School's out!

It's all over - all of the papers, late-night assignments, too many textbooks, and no free time.

Done, kaput, finito!

Yes, my graduate school experience is finally, finally finished.

I'm thrilled but oh so tired. I'm looking forward to weekends and lots of extra sleep. I don't think the enormity of it has hit me yet.

So pop open the champagne!

And now, back to your regularly scheduled baby watch . . .


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Absence makes the heart grow fonder

No I'm not going on vacation (oh vacation sounds nice!).


Today marks the start of my last quarter of grad school. As this quarter is the fulfillment of my capstone/ thesis I've a lot of work over the next 12 weeks.


So, unless something monumental happens on the adoption front, I will be sadly neglecting this blog for the next 83 days.

And maybe for a few days beyond that while I wildly celebrate the completion of school. : )


Talk to you after Thanksgiving!




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Three years

Today is the third anniversary of my Log In Date (LID).

Enough said.


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I love beautiful things

A much loved friend and her husband gave me the most beautiful gift for Beach Baby today.

It is a simple and elegant baby rattle, carved from a solid piece of cherry. It is so, well, perfect.

In this world where poorly-made furniture and goods are constructed with cheap materials and ultimately destined for the trash pile in a few years, it is wonderful to know that craftsmanship like this still exists.

The rattle is from Mossy Creek Woodworks. I did a little research (don't I always) and this company's work has been displayed at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art and The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.

This is going with me to China, as the first toy I give to my little one.

Thanks J&D!

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Living vicariously through others

My friend L, mentioned in my last post, is currently on a flight to Beijing, just days away from meeting her daughter for the first time. I am so excited for her (and I will admit, a little bummed for me; I so long for it to be my turn)!

I have been somewhat living vicariously through her for the last few weeks: looking at her travel itinerary, listening to her plans, and seeing all the love and support she is so fortunate to have. I am even tracking her flight today via the internet. That isn’t weird, right?

She is hoping to post on her blog while in China so there will be more information and photos to pore over. The last friend who took this trip to her child did so a few years ago; I’m interested to see the change in the experience from L’s point of view.

Speaking of living through others, here is the latest update on referrals; “referrals have issued for families with dossiers submitted on or before March 20, 2006.” There should be another batch in the next week or so. Everyone pray, wish, hope, and psychically force the next batch to be a big one with weeks and weeks of dossiers.

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It's nice to know it happens for some families

My friend L, after 38 months of waiting, has been matched to a daughter. (No, that isn't her baby in the photo.)

I'm so happy for the creation of this new family! Best wishes go out to baby, mommy, and extended family!

A link to her blog can be found further down this page on the left.

Let's all believe that this miracle is the start of a speed up in the process!

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H1N1 Flu Epidemic

There have been conflicting reports that the CCAA has stopped matching, sending referrals, and sending travel authorizations due to the flu epidemic.

Nothing confirmed, but referrals are very overdue.

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