Good Morning Everyone and welcome to the Saturday Morning Chat Group! There is quite a bit to talk about this week.
All 9 of the new babies at the Starfish Cleft Home are fully sponsored.
I will post a letter that Amanda asked me to put on the blog tomorrow. She has capacity for more in the home. She is now making plans to bring in more cleft children and bring the home up to capacity. She will continue to need our support as new children are brought in. I will share information with you as it comes to me, or you can always visit the Cleft Home Blog. The link is on my sidebar. I cannot thank everyone enough for their amazing support.
MARCH 1ST - We leave for China.
MARCH 2nd - We meet Mia Hope!!!
MARCH 7th - Mia Hope turns 3!
MARCH 11TH - Consulate appointment
MARCH 13TH - Homeward bound.
Robin is leaving this week to bring Mia Hope home. I am so happy for my dear friend!
**The Sat Chat is now closed. Have a wonderful weekend everyone!
289 comments:
1 – 200 of 289 Newer› Newest»Good morning to Sophia's Mommy!
Did you know that word verification is on?
Hi there Kelly, I'm just trying to get the post up.
Is word verification still on after your first post?
I am trying to figure out how to register for some of the Matilda Jane clothes. Ivy is having an on-line trunk show on March 1st. I am trying to see if her trunk show lady will put some things aside for people to order for Sophia. What do you think?
Yes, word verification is still on.
I love the idea for the Matilda Jane items. Great idea!
Man, there is so much going on for you now, I just love it! You go from w-a-i-t-i-n-g to warp speed...whoa!
I tell you, that is the truth. We have just been flying here.
Ok, word verification should be off now.
ATTENTION: Kimberley's "live" shower is now officially scheduled for SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2009.
If any blogger friends want to come to Kimberley's "live" shower (as opposed to the cyber shower Kim, Isabella's Mommy, is going to host on March 28 - please email me at us3ch2@gmail.com for more information and an actual invitation.
It's off
Hope it's okay I just invited the world to your shower! : )
You know, Kimberley, a whole lot of people are anxious to see sweet Sophia's face - will you be able to share once you have PA?
No, they are making me wait until I have LOA.
My SW was specifically told to tell me I can't post until LOA.
Are you serious? Oh man, that stinks!
How long did it take for Steffie to get her LOA from the time she sent her LOI in?
Steffie could post at PA, but not me. I don't know how long it took her. I'm thinking a couple of weeks.
What is going on at your agency? That's just stupid (sorry).
Yesterday I got everything to our agency that they are going to need for now, so that was great!!
We went to the county courthouse to apply for Eli's passport. I have to go into downtown Monday though and get a sealed copy of his birth certificate. The one we have from the hospital won't work. Then they can get it mailed out.
I am weeding through clothes. Sophia weighed 31 pounds in October, so it looks like she will be a size 3, but I'm keeping sizes 24 months and above just in case.
Hey, did I do something dumb on your auction website? After I started bidding on one of the items I read the blog header (shame on me!) and it said that if there was a price listed people shouldn't bid, they should just pay the price and buy the item. That dress was the only item that had a dollar amount listed in the description...so now I'm wondering if you actually wanted to just sell it as opposed to having people bid on it...does that make sense at all?
Why do you need a sealed copy of Eli's b.c.? We didn't need them for our children to travel.
Katie weighs 33.5 now. She's wearing a 3T, but can still get into some 2Ts and even 24 month things depending on how big they are!
Good Morning ladies. I have to go into work today for the morning to help kids work on writing portfolios. YUCK!!!
Oh, if you're able to "register" at Matilda Jane, we need to be able to put that on the invitation for the showers...so let me know what they say (I'm helping Kim with your cyber shower too).
Good morning Nancy!
sorry you have to work on Saturday. Why are kids in school on Saturday?
Nancy, were you successful in your quest on Thursday?
Hi there Nancy!
I'm e-mailing right now with Ivy who is having a trunk show on March 1st to see if I can put together a Matilda Jane wish list.
In Kentucky the 4th graders have to submit a writing portfolio. I've had to work with students Monday nights for the past 4 weeks, through March, and do two "super saturdays" where they come in.
