Americal Girl

I've seen some posts lately on my yahoo groups that... American Girl does not offer any Asian Dolls. Well, I found two on their site and I wanted to share. They are not "classified" as Asian but you be the judge.

Bitty Baby Doll

Light skin, black hair, black almond-shaped eyes
Item# BB4B

With light skin, black hair, and black almond shaped eyes, this Bitty Baby® can be loved and nurtured like a real baby. She’s 15 inches long with a cuddly cloth body and smooth vinyl arms, legs, and face. Plus, she comes with a special outfit and extras.

Just Like You
Light skin, black hair, brown eyes
Item# GT4H
With light skin, black hair, and brown eyes, this Just Like You® doll can become a new and lasting friend. She’s soft and huggable—with hair for styling and a body to pose. Plus, the Sparkle, Spirit, Style! book and CD help the friendship begin.

$4 Generic Drug Program

Low–cost generic drugs are as safe & effective as their brand name equivalents. Wal–Mart offers over 300 different generics available for $4 per prescription fill or refill (up to a 30-day supply).* The program is available at all Wal–Mart, Sam's Club and Neighborhood Market pharmacies. (except in North Dakota, where Wal–Mart does not operate its own pharmacies, but instead leases space to thirdparty providers).

Download a printable list of all qualifying drugs. (it's a safe download from my account)

The eligible drugs in this program represent over 27% of the prescriptions Wal–Mart pharmacies dispense each year. Ask your doctor if your branded drug has a generic equivalent.

Read more HERE!

Digital Scrapbooking

I know you all are probably sick of seeing Giorgia's Nursery...but I just so love it. Anyway, My newest obscession is Digital Scrapbooking!! Since Giorgi isn't home yet...what can I scrap about? Well, I am working on her lifebook but I still don't have a lot of needed info yet. So, I am doing some pages for her baby book! It takes me forever to put a layout together. (and I mean forever!) So, I hope with lots of practice, I'll get quicker! :)

HOPE, you're AWESOME!!!!

So, When I got home from my weekend away, I was totally exhaused and kinda bummed to be back home. I hear a knock on my door, reluctantly got my butt off the couch and opened the door. It was my neighbor holding a package for me. She brought it in so it wasn't sitting out in the ice storm while I was away. I wasn't expecting anything!!! But I saw HOPE's name on the return address....HMMMM...what's she up to????

HOLY COW!!!!

It was like Christmas. My "Sparkly Sista" sent me some AWESOME goodies. You made my day HOPE!!! She sent me some "SPARKLY" pacifiers for Giorgi!!! Aren't they just the cutest!

An awesome "SPARKLY COLLAR" for my Pirate. It fits him beautifully. I will try to give him a bath this week and take a photo of him with it on. There is a place for me to put a photo...I'm going to put Giorgi's referral photo in it!!! (Pirate's all pimped out now!!)

She also sent me a "LOVE" bookmark. It's so beautiful!!!


I don't know what I did to deserve this but I LOVE YA!!! You really put a big old smile on my face!!!

Thanks HOPE!!! You are AWESOME!!

Me (sure) & Johnny

Go here and make one. No matter what your weight is, it'll make you a size 0. How can you argue with that!!! :) I look cute though...but annoying! lol.

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

The "Touchy Feely" part is very off. But the rest is good!

Finger Puppets

When I was doing my research for "Air Travel with Kids", I keep reading over and over about parents that found finger puppets to be a lifesaver. Well, I plan to test that theory. While at IKEA I came across the cutest ones. Look, there is even a little panda. I couldn't resist and they are so small, they will fit in my packpack nicely. Hope there aren't any child hazards associated with them. Anybody know?

Chinatown

Well, I was good, VERY good. I was in Philly Chinatown last weekend and only made one purchase. It was a little PUCCA. She's just so cute. I love all things PUCCA.

Ladybug Sighting

Look!!!

A Ladybug Sighting!!!

I first saw it in my Mailbox. It flew a very, very long way (Utah) just to see me and make my day!

