Last night, Craig and I had plans to have dinner with our cousins Bryan and Maria who live in Virginia. We hadn’t seen them since June, so we were excited to have them in town for the holidays and get a chance to catch up. Coming back to their home state, they told us they wanted to eat at a favorite local pizza place and, of course, we gladly agreed.
When we got to the restaurant, I wasn’t sure why, but Bryan quickly walked us into a private room. It was a bit of a blur and there wasn’t really time in my mind to question what was happening. A moment later, I was looking at people around the table and thinking, "Wow, there sure's a lot of faces here that look like folks I know. How weird!" For a second, my brain just couldn't make the connection that it was actually our family and when it did, I thought, "That's strange that Bryan and Maria invited everyone to have dinner with them. I guess they have to see a lot of people in a short time while they’re here." Then I realized that everyone was looking at Craig and me with a lot of anticipation and I actually said out loud, "What is this?" Craig's brother's girlfriend pointed up to a balloon and responded, "It's a boy." And that's when I finally realized we were in the middle of a surprise baby shower for us and our little guy.
We had a wonderful time with the small group of relatives Bryan and Maria had gathered to celebrate our son. We had pizza and homemade cheesecake, balloons and presents, laughter and good conversation, and most importantly, the joy of being surrounded by our loved ones.
Craig and I definitely didn’t have the slightest idea that a baby shower was in the works for us or taking place last night. We were so glad to see our siblings and cousins there and to know how happy and excited they are for us and how much they want to meet our little guy. Thank you, Bryan and Maria, for this incredible surprise and thank you everyone for coming, for your generosity, support, and love, and for sharing this special journey with us.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
IAC 163 & 164 Results
The following referrals were issued in IAC Session 163 which was held on 11/18/10:
1) Italian dossier from 2007 referred a child under 4 old, male
2) Swiss dossier from 2007 referred a child under 4 yo, female, with a family history
3) Italian dossier from 2008 referred a child up to age 5, male, with features in the neuro-psychological development
4) Italian dossier from 2009 referred a child up to age 5, female, with data on family history
5) Luxemburg dossier from 2009 referred a child up to age 3, male, with features in health status
6) French dossier from 2009 referred a child up to age 8, female
7) Dutch dossier from 2010 referred three biological children with respect to 7 years old, male
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The following referrals were issued in IAC Session 164 which was held on 11/19/10:
1) Norwegian dossier from 2006 referred a child up to 3 years old, female with a family history
2) Cyprus dossier from 2007 referred a child up to 5 yo, female
3) Greek dossier from 2008 referred a child up to age 6, female
4) Italian dossier from 2008 referred two biological children with respect to age 5, males
5) Cyprus dossier from 2008 referred a child up to age 6, female
6) Italian dossier from 2008 referred a child up to age 6, male, with a healthy margin
7) Dutch dossier from 2008 referred two biological children with respect to age 6, males
8) US dossier from 2009 referred a child under 10 yo, male
1) Italian dossier from 2007 referred a child under 4 old, male
2) Swiss dossier from 2007 referred a child under 4 yo, female, with a family history
3) Italian dossier from 2008 referred a child up to age 5, male, with features in the neuro-psychological development
4) Italian dossier from 2009 referred a child up to age 5, female, with data on family history
5) Luxemburg dossier from 2009 referred a child up to age 3, male, with features in health status
6) French dossier from 2009 referred a child up to age 8, female
7) Dutch dossier from 2010 referred three biological children with respect to 7 years old, male
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The following referrals were issued in IAC Session 164 which was held on 11/19/10:
1) Norwegian dossier from 2006 referred a child up to 3 years old, female with a family history
2) Cyprus dossier from 2007 referred a child up to 5 yo, female
3) Greek dossier from 2008 referred a child up to age 6, female
4) Italian dossier from 2008 referred two biological children with respect to age 5, males
5) Cyprus dossier from 2008 referred a child up to age 6, female
6) Italian dossier from 2008 referred a child up to age 6, male, with a healthy margin
7) Dutch dossier from 2008 referred two biological children with respect to age 6, males
8) US dossier from 2009 referred a child under 10 yo, male
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Family Christmas 2010
On Saturday, Craig and I hosted a little family Christmas gathering at a cabin we rented at a local campground. We met up with everyone in the afternoon and then spent the next six hours chatting, frolicking in the snow, hanging around the campfire, eating, and playing games. Here are a few photos:
Yes, my nephews rode their bikes and sleds on the frozen pond with encouragement and participation from their uncle, my husband. Such shenanigans are par for the course any time those guys get together.
Despite the snow, we had a nice campfire going and even made smores.
Despite the snow, we had a nice campfire going and even made smores.
For dinner, I had prepared baked spaghetti and meatballs, garlic bread, and from scratch potato soup. Judging by the nearly non-existent amount of leftovers, everything must have tasted great. For dessert, I made a chocolate cake with peanutbutter icing. I decided to try my hand at marshmallow fondant again which went much better than my first foray into this sphere. Still, I kept it simple and just cut out some fondant stars to decorate the cake. I think it turned out well.
After dinner, some of our guests returned home, but Craig’s sister and her sons stayed overnight in the cabin with us. Before bed, we played games for a few hours in the loft which put a new twist on Charades: no standing up while acting out the words. Here is Craig giving our middle nephew some help with how to convey a term to the rest of us:
On Sunday morning, there was time for breakfast and for opening Christmas presents, but then we had to pack up and go home.
I just can’t wait for our little guy to be part of all this fun in the years to come.