The irony is that the legislature is doing away with it, most likely, in a March meeting.
I never did find her name on the registry, but did find something I think she will be able to use.
Well, I guess that is tomorrow!
Poor kids - poor teacher!
I can't believe that March starts tomorrow, yet I am thrilled that February is OVER!
KENTUCKY? I thought you were in Indiana...
I live in Indiana, work in Kentucky. I get to cross the bridge every day, twice!
It must be beautiful where you are Nancy. I think Kentucky is beautiful.
Why didn't I know that? Hmmmm...
The girls are calling, I will be back in a few minutes.
I am so tired of winter, I don't think anywhere I was right now I would see as beautiful. I want to see green, leaves and flowers.
And I want it to warm way up.
It was pretty nice here yesterday. Most of the snow was melted and it was warmer. Eli got to ride the bike the got for Christmas. But now today it is freezing again.
Good Morning, just dropping in for a very short moment, gotta get everyone ready to go to Mom's, nail appt today
Kim I posted about your auction/donation site on my blog (at 3:00 am, couldn't sleep last nite)....so excited you got your referral, can't wait to see her pretty face
Hi there Dannye!! Congrats to you on your new babe girl!
I use to think I wanted to retire in Montana, where it is quiet and lots of land.
Not so much anymore when I learned it can snow 11 months of the year and be very cold.
Good Morning Dannye.
Thank you so much for posting it!
no prob and thanks!!
You are so welcome. How have you been doing? How is the little man? Does he sleep through the night?
well i better get going, wish i could've gotten up earlier and been able to be here longer...i've gotta start being here again, miss you guys!!
Did I miss some new from Dannye?
he sleeps about 2-2 1/2 hrs at a time, last night he had bad gas so was up all night, so i only got about 2 hrs sleep all night long, but he is so worth it
yes Nancy I had a baby, but we are keeping it quiet....
WOW, that is big. Congratulations!!!
Good mornining everyone
thanks, we are quite smitten with him...
I cant wait to meet him Dannye!!!
Good Morning Amy.
morning amy!!! okay, I better get going, it still takes me a while to get ready and packed up, etc. hugs to all!!
Good Morning Amy!
Keep chatting everyone, I have to grab some Tylenol for Eli. He fell and hit his chin last night and it is sore today.
and we can't wait til you meet him either amy, and we can't wait to meet Lynn Marie either!!
See what happens when you get warm weather up north...just glad it didn't require an ER trip.
have a great week all!!
We will be in FLorida May 16 if not sooner for my sisters wedding
Amy I loved the room ideas on your Blog. Unfortunately, I am not very creative to help you come up with something.
We didn't have to go to ER, but it is swollen and he has a gash inside his lip. He tripped going up the stairs in the hockey rink and hit his chin on the edge of the metal stairs.
First off congrats on your new little baby girl.I am so happy for you.
Just doing my normal quick stop to say hi to all of you.Have a great weekend.
I'll be doing the usual stuff.
Mr.Brian
Yes Amy, did you pick a quote? I voted for the flower one.
Well Ladies...
Work calls. Have to be there by
9, it's a 40 minute drive, and I still have to get ready.
I think we are going to go with When Love Takes You in over the crib and my friend hosted a party that sold those things and is giving me one as a gift
OOUUCCHH!!!!
I bet the big air cry was in order there.
Good Morning Mr. Brian! You know we love you on the chat. I hope you have a great day.
Amy that is very fitting.
Oh yeah, he was crying. I was carrying him to the bathroom to see what was going on because anything on the head just bleeds like crazy.
I really wanted to make our own so we are going to use this site
http://tarag.uppercaseliving.net as a friend is giving us one as a gift
Have a good day all...think of me;0
Im glad he is okay rMJ!
We'll be thinking of you Nancy, good luck with the kids.
Good morning, everyone! What a glorious, rainy day!
He is ok. He has a cut inside his mouth between the lip and lower gum but it looks like it's healing well and his chin is swollen.
Ok, I have the Matilda Jane thing worked out I think.
tell me about Matilda Jane clothes
They are just darling little girl girl clothes. www.matildajaneclothing.com
Right now they are only selling them via trunk shows. A blogger friend of mine is having a trunk show tomorrow on-line, so I'm going to do a post for her after the chat.
