Introducing Ling – DH Strikes Again

He’s at it again… Look what DH bought. A doll.

Here’s his latest purchase during our wait for Alyzabeth An. Ta-da! Introducing Ling who speaks both Chinese and English!

We are very hesitant to purchase clothes since we just have no idea how old she will be or her size. I do believe this is her first doll. Eventually, I need to get back to finishing her bedroom. With the “Wait” dragging out as it has I have not been able to motivate myself in that direction. I think going in her room makes me sad. This would have been our time of nervous anticipation of the Referral and then TA.

Still, we’ll wait like everyone else and if I’m not careful, DH may slip out and buy that high chair or car seat(s) I’ve caught him eyeing! I better get moving.

More Family Pictures – Cousin’s Grand-Daughter!

More Girls!!! Sophia Elizabeth entered the world on August 09, 2006. Her Daddy was able to make a special trip back to the States from his duty in Iraq. He has to go back to Iraq next week and has orders until December. I spoke to our favorite Great Britain traveling cousin, HT to get all the wonderful happy details. Her grand-niece is doing well. We enjoyed seeing the pictures and also know how special having a child is.

This is their second grand-baby girl in the family; they have Molly who was born last year to daughter J and GC (sound familiar? We have two grands, too – Kilee and Alivia!).
We wish JT and GT the best!

Last Few Quilt Squares Arriving….

We are waiting on just a few more quilt squares from family and friends.
I have stopped seeking others to swap fabric with.
Once I make some progress on Lizzy’s quilt, I will probably develop a post OHGWQ wishes and fabric to send to others just starting out. It was lots of fun.

Here’s a picture of the fabric sent by Mother-In-Law (future Grandparents of Lizzy) J.
Thank you!!

Justin & Grandaughter Kilee Visit

Our son Justin and grandaughter Kilee dropped in for a quick visit tonight.

Always a pleasure. And a chance to snap a quick picture. Quick being the key word. She is always on the move.

We can only imagine what it will be like around here once we have Kilee, Alivia and Alyzabeth all together!

Justin & Grandaughter Kilee Visit

Our son Justin and grandaughter Kilee dropped in for a quick visit tonight.

Always a pleasure. And a chance to snap a quick picture. Quick being the key word. She is always on the move.

We can only imagine what it will be like around here once we have Kilee, Alivia and Alyzabeth all together!

Justin & Grandaughter Kilee Visit

Our son Justin and grandaughter Kilee dropped in for a quick visit tonight.

Always a pleasure. And a chance to snap a quick picture. Quick being the key word. She is always on the move.

We can only imagine what it will be like around here once we have Kilee, Alivia and Alyzabeth all together!

Boating Update

Our hopes to get back to the way things were before Hurricane Frances inched slowly forward this past weekend. The boat is now on the lift after being properly sized for the lifting bunks and guides. We still have to dredge a bit of silt that formed directly under the lift after the multiple storms and two years of inactivity. One minor but very annoying setback; the lift motor is freezing up and I suspect a faulty shaft bearing.

We’re close. So very close… And of course, Salty Dog
helped every step of the way.

First Coast Chinese Children’s Waiting Families Meeting

If you have a local group of Waiting Families, we recommend attending. Our past meeting agenda featured four Dad’s with Chinese daughters. They discussed the paper chase, the trip to China, their first experience with attachment and all other post-adoption challenges.

Two had used sign language as a way to communicate early with their daughter’s. We are convinced this helps with attachment and adjustment. We’re equally convinced that signing helps to reduce frustration, both for parent and baby, brought on by not being able to communicate verbally. We have already purchased several tools to use like flash cards and “Baby Signs” (board books and DVD set). The “Baby Signs” are sold by Discovery Toys.

We enjoyed hearing from the four Dads’ and visiting with Kim and Joel (Ruby is Coming).
See you all next month!

Exploding Tire, Heat Wave and Now this……

Last night while cooking dinner, our power went out. This is a frequent event whenever there is rain, wind or lightning in the very small town that we live in.

The power was off for about three hours. No air conditioning! We took a drive through town to see who else was suffering (and we enjoyed our truck’s air conditioning). Salty loves these drives to nowhere, too.

Dinner was salvaged as the oven and stove top stayed hot enough to finish the job!

It was romantic too….. candles (gift from sister MC), “crank” radio (only L.L. Bean for this family) and wine (red of course). We still enjoyed the evening!

It is Really Hot Outside!

From Maine to Missouri, to our home away from home, Florida – it is Really, Really HOT outside. Hope you all have air conditioning!