Saturday, October 25, 2008

Good Morning Everyone and Welcome to the Saturday Morning Chat Group!


Good Morning Everyone! Welcome to the chat! It's going to be a short chat this morning that will move into Laura/Lala's Baby Shower for little Coby!

If you have not already voted for your favorite blog in the Halloween Blog Contest, please do, there are some fantastic blogs entered this year and I know that the ladies worked really hard on them.

If you volunteered to judge the contest, please e-mail your top 3 choices to me as soon as you can. Whichever top 3 judges choice blogs has the most votes will win!

115 comments:

Carol said...

I'm first wow! Well I will be brief too. We have Soccer and photos are at 9...I'm in my underwear surfing......is that too graphic this morning?? hee hee...been up since 5, but got nothing done........

redmaryjanes said...

He there lady!!!

redmaryjanes said...

I meant hi there, guess it's early for me too. :)

Carol said...

ha ha!

Carol said...

thought you were comparing me to that He-man cartoon? Ever see that...I do resemble that sexy girl with the big chest...........just kidding!!!

Carol said...

here is a funny this morning.....

I told Hayden we have to kick some booty this morning....(soccer)

So Emily says "Kick some boot tay"

Too funny!!

redmaryjanes said...

Oh yes, I saw He-man. That girl's chest was HUGE! Maybe you should be her for Halloween!!

redmaryjanes said...

I love it!!

redmaryjanes said...

My husband and son have to get into the lake and take our boat out today. My husband waited way too long it is cold out there! It may just snow a bit too....so those should be some good photos.

A Mom- In-W8ing said...

Good morning ladies! I am just dropping by briefly this morning. I have to clean up and put some finishing touches on my costume or a Halloween party tonight.

Carol said...

Gotta run...have a great day!

Two more weeks of Soccer then I'll be back..................

Carol said...

Don't say snow!!!!!!

redmaryjanes said...

Hi there Nikki, a party sounds fun. We were invited to a party, but w have so much to get done this weekend that I don't think we will make it.

redmaryjanes said...

I hope Hayden wins!!
Yeah, there was a mention of light snow in our weekend forcast.

A Mom- In-W8ing said...

Eewww..snow! It was calling for some flurries here on Wednesday but we didn't get any...thank goodness. I think I am in denial because I am still wearing flip flops. I'm just not ready for snow and freezing cold yet.

redmaryjanes said...

I like to have decent weather for Halloween so the kids can get out and trick or treat without being so bundled up that you can't tell what they are.
I do like some snow at Christmastime, but the bitterness here in Jan, Feb and March is too much for me.

A Mom- In-W8ing said...

I am so excited to go to our party tonight. I ordered a new costume and can't wait to wear it. This party is the one thing that got me through the week. Boy was it a rough one...too many emotions! So tonight I am going to go out and try to just have fun...then deal with the real world tomorrow, ugh!

redmaryjanes said...

What's going on?

A Mom- In-W8ing said...

I am with you about the weather. The last 2 Christmases here we didn't have any snow and it was just wrong. It just doesn't feel right with now white stuff. But don't get me wrong; I only really want it that one day, lol!

Unknown said...

Good morning friends!

redmaryjanes said...

I just added your blog to my new tracking tool so I can keep up with you.
I hear you, only snow for the week of Christmas would be good for me.

redmaryjanes said...

You are in my January Yahoo group. Are you guys going SN or holding out?

Anonymous said...

Hi everyone, just thought I would drop by and say hi for a little bit.
How have you been Kim?
We have had snow here Nikki, it hasn't stuck to the ground but it has snowed a couple of times now. That's Newfoundland for ya. LOL.

redmaryjanes said...

Hi there Amy! I see you just jumped in. Any new baby names?

redmaryjanes said...

Hi Sherri!
I've been good. Life has been busy these past few weeks, but all in all things are wonderful here for us.

How about you?

A Mom- In-W8ing said...