I feel so special! Thank you! : )

It's sitting on my computer at work keeping me company. Atleast it'll be there til my boss comes in. He say "NO MAGNETS on the computer!" But I can put it anywhere else I want in my office as a daily reminder. Hmmm. Better work on looking for another spot, but it's gotta be somewhere right near my monitor!!! : )

Buddhist Blessing Gift

I heard that one of the group tours was to a Buddhist temple. Their facilitator arranged the blessing for whoever wanted it. This was the second temple they had toured during their trip. They did not bring an offering. They were not told about this. They felt very guilty that they didn't do that!!!

They said that they very happy that they were able to participated in the ceremony. It was a wonderful way to have a finally blessing from their daughter's country before they started on the last leg of their journey home! I hope that I will also get to have the blessing for my new baby.

What offerings do Buddhists make and why?
Most Buddhist altars display some sort of offering. Making offerings allows one to practice giving, express gratitude and respect, and reflect upon the life sustaining law of interdependence. A Buddhist offering is not a sacrifice it never involves killing and it is not given in order to please the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. Rather, it is an act of veneration for the Triple Gem. As such, making an offering develops wholesomeness and positive karma. While tangible objects may be given in abundance, the most perfect gift is an honest and sincere heart. Some common offerings and their symbolic import are:
Flowers: Flowers are beautiful and fragrant. Yet, their splendour will not last forever, and as such they illustrate the impermanence of all things.
Fruit: Fruit is nutritious, as well as pleasing to the taste. It also represents the result of our spiritual cultivation and helps us be mindful of the law of cause and effect.
Grain: Grain is a basic dietary staple necessary to sustain life.
Incense: Aromatic incense purifies the atmosphere as well as the mind. Just as its fragrance travels afar, so do good deeds extend to the benefit of all. Burning incense also embodies the transience and dissolution of phenomena.
Light: Light extinguishes darkness in the same way that wisdom dispels ignorance.
Water: Water signifies the force of life and washes away impurities.

Referral Photo Frame

Well, I found this frame at World Market (Thanks Stacey) and I fell in love with it. I love the little blossoms on it. Anyway, this is going to be the frame for my daughters referral photo! I think it looks just perfect!

Sun Lover

Pirate and I are both tired of this COLD weather. He spent all day on Sunday... basking in the sun on the steps while he watched out the front door.

(Looks like he's in jail, doesn't it!)

Gingle Bracelets

I really, really, really want some of these for Giorgi!

Someone had told me about the tradition of placing a silver bell ankle bracelet on babies when they begin to crawl. I, also, was told it was to ward off evil spirits...and to help you know where your mobile child is now "crawling" to. While in China, I really want to get one of these. I would love Giorgia to wear it on her ankles or wrists! When she gets older, I will put it in her memento box. It’ll be one on the many little special gifts that I make sure I come home from China with.

(I just love the writing on the inside of the bangles above)

I heard that some parents little one’s tend to not want to wear them so then attached them to the stroller with a pacifier clip and the little ones just loved playing with them. Great way to NOT LOSE them while in China.

(The photo below is kind of the concept but these anklets are not the Chinese ones.)

DTC PINS

All of you Precious Pandas....

Go get your DTC Pin at Celebrate Adoptions!!! I believe they are closing up shop so make sure to go get your soon!!!

Orphanage Visit Etiquette

Chinese values social properness and not as much on appearance.

It is proper to take a gift. Maybe you could present box of chocolates.

If you want to invite the orphanage director to lunch, it is proper to invite others in the meeting with you, usually one or two of the director's assistances.

If you want to invite a caregiver to join you at meal, you should extend the invitation through the director to show him the respect his position merits.

Always make sure to be modest and gentle.

Orphanage Children’s gives could be a lollipop or small school supplies you could buy in China,

Don’t want children to feel as sense of envy or self-pity.

I have read that "Many parents also wonder how their children handle the orphanage visits. As long as the visit is not done immediately upon your arrival, when everyone is jetlagged and culture shocked, my observation is that children are less sensitive than their parents perceive them to be."

LOST LUGGAGE

How to avoid and what to do if it happens.

* Check in early, giving the airlines lots of time to make sure your baggage is placed on the correct flight rather than last minute, rushed boarding. (MAKE SURE IT'S STURDY)

* Tape a name/address/contact card inside of your checked bag. Also, place a colorful tag with the same info onto the outside.

