2000 Days - February 19th, 2012

February 19th marks 2,000 days since our file was logged in a computer in China! I can't really even believe we have waited this long - if you had told me it would be this long when I started I probably would have never signed up.

Fast forward 2,000 days and I am glad we signed up, glad we have stuck it out, the timing seems to be great and we are sooooo happy we are almost done!!!

This is where our file has been sitting for the last 2,000 days!!

February referrals...

Referrals came out February 17th, 2012

Well it was a very emotional crazy month for us on many levels but one was the impending referrals. The CCAA had done up to and including August 15th in January so that meant we were officially 14days away from referral. Now normally I wouldn't have given it a second thought but since there is no one logged in with the CCAA (according to the RQ polls) between Aug 19-27th we thought there may be a small, very small chance we could have made it in?? I personally was giving it a 2% chance but it is amazing how as you get close that 2% gets the better of you

I know China "could" have gotten to us this month technically but I never thought they would do 14 days worth - and I was right. The only did up to and including Aug 21st. I was a little more than disappointed with this - I was thinking they would split the empty days in the middle and then hopefully finish August in March but now I am not sure??

I was REALLY thinking it would be March but it was kind of a kick in the stomach when I saw the 21st - I mean in terms of RQ families it is the worst batch EVER (not that doing those couple of more days would have made a difference in that area) I just don't know if they will do 8 days next time??

On a good note - we are less than 10 LID's away from referral!! OMG single digits!!!

My mom

My mom....were do I start? She is amazing and means the world to me!! We have had a bit of a scare with her over the last couple of months - I won't go in to a huge amount of detail but I do want to at least acknowledge it here. It is the life we are living on "our journey to Mhyia" and it is important.

In November after a series of tests etc.. she was diagnosed with colon cancer - we were all shocked, including the Doctors!! They never expected it to come back showing cancer. We of course were very upset and extremely worried and even though you feel like things are going to work out it is always in the back of your mind "what if it doesn't".

Thankfully they found a very small percentage of cancer and we were very hopeful that when they went in to remove the pc of bowel that they would have already gotten it all or that they would definitely get it all then. Two weeks ago she went in for her surgery to remove the pc - the surgery went well and although the recovery has been hard at times it does seem to get a little better everyday.

My Dad and I picked my mom up from the hospital 4 days after her surgery to bring her home. I know she was soooooo THANKFUL to be home in her own house. I stayed with her and helped her get showered and settled in, I even blow dried her hair! Like I said I know she was just sooo thankful to be back in her own house and it was so nice to be there with her during this time!

My mom is ALWAYS there for me and it is nice to be able to feel like you are able to repay some of that unconditional love that I feel everyday! Now we wait, we wait for the test results to come back - we are hoping they will have them this week when she see's the Doctor. The Doctor did say to us after surgery that from what he could see things looked good but he can't say anything for sure until we get those results. I just pray that everything is going to come back clear!!

UPDATE (Feb 16th): The results are in and everything is clear!!!!! Thank God!!!! She still has quite a few weeks of recovery ahead of her but thankfully the news was good!! I literally started bawling at my desk and I had to tell my friends - no worries - they are happy tears!!

I am just so happy and so thankful that things look good, it has been a very stressful couple of months!!

Mom I am sooooo happy and so Thankful - you rest up now because in a couple of months we are going to have a new little family member with lots of energy!! Love you xo

Our new nephew!!

Mike's sister had her second child - a baby boy!! Meghan now has a baby brother. He weighed in at 10lbs 3oz - soooooo cute and kissable!!!

I am also so excited that there are still some little ones in our family - it will be so nice for Mhyia to have so many cousins around her age to play with!!

Mom and baby are doing well and Uncle Mike and I can not wait to go kiss and hug him!!! Here are a couple of pics - sorry not great quality pics - they are from my ipod!!

Valentines Day!

We never make too big of a deal about Valentines Day. It is just another day pretty much! We do usually always get each other a card and sometimes we will go out for dinner.

This year Mike had a meeting that night which I wasn't overly happy about but I decided to clean out the pantry and let me tell you it was one of the best Valentine's Days yet LOL - I love getting organized!! I wanted to clear out 1 - 2 shelves for us to put Mhyia's stuff (bottles, plates, snacks etc..) Mission accomplished!!

This is the card (home made I might add) and yes in case you are wondering Mike did the lettering on his own, freehand!! Pretty good! He also had some sour keys (my fav) wrapped up!!

The crib is up, the stroller is assembled and the diaper bag is ready!!

Well the last couple of weeks we have got quite a few things done. I am not completely don the nursery but as soon as I am I will post some pics. It was very exciting to get the crib up and now we also have our stroller and the diaper bag!!

