Well, we finally got our travel date set in stone. We will leave for Beijing on Friday November 9th and return November 24th. I am so happy that it's a direct flight, because I don't fly well. Uh, yeah that's an understatement! I HATE TO FLY!! And there are lots of pictures to prove it....thanks to my sweetie! He finds it rather amusing to see me totally silent, white as a ghost, clutching his arm, holding my breath and with eyes the size of saucers! And that's just at the ticket counter! lol The real fun is during take-off!
Oh but this time he won't be there to witness it and have his little giggle. Nope, that job now goes to my sister Bev, as she has graciously offered to travel with me to get our baby Jayme. She will be my pack mule, videographer, gopher and official hand-holder during take-offs. Some landings as well...if they start that circling business. Oh yeah and if there's any turbulence.
I feel somewhat badly for her. First, she has to fly from Alberta to Ontario on November 8th. Then we'll hop our flight for China on the 9th, and most likely have to fly again to the baby's province the day after that. Can you say jetlag? She also doesn't have kids so I'm sure midnight feedings aren't something that she'll enjoy either. Ohhh, I felt a little snicker rise up there. Maybe she should rethink this fabulous trip of a lifetime, eh? Definitely not the time for her to give up smoking! lol
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Parenting position now available - Moms not need apply.
At what point in time did we as a society start sourcing out the role of Mom? We pay other people to clean our homes, mow the lawn, service our cars, pick up prepared food, walk our dogs. So I guess it seems like a natural progression for a civilized society to then pay others to care for the children. This job should be left to the professionals. No need for Moms to be involved in the day-to-day operations. Moms just aren't qualified! Or so I've been told.
So what prompted this post? Recently, I've been thrust into a world I never knew existed. One that includes Occupational Therapists, Speech/Language Therapists, ECE's, Social Workers, Psychologists and Paediatricians. All working together to better raise my child. "Just leave it to us, Mrs. Hall, we have the qualifications that you don't have. Go and get a real job or at least have a pedicure and leave this to us. Be a good girl and don't question our authority. Believe us, it is best for you and the child." And that's exactly what I did. "Sign here, sign there, Mrs. Hall." They liked me. I was so easy to get along with. Then I came to my senses. One of them being - common sense.
Now there are days when I'm observing these intruders in my family's lives, and I seriously wonder if I'm the only sane person in the room.
Here are some of the things I've learned during the Invasion:
"Believe me, you'll be so happy to see the back of her head as she goes off to school". No, I don't think so.
"She needs a good preschool program so she's prepared for real school and real life. If she needs some extra help, we'll get her a TA for some one-on-one." And she gets what ratio when I homeschool?
"We know what she should learn, how much of it and when." So learning to print her alphabet, finding countries on a globe, knowing all the Provinces, naming the planets, using 100 ASL signs, counting to 40, etc. by the time you're 4 doesn't count? Oh silly me.
"You shouldn't worry about leaving her. Remember, all teachers love what they do and they genuinely love the kids." Uh huh...and how many loving teachers did you encounter going to school?
"4 year olds need time apart from their parents to explore the world." Say what? Maybe on your planet.
"You'll need time with your second child." My Granny handled 9...count 'em 9...and I would be unable to handle 2?
"Parents need to talk to therapists instead of spouses about their feelings ." Ah yes, I can see where it could be detrimental to have a close relationship with my husband.
"I know your daughter spent the first year of her life alone, lying flat on her back in a crib, without any stimulation, never being held, never being loved, just waiting for someone to attend to her basic needs. But she has been here for 3 years so she should be over it." Well, when you do the math....
My sweet girl doesn't need someone who gives in and gives up so easily. She needs...no make that...deserves someone who will look out for her best interest. Someone who will teach her, who will gently guide her, and most importantly, love her!! No, she doesn't need a professional. She needs a Mom....her Mom!!
Climbing down off my soapbox now....class dismissed!