*Take a digital photo of you luggage and print a couple copies to leave if lost. It will make it easier for the airline to identify and recover.
* Keep your baggage receipts from check-in. These are usually in the form of a small sticker attached to the back of your ticket. Each sticker has a number corresponding to a piece of luggage. This will help the airline know exactly which piece is missing, and where it may have gone.

*Create a packing list of items in each piece of luggage.
* If your luggage doesn't show up, do not leave the airport before completing a lost-luggage report and obtaining a claim number and contact information to check the status of your missing bag.
* Bring a change of clothes with you in your carry-on bag. For international flights, you'll already be into your second day wearing the same clothes. Don't make it any longer. Pack some casual clothes that you can roll up neatly and fit in your carry
* If you want to cover all bases, before leaving home make a note of every item in your bag. Take one copy and leave one at home in case you must make a claim for compensation. Also, take a digital picture of it to show the airline in case it goes missing.
* Remember that airlines are not responsible to compensate you for any lost items apart from clothing. So if you pack jewelry, laptops and other electronic gadgets, important documents, medicines, money, credit cards, gifts, cameras, souvenirs - basically anything that has value to you- and your bag is lost, destroyed or stolen, the airline won't have to give you a dime. If you do make a claim, expect to receive a depreciated value and not a replacement amount. And the payment could take months to receive.
* One answer is simple: don't check those things. Keep all irreplaceable with you at all times.
* Another choice is to think twice - no make it three times - about whether you really need to bring that emerald necklace your grandmother gave you on your trip. Can you survive without your laptop or your iPod? I mean, you are traveling; maybe there'll be things to actually SEE or DO.
* Still another option is to consider shipping valuables ahead of you and insuring them through a major shipping firm such as UPS or FedEx. I find this is an especially good choice if you've made some expensive purchases abroad that just won't fit in your carry-on bag.

AVOIDIING INSURANCE, ATTRACTING ATTENTION ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

* Don't get twisted up in knots trying to decide whether to buy an insurance policy for your checked luggage. It's usually not a good deal. The average price for coverage usually settles in at $1 for each $100 of coverage. Only one in every 10,000 pieces of processed luggage, meanwhile, ends up being completely lost and therefore eligible for a payout. So if they find your bag the day before you're scheduled to return home, you've still basically bought a policy for nothing.

* Before packing for any trip, check all the zippers and locks on your bags since they may have become worn or broken on a previous trip. And be aware, even if the zippers and locks are in good condition, overstuffed luggage is prone to burst open during the normal shuffle between the terminal and the plane.

* To prevent your look-alike bag from being grabbed off the carousel by a traveler too rushed to check the tags, tie a colored ribbon, bandanna or other marker on the handle. The more garish and noticeable, the better.

http://www.CoolTravelMail.com

Traveling Alone?

Best Reason for Traveling with Someone…

Is to have someone to share the memories with down the road but sometimes it just doesn’t work out that way for whatever reason.

I have been reading lots of threads on this topic because there might be a small chance that I will travel alone. I am comfortable with the idea either way; it’s just my nature. Here are some of the concerns and solutions that I’ve read.

Bonding Time
Cherish this special time together. It’s the perfect time to bond with your child.

Group Support
Some say that traveling with a small group of people was very helpful. Lots of people meet other families through online yahoo groups ahead of time.” Plus a good agency can make a huge difference when you are traveling alone. It is a good idea to check to see if you will be met at the airport, what services are provided at or near the hotel (babysitting, a restaurant, laundry, email or fax). Find out if will have access to a translator and someone to walk you through the “paperwork process” while in the country.

Taking Photos
You might not be able to take thousands of photos or tons of videotape documenting the journey. It’s kind of hard to do well by yourself but it’s doable. You might not be in a lot of the shots but I am sure that others in your travel group will definitely help you out here. If you have a baby carrier or stroller, you’ll be able to have a hand or two free to take some photos and you can always practice before you leave if you have any friends that have a little one.