I'm going to register for some of the things on there too. You can too girl for LynnMarie! Oh, and I sent your shower gift yesterday. Have you received anything yet?
I'm back, hi everyone!
Is she going to hold certain clothes for you that people can purchase as gifts for Sophia?
I am hoping so. I have to get in touch with the woman holding the show today and see what she can do.
I have the registry at Target updated, I just have to get on Amazon for books.
Kelly, what books did you recommend for toddler/preschool adoption?
Kimberley, sorry to hear about Eli's accident. Boy do I know what you're going through -- BTDT!!!
I hope he's feeling better soon, but I hope, for his sake, he's got a really cool bruise to show off to his friends!
Sorry to hear about Eli's owie. Micah says Eli needs a bandaid!
NO gifts yet but that is totally okay!!!
I have 2 rooms downstairs full of things and look forward to getting her room started today!
Hi there Karen and Micah! I gave him some tylenol and he's playing Lego's on my bed, so he's hanging in there.
Eli says hi to Micah and that he remembers him.
How long until you got your LOA Amy? I can't post Sophia's photo until I have LOA.
Micah says "see Eli!" Maybe we can see Eli and meet Sophia at Christmas.
We got PA on 12/23/09 and LOA 1/22/09 and then you should get TA rather quickly like we did since you are out of review
Ok, it's going to be a while then.
when did you turn your LOI in?? WE turned ours in 12/4 and got PA 19 days later. We have someone travelling with us who got PA one day and the n 3 days later got LOA, no joke
Sorry about the delay... here are the books I'd recommend for you:
Toddler Adoption Mary Hopkins-Best
Adoption Parenting: Creating a Toolbox, Building Connections
Jean MacLeod, Sheena Macrae
Attaching in Adoption Deborah D. Gray
Building the Bonds of Attachment Daniel Hughes
(the last book came highly recommended by an attachment therapist friend of ours - Chloe's dad Kurt)
We turned our LOA in on Wednesday, but I don't know if that gets send off right away or not. We turned in some more paperwork yesterday.
Have you heard about the weavers craft book?
I mean our LOI in on Wednesday.
I will tell you what is the only upsetting part. Our travel group was so big, they had to divide us into 2 groups. They decided who travelled first by when they turned in their LOA> had I turned ours in 2 days before, i would be with LynnMarie on her first bday.bummer
I have heard about it, but never read it. It sounds like, based on the title only, that it is written with a Christian perspective. Check it out!
Lynn, that's so sad. People from our agency are in China now to meet their 13 year old son -- he turned 13 the day before they got on the airplane. I feel so bad for all of them.
I will be reading a book called The Connected Child on the way to China. It has a lot about adoption in it, especially international adoption. Noras Dad gave it to me
its just one day. IM not going to let it steak my joy. Plus she doesnt know its her birthday
I cant believe we leave in 11 days..CRAZY
Amy, they won't make an exception for you? That is awful.
Amy, you're right. We missed Ella's first birthday with her also. BUT we had a party for her, cake, gifts, balloon and took lots of pictures. So we did celebrate, just without her.
Robin leaves tomorrow for Mia Hope.
11 days, that is so cool. We're so happy for you!
I am thrilled for Robin. That gal has waited forever for her little Mia Hope. What a sweet and special person she is.
Our agency didnt realize her birthday was so close. By the time we realized it, they had already told China who would be in the groups.
there are 3-4 birthdays in our groupss
Do you have that many little babies in your group?
Hey RMJ...I don't know how much this helps, but they told me that Emily weighted 24 pounds at age 2, she was in 24 month tops and 18 months pants.............however.........I will never believe she weighted 24 pounds in China maybe with all the 14 layers on.........she is just now 29 pounds at age 3 1/2..it's been over a year since China, and the way she eats, I can't believe she only gained 5 pounds in a year...
Hi everyone,
I haven't visited in a while but had to stop by today. So much is happening with Robin leaving and Kimberley getting her referral. I can't wait to see Sophia Jane's face!!!!
Amy congrats on leaving in 11 days!!