I am feeling like even though we have so much done we have SOOOOOO much to do. I just really want to try to get so many things done around here before we go to China. I don't want to come home to a list of things we need to finish or get. When we get home I just want to concentrate on us for the first little while!!

Our next purchase/must have is a carseat - as soon as we have our referral we will have to make a decision as to which one we want so stay tuned!!

here is one quick pic from the ipod of the stroller!!

Diaper Bag and a Stroller all in one day!!

A local baby store was having their once a year Anniversary sale which was 20% off everything in the store. I had been in earlier in the week and decided that I was going to order my diaper bag on Saturday - they said I could get the 20% off online as well. I thought I heard a salesperson say everything was on sale except strollers and car seats?

I had every intention of ordering my diaper bag on line and leaving it at that - I woke up at 6:30am and was too excited and couldn't get back to sleep so I decided to go online. I found my diaper bag and was about to place the order until I started reading their return policy etc... and I just decided for some reason it might be easier for me to go to the store and order it there with the help of the salespeople. I called my mom and of course she said she would go which was so great (I hate shopping by myself).

When we got to the store OMG there was a line up completely down one side and half way up the other - I wasn't too concerned because I was most concern with getting some questions answered and then potentially just ordering online. As I looked around I came across the stroller we like (Baby Jogger City Select) and I was showing my mom - I asked the lady if these were on sale (I didn't think they were) and she said "yes" but in store only - I asked how much they were as I was pretty sure they were already on sale for $50 off - the lady said they were that price plus and extra 20%!!!! That equals almost $160 off and I have NEVER seen it that low anywhere. I was a little nervous but I went for it! After waiting approx 1hr and 30min my diaper bag was ordered and so was the stroller - sooooo excited to get them both - they said hopefully they will both be in this week!

All in all it was a very successful day with some good sales!!

Here is my diaper bag - I think I have seen 100's of diaper bags and this is the onle I like best! It is the Oioi Black Floral Messenger;

And here is our stroller - I just can't wait to put her in it!!

Gung Hei Fat Choy – Year of the Dragon!

Happy Chinese New Year to all our friends and family and to our baby girl who is somewhere in China – it won’t be too much longer and mommy and daddy will be coming to get you!

Year of the Dragon is known for being one of the luckiest years and we are hoping this proves to be true for us!

We have some big changes coming in our lives and we cannot wait!!

I read this article on the some of the history etc.. and found it quite interesting so I decided to re-post it here! Enjoy…

"Gung Hei Fat Choy" That’s the traditional Chinese New Year greeting that means “wishing you prosperity” in Mandarin. The first day of the Chinese New Year – which begins at midnight on January 23, 2012 – is the most important of Chinese holidays, celebrated by billions in China, and by millions of ethnic Chinese around the world. It’s a celebration that lasts for 15 days, culminating with the Lantern Festival. Each year is associated with one of twelve animals in the Chinese zodiac. For 2012, it’s the Year of the Dragon.

There are several variations on the mythology behind Chinese New Year celebrations. Most are based on a ugly bloodthirsty monster named Nian that would emerge on the last night of each year to destroy villages and eat people. A wise elder advised villagers to scare the monster away with loud noises. That night, they set fire to bamboo, lit fireworks, and banged their drums. The monster, afraid of the loud noises and lights, ran away to hide in its cave. In another version of the myth, an old man persuaded Nian to turn its wrath on other monsters, not the villagers. Before he was seen riding away on Nian, the old man, actually a god, advised the people to hang red paper decorations in their homes and set off firecrackers on the last night of the year to keep Nian away. On the first day of the new year, the villagers celebrated, greeting each other with the words “Guo Nian” which means “survive the Nian”, a tradition that has continued to this day to mean “celebrate the new year.”

Chinese New Year celebrations traditionally lasts 15 days, from the first day (during a new moon) to the 15th day (a full moon). Each day holds a special significance that varies according to local traditions. But first, before the arrival of the new year, homes are thoroughly cleaned to sweep away ill fortune, and to welcome good luck. On new year’s eve, there are family gatherings to celebrate and enjoy sumptuous traditional feasts, and to greet the new year with fireworks at midnight.

The celebration culminates on the 15th day with the Lantern festival; on this night of the full moon, families mingle in the streets carrying lighted lanterns, often creating a beautiful light display.
The Chinese New Year for 2012 will be celebrated on 23 January. It’s the most important of Chinese holidays, celebrated by billions of people across the world. Festivities traditionally last for 15 days to culminate with the Lantern Festival. This calendar is based on a complex lunisolar calendar system that uses both lunar and solar cycles to mark time. As a result, Chinese New Year falls on different dates each year, between January 21 and February 21 of the conventional Gregorian calendar. Each Chinese lunar year is associated with one of twelve animals in the Chinese zodiac. For 2012, it’s the Year of the Dragon.

