While We Wait

As many of us wait for our daughters from China we sometimes need encouragement to keep our eyes on the prize. If you have not read The Waiting Child, you simply must. You will bawl your eyes out and your heart will be filled with love, joy, and compassion. I have heard Cindy Campnella speak at an adoption conference and was so captivated by her daughter's story. It's adoption from China from a child's perspective and it is truly amazing to hear this family's experiences. You can buy the book at Amazon. (All the money from the book goes to Half the Sky Foundation). It was one of those books that you can't put down, I read it straight through!
You can listen to a wonderful interview with the author on Let's Talk Adoption. I've listened to it several times and I am always so riveted to Cindy's words. Once you are on the site go into Show Archives then click on International and then scroll to The Waiting Child. This message is unforgettable.

Mama Lullaby Nightlight

A friend from work gave me a check at my shower and I knew just what I wanted to get with it. It's the Chicco Mama Lullaby Nightlight. I love this toy. It has beautiful changing lights and the baby can push buttons for different sounds (or you can set it to voice activation for whenever they cry). It has nature sounds, very soothing lullabies (not those horrid electronic sounding noises), classical music, or mama's voice. You can record your own words or singing (only 20 seconds though). I already put a little message on their for Abbey, but it will be fun to change it too. It's a European toy, I bought it at The Toy Professor. You can Google a lot of sources on line.

Encouragement

One very encouraging thing this week is that I got the changing table that my sister's lovely neighbors are giving to me. They are also giving me a crib that matches and a stroller.


I am thinking of this friend as a fairy godmother to Abbey!
My friend Sarah came to visit from Santa Cruz and brought Abbey this very sweet dress from Baby Gap.
This really is all going to happen someday soon.

My New Secret Pal

Just when I hit a low point this week with the sad news about referral delays, I recieved a great package from my new secret pal. The July Dragonflies decided that since things are dragging on,

we should start a new exchange to keep everyone's spirits up.
My pal sent me a wonderful card, scrapbooking things that I love, and a photo tote bag. I can't wait to fill it up with pictures of Abbey.
Thank you SP!!

Word Cloud

Well I am so glad that Ruby Cate and Amy are back in blogdom!
I loved their word cloud, and you can get yours too. 

Penny's Party

At Penny's party I had the chance to catch up with friends from way back! This is Honey and her lovely daughters, who amaze me every time I see them. 

Baby Penelope Turns One

Last week I got to attend the dedication and first birthday party for little Penny. Her mom and I have been friends since our college days. The party was so fun and her big sister Phoebe (3 yrs.) got some gifts too.

So many people have been blessed through the adoptions of these sweet girls. It was amazing to see.

That's What I'm Talkin About!

Check out this shop in Guangzhou! Evidently they are everywhere. I love the silk tops with the tutu bottoms. This is from a fabulous blog of a family getting a darling baby named Esther.


I can't wait for the shopping, it just looks so fun.

Some Shower Gifts

I just wanted to pull out and share with you a few of the wonderful gifts I recieved last week. I am so happy to have such wonderful people to work with. Their support means so much to me.

Darling Disney Outfit

Our amazing office manager, Giselle, got Abbey this very cute dress, sweater, slippers, and toy kitty. I can't wait to put Abbey in it. I am hopping that I can find something coordinating so that it can be a special Mommy and Me outfit.

Princess Purse

This adorable set came from Tina. I always tell the children that I want to be in her class. She does wonderful music and art with the kids and plans special events like a Velveteen Rabbit Tea Party.

PeekaBlocks

Lisa, my former first grade teaching partner, brought these see through blocks that have little items inside that go with each letter. We will be using them for singing the ABC's, learning letter sounds, and eventually putting them in ABC order.
Lisa has been been a great sounding board throughout my whole decision making process in this adoption. I so appreciate her listening heart.

Goodnight Moon

Kathy, our children's librarian, gave us this classic set. Abbey and I will have a whole Goodnight moon routine. 

Five Little Ducks

Katie, our school psychologist gave this wonderful book and puppet set. Abbey and I will have so much fun singing 5 Little Ducks. 

Fun and Necessary Items

I was so happy to get all these much needed gifts from the staff at my school! They have all been so supportive. 

My First Shower!

Well, today was a very special day. I had a shower with all the teachers and school staff that I work with. It was amazing. They have all been so supportive. They bought Abbey so many darling things and gave me lots gift cards so that I can do some major shopping. Best of all was the pleasure of their company. I am just very fortunate to work with all these caring people. We watched the Bring Me Hope video and a friend who has been to the orphanages in China brought pictures for everone to look at. I will never forget this day or the love shown for my daughter.

Mom to Be

Amanda had this "Mom to Be" sash for me to wear. I'd like to wear it around all the time now since people can't see a baby belly on me. That would give me even more of an opportunity to talk to strangers about this baby, which I already do all the time. I feel this need to tell everyone, everywhere how excited I am. 

Amanda and Helen

I am so happy to have Amanda as my first grade teaching partner. She's right next door where I can easily send anyone misbehaving or call for help whenever I need it. She threw such a beautiful shower for me. Her mom, Helen, is such a wonderful person and has been so encouraging about Baby Abbey. I am so blessed to have these lovely ladies in my life. 

The Cake

Game Time

Amanda cheerfully allowed 35-40 ladies to be packed into her living room. It was hard to get pictures with everyone because we were just everywhere. We had all just met our report card deadline and finished all our assessments, so I think the staff was ready to relax and have a little fun. Teachers work so hard, and if you teach you know what I am talking about. Of course we wouldn't trade it for anything. I had to prevent the kindergarten teachers from hauling off some of the gifts to use in their classroom. If they look solem in this picture it's because they are concentrating on their game.

Diaper cake

Helen also made me this darling diaper cake! That's 138 disposable diapers, with a precious dress as the bow and little girls hair clips stuck in as decorations. I am thrilled to have all these diapers, but I won't want to take it apart to use them.

Girl Stuff

 

Thank you to my friends!!!

It's really raining tonight so I couldn't bring the gifts in from my car, but soon I will post pictures of some of the goodies. Girls are so much fun!

Relax!

 

Shower Invitations

Today I got a fun surprise in the mail, an invitation to the shower that my friends at church are giving. I am so fortunate to have a wonderful extended family.
It will be a Chinese Tea!
My dear friend Rebecca made all the invitations. She is quite talented!