It's going to be a long night...

I can't go to sleep, so I thought I'd blog. My sister-in-law, Jacque, who's home I just left 3 days ago has just been admitted to the hospital. She's due to deliver her first child on November 2. Her husband, Dan, is in China on business. Jacque started throwing up this morning..by this afternoon she was so ill she called her mother-in-law to come over. When she arrived at Jacque's home she knew right away she needed to get her to the hospital. It's taken most of the evening for them to determine that Jacque is having an acute appendicitis attack. Her O.B. is located 2 1/2 hours away, so they are transporting Jacque, as I type, to that location. They are going to operate on her once she arrives. The big question is whether or not the baby will be delivered as well.

I was able to get a hold of Dan, via Skype, and inform him of what is going on. He's in a town about 1 1/2 hours from Guangzhou. He was able to speak with Jacque about an hour ago and is currently on the road to Guangzhou to try to make arrangements to get home as quickly as possible. He was due to be home on Sunday. The sad thing is....he won't make the delivery no matter how soon he gets on a plane. My heart is breaking for both of them right now.

The most important thing is that Jacque and the baby get the medical attention they need....no matter who is there, but it's hard not to feel total frustration right now. Why couldn't this of happened 5 days from now when Dan is home. Why couldn't it of happened 3 days ago while Cori and I were there. What is the likelihood that it would happen when none of us can get to her???!!! Aaaaggghhh!!

My mother-in-law is leaving on the first flight in the morning. My sister-in-law, Cori, may be going with her. Right now Jacque has her mother-in-law with her...thank god.

I'll be praying tonight...that's for sure. I just hope this ambulance ride goes well. I doubt they would of even try to move her if there was a risk of her appendix rupturing. I'm glad, that they are trying to get her transported. The local hospital that she is at doesn't have any OB's at all. Only mid-wives.

I'll post more info in the morning when I know more. Right now I'm going to go read (or at least try to) and wait for my phone to ring letting me know they made it to the new hospital safe and sound.

Referral News!

Our agency just reported that they received referrals today for the families who were logged in on November 28, 2005!!! Everyone was hoping referrals would be mailed out from China over the weekend, and apparently they were. I was up in Washington with my sister-in-laws all weekend and must have checked the computer 10 times a day to see if there was any word. Nothing! Then yesterday (Monday)..still nothing! I was really surprised to see this announcement today. The reason we were hoping that the referrals would be mailed over the weekend is because the Harvest Moon Festival began yesterday, October 1 and will be celebrated thru October 8 throughout all of China. So, the CCAA will be shut down until next week. The interesting thing about this batch of referrals is that nobody knows what the cut off date was. For whatever reason, the CCAA did not update their website with the cut off date. This batch began with November 26th (which was a Saturday) and included, at least, November 28. Our agency has families logged in on the 28th of November, and then not again until the 5th of December. December 5th families were not included in this batch. So, I'm still left wondering if they finished matching the November 2005 families. I really, really, really, really hope they did. I guess we'll have to wait until next week to know for sure (but, for what it's worth, my gut instinct tells me they did...I think the cut will be the 30th).

This month has been full of distractions..some good, some not good. Being busy has been good for me emotionally. The school year is in full swing and October is already filling up with all kinds of activities. I hope the wait to the next batch of referrals goes by quickly. Know matter how busy we are, we think of our little girl every single day....at least today we know we are one step closer to seeing her precious face.

18 month LID anniversary!

This month marked the 18th anniversary of our log in date. My sisters, Norah and Sarah, decided the three of us should celebrate by having a night on the town. We decided to head on over to the west side of town and try out a wine and chocolate bar that my friend Mardi (another adoptive mom who just so happens to be logged in the same month as we are and is using our same agency) had told me about named Sweet O.

I had told the girls that I had something special to show them that night, but wouldn't tell them what it was. The week before I had ordered a print from my friend Stephanie who is an artist up in Washington. She is also an adoptive mom who is logged in the same month as we are and is also using the same agency. She makes beautiful art work and I'm sure I will be getting more of her pieces as time goes on, but this piece in particular held special meaning to me (details to come later...when I'm ready to share). Please visit Stephanie's blog when you have a chance and admire her talent. http://www.jiinkinkids.com/

