Our Friends Are Back!

Last night was most exciting!!! Hubs and I and a group of our adoption friends drove down to the airport to greet our friends, Wendy and Ed and their beautiful daughter, Samantha. All of us had been planning this "event" for several weeks and couldn't wait to see the brand new family. Another couple blessed with a angel from China!

Another Wonderful Square

Thank you, Bev, for the wonderful square and fantastic wish. I love how you cut the fabric into pieces to create an illustration on the inside of the card. I miss working with you!

It's All for Gi

Look at what my super duper secret pal sent for Gigi this month. I love Pooh! He is such a gentle and peaceful character. I would always want those qualities for Gi. The picture frame is really cool. Mickey can swivel back and forth with a little push. Can't wait to put a picture of my sweet Gi in it. The card, once again, is wonderful and looks to be handcrafted. Thank you, secret pal!

Pretty in Pink Squares

A big thank you to the Squillace, Doon and Costa Families for their wonderfully girly squares and lovely wishes.

A Great Visit

Last evening, Kristen and I got an opportunity to visit a fellow adoptive parent who recently came home with her daughter, Alexandra. We were both tickled pink watching sweet Alexandra in her mama's arms. She would occasionally flash us a two-teeth grin which made her chubby cheeks even more cherubic. Alexandra's mom gave us a wealth of information and ideas about her recent trip to China to bring her baby home. I'm looking forward to hearing about Ed and Wendy's experience when they come back from China at the end of the month.

Ran Home Today

Today I hurried home so I could log in and check out our fellow adoptive friends' blog. Wendy and Ed united with their baby daughter today! She is a tiny bundle of crying adorableness. Ed and Wendy seem very happy in the picture. I can't wait to greet them at the airport. Each family that we know who brings their baby daughter home gives me hope and cheers me up during this long wait.

It's Coming Along

A big thank you to the Carroll and Winter-Casicari family. Look at these great squares.

Port Charlotte

Hubs and I grabbed my parents today and took a leisurely trip to Port Charlotte to check out a piece of land that the parental units had purchased ages ago. On our way back, we discovered this little winery in the town of Alva on state road 80. Hubs and Pop had a wine tasting for only $2.50 per person! Their wine is made from a type of grape that was developed by the University of Florida. It can withstand the south Florida heat and a certain type of grape-eating bug. They even make a carambola wine. Even though we are not big wine drinkers, we just had to purchase several bottles. Who can resist a small family-run winery business??? Our next stop was a "country" diner in Labelle with an interesting name, Flora and Ella's Home of Those Famous Pies. Mediocre comfort food but very yummy homemade pies. This little diner had the biblical ten commandments posted right by the entrance and the obligatory gum-snapping waitress serving up southern charm. Hubs and I ended the day discussing the merits of little trips like these that make the wait for Gigi more enjoyable.

Hubs is 41

Hubs just celebrated his 41st birthday yesterday. We went to our go-to restaurant for all birthdays and anniversaries, 32 East. He ordered a foie gras appetizer and has not stopped raving about it since. This is the same man that swears to me that he detests liver of any kind. Now he has revised his no-liver list. Goose and duck liver that instantly melt in your mouth, good. Chicken and beef liver, still yucky bad. Hmm, how do you feel about stewed chicken feet, hubs?

More Squares Coming

I just received a pleasant surprise. My cousin from San Francisco called to tell me that she and her sister are sending their square soon. My cousin also adopted a baby girl from China. Her daughter is now a bright and beautiful nine year old. Cousin M reassured me that once we have Gigi in our arms, the wait will have been well worth it. I believe her!

Squares from Family

Just received my first two squares from family members on hubs' side. My mother-in-law, Gi's grandmother, did something beautiful. She had Gi's name embroidered on the fabric square. What a treat! Hubs' cousin on the west coast of Florida also sent a long strip of fabric. I think I will be able to make several squares out of that. Hugs and kisses for Lydia, Joe and the Miranda family. Keep them coming family and friends!

Check These Out, Sis!

My sister has already started her research on how to make a simple quilt. Bless her for taking on this big project. My friend, Kiyoe, who lives in Japan sent Gi the most elegant square and other beautiful hand crafted items such as a purse and a card. Thank you to the Nguyen, Kuhns, Scott and Kii families. The latest count is 25 squares. Seventy-five to go!