Gotcha Day Photos
You’ll definitely need someone to take pictures and video for you on gotcha day. This, I would imagine, would be the hardest. Be pro-active here and try to organize with the other members of your travel group, or people you meet along the way. For me, if I have to travel alone...I’d even be willing to pay someone in the building to come with me and take photos. You do what you have to do. I will have my digital camera, video camera, and a bunch of disposable cameras. I am very protective of my cameras so if you are ever wary of someone handling yours, just give them the disposable one. It’s an option!

Showering
Bring the baby with you in the shower, let her play on the bathroom floor with the shower open so you can see her, shower with the door open when she’s asleep, or shower before she wakes. If none of these work, maybe she can even play with one of her China Sisters while you shower.

Buffet Breakfast
How do you attempt the buffet with your little one in tow? Lot of people say this is a hard one too. You could have someone fill your plate for you, but I could never do that especially when you don’t know what some of the items are. I think I would have to check it out for myself. If you’re wearing her on a sling or have her in a stroller, it would make it easier. If you strap her in a highchair, I am sure a travel mate could watch her for a minute or two.

Other Meals
You have room service or if you’re at the White Swan, there is always the famous Danny’s Bagels that delivers and so do a lot of other restaurants on Shamian Island. Some have resorted to stocking up on a few items from breakfast and bringing them along for a snack. Others liked that they brought packets of oatmeal, granola bars and peanut butter for snacking. Some brought enough formula or rice cereal for the same reason. They said stock up just before gotcha day so that first day or two you won’t have to run around for basic needs and spend more time bonding.

Bottled Water
Typically, Room service will deliver water to your room, above and beyond the amount given to you each day if that is inadequate.

Getting Sick

What if you get sick? One mom wrote, “I was blessed to get to travel with another couple and I credit them with making my experience so wonderful.” So, ask for help if you need if from your travel mates, bring LOTS of OTC meds and try your hardest to take care of yourself and stay healthy.

Flights
Some babies have colds and the medicine makes them sleepy so they might just sleep for long periods of time. A seat of their own seems like such a lifesaver. I know some like the Baby B’Air. I think it’s awesome in theory and WILL test it out. This way, she can be attached to you and should you dose off, she won’t fall off your lap. I will need someone to hold the baby on the airplane when I want to go to the bathroom. I hear flight attendants will do this, as will other people you are traveling with. Someone said that it is also possible, albeit inconvenient, to take her to the bathroom with you, using a sling. Also, if you can afford it, buy a seat for your newest little one on the flight home. I have found that sometimes it’s cheaper to buy a round trip ticket rather than a one-way and other told me that it’s cheaper to actually purchase that in China. My agency arranges all of this so I might not have a choice in the matter. Anyway, I’m told that the extra seat made ALL the difference on our return trip.

Luggage

That’s a tricky one. I haven’t figured that one out yet if I travel alone. I will just have to practice at home. I figure, Diaper bag will be a backpack, check in bag and carry on will hook together and be on wheels. Plus Giorgia will have a bag on the way home filled with souvenirs. I will attempt to find a bag that will somehow hook to the others. My little one will be in the stroller that I will purchase from China or the wrap that I plan to bring. My guess it will be the stroller.

So, have a sense of adventure, be flexible, a bit patient and keep a sense of humor no matter what your situation! This will probably be the most intense time of adoption experience but it will pass. Remember that bonding is a process and it will take some longer than others.

So see…it’s DOABLE. No Worries. (Oh and don’t for exercise your arms before you go!)

Anyone that has traveled alone, your input in welcome. Please post a comment!! :)

Smells in China

(this info is dedicated to Hope who has a very sensitive nose. I love ya and just want to give you a heads up on this new info I found)

The air definitely has a very strong odor! I had read somewhere that when a couple got off the plane the wife commented to husband that someone was smoking a very strong cigarette. His response was, "I don' think that is cigarette, it is the air". In some parts of China, it seems that coal is burned as fuel source so the air quality is very poor. Most did not smell the odor in the hotel room with the AC on but once you opened the door, they could. One reported that she had a mild headache for the first several days there and never really got used to it.
They also said that when they made it to Guanzhou, it was much better. They said you could mostly smell the river.

