MWL, but I know you love your Minivans but I just can't).

Okay and to my wonderful MWL group. Yes, I am a total weirdo. The lunch is this weekend but I still don't think I will be able to make it this Friday. I know you guys will have so much fun and I can't wait to see some of you soon! Hope all is well!

JUST WAITING ON ONE THING...

2006-10-05T21:47:00.000-05:00

I am so close to the end of this paperchase it is driving me insane. I am literally all done but I am waiting on three authentications back. Tick Tock. I really wanted to have all of the paperwork into our agency by next Wednesay so we could DTC next Friday. Considering how long this is taking I seem to be losing hope that will happen. I can't complain, the paperwork process hasn't been too hard, time consuming yes, hard not. I have to admit though, I just want to put it behind me and begin my wait. And begin shopping for my daughter. Oh and share her name with everybody. Keep your fingers crossed that I will come home to some FedEx envelopes tomorrow. GRRRR!!!

At least tomorrow is Friday!!!

I will miss my MWL group! I love you guys! Have fun tomorrow! Think of me!

Parker's Birthday Party...and Other Things!!

2006-09-28T20:13:00.000-05:00

The happy family on the fire engine. Boy do we match outfits well?? We are the busy shirt family.

Kind of blurry...but this is everybody on the fire engine!

Parker checking out the fire engine...

Sorry for the delay in posting. It has been quite hectic since Matt's parents left this past weekend. They came in town from Michigan to help celebrate Parker's 3rd birthday and it was non stop from the time they got here until they left. Needless to say, we all had a wonderful time and it was great to see them!

Parker's birthday party was a blast. We barely beat the weather but it worked out great because everybody who wanted to ride the fire

engine got a chance to ride a few times. All the kiddos were great and all had a fun time. Mollianne was not too hip on riding the fire engine but she loved watching it. Parker got some great gifts and fun was had by all. We are so thankful to have such wonderful friends!! We missed our friends who couldn't be there!

On a sad note, the night before the party, my beloved cat Merlin died. I honestly still think I am somewhat in shock from the whole thing. Merling was a big cat, as most of you who have seen him know (he was a 22 pound cat), but otherwise very healthy. He had shown no signs of any problems lately. Matt's mom, Parker, and myself came home Friday night from dropping off Matt's dad at Matt's work to find Merlin lying on the floor. Now this was not usual at all as Merlin was basically a sloth. (He was my cute fluffy sloth.) What was unusal was that his tounge was hanging out of the side of his mouth and he sounded like he was gasping. I ran to the phone and called our vet who had the emergency vet's number on there. Well the emergency vet was all the way off Greenville and 635...hello. So I called my Mom in a panic to drive me there...by this time Merlin had made his way to my bathroom floor. He was laying there, tounge hanging out, foam and stuff coming out of his mouth and gasping. I kept petting him and telling him to hold on...and then he died. All within a few minutes. I started crying. Not just crying. "Lifetime Movie" crying. How about "Steel Magnolias" crying. He was such a great cat and he was so affectionate. He slept with me every night and he had the best purr. My vet finally called me back because I paged her and after she apologized for not being able to meet me at her office (she was out of town) she said it is most likely a heart attack. I can take comfort in knowing that he wasn't in pain. I think he actually waited until I got home because it happend so fast soon after. I think part of it is that he misses his friend too. Our other cat Mikey, had to be put down in March. He was very sick and Mikey and Merlin were buds. At least they are together. Stack that on top of the fact that we put our dog down in February because he bit Parker a second time (he was a troubled dog that we had rescued from a no kill shelter 6 years ago) and the odds are not in favor for an animal entering our house.

I have had a cat as long as I can remember so now that I am without an animal it is strange. I am going to hold off on getting a pet for awhile. Merlin was only 10 but was with us since before we were married. It is so hard to replace an animal and I could try to being to. We got him at the SPCA downtown and he was great. Love you Merlin! I will try to find a picture for you guys.

WE GOT IT! WE GOT IT!

2006-09-22T15:59:00.000-05:00

I know I have already shouted from the rooftops but I will do it again...

WE GOT OUR I171-H YESTERDAY!

