Blogger Block

I am having Blogger Block!! It's been a while since I have posted, just don't know what to post. Do you ever feel like the weeks are just running together with no begining or end? I have mostly been playing catch-up. Anyway, help me get "un-blocked"! Is there anything that anyone wants to ask me or research for them. I like to research, but you all know that! LOL. Help me outta my funk! :)

Conversion Charts

I have been trying to research developmental stages in children and came across some speech and Language skills from Kris Everhart, a Speech Language Pathologist. These were from a Q & A list on the Delaware Early Intervention Newsletter. It also says to Remember that these are only guidelines and that every child develops at a different rate.

1. Turns toward voices. ( 3-6 mos )
2. Aware of and quiets to familiar voices. ( 0-3 mos )
3. Reaches and looks for toys. ( 6-9 mos )
4. Makes sounds in the back of the throat. ( 0-3 mos )
5. Uses different cries for different reasons. ( 3-6 mos )
6. Vocalizes 4 different consonant-vowel combos (ex: mama, gaga, dada). ( 6-9 mos )
7. Makes sounds with people and when alone. ( 3-6 mos )
8. Participates in simple games (i.e., peek-a-boo). ( 9-12 mos )
9. Waves “bye-bye”. ( 9-12 mos )
10. Makes brief eye contact. ( 0-3 mos )
11. Gestures w/vocalizations to protest or request “up”. ( 6-9 mos )
12. Gives objects on request. ( 9-12 mos )

February Secret Pal

What a great day! I got my first secret pal gift! This is so cool. THANK YOU! I got the neatest books, Dragon Dance and My Chinese New Year! I LOVE 'em. I will put them in Giorgia's room as soon as I get home. Now, the candy...that's ALL MINE! Yummy! Plus, I love the red envelopes. I have been looking for some unsuccessfully. They are all different designs. I was told to use these for tips in China or when I give money for gifts here. Thank you! Thank you!

CYBERSHOWER

My first Cybershower! It was awesome and I FINALLY got to open up those gifts. My gifts were from Adriana Hutchings! She is from the other side of the country in Washington State. Come to find out Adriana is also in my DTC group. How neat. Back to the loot-boy did I make out. I got great little fortune cookie card. "Live simply, laugh often, love deeply." And a personal note from Adriana. (A. - What a long journey that you've had, but it will be a reality very soon! Thank you for sharing and I will be thinking about you.) Nancy, the box we kept shaking and couldn't figure out was, was an awesome toy for Giorgia. Little People - Discovering Animals at the Farm. Sonja Lee is who I saw first in the toy. It also comes with a video. It's too cool. Then, a baby Einstein book of dogs. I can take this to China and try to get Giorgia used to the idea of dogs before she comes home and meets Pirate. Now, the best for last...A Disney Movie for my collection. Sleeping Beauty. I LOVE it. I don't already have it! Thanks so much. Adriana, you made my day! :) Thank you! Stephe

Packing List

Well, I am working on my Packing List. It's another one of my crazy lists. If you would like to check it out, just click Stephe's Packing List! Like I said, might need my own plane. LOL!

Car Seats on Planes

Hello. Here is another question that I have been wondering about myself. Lucy, I still have to get back to your email! Anyway, as I have contemplating this very question, a member of one of my yahoo groups posted some reasons why not to.

The airlines do not require a car seat for a baby.

They also do notprovide car seats, you must bring your own.

Your carseat must be certified for airtravel. Not all car seats are.

If you use a car seat you need a regular ticket for yourchild.

In China most tour buses and taxis don't have seatbelts.

Do you need to use PDF

Some of you have asked about the pdf. Do you need to use PDF? NO. I just am in the habit of saving documents in this form for work, so it just carries over. You can just print each post directly from the computer. I would suggest highlighting the post and when printing, under "page range" hit the "selection". This way you won't get the header in every post and sometimes the width format of our blogs exceeds the width of our paper that we are printing to. You can even copy your post into a word document and save it that way. Experiment and see what you like. You can achieve the same look without using the pdf format. Good luck!

Why use PDF?

Why use PDF?
If you want to transfer files by email or the Web to other computer users and to ensure that your files are readable, the safest option is to convert them to PDF. Other computer users will not always have the appropriate software to view your text and graphics files but the software to read.

PDF files is free and widely installed. PDF is frequently used as a 'print-friendly' format which can be made widely available from the Web.

PDF files will appear exactly the same whatever computer you use, so a PDF file made from a document which was originally formatted in Word will look exactly the same on someone else's machine as it did on yours. This is true even if graphics were embedded in the original file.