Mike and I didn't have anything planned this year for Chinese New Year but when he came home from the gym he brought this little surprise!! These were the best chicken balls we have ever had - form a little local restaurant - why haven't we tried them sooner!!!!

Six years ago today!

Six years ago today Mike and I headed to London for our agencies information session on adoption – it was the start of what has turned into this incredibly long journey. Although we have hated the wait I kind of feel like now is the perfect time for Mhyia to come into our lives – I am in a job I love, we have completed things we wanted to get done around the house, we are more mature, we have met so many amazing friends along the way etc… the timing is Great!!

Today we will mark this special day by assembling her crib, I/we have been slowly working away at her room (pics to come soon) and we thought that this would be a special day to assemble her crib!! I am soooo excited!! Even though we have had the crib in the house for a month or so it hasn’t hit me like I think it will when it is set up.

Thanks soooo much to my Mom and Dad (aka Grandma and Grandpa) for buying the most beautiful crib for Mhyia – we love it and we love you – Thank You!!!

This was an exciting purchase - the mattress - I didn't want to put the crib up unitl I could put it all together




This is her crib before and after assembly!!

January referrals!

Well the CCAA have sent out referrals for January (before leaving for CNY) they have done upto and including August 15, 2006! It was kind of what I was expecting; it is equivalent to 28 RQ families which means it seems a little bit better than last month’s batch.

If they were to refer the same amount next month that would more than include us but I honestly do not see that happening. That would mean they would have to refer 14 days and even if they could I just don’t think they would. I am kind of thinking they will get to maybe Aug 22/23 next month and then finish out August the month after – which means a March referral for us. To be honest that is the way I am hoping it plays out LOL, or even April – I know after all this time that sounds awful but I feel like it has been so far a way for so long and now all of a sudden it is here and I’m not prepared – I am gearing up to be prepared for March so earlier would just throw me off LOL.

Also there is no one logged in between the 19^th and the 27 (inclusive) so that is why the CCAA could easily do what would appear to be a larger batch.

So this also officially means that our group is NEXT at our agency!! Yahoo group 272 - although there is only one other couple left in our group which originally had 8 couples I believe? Only 14 month lid's to go!!!

New carpet, fresh paint and a long list in waiting!

We have a 4 page list I have had posted on the fridge for a year or more. I have it broken out by room of the house and "cost money" and "doesn't cost money" - until lately we have not been great at knocking things off.

I feel with our referral getting closer I am almost in a panic - I feel like I have soooo much to do and not enough time to do it.

We are getting new carpet up the stairs and in two of the bedrooms and I can't wait!! We repainted the hallway, repainted the banister and now the new carpet - it has forced us to clean up all the rooms and get rid of stuff we don't use etc... it is such a great feeling!!

Once the new carpet is in I will work on finishing Mhyia's room - sooooo exciting - I don't want to post pics until it is finished but as soon as I am done I will post pics! I am loving it so far!!!

20,000 visitors!!

I signed into my blog today and realised that we have had more than 20,000 views on our blog AMAZING!! I think I would have many more if I was better at updating - I really have such good intentions.

I also want to thank everyone who posts comments - it means so much to us that you are following along and take just a moment to comment - this journey has been very hard at times and it is so nice to know that there are people in our corner and wishing us well along the way!!

Happy New Year...and what a year it will be!!!!

Happy New Year everyone!! This year is going to (fingers crossed) be one of the most exciting years of our lives!! I can't believe that we have waited this long but hopefully it will all be worth it in the end when we finally get our little girl. The next couple of months will be a very busy and exciting time - so much to do so much to plan for and yet so much I feel I can't do until we get our referral.

Usually I find the first 4 or 5 months of the year fly by but I have a feeling this year may seem more like they are going by at a snails pace.

The chart below is from our agencies website - it shows where we are in terms of referrals etc.. as you can see there is now only one group ahead of ours - group 272!!! It is so close yet still so far. I really hope the CCAA is feeling generous when sending referrals this month prior to the Chinese New Year!!

64 months!!

I think after 60 months hit I have totally lost track - I keep forgetting to post on the 29th of the month. There really isn't much to say other than hopefully it will be our turn in the next couple of months!!

Here's hoping I only need to post 2 or 3 more of these month counters!!

Christmas 2011 – should be our last Christmas without Mhyia!!

This Christmas seemed to come and go before it even felt like Christmas. We had no snow at all and until today I have yet to wear a winter coat this season. Christmas was the usual – at my parents for Christmas Eve, off to church, sleep over, get up, open gifts, have an earlier dinner and then off to Mike’s sisters (Lisa’s) for dinner #2!!