Almost 20

Tonight, I received my 17th and 18th quilt squares from my good neighbors, Susie and Thuy. Many thanks, ladies!

Peanut Island Fun

Just wanted to thank our friend, Dennis, for inviting us to go boating to Peanut Island yesterday. It was a blast! Hubs, a part-time adrenalin junkie, was tubing every chance he got. O.k., you're wondering what does tubing have to do with hubs being in this get-up. Well, at about 2:30, the forecast of 70% chance of thunderstorm decided to come true. All of us huddled under this pavilion for safety as the rain poured and the wind whipped through the island. Our friend, Kim (center), became very cold. Hubs, being a gentleman, offered his towel to her. This, of course, left hubs shirtless and cold. So he donned on my sundress and hat for a temporary reprieve. Where is hubs' shirt? He has no idea. Somehow he lost track of it between getting on the boat and getting back to the marina. The same goes for his sunglasses. It's a good thing he kept his swim trunks on!

The Apple of My Eye

Got two super cute outfits for Gi today. Shhh, don't tell hubs! The apple hoodie is water resistant. The dress is just so appropriate for Gi. After all, she is going to be the daughter of a school teacher.

Boo Hoo Hoo Hoo

Just got an email back from the childmatch manager of our adoption agency. The timeline for an expedited referral has extended to 9 months now. If that holds true, hubs and I may not travel till around March or April of 2007. Trying to look on the positive side. Let's see...
1. more time to save $$$ for the adoption
2. more time to decorate Gi's room
3. more time for big sis to finish the quilt
4. more date nights with hubs
5. more time to read parenting books
6. more time for hubs to perfect the perfect Gi-cam monitoring system
7. more time to get our chubby tushes in shape
8. more time for Fifi and Taffy to be the babies in the family
9. more time to research baby products
10. more time to sleep, sleep, sleep

What a Square!

My old friend from college, Greg, has just sent me a very lovely paisely fabric square with gold under tones. Enclosed is a guardian angel with a prayer and a simple wish. Thank you for your thoughtfulness and creativity. BTW, Greg, what's with the hyphenated last name? Did you get married??!!

And Then There Was Light

Whew! TS Ernesto was only a mousy storm. Hubs and I have emerged from our darkened abode, taken down our shutters and dipped in our pool already. Light is streaming into our house and I am happy happy again.

All Shuttered Up Nowhere to Go

Act 1 Scene 1. Tragic music playing in the background. Camera rests on the haggard face of a forty year old Asian woman sitting in a peculiarly darkened room furiously typing on a teeny laptop. No, it is not an artsy fartsy Fellini movie set. It's hurricane season in the great state of Florida! Only two weeks into the school year and already I'm sitting home willing TS Ernesto to go to its rightful place of death, the cold waters of the northern Atlantic. Just not by way of Florida! My finger tips ache from helping hubby put up hurricane shutters last night. Oh, btw, no grumbling from hubs this time. Unprecedented amount of cooperation from the man this time around. My rolly polly legs itch nonstop from the two gazillion mosquitos that feasted on me last night and early this morning. "What is Act 2 Scene 2 going to be like?" you ask. Roll the preview, please. Electricity goes out. No air conditioning. Hubby gets hot. Hubby gets grumpy. Hubby has to eat canned goods. Hubby gets grumpier. Doggies want to go out. Doggies can't due to hurricane-like winds and torrential downpour. Doggies find a corner in the darkened house and leave a nice present for Mommy and Daddy. Camera fades out.

More More More

Yesterday, I received more delightful quilt squares in the mail. Many thanks to the Friedman and Fiore family.

Look Who It Is

Look who takes every furtive opportunity to sneak into Gi's room to sleep the day away.
Caught red-handed and could care less, Gi-cam or not.

Gi-cam

Hubs has already started with the techie stuff. Gi's room is now equipped with a wireless internet video camera. I'm almost certain that he will be adding to this system because just like consuming potato chips, one is not enough. No need to read adoption books according to hubs. What's important is that a baby's room be wired with the latest tech-geeky gadgets that require his undivided attention.

Look What Gi Got!