Another posted that she has a sensitive nose and that she didn’t notice a smell about China in general, but there was a lot of smoking everywhere. And some restaurants had a foul odor even when the food was good. So, that is some good news.

Another posted “I did have a raw throat in China, and I thought I was fighting a cold. It seemed reasonable since we were under stress and not sleeping well. Someone else also had a sore throat, and she figured it was the pollution. I think she was right. Take some throat lozenges or hard candies when you go to soothe your throat.”
Another posted “We also noticed that many of the people smelled like moth balls...I'm sure they use them to keep clothing 'wear-able'. Our Japanese students smelled the same, so we were used to it.”

Another posted “The smells rarely bothered me but did bother my teenage daughter when they were strong. I also am an asthmatic and did not have any asthma in China - nor was I bothered by the pollution in Changsha.”

So, I’m anticipating a “different smell, sometimes unidentifiable” when I go to China. Good thing I have a bad sense of smell!!! I’ll practice by hanging out at the Chinatown Underground Market on hot day! (Philly girls) For me, I can deal with smells but like one other poster stated, I too, tend to get a raw throat, so I plan to bring lots of lozenges.

Feb 2007 Update

Twenty one days (21) and Pirate has finally turned the corner and my stomach is finally NOT doing flip-flops. I think this has been the hardest month of my life! With that I mean I spent the whole month seeing my baby in pain and my mind kept wandering to mortality issues. Life and mortality and all of it’s what if’s, what could be’s, and what is. Kinda deep…especially for me. I feel like I was involved in some sort of “parenting” test. I never felt that I wouldn’t pass with flying colors but you know…who likes tests?!!! Are they really necessary?!!

The other day I lost power...NO HEAT! Thank you ICE STORM!!! So Pirate and I had to pack up and stay at Deb's! Thanks Deb for taking us in. Thankfully, power was back on the next day. The worry of frozen bursting pipes was too much for me to even think about!

Anyway, I just heard on the TV this morning that if you have to look at your email every 5 minutes…you are an email addict!! WHAT! Oh no, where would one go to get treatment for this? Sign me up!!

This brings me to the other issues that I need therapy for!! (lol)

Do you ever feel like you are spreading yourself too thin? I do. I officially belong to 34 yahoo groups but have stopped emails on 8 of them and switched to digests on 3.All the remaining groups come to my inbox at full force. My incoming email tops at about 250 a day. (That’s good…it used to be MUCH more) I am a BLOGAHOLIC too. But BLOGLINES saved my life.

You just add all of those site addresses into bloglines and it will highlight those that have new updates!!! Sure beats clicking on all those sites only to find out they haven’t been updated. The down side is that some of my fellow bloggers (that went private) and ALL of my WEBSITE friends cannot participate in this WONDERFUL thing called Bloglines!

I kinda miss their updates. I try to check them separately when I remember. See here’s the thing, just my opinion, Blogs BEAT Websites! This is why…
At a glance, anytime a friend or family clicks on to your site, they can IMMEDIATELY see if you’ve added anything. Websites, you are forced to search around and click multiple links just to see if you’ve updated! Grrr.

I’m also trying to force myself to organize all of my research. I do this by posting the topics to my blog. I try to weed out ALL the info that is not totally necessary and just the interesting facts and tips that I find. It seems to be working. So, like I’ve said before, should anyone want any info on a topic, if you don’t see it on my side bar under GREAT INFO, drop me a comment and I’ll post info or research it! : ) I like to think of requests as a WIN-WIN situation!

Now on to my NEWEST PASSION…

Digital Scrapbooking. I spend every night downloading lots of freebies, then extracting them, then systematically re-organizing them in my files. Some of you know first hand about my crazy files, so you can see how much time this adds up to. My “guys” hooked me up with a 200GB 2nd Harddrive! Yahoo. Now, I plan to fill it all up with my photos and Digital Scrapbooking stuff. Thanks guys! I belong to a Yahoo China Digital Scrapbooking group (anyone surprised?) that is awesome and I am trying to learn as much as I can. I am using it to help me create Giorgi’s Lifebook. I need all the head start I can because I know I’ll have my hands full when I get her home!