PDF is:
Viewable on any computer - formatted as it left the author
Able to include any text, tables or graphics as a single file
Printable

How do I create a PDF file?
First you will need the full Acrobat software (not simply the Acrobat Reader).

Giorgia's Chair

I got my HighChair! Yippee! I LOVE it! See my tips on picking out the perfect highchair.

Chicco Mamma. See Amazon.com

Editorial Review
Although one of the more expensive highchairs on the market, this Chicco Mamma highchair is equipped with a number of design features that make it a pleasure to use--and worth the extra money. Mounted on four plastic casters (including two that lock down), the Chicco Mamma starts with a sturdy metal-and-plastic frame that can be smoothly collapsed and folded by pushing the two child-safe buttons located on either side of the seat. As a result, you can store the chair in a space-saving upright position or roll it into the closet when not in use. All of the chair's size and positioning adjustments, including six different height settings and three angles of recline, are easy to make and work smoothly. The chair's vinyl seat cover, in handsome Skyline Gray, can be quickly wiped down after meals, and the wide food tray is equipped with a one-hand tray release on the outside so Mom and Dad can attach the tray or make size adjustments while holding a child with the other arm. To keep baby safely seated before, during, and after meals, the Chicco Mamma comes with a thick five-point harness. --Chris Burns

From the Manufacturer
The safe and easily portable high chair features a five point harness, new passive restraint system and rear locking casters for additional stability. The self locking tray is designed for one handed release and the convenient secondary tray is dishwasher safe. The Chicco Mamma comes with an optional infant support pad and padded seat, which offers 6 different height adjustments and reclines in 3 positions. Folds easily and compactly for storage.

Blog Journal

After some debate on doing a journal, blog, or scrapbook, I came up with this. I most definately have to do a blog. That is a given. These are just too much fun. I love the idea of scrapbooking, but let's face, it's *very* time consuming. I have redone pages two or three times. So, this is what I came up with. I am journaling my blog. So, make sure you all post lots of comments so I can save them in the journal. I basically just took a clear view binder and created a cover just like the one I used for my blog. Inside, I just took my individual posts and put them into a .pdf and printed them out, threw in those sheet protectors and viola - Blog Journal. It's perfect for me. See the cover below and one of the inserts.

So, here's a question. Should the journal be organized like :

A. Most recent post and work my way back?

B. Start with the very first post in front and add new ones behind it?

Anythoughts?

The Grouchy LadyBug

So, for those of you that are on some of the larger Yahoo groups, you might have heard references about the Grouchy Ladybug Blog. This anonymous blog is very NON-PC. There are many parents that are offended by it's content. Personally, I think it's hysterical! I think it's based on observations of how some adoptive parents posts on these groups. I hadn't checked it out in a while, and today I came across this post... Ultimate Arguing Champions - Round One! Yes, some of it's contents is WRONG but I don't think it is meant as PERSONAL ATTACKS. Hysterical observations is how I categorize it!

In Loving Memory (2 years)

My sweetest little Alex passed away just two years ago today. It's a very sad day. She was with me for 15 years! The last couple of years she was totally blind and didn't have many teeth. She was unaware of this. LOL. Nothing stopped her from eating her crunchy dog food and she knew the layout of our house...there was no stoppin' her! She was my very first baby and she was a girly girl doggie! It's sad that Giorgia will never be able to know her, have her curl up in bed with her, and share all of her **many** hairbows! I am thankful for all of the photos and video footage that I will be able to share with Giorgia. On another note...I am happy that Giorgia will grow up with Pirate! He's a love machine and can be easily bribed with table food! My next dedication will be to my furry baby boy Pirate, but for today, it's all about Alex! I miss you and I love you.

Cybershower

Yup, I am having my first Cybershower (Paperchase2000 Group)!! How cool. Except that it is killing me. My secret pal has sent me a bunch of presents and they have been sitting in my dining room for over a week...UNOPENED! Are you kidding me!! LOL. I have done a lot of shaking!!! I think one is a video...can't I just rip it open now...PLEASE? Okay...I won't. I still have to wait til Saturday, Feburary 25! I GUESS?? I can do that!

Refinishing Free Furniture

This is one of the three pieces of furniture that I got for free. My boss gave it to me in hopes that I could do something with it. The pieces are around 27 years old and needed some sprucing up. I wanted pottery barn furniture but cannot afford it. So, after some demo of two drawers, plywood, trim, aspirin and a couple coats of paint...FAUX POTTERY BARN. Cost for refurninshing including crystal hardware...$31.

My Dossier

Another Header

Yes, that's right...Another Header. You all have inspired me!! I am sure it won't be the last change. LOL. Let me know what you all think! Just an FYI, all but two of those dolls have been put back in their original packaging for future gifts. I figure I have a couple of years worth of doll gifts at the top of my closet. I am stocking up now while I have the funds!