My secret pal strikes again. Adding to Gi's collection of goodies are a temperature gauge and a very girly bath towel. Many thanks, secret pal!

More Fabulous Squares

O.k., ignore the ugly toes and just look at the fabulous squares and wishes. Big thanks go out to the Baxters, Peters, Andersons, and Meltzers.

More Stuff for Gi

Thank you, Wendy and Ed, for the baby key board and monitor set. Both will be put to good use once Gi comes on board.

Wonderful Quilt Squares

A big thanks go out to my friends and co-workers who have so generously given me wonderful quilt squares and heart-felt wishes for Gi's blanket. Ed and Wendy picked a pretty pink eyelet fabric. Kristen and David chose a lovely ladybug design. Kia picked a groovy pink pattern with glitter embedded in the fabric.

Adoption Trivia for the Hubbies

Tonight was a delightful evening. A bunch of us adopting parents got together at a local Asian restaurant and busted our gut eating and laughing at our husbands' attempts to answer adoption related trivia questions. Hubs only got three answers correct out of umpteenth questions.

More Quilt Squares

Got some more pretty quilt squares. Many thanks to the Lorge, Hayes and Zilkey-Clevett families. Getting the mail is a lovely experience now. Keep them coming, family and friends!

First Quilt Square

Received my first quilt square today since I have joined the "100 Good Wishes" quilt exchange. One down, 99 to go! Big thanks to the Franklin family from New Hampshire.

Obon Festival

Just wanted to post some pictures of hubs and I and our friends, K and D at the Obon Festival at the Morikami Park. It was about 93 degrees out but lots of interesting things to see nonetheless. Saw some traditional Japanese dances and, my favorite, daiko drumming. The Japanese gardens were lush as usual. Hubs had to cool down with a couple of Japanese beers, some plum wine and a tiny cup of ice cream that costed him $4.

Quilt Square Swap

I'm very excited about my first "100 Good Wishes" quilt swap. I will be collecting 100 quilt squares along with good wishes to make Gi's adoption quilt. Big sis has graciously agreed to sew the quilt together once 100 quilt squares have been collected. I'm sending my batch out next week. Most of the squares will go to families in the United States. Two will go to Canada. A big thanks to my sister and Kristen, who always clue me in on fun adoption activities. Now I wonder how long it will take me to collect 100 quilt squares and wishes.

Adopting Parents Are the Greatest!

Last night, hubs and I had the most wonderful time chatting and eating with fellow adopting parents. Our house was filled with positive energy and excitement. Two of the adopting parents are going to China soon to bring home their daughters. Jill, Dave and son, Chase, are leaving on August 17 to unite with baby Alexandra. Wendy and Ed will most likely leave on September 14 to bring home Samantha. Hubs and I are tremendously happy for them. Let's see if we can get a bunch of us to greet them at the airport on their return trip and take lots and lots of pictures.

Go Away Chris!

Whew! Looks like TS Chris won't even come near Palm Beach County, at least according to the NOAA website, my favorite hurricane tracking source. I was dreading having to convince hubs to put up the shutters. He'd rather be strapped in a torture device a la Spanish Inquisition. What is it about the male species that like to defy the forces of Mother Nature? The last time hubs convinced me that shutters didn't need to go up, we both nearly wet our pants watching Wilma take down our pool enclosure beam by beam. This year I have a plan. Yes, an incentive program for hubs. Something he cannot refuse. Something to get those keyboard typing hands loving the feel of heavy steel shutters. I was thinking a job well done without excessive whining or male posturing could be rewarded with a. unlimited trips to the tool department at Home Depot b. no dishwashing for a good month c. nightly "alone" time with his mistress (his computer) without spousal interference or d. the opportunity to rack up enough points to get a new car (one point awarded for each hurricane in which shutters have been put up). Oh, BTW, he has to accumulate 100 points for me to co-sign. But we don't need to let him know about that minor detail or fine print as some would say. Wish me luck!

The Brown Envelope

The "brown envelope" arrived on our door steps today. It is a letter from the American Consulate General in Guangzhou, China acknowdedging that we have been approved by our immigration service to adopt a baby from abroad. Although the letter doesn't lessen the amount of time we have to wait for the child match, it is nice to receive something that validates the fact that we are one step closer to our baby.