Review Room

Can I PLEASE be out of the review room soon! It was my Christmas wish this year. I see that you are running a bit behind and I am patiently waiting. Please don't make me wait too much longer!! It's driving me bonkers and it's making me check your website EVERY day! ...Pretty please with a cherry on top!! :)

Tolly

Here is my mom's furry baby, Tolly. She is a yorkie just like Pirate!!! Cute, huh?

Giorgia's Mini Tree

I am still looking for that 3ft. White Christmas tree for Giorgia. CAN'T find it anywhere. I should have bought it a month ago! Argh. Anyway, I stumbled this ugly little white, red, and silver tree.

This is how I revamped it. (click on tree to enlarge)

I matched it to her faux sky wall. Soon, I will add some homemade crystal ornaments. (gotta have sparkly). I also temporarily covered the red base. When it's warmer out, I will repaint it so it looks a little nicer. So, she'll only have this one little tree in her room until I can find the 3ft one. Maybe next year!

Save the Dolphins

World's Tallest Man Saves China Dolphins
Thursday, December 14, 2006 7:28 AM EST
The Associated Press

“BEIJING (AP) — The long arms of the world's tallest man reached in and saved two dolphins by pulling out plastic from their stomachs, state media and an aquarium official said Thursday.

The dolphins got sick after nibbling on plastic from the edge of their pool at an aquarium in Liaoning province. Attempts to use surgical instruments to remove the plastic failed because the dolphins' stomachs contracted in response to the instruments, the China Daily newspaper reported.

Veterinarians then decided to ask for help from Bao Xishun, a 7-foot-9 herdsman from Inner Mongolia with 41.7-inch arms, state media said.”

"Some very small plastic pieces are still left in the dolphins' stomachs," Zhu Xiaoling, a local doctor, told Xinhua. "However the dolphins will be able to digest these and are expected to recover soon."

see complete article HERE.

Holiday Traditions?

Looking for Holiday Traditions. As a single person, my holiday traditions are not very "child" friendly. I think I've spent 10 or so of the last Christmas in Sunny Key West and on Christmas day, my mom and I usually go to the theatre and watch three movies and eat lots of candy. I know some of you are probably cringing right now but it works for us. I still decorated my home for the holidays and enjoy the spirit and gift giving. I still visit with family and friends. But, it's hard to do it "on" Christmas. Everyone has their families and their obligations. Some of you singles out there might get what I mean. Anyway, when I was younger, we had more traditional holidays. Now that the holidays are in full swing, I think about my first Christmas with my daughter? (may she PLEASE, PLEASE be hear by Xmas 2007)

So, this brings me to holiday tradition. I am looking to start some holiday traditions with the two of us! I am accepting ideas! I would love to hear of traditions that are very special to you now or want to create with your child once home! Drop me a comment and help me create some special cool holiday traditions! Thanks.

Yarn?

Okay...this sucks... I mean...did they have to say "DISHCLOTH" ???? :(

You are Dishcloth Cotton.You are a very hard worker, most at home when you're at home. You are thrifty and seemingly born to clean. You are considered to be a Plain Jane, but you are too practical to notice.
Take this quiz!

My Fish Tree

This year, I'm really not ready for Christmas. I "thought" that my Giorgia would be home by now. But she won't be and I'm just not in the mood for all the decorating! I have a couple 3 ft. trees that I will put up but the big one won't happen this year. This is one of my little themed trees that I have up. It's my fish tree!

Air Travel with Kids

Found this interesting tip on one of my newsletters. For all of you BTDT parents...this is probably not new news but for some of us first-timers...I found it informative!!! "Traveling by Air with Kids" Allow extra time for getting through security, especially if you're taking a car seat & stroller. Sometimes the stroller doesn't fit through the scanner and they have to take it off somewhere to manually scan it. Make sure you put bottle, sippy cups, anything with liquid in it in a ziplock back they will leak in flight do to the pressure. I always take DOUBLE the diapers you think you need onboard. We have sat for hours on runways due to Air Traffic Control problems or weather. Being 4 1/2 mos. old, you aren't needing REAL milk, but for others reading this, a lot of airlines no longer carry milk as it winds up getting tossed at the next stop."

...this is a work in progress...tips anyone?

Things that I have read that parents are bringing to help entertain the kids:

FOOD: cracker snacks, fruit snacks, Cherrios, Pepperidge Farm gold fish, Chex cereal, dum dum pops -- give them all wrapped up and it is an activity to open them AND to eat them.