Totally Cute!!

Here is the photo that they showed on TV the other night. Meg, her new daughter and the nanny!

Saturday Shopping

There's nothing like Saturday Shopping! I am totally procrastinating. I have so much that needs to be done in my home but I just don't feel like doing any of it. It's the end of January and it looks and feels like spring outside. It's amazing. So, I went for a walk in the park and a bit of shopping. I found just a couple of cute things. My budget won't allow me to indulge in everything I see but these couple of things...I couldn't resist. I don't dare post my true opinion on some of my yahoo groups cause many, and I mean many, are opposed to my first purchase. They are "Baby Bratz Twins"!! I just think they are so cute! I know, I know, but this is MY blog and I am posting about stuff I love! They are just so adorable.

So for those of you that are rolling your eyes, maybe my second purchase will make up for the first. She is the Chinese New Year Barbie. I love it just as much. She is very beautiful. This is one of those items that will obviously not be a play toy. Shopping was good! Now I guess I better go do some cleaning! Yuk.

AHH Girls & January DTCers

Hi to all my fellow AHH Girls and January DTCers! I am so excited to be DTC this month. I am glad that you had the chance to visit my blog. I am hoping my blog gets more "exciting" the closer I get to my referral! Lately it been all about the shopping. I better stop. I am almost done with my nursery. It's going to be awesome and I will post more photos as soon as it's done.

Anyway, there are some things that you should check out on my blog.

1. Vote on my daughter's nickname poll. (off to the right)

2. Post to my visitors MAP. (off to the right)

3. If you are brave, check out my things to do while waiting link. (off to the right)

Yeah, I guess that I should have just said that all this stuff is off to the right. oh well. :)

Feel free to add to my list or comment wherever you want.

I tend to put a lot of information that I have gathered from others on my post!

Enjoy!

Did you hear?

Meg Ryan adopts a little Girl from China!

Meg Ryan will be adopting a baby Girl from China. Reports are that Meg had spent a long time trying to adopt and heard that she had been approved late last year. The adoption is scheduled to take place at an American consulate in China.

Fortune Cookies

I have been collecting my fortunes from my Chinese dinners for the past month. Looks like I've been on a lucky streak!

Header

This is how I did it:
Created an image for header,
Uploaded to a post,
Saved post as draft,
copied html from photo,
went to template and plugged in html see below...

just past the line that says div id="header"
is a place for your html for the uploaded header,
place html in and should work.

My Books are Here!

Well I just got two new books and they are cute!

Brown Envelope

Well, Friday the 13th was good for more than just DTC...I received the mysterious Brown Envelope! Although I can't remember if I am allowed to open it?

The "Brown Envelope" is from the US Consulate General Guangzhou, it is a letter and paper work stating that INS has notified the American Consulate in Guangzhou that have you have been approved to adopt an orphan from overseas. In other words they are authorized to process your child's case as soon as the adoption is finalized in Guangzhou. That is in a nut shell, they also send forms to fill out. Not everyone will receive the "Brown Envelope" and I am not sure how it is decided who gets them or who doesn't. I do know that if you do not receive one that the agency will provide all of the information at the time of your referral.

Nursery Closet

So, my only job this weekend was to finish one of the closets in the Nursery. Custom Shelving. I chose to use the type that has adjustable shelves. Anyway, this is the larger of the two closets and I have designated this to be the toy closet. I only put in the few clothes that I had cause it made for a cuter picture! My goal is to simplify toy storage for my daughter-to-be. There are two bins that roll out (old Ikea) and if she's lazy, can just throw all of her toys in these bins and roll back into the closet. The lower shelf, I put in three cubes that are designated for books. As for the other shelves, I will probably have clear bins or white crates for other stuff. This is the plan. But if she is anything like me...even this simple solution will create chaos. I ripped the closet doors off cause I want to be like "Clean Sweep" and it really does give me more room. I put up sheers like I did on the large window. I also have hooks for the ties at two heights. This way I can open the sheers a little or a lot or just leave them completely shut! What do you think?

YIPPEE!!!

Well, Today is good. It's Friday the 13th with a full moon (100%) and I still managed to be DTC and I got my ever mysterious Brown Envelope. I can't believe it!! It's like a weight has been lifted. Too bad it was only the weight on my shoulders. LOL. Time to celebrate!

Dossier Photos

I think I have to rescan these...they came out a little funky looking when really, they are crystal clear. Anyway...

Yes, I think I have too many. My agency can pull out what they want! All I can say is that I am glad that this photo thing is over!!! I only wished that I had taken them when all the seasonal plants outside weren't dead!

