I had a shower today!

Not a water shower, well, I did have one of those too. No, this was a baby shower! My girlfriends, (Carmen, Lori and Rebecca), my sister-in-law (Bridget) and my mom (Grammy Fran) hosted a baby shower for me (and Elizabeth). It was so incredible. I was so touched that they even had it for me in the first place and then when it happened it was just so great. There was so much food and it was all so yummy. There were M&Ms on the table too! My mom made this cute panda cake and Bridget made mini cheesecakes. We played two games. Bridget had a list of lines from nursery rhymes that we had to guess the name of the rhyme. Carmen made a Jeopardy game with different facts about our family and the adoption journey. It was a blast. I did not get to play, I was the judge and added extra information when needed.

People were so generous with their gifts too. Everyone brought great pink cute things. I am so excited about pink! People brought fabric too for the quilts we are making for Sam and Elizabeth. now I can start working on them.

Thank you so much to the wonderful hosts, the party was great. Thank you to everyone who came and those who could not make it, but sent their wishes.

It was such a great party and I am so amazed so many people care so much. Thank you so much to everyone!

China is coming really soon! Stay tuned! Until next time........

Visa (not credit card)

Today we went to Chicago to get our Visas. Then we went to Chinatown to "practice". The consulate was not too terrible. It took about an hour waiting for our turn and then we gave her our pile (forms, pictures, and passports). She said we had to come back next Thursday. So, Dad and I will go down to get them.

Chinatown was fun. We had lunch at a restaurant that had the ducks and squid hanging in the window. We did not partake. We did have a very yummy lunch. When he was bringing all the food out, we did not think we would finish everything. We were wrong and cleaned the plates. Then we had smoothies with milk for dessert. They had crazy flavors like avacado, but we stuck to strawberry. I did order them with the tapioca, no one was really thrilled with that choice. They were really good though.

We are getting so close. The group right ahead of us with our agency is headed to China in a few weeks, we are just behind them.

Until next time.......

Any Day

http://www.favonianchild.blogspot.com/

This is the blog for a family in the same program we are in with Homeland Adoption. They are in China right now and just got their daughter a few days ago. It is incredible to read. I have read so many of these, but somehow this one seems so much more real because it will be us in a few weeks. Plus they are in the same city with the same agency, so the experience is going to be so similar.

Today I went to see Dr. Sanchez. He has been our doctor since Sam was born six years ago. We just love him and he is so excited (as is his assistant). I gave him our referal so they can start her file at the clinic. So when we get back, she will be all set and in the system. Dr. Sanchez has been to CHina a few times and gave me some tips. He also gave me some prescriptions for meds incase we get sick while there. He said as long as we stay on the beaten track (for food) we will be ok.

It is really hitting me that we will have our daughter REALLY soon. It could be any time that we travel. At dinner I said to Sam, "soon your baby sister will be sitting in that chair with us for dinner." We have also started referring to the crib and car seat as Elizabeth's, not Jenna's. For a year and a half they have been Jenna's. It will be really soon. I am going crazy.

We will take the laptop and post updates while we are in China. Check out the blog from the other family. It really gives a good idea what we will go through. I was crying the whole time I read it.