The good thing is that I'm all SHOPPED OUT! (can you believe that???) Seriously. I have no interest at all in going shopping for little girl stuff. Maybe it's just the cold weather. Things might change when Spring comes. I can resume my frugal finds blog at Giorgia's Enchanted Garden! I'm sure it too will bloom again in Springtime and my shopping "lady"bug will reappear! :)

So, this is just some of the ways that I am spreading myself too thin. But this is definitely helping me with MY WAIT! I am hoping to get all of this out of my system before Giorgi comes home. (right? Who believes that?) I think I will hopelessly be a BLOGGER forever! Thanks for listening to me. Love you guys!

Oh and by the way, that "notifylist" I have on my blog...I don't think it works! If anyone signed up for it...do you get notified when I post?

Care Seat Safety

Buckle up for Child Safety
How to correct seat installation mistakes
By Charlotte Hale

These are the 7 top mistakes that parents make when buckling up their children that I just read in an article. Please download the article if you want the ways to fix these mistakes. Since it's from newsprint, it will be easier to read once you print out. It's pretty interesting. (Plus, this is a great/safe site to download from) You can download it here.

Mistake #1
Seat is too loose.

Mistake #2
Harness belt system is too loose or positioned incorrectly.

Mistake #3
Rear-Facing seat is too upright.

Mistake #4
Switching to a forward-facing seat too soon.

Mistake #5
Using wrong seat for the child’s age.

Mistake #6
Assuming the LATCH system is the best way to attach a seat.

Mistake #7
Incorrect or inappropriate use of the locking clip.

12 Month Anniversary

Can you believe it!!! I've been LID for 12 months! All of my waiting LIDers have been posting each month but I have not so I figured I better find something good for y 12 month/1 year Milestone. I think I found the perfect thing!!!

"12"

Happy Valentine's Day

I'm wishing all of you a

Happy Valentine's Day!

And I would like to invite you to my new cafepress store called China Panda Love!
click on the photo below

ALL NEW!!

Lovin' it! I got all new carpet in my office and new color on the walls. It used to be that dingy ugly cream color. Now it's a crisp sage color. It's pretty...but whatta mess. I can't wait to be back in my home away from home and organized again!!! : )

One step forward, One step back

Pirate is still not feeling he's old self again. He's been living in my kitchen. I've hooked him up with a dog den with comfy blankets in it and another spot with my artic sleeping bag. (boy is that warm) Lately he's been favoring my sleeping bag.

He's having some problems walking and was back to the hospital he went. His meds have been changed again and his stitches are now out. The incision in his urethra has closed up nicely. (who would have thought). I am now also weening him to a new special food that I have to purchase at the vets. Cha-ching. They determined the stone was a Calcium Oxalate (the bad kind) and he has a 50% chances of them reoccuring. He's only 8 so that means we could potentionally have lots more surgeries. Ugh! Poor little guy. They even presented me with this photo of the stone that they analyzed. Gosh, couldn't NOT post that!!!

Little Girls

Little girls dance their way into your heart,

Whirling on the tips of angel wings,

Scattering gold dust and kisses in our paths.

Are they just adorable. Today was my "waiting moms & moms" lunch. It was great getting to meet a group of women that all one thing in common, they are adding or have added to their family through adoption. We were at all different stages of the process and it was really great to talk about our up coming journey. What was even better is that some had already brought home their beautiful daughter and could share their experiences with us! And, as you can see, all their daughters were just adorable! I am very much looking forward to the next time we do lunch!!!

I'M Lovin' It

Pirate is FINALLY doing a little better. By day 5 of not eating…I was completely freaking out. I took him in to the vet and had them give him another shot of pain medication and we switched up his antibiotics. The vet said…make him eat by any means necessary. I was at my wits end. So, we went home and I took a finger full of peanut butter, literally pried his mouth open and shoved it down on the back of his tongue. He tried and tried to spit it out but that’s the thing with peanut butter…you can’t…so he swallowed it. I did this three times with peanut butter then once with cheese wiz. I figured maybe I could jumpstart his appetite.

Then I tried the McDonalds Cheeseburger Patty again.