Adoption stuff...need I say more????? I received some good news and some bad news and my husband and I are questioning a lot of our choices. I can't even express how overwhelming it has been this week.

Unknown said...

Im off work for a few days. Parents are in town and leaving today. So as soon as they call, I need to head out to the hotel so I can say goodbye.

Let me think about names


I still like Innyomamma..Geesh

Another Princess came in but thats about it....Hoping for some sunshine here today

redmaryjanes said...

Nikki, trust me...I know.
It's just so hard.

redmaryjanes said...

Inyomamma is the worst name I have EVER heard...poor child.

I just got you on my reading list Amy and Nikki.

I love this new tool, it's really cool and easy.

Anonymous said...

Things have been good. We are still waiting for our LID, another couple of months I guess before we hear anything. Teaching has been slow but it's getting colder which means peaople will be getting sicker soon, then it should pick up.

Unknown said...

So hows the wait going? I keep getting the "Do you have a gut feeling when you will get a referral:? and I tell them I dont trust my gut anymore!!!

A Mom- In-W8ing said...

We switched to SN.

Good morning Amy & Sherri.

I heard there was a little snow in NL. I work with quite a few NLers at work and they travel back and forth so they usually give updates on the NL weather.

redmaryjanes said...

Sherri, I have you on there too. Love you cat sombrero and your LID graphic too.

Now you are one of us...celebrating as the months go by.

Anonymous said...

Hey Nikki, I saw your comments on facebook and was wondering how you were doing. I hope everything works out for you.
HUGS

redmaryjanes said...

We are going SN too. I saw a copy of the shared list yesterday, it is 95% boys right now, so anyone who has no sons and would love one, I would make sure that your social worker knows. I think you would be matched pretty quickly.
I have 3 sons, so I am waiting for my girl.

Unknown said...

RMJ, do you like it better than bloglines?

There was the sweetest 2 1/2 year old on our agencies list (the list of those hard to place). A boy, with albinism who really needs to be protected from the light..I have been looking at him for a while!

Anonymous said...

Thanks Kim. I think the cats hate me now. Just wait till Xmas. HA HA

Hi Amy.

A Mom- In-W8ing said...

Kim the reading tool is great and I love that it is so easy. Now if I could just keep up with my own postings I would be all set. Today I will be doing a new one and hopefully have time to read & comment on a few others.

redmaryjanes said...

I HAVE TO ADMIT...I could never figure out bloglines. I would imagine that this is very similar. I enter the url's of the blogs I want to follow and then it tracks them for me and lets me know when they post.

redmaryjanes said...

Sherri is posting like a mad woman this morning!

Anonymous said...

Oh Nikki, that's great! I bet you'll get your child so much faster now. We thought about it and asked some questions but the gov here is hard enough to deal with with NSN, they would be a nightmare if we tried to switch.
Which agency are you with? We are with FOI.

Unknown said...

I love it! I really am running out of things to post about on the adoption blog but I have a big mouth so my personal blog stays busy

redmaryjanes said...

I would guess that there are close to 300 boys on the shared list right now.

redmaryjanes said...

Well, maybe I need to get your personal blog on my list Amy. I'll go add it.

A Mom- In-W8ing said...

Thanks Sherri. Yes I kinda spewed my feeling on FB, lol! But I also received some wonderful support from there as well. I have a lot of other adopting Mamas added on there and they can pick up on subtle or not so subtle status updates! I even had one BTDT friend call me and we talked for an hour…well she listened and I spilled my guts, lol!

Anonymous said...

Amy, I am finding the same thing lately with my blog. Now that we are just waiting there is not much to post about. My life is pretty boring and people can only handle so many cats pictures. :)

A Mom- In-W8ing said...

We are with Children’s Bridge. I was speaking with Bob from FOI and he is wonderful!! They will look after you, I'm sure!

Anonymous said...

That's ok Nikki that's what we're here for. I think we would go crazy if we didn't have each other.

A Mom- In-W8ing said...

Don't be silly Sherri, I love your cat pictures!! Keep em' comming! :o)

redmaryjanes said...