I'm going to send you something just behind on everything.....sorry.....
not many little babies just birthdays like a couple 3 and 4 year olds..its getting exciting
Thank you Carol, so it sounds like Sophia may be closer to a size 2 than a 3.
I am so happy for you Amy. I'm going to following everything you do there since we will be close behind you.
How are you Carol? I haven't talked to you for a long time.
Amy, I also plan on sending something. Just haven't made it to Tarjay yet. Are you registered somewhere else, too?
Carol, thank you!!!
I'd take 2's and 3's....also someone told me to take suspenders...that way you can take up the slack...it worked nicely...and elastic waist pants!!!
I have to go and get the girls' bathing suits on -- Daddy is going to take them in the hot tub!
The hot tub? That sounds fabulous!
we have friends coming over today to help with travel paperwork, packing and getting her room ready
You are welcome Amy....hey if you guys can find them..I know Walmart carries them in the travel section....toilet seat covers!!! Charmin makes them...small you can slip the pack in your pocket..........YOU WILL NEED THEM IF YOU DON'T PLAN TO SQUAT!!!
Ok, I'll take 2's and 3's when I go. I have a lot of jumpers because I thought there is a lot of leeway with those. I do have adjustable waistband jeans too.
What do you do for shoes? I have no idea what size.
good idea Carol, thanks!
and I'm serious carry wipes everywhere...never leave hotel without them!!
Also never leave without the hotel card....IMPORTANT!! We got in a cab and he didn't know any English.....he got LOST ...thankfully we remembered a piece of paper with the hotel on it!!!!
I having been reading as fast as possible to catch up. I love Matilda Jane clothes. That will be a wonderful place to register. Lily Wen is 5 and weighs 32 1/2 pounds as of last week. She wears size 4 clothes (mainly due to length) and needs the adjustable waist. Her "little" brother weighs 30 pounds and he is 2 years younger. I agree that the weight could be off and I would definitely take some size 2 things with you.
Emily was a size 4...I'd take a 4 and a 5 and slippers.....then buy some when you get there!! She should come to you with a pair on, but I have heard some orphanages ask for the shoes back.....we were not asked to give them back.....
BTW, Emily's favorite toy was the slippers...she put them on and took them off for hours!! The only toy she would play with was blocks....she was scared of toys...
Amy,
I am so excited that a fellow April 07 friend is traveling. Can't wait to follow your journey to LynnMarie. I need to go check out the room.
Graeme came with shoes on. He was wearing pink sandals that had to be two sizes too small so I would take a few pairs with you. He was 2 1/2 and we brought size 5 and this worked for him.
Good Morning Margaret!!
Carol,
So you think she wears a 4 or 5 size shoe even though she is three and a half?
Hoping to get a lot done today and will post pics1
RMJ regarding us, we of course have the house on the market...we may, just may, have a contract...waiting to hear from the realtor...I'm hoping to hear today....if so, we have about 23 days to get moved..that's why you haven't heard from me!!! It's GO, GO, GO!! and Anthony just finished basketball! I told the boys no more sports until we get to the new house!!!!!!!!!
I am planning to bring one of Sophia's dolls and a little purse with a My Little Pony in it, some treats, a hair brush and a pretend cell phone.
What do you think?
RMJ...what is her height again??
Maybe take 5-6 shoes. Graeme is three and wearing size 8 now but he is getting to be quite a big boy. He will pass his Jie Jie up this year.
Good Morning. Thought I would join in for a bit this time instead of lurking!
She is 3 feet 2 inches tall and weighs 32 pounds as of last October. Thank you so much for helping me!
Hi Verna!
How are you doing today?
dont forget to send an email to lovinglynnmarie@hotmail.com if you want to get on her prayer list and we are looking for people to pick a day to pray for us..Would love to know we have support in daily prayer...prayer post up at the blog
Wow...she is tall!! I'd say 5/6 then........
Graeme was the most fascinated with the stacking cups. I don't think he had ever seen them. He also loved the aquadoodle travel things. You color with a pen full of water so no mess. He loved making the pictures appear and disappear. He used his cell phone a lot! Isn't this exciting?
Good morning Verna, how is your beautiful family???