This is basically the last huge hurdle before we send our paperwork back to our adoption agency and then the dossier will be sent to China by them. I have a few things to do such as getting this form a few last things Authenticated but I am hoping to do that at the latest by the first week in October. I could probably do it faster but it is so crazy right now.

Gotta run, my in-laws are here and we are running out the door. Parker's birthday party is tomorrow morning and there is no rest for the weary until the earliest being Sunday afternoon. I will be diligently working on my adoption finalizations then. Is FedEx open on Sunday???

HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY PARKER!!

2006-09-17T19:50:00.000-05:00

Hard to see but this is the first time I held Parker. He as two weeks old. The bandage on his back is from his PDA ligation surgery. He was only 28 weeks gestation age in this picture.

Parker today eating his birthday cookies (he likes cookies not cake) and being his cute self.

Three years ago today my little guy entered the world 14 weeks early weighing 2lbs and 3oz. It was the most wonderful day of my life and also the beginning of journey that make me stronger than any person I know. He spent 84 days in the NICU and things were looking very grim on his seventh day in there before he had his PDA ligation (heart surgery). From that day on he had his ups and downs but he did so well and we were so very fortunate. He never had any brain bleeds, infections, eye problems, gastro problems, etc. We took him home on December 9th, 2003 and he has continued to grow, thrive and amaze us ever since that day.

I am honored to be his mother and every time I look at him, I remember how fortunate my husband and I are and how precious life is. I am amazed how quickly three years have passed. In three years he will be going to school and from there on time will pass even more quickly. I am so happy that he made me a mother and I cannot wait for him to meet his little sister.

I LOVE YOU SO MUCH! HAPPY THIRD BIRTHDAY PARKER! COUNTDOWN TO 4!

I'm Here! Woo Hoo!! Back with a Vengence!

2006-09-17T19:21:00.000-05:00

My sincere apologies to anybody who reads my blog. I have not posted in almost a month and I apologize. It has been a busy month as I have returned to work, went out of town for a week to California for training, and then my computer died. So after I got raked over the coals by my wonderful ladies last night, I vowed to not allow that much time to ellapse again without posting.

Work is going well. I am picking up on it very quickly and getting busier day by day. The days typically go by very quickly. Then I go to pick up Parker and we spend the rest of the night just hanging out. It is fun. I do miss him during the day but he has so much fun at his preschool and it is really helping his speech and his social skills. Plus, the potty training thing is coming along. Go Ms. Charlotte!!!

So life is good, I am making money again, my kiddo turned three today (will post seperately), and I had the best time with my Mommies Who Lunch group last night. Erin, Kelley, Christie, Robyn, Valerie and myself had the best time last night. First of all, Valerie, thank you for hosting our get together at your beautiful house! Valerie has the most magnificent house and she needs to be an interior decorator. She has a knack for it and she claims to have done it all on a budget but it absolutely does not look it. Aubriana's room is gorgeous and oh how I love the fact that she has seasonal bedding!

We had the best time laughing and eating last night. Kelley was such a trooper with her gimpy but newly beautiful foot. She even hopped up and down the stairs to hang out with us and we were glad she was there. We missed her after she left but I think she was much more comfortable at home!

Christie was the smartest one there. Even though I gave her flack for her gigantic fruit and veggie trays, it was great to have them there and it was all so wonderful. Plus, it avoided the massive guilt that goes along with eating everything else. You are a hoot and I just love hanging out with you! Glad to know that we are girls that you like to hang out with especially since you don't have "girls as friends".

Robyn is always a hoot and can always keep us laughing especially with her, "I'm from the country stories". She is always so great to bring her camera so we can capture these priceless moments just as she has of me on her blog. Also, I am waiting for a picture of Paul in his spandex leggings you said he has. That would be a hoot if you could get a picture of that on your blog!

Erin is always wonderful! Plus I never knew she has the funniest laugh I have ever heard. Oh and how I loved the story of the chili pot yesterday. That is great. I love the quirk that you can stand food in water. I would have never thought about that but hey, I hate mayo so we all have our weird things!