1st Nursery Photos!

These are the first Nursery Photos. This weekend I will be starting and completing ALL of the photos needed for my Dossier! This should be fun! (not) Anyway, I do really like the photo below, but as I am sure you all know... the photos are just never as beautiful as the rooms in person. It's impossible to tell, but I have a faux finish on the walls, it's Sky Blue and I colorwashed "China White" over top. Yeah, I know I'm a little silly but...I a better picture of my chandelier and enchanted tree.

Merry Christmas!

My Baby Pirate was a little trooper tonight. He posed for lots of pictures so that I could find one that we can use for our Christmas Cards. Hopefully next year he will be posing with Gigi. Anyway, Dora was her stand in this year! Aren't they just too cute together?!!!

Pains of Air Travel

The pains of air travel. Sometimes it starts as soon as you start taxiing down the runway. Muscle aches and limbs falling asleep, you all know what I mean. Well, I just came across “Flight Yoga”. I hear that the airlines are all encouraging this to their passengers. Interesting. JetBlue offers a colorful card that shows you different yoga techniques that you can do while on the plane. It’s called Crunch Fitness Inflight Yoga. Just click on the name and I will transport you to the .pdf that they have available for you to download. It’s kinda cool. Other info I found...

Finger Stretch. Clench your fist tightly with your fingers into your palms, then open your fingers wide, stretching them as far as they will go. Repeat several times.

Foot Flex. With your heel firmly on the floor, lift your toes up as far as possible and hold for several seconds. Repeat several times.

Shoulder Rotation. Raise shoulders up toward your ears and rotate them, back to front. Repeat several times, then reverse direction.

Neck Roll. Drop your chin to your chest, like your great uncle nodding off at the dining room table at Thanksgiving. Then slowly and carefully rotate your head clockwise several times. Change direction and do it again.

Ear Pain

Ways to alleviate that pain in the ear...try to suck candy while flying; If your ears block, pinch your nose and blow air gently into your nose (not mouth); take an antihistamine before you fly to reduce congestion; use a decongestant nasal spray before take-off and landing; try "Ear Planes" or a similar product to help regulate air pressure naturally.

General Info

Drink plenty of fluids (non-alcoholic) before and during your flight;
Wear loose clothes;
Get up to walk and stretch
Keep your feet on the floor and avoid crossing your legs or feet.

Bling!

I am all about the bling. Real or Faux, it doesn't matter to me. If the faux sparkles more than the real stuff - buy me the faux. I admired Sophie's sparkly bracelet so much, I decided to find one for Giorgia. I bought all of the letters so it can be Giorgia, Giorgi, or Gigi. I love it. I am still in the market for one with a nicer band but this find on Canal Street will hold me over!

Happy Holidays!

My tree is up and the presents are almost bought. Only a short time before it's Christmas Day again. I am wishing all of you a Happy Holiday and may this one be the last one you spend without your daughter or son that is waiting for you! :)

New York, New York

I just got back from spending the day in New York! It was too fun. A couple friends and I took off the day from work to spend the day here. My mission was to visit the Pearl River Mart. I had read about it and then saw Oprah's show where celebs were raving about their favor New York spot! Sarah Jessica Parkers favorite New York spot was, of course, the Pearl River Mart. Not that I am a huge fan, but this just clinched the deal...I had to go there. It is HUGE. They have everything that you could imagine. I loved it. Note: It is very overwhelming. There is just so much stuff, then I realized that there was a downstairs. I thought the first floor had lots of stuff...oh my. Luckily for me, I only bought a few little things. Click the picture for a link to their website.

We went to Rockefeller Center, Sax Fifth Avenue, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Chinatown, lots of shopping on Canal Street, Thai for lunch and an unsuccessful dessert at Seredipity. Oh well, maybe next time. What an exhausting, but fun day!

Pearl River Mart in NY

"Pearl River Mart is truly a New York institution. The sprawling loft space offers a huge selection of imported Chinese goods, along with ample room for the shopper’s imagination to run wild. Fuse two hemispheres of fashion with a Mao suit or a Cheong Sam; dabble in calligraphy or plan a Chinese wedding ceremony with an array of cultural crafts; enliven your living room with traditional wood furnishings. Finally, amid soaring papier-mâché lions and dangling bamboo birdcages, you can relax on their mezzanine-level tea bar while sipping premium Chinese Oolong."

I-797C vs. I-171H

I had a question from a fellow blogger... she received the I-171H and should she have gotten the I-797C. I called my agency and they said either one is fine. They are phasing out the I-171H and the new ones are the I-797C’s but it will take a while for the government to phase these out. No worries.