He was a willing participant this time! YIPEE!!! Day two of Pirate eating…this is the ONLY thing he will eat. To top it off, I have to heat up the patty and feed it to him with a fork. NOT A SPOON…a FORK. I can’t just cut it up on a plate or bowl and leave it for him! He will willing eat it if I feed it to him with a FORK. I love my baby so I will do it. Geesh, what do you call a boy DIVA!!!

I’m just so relieved that he is eating now! : )

A GOOD Day

Today is a GOOD Day! Finally. One drama free day (knock on wood).

Work - Good.
Productive at work - Good.
Pirate ate a McDonalds cheeseburger patty for lunch – GREAT
Invited to my FIRST Waiting Moms Lunch – GREAT
Met a fellow Single Delawarean Adopting – GREAT

Exhale…
Finally… a drama free day!

My Baby Hurts

Thanks to everyone that posted such sweet thoughts. I told Pirate everyone is pulling for him and hoping he feels better soon. I also told him that he better give me a kiss soon. We're still working on that one. :) Like I've said, he's been in the kitchen. I've got lots of blankets, towels and sheets for him to lay on. I also bought a pop-up tent for him a while back and put in the kitchen. He has been hiding out in it. I think it makes him feel safe. Picture below:

**warning: kinda graphic**

Well, Pirate has been home one full day and it's just so sad. He is either sleeping or pacing and straining to urinate. (The stitches from the bladder stones are no problem) Anyway, I would say every 30 minutes he will release urine and blood through the exposed hole. It's actually easier if he goes on the kitchen floor since I have to make sure that urine is actually coming out. It's nearly impossible to tell outside in the freezing cold because it usually just runs down his leg and you can't actually see it. It is very imortant that I visually see it just to make sure there is no blockage which can create a toxic situation. I must say it's quite messy. (but I don't mind) I've scrubbed my kitchen floor so many times and already done laundry twice for all of his sheets and towels. I hate seeing him strain so much and he won't eat at all. I've tried cheese, scrambled eggs, fruit, canned yucky dog food that he flips for...nothing. It makes it hard to give him his pill. I practically forced it down him this morning. Just what I need...cause him more trama. I wish I could just reason with him...medicine = feel better. I think I will make a run for some peanut butter and try that. Does anyone have any suggestions? I do have a mortise and pestal to grind his pill but still need to mix it with something he will eat. This is what I've tried so far. (below) Any suggestions?????

Pirate is HOME!

It's Saturday and I just picked up Pirate. So, he's home although he hates me. I've gotten no kisses yet. It was so sad at the vet, they put him in my arms and he strained his neck so as to NOT look at me. No kisses then, No kisses now. :( He's on his meds but he seems very uncomfortable. Because they had to cut open the urethra-sp and they cannot sew it up, he is currently urinating out of the incision at the base of his prized possession. Not only does he urinate through this but until it closes on it own, it will leak urine and blood. I told the vet I would rather play nursemaid to him at home then have him lonely at the hospital. The first floor of my house is covered in sheets and towels that can be washed easily. Anything for my baby. He is spending most of the day in the kitchen that is blocked off with a baby gate. One of his favorite things to do is sit in the sun by the front door and occasionally the neighbor cat will be by to torture him. Below is a photo of him by the door and one of the neighbor cat that can't figure out why he's walking funny and not barking up a storm at the site of him. Kind of Cute.

Tornado!!

Just when I think my life is completely filled with drama...more tragedy strikes.

Central Florida was hit with its worst tornado in a decade. It has claimed the lives of 14 people so far and left many without their homes. Almost my entire family lives in Florida. My mom is in Key West, my father and stepmom live in The Villages and stepsister just outside of The Villages. My father and step mom's house was in the tornados path. Luckily for them, they were on the outskirts. They are ok but they lost part of their new addition. They had just completed the addition not too long ago. They said it was so unbelievably scary but they consider themselves so very lucky. Homes all around them were destroyed. Below are some of the photos of the homes in The Villages. My dad said he is going to take some photos and send me, so I will post more when I get them.

FANCY NANCY

Fancy Nacy. Another MUST-HAVE book. Wanda sent this book to Susan R. and it's just too cute. Thanks to my PRECIOUS PANDAS for another great find!!