So what prompted this post? Recently, I've been thrust into a world I never knew existed. One that includes Occupational Therapists, Speech/Language Therapists, ECE's, Social Workers, Psychologists and Paediatricians. All working together to better raise my child. "Just leave it to us, Mrs. Hall, we have the qualifications that you don't have. Go and get a real job or at least have a pedicure and leave this to us. Be a good girl and don't question our authority. Believe us, it is best for you and the child." And that's exactly what I did. "Sign here, sign there, Mrs. Hall." They liked me. I was so easy to get along with. Then I came to my senses. One of them being - common sense.
Now there are days when I'm observing these intruders in my family's lives, and I seriously wonder if I'm the only sane person in the room.
Here are some of the things I've learned during the Invasion:
"Believe me, you'll be so happy to see the back of her head as she goes off to school". No, I don't think so.
"She needs a good preschool program so she's prepared for real school and real life. If she needs some extra help, we'll get her a TA for some one-on-one." And she gets what ratio when I homeschool?
"We know what she should learn, how much of it and when." So learning to print her alphabet, finding countries on a globe, knowing all the Provinces, naming the planets, using 100 ASL signs, counting to 40, etc. by the time you're 4 doesn't count? Oh silly me.
"You shouldn't worry about leaving her. Remember, all teachers love what they do and they genuinely love the kids." Uh huh...and how many loving teachers did you encounter going to school?
"4 year olds need time apart from their parents to explore the world." Say what? Maybe on your planet.
"You'll need time with your second child." My Granny handled 9...count 'em 9...and I would be unable to handle 2?
"Parents need to talk to therapists instead of spouses about their feelings ." Ah yes, I can see where it could be detrimental to have a close relationship with my husband.
"I know your daughter spent the first year of her life alone, lying flat on her back in a crib, without any stimulation, never being held, never being loved, just waiting for someone to attend to her basic needs. But she has been here for 3 years so she should be over it." Well, when you do the math....
My sweet girl doesn't need someone who gives in and gives up so easily. She needs...no make that...deserves someone who will look out for her best interest. Someone who will teach her, who will gently guide her, and most importantly, love her!! No, she doesn't need a professional. She needs a Mom....her Mom!!
Climbing down off my soapbox now....class dismissed!
Sunday, September 9, 2007
She's here!!!
We were given some updates this morning...She's a whopping 5 inches shorter than Rylee was!!
So she's little by our standards.
I just keep staring at that little basket of love!!
Thursday, September 6, 2007
IT'S A GIRL!!!!!!!
The call came in at 2:57 pm on Wednesday September 5 2007. Lyle took the day off and was here to witness the event. This time around, he actually got the news ahead of all the complete strangers I come across.
Deborah's first words were, " are you sitting down"? Hmmmm....is it better to sit down for bad news or good news??
So here's the good news:
Her name is Jiang Yi Sheng - 99.9% chance she will be Jayme Rayne Yisheng
She was born November 18, 2006
She is in Guangxi - yes that's in China - next Province over from Rylee's
She is living in the Guigang SWI - about 2 hours from the capital city - Nanning
Now for the bad news:
We haven't seen a picture of her and won't until our file is finished being translated on Sunday. I know, we adoptive parents have to have the patience of Job. (For all you non-bible readers that is pronounced JOBE.)
Deborah described her like this:
She doesn't have much hair and it looks to be shaved.
She has rosebud lips
She has very big eyes, looks very bright and alert
She has flawless skin
She looks beautifully healthy
Yes, it was love at first....description! lol When I was writing all the info down, for some reason I couldn't get her name right. I had to ask several times and I'm sure I sounded like a complete moron. Oh, Lyle is nodding his head from the sidelines! Yup, it's official, I sounded like a complete moron....oh well.
Stay tuned....pictures coming soon to a PC near you.
Deborah's first words were, " are you sitting down"? Hmmmm....is it better to sit down for bad news or good news??