Many many times this Christmas we thought or talked about how “next year” Mhyia would be here and the thought is soooo exciting – it has been sooooo many years that I have been saying “hopefully by next Christmas we will have a child” well it looks like this if finally the year!!!! There are some friends at my moms church who adopted a couple of years ago from China and their little girls is so sweet, they were sitting in front of us on Christmas Eve and I couldn’t stop starring at her with her mom and thinking next year that could be me with Mhyia – I can’t wait, I am soooo ready!!

Christmas overall was great, I just love having the week off and visiting with family etc… it is such a great time of year. I had hoped to get a bunch of things done around the house but I didn’t get as many done as I would have liked – I have a huge list on the fridge of things I want to get done before Mhyia comes, so many little things I need to finish or organize – I have committed to doing at least 1 or 2 of these things per week!

December referrals - who would have thought!

Well the CCAA has sent out a referral batch this month which mean 12 batches have gone out this year!!! I don't remember the last time 12 went out in one years so it is definitely exciting. Now of course in typical CCAA fashion they can't let us get too excited so they sent out a small piddly 3 day batch. It was 21 RQ families which is not that far of from the other batches we have seen since July of this year but it is still a little disappointing. I was hoping they would get to the 13th this month. Also they sent them about a week earlier than I was thinking they would - I am hoping this is because they plan on sending the next batch before the leave for CNY at the end of Jan 2012

As long as they send out referrals each month I still think we "should" be on track for March/April. There is a large stretch of days (19th - 27th) ahead of us that appears to have no one logged in so hopefully they will skip by that fairly quickly!

Its getting closer all the time, meanwhile Mhyia is in China not even aware that we think about her everyday ~ love you already baby girl!

Olivia oh how I love Olivia

I LOVE pigs I have always loved pigs and I just LOVE Olivia the pig she is just soooo freaking cute! I have collected a few things for Mhyia over the last year or so that are Olivia related and I really just can't stop myself when I see them.

I hope Mhyia loves Olivia as much as I do - probably not - but I can try LOL

Mike and I found a little old style "Olivia" jack in the box in Toronto one day and of course had to buy it and then had to get the Match game that I saw a Toys r us and then last night we were at Costco and I came across these two hard cover books - yes you guessed it - I got them! They are just so cute and the Goodnight one has glow in the dark stars!!

I can't wait to get these on a bookshelf and start reading them to Mhyia!! hopefully not too long now!

As I was looking for pictures of the books etc on Google I typed in "Olivia the Pig" and look at the picture that came up - OMG she is sooo cute - a little Asian Olivia the Pig - it was so cute I had to post it here!!!

Our Travel Guide/Referral Booklet

November 23rd we rec'd an email from Children's Bridge and it was titled "Travel Guide/Referral Booklet - Group 272" - AHHHHHH so exciting!!!! I know it is still months away but it was soooo exciting to see this email finally come through to us.

There is so much information and so much preparation that I think we need to do, I am actually feeling very overwhelmed by it all lately. I am hoping as soon a Christmas is done I can start focusing on getting organized. There is so much paper work and forms etc.. that we haven't really looked at since the beginning almost 6 years ago.

Just another exciting step on our LONG journey to Mhyia!

Our sweet baby girl!

Mike and I have been thinking about Mhyia ALOT lately, (like everyday for the last 5.5 years) but especially lately. I am so saddened to think that she is probably in an orphanage somewhere in China, only a plane ride away and I can't see her or hold her or care for her.

I have always wanted to have a child and specifically I am a baby freak - love babies, can't get enough of a new little baby!!! I am sad that I will miss those months of her being just a little peanut and am bothered that she will miss out on so much love and bonding those first however many months. All we can do is pray that we get her as young a possible and that wherever she is, someone is caring for her and loving her until we are able to bring her home.

Wherever you are sweet baby girl we are thinking about you everyday and we love you so much already - xoxo

November Referrals

Just before Mike and I left on our Cruise the CCAA sent a referral batch for November!! I was wondering if they would even send a batch considering they typically seem to skip a month somewhere around the end of the year. They have been very consistent this year and I am keeping my fingers crossed that they actually send out referrals in December also. That would be 12 batches this year and typically they send 11.

They referred up to and including August 7th - that means only 22 more days to us!!! OMG I actually can't even believe I am saying that - it seems like it has been so far away for so long and now it is coming up so fast!!

RQ (which I LOVE as most of you know) is now predicting Jan/Feb for a referral for us. January if they don't skip December and February if they do skip December. I personally think it is going to be a bit longer but it is still so exciting to see our date in her projection chart AHHHHH!!!!! I am actually thinking if they do a batch in Dec and then each month after then we could (best case) be February otherwise I am thinking March or April 2012.