I had a blast last night just laughing and hanging out with my girlfriends. We really should make this something we do at least every other month. I know doing this and the lunch and with the holidays coming it is a lot but it was so great to just hang out. Sorry if I was getting tired at the end, I had an early morning with Parker on Saturday. I also was give my complete thanks to Erin for bringing us all together. Without her, we wouldn't all be friends now. I cannot wait to see how all of our daughters play together. I am so THANKFUL to have you all as my friends and to be going through this journey with you all (even if you think I am the rumor queen Robyn :))! I hope we remain friends forever...boy does that sound corny or what but I do really mean it!

Sorry I didn't post any pictures. I tried to copy them from Robyn but I am having the picture posting problems again. BooHoo!

P.S. Okay, so I will never forget gum in the dryer or using my dryer as a safe for that matter! Or our jokes about the "PP"...think really hard and you will figure out what that stands for.

Love You All!

Off to Work I Go....

2006-08-20T18:59:00.000-05:00

Miss Mia having fun on my couch!! What a great girl!!

Well, tomorrow is the big day! I can honestly say, I am not very nervous. I have been through many more trying things and this just doesn't stack up to those things. I am excited though. The idea of being able to go to work tomorrow and make good money for my family and also to get great benefits makes me happy. It also makes me happy to know that I am doing this to save money for Mei Mei. Of course, I will miss Parker. I missed him the two days that I took him to preschool last week. However, I saw how much he liked it and how much fun he had an it made it all the easier on me!! He is such a great kid and he has so much to learn and I know he will learn it at his preschool! It will be nice to be around adults for awhile during the day though!!

Friday, I hosted our Mommies Who Lunch group lunch at my house. We missed two of our members but we had a great time nevertheless. I have to tell you, this is a great group of women and you would never have guessed we hadn't been friends for years. We can all just sit around for hours about anything and everything! We do this monthly but I am throwing a suggestion out there that maybe somewhere in the next few months we do a Mommies Night Out or something like that. This is a fun group of ladies and I know we would have fun! I will miss them for our lunches but hopefully, I will be able to lunch with them again in October!

On the adoption front, we are sure to get our certified documents back this week and then I will turn them around and send them to be authenticated. I will get our family pictures together and then hopefully, it won't take much longer to get our 171 approval. We are at about a month now. Keep your fingers crossed for us!

Hopefully, it will cool off soon here as well. It is just awful here! I am soooo looking forward to fall! I hope everybody has a great week and wish me luck tomorrow!

ON A ROLL...

2006-08-15T13:38:00.000-05:00

Well, less than a week until I go back to work. I am trying to get a lot done in this time while trying to make the most of my time with Parker. I do get a little nostalgic when I think that I won't be the person who will be putting him down for naps during the day. Then I remember that many kids his age don't even take naps anymore. I have to admit that the time for this is perfect. Parker really does need to be around other kids on a daily basis and he also needs to be in a preschool setting. His mind is like a sponge and everyday he amazes me with something new. Today we ran up to Petsmart and he went up to the area where they have the cats for adoptiong. He waved at each cat and kissed the front of their glass/plastic cages. He is so adorable and never ceases to amaze me.

I have made a huge step forward in our adoption journery. Everything is out being certified right now, Passports are being renewed and we are just waiting for everything to come back to us so I can send it to be authenticated. Now hopefully, we won't have to wait forever for 171 to come back. I am really keeping my fingers crossed for a LID no later than mid-October. Then we will name our daughter and I can start buying some clothes. I don't want to buy anything until the LID and it is tough. There is some super cute stuff out there and the sales are great right now. To all my ladies who are LID, run don't walk to the super cute sales at Nordstroms! They have so many cute girly stuff on sale now. Perfect for the summer here which lasts 8 months!

I am looking forward to my ladies who lunch date on Friday. I am so happy to be hosting this one as it will probably be my last one...at least for a few months until I get settled, then I will be joining you guys again on my lunch hour! This is such a great group of ladies and it is nice to get together with them.

That is all for now...I have a plumber coming to replace my kitchen sink, fawcet, garbage disposal, and piping. Don't you love how a little leak becomes so big?? Oh well, it will be so nice to have a nice sink!

Fingerprinting Done!!!!

2006-08-07T13:36:00.000-05:00

Colorado Rain Shower!! Don't you miss cool weather and rain??