Absolutely, keep posting. We all need each other out here. People who haven't experienced what we are going through try to understand, but they really just can't.
It's good for us to stick together since we have so much in common and are going through an emotional roller coaster.

Unknown said...

we love kitty pics! I guarantee you are not nearly as boring as I~

Mom 2 six said...

Good Morning ! I can not stay because I have to go to a school fundraiser. I want to participate in the shower for Coby. Can you add me? I honestly don't know how it works but he is too cute ! :)
We are officially on day 46 of our LOA wait for Eli. Our blog has a new look - it's still a work in progress we are adding more pictures. Hope all is well with everyone. Please let me know about the shower.
6packwaala@charter.net
Shelly

Anonymous said...

We are on a breeder list to get a dog in the spring so then I will be able to add some silly dog pictures. LOL. I hope you enjoy them.
Yes I love Bob he is great and Yulin is fabulous as well. I know quite a few who have used CB and say only great things.

Anonymous said...

We are on a breeder list to get a dog in the spring so then I will be able to add some silly dog pictures. LOL. I hope you enjoy them.
Yes I love Bob he is great and Yulin is fabulous as well. I know quite a few who have used CB and say only great things.

redmaryjanes said...

Shelly,

I will e-mail Laura's address to you. She is registered at Taget and Babys R Us if you want to see the things she needs for Coby. She is asking for sizes 9 months to 12 months.

Unknown said...

What kind of dog? WE are fostering a basset hound and plan to do the adoption paperwork today

Anonymous said...

A labrador retriever. I need a personal trainer, and there is nothing better than a lab.

I must go. I hear John up, and I am sure he is going to want to go some where soon.

I hope everyone has a great weekend.

Mom 2 six said...

Oh the dog post caught my eye. We are looking at Sibercaans... Anyone heard of them or have thoughts on them?
I will watch for the e-mail about the shower-Thanks !

A Mom- In-W8ing said...

Well I hate to chat and run but I have to go finally do a post on my blog or I will never receive any votes because everyone will think I’m dead, lol!!!

Have a great weekend everyone! HUGS to all!!

Smiles! :o)
Nikki

redmaryjanes said...

OH GOOD AMY! I am so glad that you guys are getting the dog!!

redmaryjanes said...

Yes! Do a post to encourage voters! I will say that I can see on my tracker that people are starting to go through all of them and check them out.

Unknown said...

Well Miss Autumn (a very long basset) has beel climbing over the high baby gates, something Lucy would not have even thought about doing. ugh!

A Mom- In-W8ing said...

Congrats Sherri! I can't wait to see your new pup, how exciting!!

Ok NOW I'm going, Byes!!

redmaryjanes said...

Shelly,
The blog looks beautiful! How is your sister in laws adoption coming along, is there any chance you could travel together?

Unknown said...

Shelly, what is your blog? Does your SIL have one as well?

Unknown said...

my parents are on their way over to say goodbye so Ill try to drop in later

be good ladies

redmaryjanes said...

Enjoy your parents Amy and have a great weekend!

Cupcakes and Hairbows said...

Hi Everyone -- I'm Lucy from GA. I'm so excited that I actually remembered to stop in!

redmaryjanes said...

Good Morning Lucy! How are you?

redmaryjanes said...

I ran and grabbed a cup of coffee real quick because most of the ladies had started the Saturday morning activities. Hope you are still here :)

Cupcakes and Hairbows said...

Yes - doing well -- so refresh my memory about your situation. Have you been to China or are you still waiting?

redmaryjanes said...

We have been lid for 21 months and are waiting for our daughter Sophia in China. We have never gone before, so this is our first time. We are going SN and are hoping to be matched soon. Our agency has been trying to match us but we haven't found the right baby yet.

redmaryjanes said...

Your daughters are just beautiful! Now, is the 6 year old you are adopting a daughter too?

Heather said...