Anyway, the print was due to be delivered some time Friday (the night we were going out). The girls arrived at my house and we were ready to head out for the evening, but the I didn't have the package. I was so bummed. We got in the car and drove down the street to the corner gas station. I broke the news to the girls that I wouldn't be able to show them my "something special" because the UPS driver hadn't delivered it yet. I had just finished pumping gas when Norah noticed a UPS truck driving from the direction of my house. We drove back to the house to see if my package had been delivered. Doug knows I'm crazy so he wasn't the least bit surprised to see me come back home after only having been gone 5 minutes to check on my delivery. However, it wasn't there. So we headed out again. We had just turned the corner when wouldn't you know it....another UPS truck. Norah was bound and determined to see what it was I had to show them, so she made me make a u-turn and literally chase the truck down. Which, of course, I did. It was like a scene from Charlie's Angels...OK, not really, but we were having fun. I caught up with the UPS driver just a few short blocks from my house, jumped out (probably scaring him to death) and asked if he happened to have a package for my address. And guess what....HE DID!! He let me sign for it right then and there!! It was quite the exciting start to our evening. If you look in the picture of Norah and myself you can see me holding my print.


Thank you girls for the fun night out and for being such never ending sources of support and love during this seemingly endless wait. I love you both so much!!

Paint party!!

Well it wasn't really a party, but the whole family participated in painting the baby's room. The boys were so excited to help. Doug gave them some pointers and then stepped back and let them paint away. I was having a heart attack the whole time. I thought they would give up after a few minutes, but no such luck. Since I'm a controlling spaz and wanted to rip the paint rollers from their hands and get down to some serious painting rather then let them enjoy themselves and feel proud being able to help make her room beautiful, I left and went to grocery store. When I returned, they had just finished the first coat. It actually looked pretty good. Benjamin was so excited to show me that he made me cover my eyes while I walked in there!

It is so nice that Doug has so much patience with the boys. He really enjoys showing them how to do stuff like this. The three of them had a great time together and have been going in there and admiring their work quite a bit. It was a nice little family chore....we all talked about our little girl throughout the day. It's amazing to me how much the boys talk about her. I don't think a day goes by when one of them doesn't bring her up. She is going to be so spoiled by them....I can't wait!!

Referrals have landed!

Well, the September referrals have arrived in the US. This batch covered families logged in from November 22, 2005 through November 25, 2005. Our agency did not receive any referrals in this batch. We don't not have any families logged in until November 28, 2005. Hopefully they will be in the October batch.

To see a batch that only covers four days is very, very hard. We all knew that November of 2005 was a big month, but...I don't really know what to say, this slow down is very difficult.

However, we can rejoice in knowing that many other adoptive parents will be seeing their child's face for the very first time today! The Fed Ex truck will be pulling up to their home with that much anticipated referral package!! We also know that we are a few days closer to seeing our baby's face for the first time (even if it did take a month to get there).

Doug has been served

For the last year and a half (almost two years) Doug has had the pleasure of using the baby's room for his personal use. Since I wasn't quite ready to decorate the room right after we remodeled, he convinced me to allow him to use it so the space wouldn't go to waste.

However, I've been itching to turn that room into the nursery it is meant to be. So, I gave Doug his eviction notice. Benjamin was kind enough to serve him the papers. Doug knew better than to try to renegotiate the lease and reluctantly moved out.

So, as of tonight, her room is officially her room. Tomorrow we will start painting the walls. I'm so excited. I can't believe I'm actually starting to decorate MY DAUGHTER'S room. I'll be sure to post pictures as it all unfolds!!

The Year of the Golden Pig

2007 is the "Year of the Golden Pig" in China. For the Chinese, this year began on February 18, 2007 and will go through February 6, 2008. This "golden pig year" only comes around every 60 years in China. It was predicted that the country would see a baby surge during this year. Why? It's believed, by the Chinese, that children born on or between those dates would lead healthy, wealthy, carefree lives.

It's pure superstition...something I don't believe in. I'm not sure if China is seeing a baby surge or not, but in my neck of the woods baby pigs are popping up everywhere.

So, without further ado....let the announcements begin.

First up, my sister-in-law, Jacque. Due in November and having a boy.
Then, my very good friend, Jaime. Due in November, as well, and having a boy.
Next, another very good friend, Simone. Due in December and having a girl.
After that we will have....MY SISTER, SARAH!! Due in February/March and having a surprise!
Not far behind her, my cousin, Margaret. Due in March and does not yet know what she's having.
Finally (and very new to the scene), my other cousin and older sister to the first cousin I mentioned, Cecilia. She will most likely be due in May and could possibly be having twins!!

So there you have it folks. We will be praying for safe and healthy pregnancies, deliveries and babies for each and every one of them!!