We finally received our fingerprint letter on Thursday. I guess I shouldn't say finally, it was fairly quick from what I have been told. We sent our I600A form off on 07/22/06 and we got our finger print letter on 08/03/06. So not too bad! I am so excited! We are in the process of certifing all of our documents so hopefully we can get everything ready to mail to GWCA when the 171 comes in. Keep your fingers crossed for a end of September beginning October LID!

School is finally back in session this week and I am thrilled. I always like things better when kids are in school. Maybe because it signal fall, cooler weather, football season and the best holidays . I am keeping my fingers crossed that we will at least be able to turn off our air conditioner by the end of October but you never know.

Other than that, my new healthy lifestyle of eating well and exercising is going great! I am tying up a bunch of loose ends before I go back to work and I am spending as much time with my kiddo as possible. I am so excited because I cleaned my closet better than I ever have in my life yesterday and got rid of almost all of my old work clothes. Many of them were not in great shape, out of style and just didn't the way they did before I was pregnant. So tomorrow, I have my wonderful babysitter coming over and I get to go shopping for a bunch of new work stuff. Wish me luck! I am hoping to get enough stuff to tide me over for awhile and then hopefully, I will lose more weight and be able to fit into the next smaller size!

Hope everybody is doing well!

Touching Base...

2006-07-31T21:21:00.000-05:00

First of all, THANK YOU to all of my wonderful blogger friends. I really did appreciate your advice and I did take it to heart. I am fairly positive I am going to be going with job #2. It is the job where I will have to go to the office everyday but I really feel it is the right fit right now. The stability, pay, and insurance are too good for me to pass up. In all honesty, I have no idea what will happen when we get Mei Mei home (hopefully for Christmas 2007)...I might decide not to go back to work. So I think this will be the perfect job for the time being. And who knows, if I love it then I will have worked there long enough to get my 3 months off with her...only time will tell. I actually haven't gotten my official offer letter yet (from either job) but I did get a call from this company tonight telling me it is on its way. I do have to go to training for a week in California right when I start. That should be interesting considering the longest I have ever been away from Parker is 3 days. I choose not to think about that right now. I am honestly just enjoying everyday with him. I can tell though that he is ready to go to preschool. We took him to his yearly developmental doctor appointment today (a follow up from his prematurity) and she seems to think that he will do so well with the structure and routine of preschool. I have to admit, I have kept him very sheltered these past three years. I know the preschool thing will be harder on me than it will be for him.

Moving on...so my husband and I started Nutrisystem yesterday and so far so good. We are both wanting to shed the weight we gained after college. We also joined Lifetime Fitness and I have to say, I love it. Parker and I have been swimming in their fabulous pool the past two days and he is having a blast. Their workout facilities and equipment are great and the child care is great as well. Plus, it is hard for me to come up with an excuse not to go since it four minutes from my house. It was difficult for Matt and I both being college athletes to admit that we really needed to get on the ball. So I will keep you posted!

On the adoption front, I am still awaiting my fingerprint letter. I just got back my birth certificates with their official certification from the Secretary of State. We are making progress. I have to tell you that I love reading about all your secret pals...I can't wait to be one and I can't wait to get one! Yippee!

Hope everybody is having a great week!

P.S. Does anybody but me have problems loading pictures onto blogger from time to time????

Lots to Share!!!

2006-07-26T21:49:00.000-05:00

Hello everbody! So let me catch you up on the adoption stuff...we finally sent in our I600A form last Saturday via FedEx and it was delivered to its destination on Monday! Today I got a confirmation letter from the Department of Homeland Security that they had received it and we should be receiving our fingerprint notice in the near future. Yippee we are on our way to the end! Hopefully! I also sent both my birth certificates and Matt's to their individual secretary's of state to be certified as we were both born out of state. I finally feel like I am making progress again! Keeping my fingers crossed for a late September early October log in date. I know that is cutting it close but a girl can dream!

And on the job front...I am finally done interviewing. I have really been working the job thing for a few months and my hard work has paid off. Now I have two great offers from two great companies. This is where I need my friends advice...so chip in friends (Robyn, I know you will give me the honest opinion).