Hello ladies - how is everyone this morning? I haven't read all the convo this am , but someone mentioned snow, stop that!:)

Rainy, yucky here this am.

Cupcakes and Hairbows said...

I can't even imagine thinking about snow this early! RMJ - if you need to run, don't worry about sticking around for me!

Desiree' said...

Good morning ladies!!
It's so cold here in MI. Anybody want to move south with me??

redmaryjanes said...

Hi there Heather! It is cold and overcast here. I just saw the weather and it sounds like they are retracting their light snow forecast and we will just have some rain.

Heather said...

I'm all for the south idea!!!!

Cupcakes and Hairbows said...

Yes, we will have 4 girls (both of our adoptions are SN -- Ally was initially to be NSN, but we found her on our agency specific list and had her 2 months to the day after we found her) -- so since you have been LID so long, once you find Sophia, it will happen very fast!

redmaryjanes said...

I definitely would move South with you!!! How are you mom to many?

Heather said...

Kimberley - black cat just crossed hte back yard and Hannah is yelling there is a dog in the yard - hmmm, what is the old wives tale about black cats -ya know you are Halloweenie guru:)

redmaryjanes said...

I'm hanging out here all morning! At 10am I am moving the chat group over to Laura's baby shower for Coby, so anyone who wants to join the shower with me at 10am is welcome to come on over to that chat!

Desiree' said...

Good, We finally have a routine going, Grace has been home a month. It won't last though, her palate surgery is scheduled for Nov. 4. A complete redo of the lip too. Ouch.
How is your wait going?

Heather said...

I am staying for Laura's shower

Cupcakes and Hairbows said...

We have had 2 black cats in our lifetime and they were both the sweetest cats we have ever had! Our girls would tote them all over the place -- that expression probably tells all of you that I am from/in the south!

redmaryjanes said...

I do love Halloween! We have a calico who is all Halloween colors. Little Hannah is so darling! Both of your girls are, I so wanted Eli to be a redhead like my husband's family.

Cupcakes and Hairbows said...

We have 2 friends whose daughters had the CP surgery recently -- they both did great.

redmaryjanes said...

I have seen quite a few families need to re-do the cleft lip surgeries that were done in China, the re-do's seem to go really well and the children just come out looking like there never was an issue. I am so amazed about what doctors can do today.

Desiree' said...

I am a little worried, the bonding was touch and go in the neginning and now that she has bonded with me we are doing this to her. But, at 2 years old it needs done so that her speech can develop.

Heather said...

The red hair was a complete surprise - she looks identical to my dad, blue eyes and all - she was a twin and we often wonder what TWO of her would have been like:) Thank you for the sweet words - I am one of those moms, who think their kids rock!

redmaryjanes said...

Our wait is hard. I'm just going to say it. It is hard. I am trying not to focus on it as I feel like I keep the rest of the family focused on it and I want them to keep moving along with what they are doing.
The other day my 16 year old Zach told me he would never consider adoption now because it takes so long and I am always crying about it. So, I need to really put on a good game face here.

Cupcakes and Hairbows said...

Question -- my China girl has very dry skin (and we have not started turning the heat on in the house yet). We have tried coritzone, eucerin, etc. Anyone else have a similar situation? She has little red bumps all over her and says "Scach me mamma" -- she just to lay there and have me scratch her ! Even her scalp. Been to a ped and dermo, but nothing gets rid of it == even did a steriod treatment.

Heather said...

I have heard only really good accountings of CP surgeries - we will pray for you all

redmaryjanes said...

We have good friends the Ladman's who we met here in GR when they were traveling through and their little boy had surgery pretty early after being home. They said it helped the bonding process for them to be there and nurse him back to health. So, maybe this will be helpful.

Cupcakes and Hairbows said...

RMJ - YES -- the wait is SO hard -- we hit almost 2 years for Ally, that is why we said that IF we ever were to do this again, we would ONLY consider SN. It is incredibly hard -- I understand...