And Thanks to Aunt Deb who gifted this to Giorgia!!!

OUTTA THERE!!!

I'm OUTTA the REVIEW ROOM! Do you have any idea how long I've waited to be out of the Review Room?? This is one of those major milestones in the IA process. Anyone whose been there knows what I'm feeling. This is when the CCAA goes over your dossier with a fine tooth comb looking for anything that they see that they feel would not make me a great parent or for discrepancies within the dossier. Even though all of us that submit dossiers go through the pains of making sure that all of our t's are crossed and our i's are dotted...you just never know. During this time, if a mistake is found or there is questionable info, the CCAA will contact your acency for either clarification or more info. During this time is when all of us "in review" are on pins and needles. Not they we feel that we have anything to worry about...we know that we'd make AWESOME parents. We/I worry that this is conveyed to CCAA. Gosh, if only they could meet us in person...it would make it so much easier!

Anyway...Yipee...I've passed through Review. ((exhale)) :)

Surgery Today

**NOT SO GOOD NEWS**

Pirate is ok, but not so good news. They got the bladder stones out but some attempted to pass. Usually in pets, they don't expect them to pass, only to remain in the bladder. The biggest fear is that you don't want the stones to block the urethra-sp or it could create a toxic situation. The remaining stones NEED to come out so that we don't have this type of situation, the really bad part is that they have to cut open the urethra-sp and take them out. So, he's a boy dog, so that means they have to cute open his prized possession. So sad. I'm not sure of all of the technicallities but I was told that they cannot sew up this opening for a few days. I guess to avoid infection. This also means that he'll have to stay in the hospital probably at least until Monday. This is very sad. I have to wait til noon to call for an update. Say a little prayer for Pirate.

**UPDATE 2/1/07**

This was our self portrait this morning before we left for surgery. It's sad, my baby is very happy today and ready to go for a ride. He seems unaware that he is going to be very mad at me soon. :( The first photo is out in the parking lot and the second...well, he's not real happy with me right now...

These photos are of Pirate trying to be an escape artist!

He's all by himself now at the vet. Poor Baby. I'll be able to call in at noon for his status. I will update.

**CARDIAC SPECIALIST UPDATE**

Okay, I can breathe! Pirate still has a heart mummur but has the go ahead for surgery. No medicine is needed at this time. $452 was the price for peace and I have to say that it hurt my pocket but was totally worth it. They took his blood pressure with a little doggie arm band thing. It was just too cute. Then he had a cardio-echogram. It took 1 doctor and 1 technician to hold all 8 lbs of him down while the specialist did the cardio-echogram. They wanted me to have my face right by his to calm him. He did pretty well but the doctors definately had to be forceful to hold him down. They spent about 20 minutes doing all of the testing, the visit was about 45 minutes and I was very impressed with the staff and specialist. It really, really helps when you really feel like they took the time with you and your pet. I left feeling very optimistic and I'm breathing again...of course.

**UPDATE 1/29/07**

Today @ 3 is Pirate's consult with the Cardiac Specialist and my stomach is in knots. It doesn't help that I got into a screaming match at our Monday Morning meeting. (We are very non-PC at these meetings) Thankfully my point was finally made and my boss backed me up. I did apologize to him for getting him wound up but not for what I said. Anyway, I have more important things to worry about...my baby Pirate. I will fill you in on his update.

Freaking Out Even More...

**UPDATE 1/26/07**

I've now been to the vet for the 3rd time to fix Pirate's issue. (blood in urine) It's official, he has kidney stones...well, actually they are called "bladder stones" and he needs surgery. Bad news, my vet can't do the surgery but another in the practice can. But I want my vet! :( I guess I will have to settle with another since I cannot prolong this for very long. Surgery is scheduled for Feb 1st....

The reason I am freaking out even more is that it has been discovered that Pirate has a heart mummer with a rating of 3 (3 out of 6, 6 being the worst). They will not do the surgery until I see a cardiac specialist. Just to walk in to this consult...$400. So, I am looking at approx. $1200. Argh. Don't get me wrong, there is NO question that I will do anything for my baby Pirate, it just means taking a hit on my baby fund, and any of the trips I was contemplating. Sorry Savannah an