Just the nitty gritty of the offers...Job #1...Good base salary, would be selling litigation services, lots of money to be made, basically have the flexibility to come and go as I please and would work for an awesome boss in small group. It is the kind of position where I can come and go and be a lot more flexible with Parker (if he is sick or has a doctor's appt. I could work from home kind of thing). A lot of the work would be downtown but again I can set my own hours and such but to make good money I will have to be hitting it hard for awhile. Not a problem...it just has to factor into the consideration.

Job #2...10k more base salary but the overall package potential with bonus and such would be less than job #1. It is an in house kind of job, i.e. 8-5 kind of thing. It is doing Large Biz account management which is my background. It is not far from home (Addison) and they are all very nice there and everybody I have met with has been there for at least 5 years. Let me give you the kicker on this job...phenomenal insurance. Did I say pheonomenal insurance? I meant unheard of. Top of the line PPO...accepted just about everywhere and for my family of three soon to be four it will cost me about 32$ a month. Yes, you read that right $32. Oh and the deductible per year per family is 300$. It is a great company with lots of stability and potential.

So there lies my dilemna. I have been off for a couple of years so the idea of going back into the office is scary. However, it pays well and has great people and the rediculously good benefits. On the other hand, Job #1 has flexibility and freedom, a good guranteed salary with the potential to make a lot of money. So ladies...help me out here!

Lunch with My Lady Friends!

2006-07-21T19:37:00.000-05:00

Today was a wonderful day...I got to have lunch with my Mommies Who Lunch Group! It was so nice to see everybody, meet a few new people, and honestly, enjoy lunch with friends without having to chase Parker around. Now you all know how much I love my kiddo but sometimes just being able to sit and visit really hits the spot. Of course, I got to enjoy watching Kelley chase Miss M around all lunch! Ha!

We are definitely a Motley Crue and I really look forward to bonding with these ladies over the course of the next several years! Hopefully, we can all remain in touch that long if not longer! I was also very excited to find that my two top name choices for Mei Mei were met with such enthusiasm. Now of course nothing is set in stone as I have a list of about 8 names that I like now.

Tomorrow I am finally sending off our I600A. Of course we ran out of ink for our printer today and since I have to make all new copies of my homestudy (we all know why) I wasn't able to send it today. It will be FedEx'd tomorrow! I am truly hoping that we will be LID by the end of September but I think that is really pushing it. Keep your fingers crossed. I just really want to officially name my little girl and start buying things for her...yes, I have been so good. I have not bought one thing. I don't want to jinx anything.

So Parker is on the cusp of potty training. We are really starting to work on it but we are taking the approach of letting him tell us when he is ready. Well, today he told me that he had pooped and I told him we would go and change his pull up. Appearently, he heard, "Take your pull up off"...so you can imagine the fun mess I had to clean up. Did I mention how much I LOVE TODDLERS???

On a great note, interviews are going really well. I am honestly going to be able to pick and choose what I would like to do. I have several interviews next week and the jobs I am close to getting offers from I keep putting off because interesting positions keep coming my way. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

I promise to keep up with my blog...I know I have been slack but honestly I have been focusing so hard on the job hunt, finding a great preschool for Parker, and the adoption stuff that the blog goes by the wayside.

Hope everybody has a great weekend. I heard it suppose to cool down to a balmy 94! Yippee!!

*Robyn, I hope you have fun at the concert and that all of Paul's dreams come true! :)
*Shelli, I DO so LOVE your car!!
*Erin, thanks for hosting today!
*Valerie, the cake was delish!
*Vicky, Kelley, Christie...it was so great to see you guys!

I'm BACCCCCKKKKK!!

2006-07-13T10:59:00.000-05:00

Okay, once again I know I have been a bad blogger but I really do have some excuses. I have been busy interviewing for different jobs ever since we returned from vacation last week. Also, Parker and I have a lingering cold that I think we developed from the allergies in Colorado. It is one of those wonderful colds that gets worse before it gets better. My normally 90 mile an hour child is laying in my bed watching "Wonder Pets". Blah!

We had a wonderful vacation. We went to Keystone, Colorado with some of our best friends, JJ, Rebecca and Celia. I have been going to Keystone since I was a child and now it is so wonderful seeing how things change but stay the same over time. The weather was beautiful, it rained everyday and never really got above 65 degrees. Rebecca and I would find ourselves complaining that we were hot when it couldn't have been over 60 degrees. The kids really enjoyed themselves and were so happy to just be outside everyday! We seem to be going every few years to Keystone so we can't wait to go back with our friends in a few years and see how the kids have grown! Here are some great pictures of our trip...