Desiree' said...

our doc is great, he has alot of experience. He also does missions surgeries in other countries. I am not worried about him or the outcome, just her. Like I said earlier, the bonding was tough. I would stress to people thinking of sn's adoption to really read alot about bonding, especially in older kids. Sorry don't mean to preach, I thought I was prepared having adopted sn's before and an older toddler but this was tough.

redmaryjanes said...

Have you tried Aquaphor? It is made by Eucerin and is kind of the next step up.

Heather said...

Oh Kimberley - the wait is just long right now, wasn't always like this - I am so sorry that the wait has become what it is. SO worth it, but so hard to keep perspective...

Eczema...oatmeal baths and we used a cream the dermotologist gave us - it isn't 100% but it did help the actual itching, notnecessarily how Hannah looked though, she still gets bumpy skin sometimes even with the cream

Cupcakes and Hairbows said...

I'll add it to my list today! A Walmart visit is on our agenda today!

Desiree' said...

I need to run. My DH is cleaning house and keeps giving me the evil eye. Think I better go help. (or maybe not LOL)
We are going to get pumpkins before it snows on Monday. Yes, I said snow. Yikes. Have a great weekend everyone!!

redmaryjanes said...

PREACH AWAY! I do not think that the agencies do a good enough job of preparing us to parent these children. Absolutely we need to research bonding, attachment issues and warning signs.

redmaryjanes said...

Where do you live Mom to Many are you in Michigan?

Cupcakes and Hairbows said...

We have tried some oatmeal baths too! I just hate it for her - to be so itchy!

My 11 year old is sitting with Ally (3) looking at our photos from China. Ally is very curious about the pics of her nanny - and asking why she is crying while mommy (me) is holdin her. We tell her the story all the time.

redmaryjanes said...

I want to be able to communicate with my daughter's nanny and give her something special to acknowledge what she has done for our family and our daughter.
Do they frown on that on gotcha day? I don't know what to do, make a note in advance?
I want to give her a necklace with Sophia's birthstone.

Cupcakes and Hairbows said...

We are expecting the addition of a 6 year old to be very difficult. Expecting jealously from several angles.

Cupcakes and Hairbows said...

With our gotcha, one of A's nannies brought her - but we don't know if that was her "fav/primary nanny". We took a letter - that our guide translated for us - the day we visited the orphanage. Took gifts then too.

Heather said...

We send Hannah's orphanage a photo album every six months or so - they never contact us, which we were kind of hoping we'd hear from them again, but at least they see how good she is doing. And her primary nanny (she had three) did give her brand new shoes and a jade pendant "for her wedding day". Rob was so overwhelmed. He just kept asking the guide to tell her thank you.

redmaryjanes said...

I have a girlfriend who brought over a 7 year old from Russia and already had 3 children and disrupted birth order and she did a great job with it. Katya became a part of the family with very little issues. Her blog is 'Always Wanted Four' and it's on my sidebar. You should seek her out, I know that she would love to help you with advice. They also handled a language barrier as Katya spoke only English. Her transition was unbelievable.

Heather said...

I think you could give something special if she has one particular nanny or foster mommy that cares for her - we had gifts of all sorts

redmaryjanes said...

My heart goes out to these nannys. You know that they must love our girls because they have cared for them when they were so small. I want to acknowledge that.

redmaryjanes said...

I mean Katya spoke only Russian from my post above...OOPS!

Cupcakes and Hairbows said...

Yes the birth order issue was one that our first agency wouldn't support -- as in they basically said we would not be selected for a child that was out of birth order. So, we found another agency (well, we found our daughter who just happened to be with another agency!)... Yes, I'll definitely check out that blog -- thanks!

redmaryjanes said...

You are welcome, Rachel is wonderful and they really did a great job with bringing Katya into the family.

redmaryjanes said...

Ok, I'm still here, but I have to make a post for Laura's shower, so keep chatting and I'll be back in just a minute!

redmaryjanes said...

Ok ladies, it time to move up to the shower post! Anyone who would like to come to the shower, please join us!