So here's the good news:
Her name is Jiang Yi Sheng - 99.9% chance she will be Jayme Rayne Yisheng
She was born November 18, 2006
She is in Guangxi - yes that's in China - next Province over from Rylee's
She is living in the Guigang SWI - about 2 hours from the capital city - Nanning
Now for the bad news:
We haven't seen a picture of her and won't until our file is finished being translated on Sunday. I know, we adoptive parents have to have the patience of Job. (For all you non-bible readers that is pronounced JOBE.)
Deborah described her like this:
She doesn't have much hair and it looks to be shaved.
She has rosebud lips
She has very big eyes, looks very bright and alert
She has flawless skin
She looks beautifully healthy
Yes, it was love at first....description! lol When I was writing all the info down, for some reason I couldn't get her name right. I had to ask several times and I'm sure I sounded like a complete moron. Oh, Lyle is nodding his head from the sidelines! Yup, it's official, I sounded like a complete moron....oh well.
Stay tuned....pictures coming soon to a PC near you.
Monday, September 3, 2007
Pre-referral jitters
The title was going to read "that time of the month" but all of my non-adopting friends just wouldn't understand. Yes, it's referral time once again....and we finally made it!! The CCAA has matched files up to November 25 2005. Woohoo! I know, I know, 4 whole days isn't much to get excited about...except when they're your 4 days!
So what does one do on the eve of receiving a picture and info about the newest member of their family? Well, I've heard that some " expectant Mommies (Penny)" scrub down their homes in anticipation. Some drink to excess. While others indulge in beans...the dark rich cocoa variety. And here I am trying to set up a blog so family and friends can follow along on our journey to our second little bundle of joy. Big Daddy and Her Highness are cuddled into one big armchair, happily watching a baseball game and chomping on Freezies.
There are lots of little details left to be done before getting " the call" tomorrow. Let's see....
Roam phones charged? Check.
Paper and pens at every phone? Check.
List of questions for our agency? Check.
Champagne on ice? Check.
List of email addresses that we'll be sending baby pictures to? Check.
Remember to inform your husband prior to telling complete strangers on the street? Check. Okay, so it happened one time....in my defence, he was in Japan at the time and couldn't be reached! Geesh!
All in all, I think we're ready. Lyle will go off to work tomorrow just like any other day. Rylee and I will do a little homeschooling, walk to the post office, make some crafts, play in the sand box (or as she says " do some sanding") and have a good time! Oh yeah, and jump out of my skin every time the phone rings!!
Hopefully, I'll have some pictures of our newest Piddle Pumpkin to post tomorrow.
Stay tuned.....
So what does one do on the eve of receiving a picture and info about the newest member of their family? Well, I've heard that some " expectant Mommies (Penny)" scrub down their homes in anticipation. Some drink to excess. While others indulge in beans...the dark rich cocoa variety. And here I am trying to set up a blog so family and friends can follow along on our journey to our second little bundle of joy. Big Daddy and Her Highness are cuddled into one big armchair, happily watching a baseball game and chomping on Freezies.
There are lots of little details left to be done before getting " the call" tomorrow. Let's see....
Roam phones charged? Check.
Paper and pens at every phone? Check.
List of questions for our agency? Check.
Champagne on ice? Check.
List of email addresses that we'll be sending baby pictures to? Check.
Remember to inform your husband prior to telling complete strangers on the street? Check. Okay, so it happened one time....in my defence, he was in Japan at the time and couldn't be reached! Geesh!
All in all, I think we're ready. Lyle will go off to work tomorrow just like any other day. Rylee and I will do a little homeschooling, walk to the post office, make some crafts, play in the sand box (or as she says " do some sanding") and have a good time! Oh yeah, and jump out of my skin every time the phone rings!!
Hopefully, I'll have some pictures of our newest Piddle Pumpkin to post tomorrow.
Stay tuned.....
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