Yes it is. I know 4 mothers now who are bringing their children home very soon.
ive heard lots of China kids love stackking cups.we have no idea what we are taking
Catching up again.
Kimberley, Katie is wearing a size 6 1/2 shoe - Sophia's feet look like she's probably a 7 or so. Heh - we've all seen her feet!
I wouldn't take much in the way of shoes for her. You will definitely buy shoes there, once you have her. However, I'd strongly suggest taking a pair of Robeez type slippers - they're fabulous, and great for the airplane ride, when you don't want real shoes on, also great for walking in the hotel rooms 'cause you never know how clean the floors really are. If you don't have some, I've got extra XXL sizes that fit Katie now that you can take.
Your ideas for toys for her in China are dead on. Also, pack balloons & bubbles & stickers. Oh, and Band-Aids. My girls LOVE band-aids (get cheap ones at the dollar store).
yes and don't worry, you can find most everything you need there....the only problem we had was we were not taken to a store for a couple days so supplies got low...and we had to say....ahem......can we go shopping?
Carol, I can't imagine moving in 23 days. When we moved from Charlotte, NC to Baton Rouge, LA, it took forever for our house to cell. I had injured my knee and was at the Dr. office finding out that I needed knee surgery when hubby called to tell me it sold. I had surgery in Baton Rouge and 3 days later we traveled to NC to pack and move. It was insane. I will be thinking of you.
Don't forget a beach ball or two. Easy to pack and high on the fun factor for everyone.
please be checking the blog this week as we will be asking a lot of been there done that questions....
need to get ready for China preparation day..yeah for great friends
Kimberley, I still have my packing list handy, I'll shoot you a copy. I just sent it to Lisa (Ava's mom) as they're going to be getting their referral soon, probably next month.
Oh my Margaret!!! That was a lot!!!
Well we may have to move in with family for a little while because we have not firmed up a house to move too yet. We have submitted a contract but the owner has not gotten back to us ...this was Tuesday, so either she is busy, or she doesn't like our offer...I'm getting nervous!!!!
Ok Amy, I will.
I'm most worried about what to eat so we don't all get sick. We are going to be in Beijing, so I think it's pretty safe there, but I don't want any of us to come down with something.
we did not give Graeme everything the first day either. We gave him a few little things each day and he was always so excited.
ill be posting a link of what eople suggest..I was told to bring little peanut butter and jellies and ziplock bags..Get bread from breakfast buffet and make sandwiches for lunch
You'll be fine in Beijing...it was like visiting Washington DC...really it was very nice..still I was watching the veggies.....my hubby and son got sick from the KFC in Xian.....LOL
thanks friends..next Saturday will be my last chat for a while!!!
Carol,
I hope you hear soon. I hate all of those negotiations.
Amy, I don't know if it was our guides or the fact that we took our boys with us, but we were always stuffed..they fed us to death!! And you know I'm not a small person so that's saying a lot!! The only thing was water...they never give you enough to drink!!!!!
Amy, Have a wonderful China prep day!
I have heard to watch anything produce that you cannot peel.
None of us had any problems with the FOOD in China (the water? That's another story!). As long as you can eat white rice and vegetables, you'll be fine. We loved the authentic foods we had there. Some of the more adventurous things we didn't try, but I can honestly say that everything we had was fantastic.
AND, every type of snack you can imagine is available there, so you can stock up on things like Ritz crackers & Oreos if you wish!
Yes Amy,
What exactly are you going to do today?
REALLY GOTTA GO BUT PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE READ THE BLOG AND IF YOU HAVENT GIVE US SOME SUGGESTION AN DONT FORGET TO GET ON THE PRAYER TEAMBY SENDING EMAIL TO lovinglynnmarie@hotmail.com
I should probably run and feed my wee ones. I just posted last night to my blog my 200th post with 200 random things about me. When you have EXTRA time, stop by. Lots of funny big hair pics!
ATTENTION: Kimberley's "live" shower is now officially scheduled for SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2009.
If any blogger friends want to come to Kimberley's "live" shower (as opposed to the cyber shower Kim, Isabella's Mommy, is going to host on March 28) - please email me at us3ch2@gmail.com for more information and an actual invitation.
