An adoptive mom weighs in.

Click here for an op-ed piece from the NYT.

My husband's vast knowledge of music trivia.

Tim and I both came of age in the 1980s. Therefore, even though we recognize most 80s music is cheesy with a capital C, we love it anyway. Yesterday we dug into our pile of CDs to pull out Chicago, which we listed to while running errands, even though, as Tim pointed out, every Chicago song sounds pretty much the same.

Me (who knows lots of totally useless trivia): Quick, who was the lead singer of Chicago?

Tim: John Malkovich?

Going to great lengths for baby.

Click here for a very interesting story from Sunday's NYT about pregnant women from mainland China attempting to have their children born in Hong Kong.

Nursery Furniture-Take Two

We had ordered a crib, dresser, and Dutailier glider rocker for Isbella long ago. However, we got caught in the Boston Baby debacle, which meant we never got any nursery furniture. It also became clearer and clearer that it would be a LONG time before receiving a referral. I couldn't bear the thought of having a fully set-up, but empty, nursery for months on end. I know some people derive comfort from that, but it would have driven me bonkers.

This weekend we took the plunge. We ordered a bow back rocker with beige fabric (we did not order the ottoman). This will actually go in what is now the guest room, which is the room next to Isabella's nursery. Her nursery is small...later, when she is older, we will move her into the guest room (after painting it a much nicer color, of course. Something to look forward to, my hubby). Here is a picture that is close. I am really looking forward to rocking my girl before bedtime as much as she lets me.



Now the crib and dresser. Can I tell you how in love with this crib and dresser I am?!





The crib converts to a toddler bed, and then a full size bed. I love the idea that this piece of furniture will have a permanent place in Isabella's life. I love the distressed black finish with the cherry trim. Feminine, but not too babyish. The glider should come in within 5 to 6 weeks, and once that happens, the whole shebang will be delivered. I AM EXCITED.

Props to Sparky for helping us out with it! We so appreciate it!!!

Our 14 month LID anniversary.

Well, who would have ever thought? I am guessing either an April or May referral, which means we will get to a 17 or 18 month LID anniversary. All I keep telling myself is the worse of the wait is over, and if we've waited this long, we can hold on for a few more months. Uh Huh.

It's that special time of the year again!

Yes, folks, what better way to spend your time waiting for a referral than watching the always inane American Idol? Ok, I've got it...writing about American Idol. The start of Season 6 brings the return of Tammy's AI blog I Love Taylor Hicks.

While I am thinking about it, I must give kudos to Tim (before he gives them to himself) for purchasing two tickets to see Taylor Hicks in April at the Avalon in Boston. And yes, he is actually going with me.

When you love a mini-schnauzer...

Self portrait from today.

I hardly recognize my own husband.

Can you tell why?

Referral Update

First and foremost, a big heartfelt congratulations to two of my MIW (mothers-in-waiting) friends who are waiting no more: Kikalee and Sparky have both received their referrals in the last two days. Tim and I are feeling incredibly happy for them and cannot wait to meet their daughters.

Our agency received eight referrals, all girls from Hunan Province. A set of twins was included. The girls ranged from 7-18 months years old, with most being under a year old.

So, now my MIW group has one member: me. Of course, I am anxious to make the transition to RLM (Real Life Mom). This batch of referrals contained referrals for families with log in dates up to September 27, 2005, which is 13 days worth of log in dates (LIDs). Tim and I were LID on 11/18/2005, which means there are 38 days of LIDs between 9/28/2005 and 11/18/2005. If the CCAA includes at least 13 days worth of LIDs in each of its monthly batches of referrals from here on out, Tim and I will receive a referral at the end of March/beginning of April, which means we would likely travel in June.

The big unknown is exactly how huge (in terms of number of dossiers received) October 2005 is, and if referral batches will contain very small numbers of days of LIDs (say, less than 13 days) because so many dossiers were logged in per day.

Stay tuned.

Need a quick laugh?

I have two pairs of Enzo Angiolini boots that I bought in 1999 when I was teaching at Middlebury College in Vermont and it was so cold that I didn't need an excuse to wear boots everyday. I love these boots...nice easy zipper, chunky two inch heel, and a squarish, but not square, toe box. Very comfortable and nice enough that I can wear them to work with skirts, dresses, trousers, etc., but they also look great with jeans. (Yes, I am into my shoes, folks, and especially my boots. This is necessary when you have three different dress sizes in your closet. So far, my shoe size has been loyal to me.) Anyway, I liked them so much that I bought a pair in black leather and a pair in brown leather back in the winter of 1999. Both pairs have held up very well.

Tim and I take our shoes off when we come in the house due to our lax cleaning habits (i.e., no routine at all) and our fairly newly refinished hardwood floors. A pile of shoes tends to build up near the door. So, right before our Christmas open house, I moved some of my boots upstairs, including one pair of Enzo Angliolinis.

Yesterday, while out and about, feeling half-way decent about life, I discover that I am wearing one black and one brown boot. And I've been doing so since at least Christmas. And once again, any sense that I am a grown up, competent, OK woman goes down the drain.