Parker and Celia in front of the river that runs through Keystone!

Matt, Parker and I among the amazing beauty of Colorado! We can't wait to come here in two years with Mei Mei!

JJ, Rebecca and Celia on the plane ride to Colorado!

So yes, things are going well on the job front too. I have been interviewing like crazy and I have been in front of some really great companies. I am hoping the offers start coming in soon. I have a feeling I will have to make a decision between a few. And yes, we have been looking at some private home preschools for Parker and also one called Carpe Diem which we really liked. We are on the waiting list there and it is very $$$ but we really liked everything about it. I really think Parker is going to love preschool, he loves his summer camp now. I also think that he is going to really flourish with his speaking and eating skills. I am sure it will be me who has the harder time cutting the cord. I am just enjoying my time with him now!

Other than than, Matt is finishing up his dissertation. He is getting so many of his surveys back in that we are so happy. A little background...as part of your dissertation you have send out surveys becaue you research to compile. So right before we left to go out of town, Matt and I stamped, labeled, and stuffed 2400 envelopes/surveys. He is really getting a great return and I am so proud of him!

Lastly, I will do the 7 things that got passed onto me! Here you go!

7 Things I would like to do before I die:

*Watch my children grow up, be happy and live their dreams!

*Watch my grandchildren grow up and meet my great grandchildren!

*Grow old with Matt and continue to laugh everyday!

*Travel around the world with Matt when we retire!

*Live in New York for a few months after we retire!

*Run a marathon!

*Live in my perfect house with all the memories it will contain over the decades and NEVER sell it!

7 Things I cannot do:

*Eat mayo on anything.

*Stop worrying about things.

*Imagine life without my family and friends.

*Drive slow.

*Ride on carnival rides or rides at the State Fair...I will ride any roller coaster at Six Flags or DisneyWorld but anything that is controlled by carnies and gets packed up at the end of a few weeks is NOT for me.

*Travel Cheaply or on a budget...we always splurge on our vacations!

*Stop be amazed at the strength my husband and I have and the wonderful zest for life my son has!

7 Things I CAN Do:

*I can throw a hammer, shot put, and discus!

*I can burp very loudly...good ones!

*Make just about anybody laugh!

*Spend mucho dinero on clothes for Parker, accessories for me, clothes for Matt and soon to be a new wardrobe for Mei Mei!

*Interview really well!

*Adjust to very stressful situations!

*Get in shape very quickly and have amazing willpower if the mood strikes me!

7 Things that attracted me to my Husband:

*His size...6'7"!

*His amazing sense of humor!

*His patience with me...he is the Yin to my Yang!

*His wonderful family!

*His stability when Parker was in the hospital after he was born and he had to return to work.

*His calmness when we made our three ER visits with Parker last year because he was passing his kidney stones as a result of his prematurity!

*His strong work ethic, determination, and ablilty to relax at the drop of a hat!

7 Things I say most often:

*Matt!

*Parker!

*$%&%%#*...working on this!

*Pick it up...always said to Parker!

*Are you serious??!!

*Whatever!

*That's Recockulous!

7 Movies I LOVE:

*A Christmas Story (I can watch this over and over again)!

*Overboard (Love this...a favorite of my college roommate and I)

*Jurassic Park (So fun!)

*Twister (Love it)

*Ocean's 11 (Ocean's 12 was awful and they are making Ocean's 13...help us)

*Sixteen Candles (who doesn't love Jake Ryan)?

*Revenge of the Nerds (great 80's humor)!

7 Books I love:

*Alas Babylon (read it in high school and it really impacted me)

*Harry Potter (1-6...soon to be 7)

*Anything by Mary Higgins Clark...they are fluff and easy reads but I love them!

*Can You Keep A Secret? (very cute!)

*Pledged (Interesting look at sororites)

*A Million Little Pieces (loved his friend Leonard)

*People Magazine, US Weekly...any type of gossip I can get my hands on!

Okay that is is for this long post! I was going to post more pictures but it is not letting me. I promise to post more often! I will update on the adoption soon!