Kelly,
Tim surprised me and is taking me to the Chinese New Year Dinner at YC tonight. They decided to have something after all I guess...just a little late.
I really believe my husband and son got sick from eating the corn on the cob...I did not eat the corn, my oldest didn't eat it either and we were fine.....It was the only thing different from what we ate and they were SICK...but it was 24 hours and then they were fine the rest of the trip.
Verna,
How is your house hunting going? I tell you, the view from your window is so gorgeous I wouldn't want to move.
her room got painted and new carpet yesterday so we will movie furniture in, go through all the paperwork, start packing and getting some advice from friends!
Yall rock!!!
see ya!
200 things? Way to go Margaret!!
Very cool. Another CNY celebration! Have a fantastic time!!
I'm jealous!
I tell you I think because I do daycare it helped me...I'm around colds, and bugs of every kind....I think I'm pretty immune!!....my husband can hear about a cold and be sick.....LOL
That sounds wonderful Amy!! You guys have fun.
we didn't get sick on either trip. We did not eat the fresh uncooked veggies (lettuce, tomato). and we did not eat fruit unless we peeled it ourselves. I wanted a huge salad and a diet coke with ICE waiting for me when we got home.
Amy, just don't stress...I know that isn't easy, but they really take care of you....we had a couple of serious problems over there, but our guides did wonderfully!....
Amy, just don't stress...I know that isn't easy, but they really take care of you....we had a couple of serious problems over there, but our guides did wonderfully!....
Amy, just don't stress...I know that isn't easy, but they really take care of you....we had a couple of serious problems over there, but our guides did wonderfully!....
the 200 things post was a week in the making. I had to find and scan the picks and think of 200 things. someone commented that they couldn't wait for the 300th post but I don't think I could do this again.
Margaret I hear you on the diet soda!!!! I think I would have paid $100 for a Diet Pepsi in China........LOL........
Have a great weekend Margaret, I'll drop by to see the BIG HAIR!
Ok I have to run.....Emily has announced that she has pooped....we still don't have this potty thing down yet.......off to the showers..............
Oh man, I love Diet Coke...I can't get a Diet Coke in China?
The house hunting is basically on hold until we sell this one. There is always a chance the God will want us to stay here! Will just have to figure out what to do about school then.
So, is this live shower in MI? Wish I could come!
Oh man, hang in there Carol.
They do have Coke Lite in China. It doesn't taste the same as in the states, but it will pass in a pinch!
Really must go Lily is threatening to go cook her own breakfast.
Verna, we'd love to have you!
You're in Iowa, Kansas or Missouri, right? That's not THAT far!!!
Yes, the live shower will be here in Michigan and then Kim Bison is holding an on-line shower. I just can't believe it. It is really our time.
The "live" shower is on March 21st.
The cyber shower is on March 28th.
Kimberley, we're all so excited for you and thrilled to be part of your celebration of Sophia. I bet there are a ton of bloggers who would be here if they could. You are so loved in the Blogland adoption community!
Hey Ladies!!! Just popping in to say HI! I have a minute since both kids are in the shower with Daddy : )
Kimberley...again, soooo happy for you!! I can't wait to travel along with you to China...you know you MUST blog from there !
We're in MN-- not far at all ;)
I have already decided on a gift for Miss Sophia Jane.
I need Kim's addy, though. Lost it somehow.
I have to tell you that I am getting so excited!!
Well, Kim, I'm not good with secrets. So I will just tell you that Mya will be picking out some dress up clothes for Miss Sophia. All little girls need them!
This is such an exciting time. I hope a lot of people will be able to be there to help you celebrate Sophia!
Oh wonderful! Woo hoo! I am registered for some at Target, but have none at all. So anything you ladies pick out will be SO FUN!!
She will definietely need dress up clothes because she will be spending a lot of time with Katie and Ella who love to dress up.
Yes, your turn has FINALLY come! Now, I'd like to see some of the others get matched too.
Is Nancy P here today? If so, when is your LID again? I should know since I put it on your header once. BUt alas, I have deleted most of my old bloggy files.
Hi there Laura!
How are you guys???
We plan to blog from China.
Does anyone know about the power there? Do we need some type of special adaptor?
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