TOYS: portable DVD player small stuffed animals, stacking cups, animal flash cards, tiny IKEA finger puppets (a big hit), little Fisher Price people, new books she has not seen before, crayons if they are old enough, stickers, a sticker book that has the static cling stickers that you can stick over and over

MISC: blanket, a full change of clothes

Gigi Books

I stumbled across another adoption blog and I saw two of these new books that they had just purchased for their future daughter! They look so cute. I think I will head out to Borders to check them out in person. I'm learning not to buy books online. Sometimes it's just the cover that I'm attracted to. So, the inside has to match the outside and the story has to be cute! Hopefully Borders will have them for me to look at! Anyone seen them before?

Starfish Story

Once a man was walking along a beach. The sun was shining and it was a beautiful day. Off in the distance he could see a person going back and forth between the surf's edge and the beach. Back and forth this person went. As the man approached he could see that there were hundreds of starfish stranded on the sand as the result of the natural action of the tide. The man was stuck by the apparent futility of the task. There were far too many starfish. Many of them were sure to perish. As he approached the person continued the task of picking up starfish one by one and throwing them into the surf. As he came up to the person he said, "You must be crazy. There are thousands of miles of beach covered with starfish. You can't possibly make a difference." The person looked at the man. He then stooped down and pick up one more starfish and threw it back into the ocean. He turned back to the man and said, "It sure made a difference to that one!"

Diaper Bag

Cool Bag. I am thinking about getting it. Yet I already have 3!

Baby Sherpa Diaper BackpackThe First 4-in-1 Diaper Bag, Cooler, Video & Parent Pack All in One and Easy On Your Back

Easy clean
Water Resistant
Lifetime Warranty *
Fits as carry on luggage for all airlines
Padded pocket to hold camcorder or breast pump
Deep inside compartment with zippered pocket and 1st Aid compartment
Cell phone/PDA/Sunglass case
Soft-sided cooler integrated into the backpack (holds 6-8 canned beverages)
Modular insulated pocket holds large-size baby bottles
Mesh water bottle holder
Toy loops
Bungee X Cord to hold jackets, toys, blankets
Oversized changing pad 26" x 17"
Touch as nails zipper with easy pull
Heavy duty lug handle
Reflective tape for safety

Diaper Bag Contents

First time parent? I am? Still trying to figure out everything that should go in a Diaper Bag. Here's what I found:


Here's what's inside the Diaper Bag
put all this stuff in labeled ziplock bags and so that it's easy to put in Diaper Bag once in China. But when getting it ready first put all in Bag to make sure it fits.
One bottle of water for making formula
One bottle of water (two packs of Crystal Light mix)
Five Huggies diapers
Two disposable changing pads
One travel size package of wipes
Diaper Disposable Bags
Diaper Rash Ointment
Two plush toys (hang from little "nooses" on bag)
One package of Gerber Graduates Mini-Fruits
Sunglasses
Key(s)
Pen
Thermometer
Vaseline
Passport(s)
Wallet with money
Digital Camera extra battery extra memory
Zone bar (snack for mom)
Small hairbrush
Baby nail clippers
Thermos with hot water
pacifier with pacifier clip
Vinyl bib
Three single serving sized baby formula
Playtex nurser (bottle) with small bottle of juice inside.
Small sippy cup juice inside
Five disposable adhesive placemats
baby silverware
One small covered container with suction bottom
teething ring
Light green receiving blanket
One pair of pink socks with non-slip soles
Motrin or Tylenol for mom
One pair of pink lightweight pants
One "onesie"
lightweight baby sweater
One terrycloth/velcro shopping cart handle cover.
lightweight sweater for Mommy!

Ziplock with chapstick, hair bands, disinfectant wipes, mirror, bandaides and pill container with Advil, etc. makeup

Thanksgiving 2006

Tia, Codi, Chris (My Brother), Sophia, My Mom, Me & Pirate

Pet Peeves

Since I have a little doggie, my spin will be about dogs and babies. I am sure that this applies to any type of pet.

(Pirate & Moorea)

Anyway, they say that your dog will probably be jealous of the new baby. So, here are a few of their recommended tips on making the adjustment easier. They say that most pets are concerned with territory and that they like predictability and routine. So, if you plan on doing a nursery or switching up the layout of the sooner you rearrange your house the more time the pet will have time to adjust. Let your dog hang out in the baby’s room and get used to it. Let the pet sniff the baby while you hold her. Smell their clothing. Don’t forget that your pet is just like a baby, it wants love and attention. Don’t forget to give these things to your pet as well. Maybe even neighbors can come and play with the pet to help you out. Some pets urinate on the baby toys, they are not angry, but marking their territory. Try to figure out how to help him to solve this problem. One thing this article said was that your dogs moves from top dog to underdog after baby comes, he will likely be confused, and a confused dog is more likely to form negative associations with a new baby. Try to expose your pet to babies and children before yours comes home. Obedience school is also another positive thing for your pet. Fighting over toys frequently happens; try to keep the dog toys and the baby’s toys separate. Always take away the baby toy from the dog and redirect him with a toy of his own. When the dog plays with his own toys, reward him.