Monday, December 20, 2010
MOJ Adoption Data Released
Today, MOJ released the long awaited data on the numbers of active registered dossiers. It's quite an extensive compilation of very detailed information and I am sure proper translations will be forthcoming from agencies soon. For now, here's the gist of it as Google Translate put it:
In the register under Article 113, Paragraph 1, Item 2 of the SC from 2005 to 2009 inclusive there are 581 entries not deleted. Of these, 60 are in various stages of the procedure, after determining as suitable adoptive parents by the WCO. Of the remaining 521, entered in the register 401 adopters have been confirmed in the proper order (statement of CB or CC) - Table № 1 based on the same stated age of the child they wish to adopt (without taking into account health) and the number of adopters for children of that age […].
The number of entries of adopters in 2010 (to 15.12.10) is 683, of which 14 were deleted, 70 are in various stages of the procedure, after determining as suitable adoptive parents by the WCO and 599 are active.
As of 15.12.2010 the total number of registrations under Article 113, paragraph 1, item 2 is active adopters 1035.
In the register under Article 113, Paragraph 1, Item 2 of the SC from 2005 to 2009 inclusive there are 581 entries not deleted. Of these, 60 are in various stages of the procedure, after determining as suitable adoptive parents by the WCO. Of the remaining 521, entered in the register 401 adopters have been confirmed in the proper order (statement of CB or CC) - Table № 1 based on the same stated age of the child they wish to adopt (without taking into account health) and the number of adopters for children of that age […].
The number of entries of adopters in 2010 (to 15.12.10) is 683, of which 14 were deleted, 70 are in various stages of the procedure, after determining as suitable adoptive parents by the WCO and 599 are active.
As of 15.12.2010 the total number of registrations under Article 113, paragraph 1, item 2 is active adopters 1035.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
IAC 162 Results
The following referrals were issued in IAC Session 162 which was held on 11/05/10:
1) German dossier from 2006 referred a child up to age 2, male, disclaimer 22.11.2010
2) French dossier from 2006 referred a child under 3 yo, male
3) Italian dossier from 2006 referred child up to age 5, female
4) French dossier from 2007 referred a child up to age 6, male
5) Italian dossier from 2008 referred two biological children with respect to age 7 yo, female
6) French dossier from 2009 referred a child up to age 7, male, with decline in neuro-psychological development
7) French dossier from 2009 referred two biological children with respect to 8yo, male and female
8) Dutch dossier from 2010 referred a child up to 4 yo, female, family history and characteristics in healthy status
9) Dutch dossier from 2010 referred child up to age 6, male, family history and characteristics in healthy status
10) Italian dossier from 2010 referred a child up to age 8, female, family history and characteristics in healthy status
11) U.S. dossier from 2010 referred two biological children with respect to age 4 yo, male, family history and characteristics in healthy status
By the way, I don't know what happened to IAC 161.
1) German dossier from 2006 referred a child up to age 2, male, disclaimer 22.11.2010
2) French dossier from 2006 referred a child under 3 yo, male
3) Italian dossier from 2006 referred child up to age 5, female
4) French dossier from 2007 referred a child up to age 6, male
5) Italian dossier from 2008 referred two biological children with respect to age 7 yo, female
6) French dossier from 2009 referred a child up to age 7, male, with decline in neuro-psychological development
7) French dossier from 2009 referred two biological children with respect to 8yo, male and female
8) Dutch dossier from 2010 referred a child up to 4 yo, female, family history and characteristics in healthy status
9) Dutch dossier from 2010 referred child up to age 6, male, family history and characteristics in healthy status
10) Italian dossier from 2010 referred a child up to age 8, female, family history and characteristics in healthy status
11) U.S. dossier from 2010 referred two biological children with respect to age 4 yo, male, family history and characteristics in healthy status
By the way, I don't know what happened to IAC 161.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Oh Tannenbaum, Oh Tannenbaum
Our Christmas tree is finally up! Craig lugged it upstairs Sunday night and I decorated it yesterday afternoon. It’s more fun when we trim the tree together, but I knew it was now or never at this point. Craig’s favorite color, purple, is the annual inspiration for our tree. Unfortunately, the photos don’t show it well.
I finished writing all the Christmas cards and wrapped the remaining gifts. Craig and I decided not to exchange presents with each other this year as we have already received the most amazing gift in our son. Seems like now it’s time to simply kick back and enjoy the season. Hot chocolate, holiday parties, Christmas movies, crocheting, reading, and frosted sugar cookies here I come!
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Hohoho & Mistletoe
With nearly two weeks into December, our household is only about half way ready for Christmas. Holiday baking has been in full force. Last week we personally delivered Christmas treats to nine recipients, yesterday morning we sent several boxes of goodies to family and friends around the world, and next week another package needs to go off to Germany.
A dozen or so cards have made it into the mail with more waiting to be written and I did manage to book a large cabin last minute for our extended family Christmas overnight celebration next weekend. But our Christmas tree isn’t up yet. Can you believe it? I am hoping today will finally be the day we manage to bring it up from the basement and decorate it. I’d like to enjoy the glow and sparkle before the season’s over.
Even though we are a little behind this year, I love our Christmas traditions and can’t wait to share them with our son next December. Every time I wrap a present or open a holiday card or watch a Christmas movie or sneak a molasses spice cookie, I think of him and how all of these experiences will become part of his life in 2011.
A dozen or so cards have made it into the mail with more waiting to be written and I did manage to book a large cabin last minute for our extended family Christmas overnight celebration next weekend. But our Christmas tree isn’t up yet. Can you believe it? I am hoping today will finally be the day we manage to bring it up from the basement and decorate it. I’d like to enjoy the glow and sparkle before the season’s over.Even though we are a little behind this year, I love our Christmas traditions and can’t wait to share them with our son next December. Every time I wrap a present or open a holiday card or watch a Christmas movie or sneak a molasses spice cookie, I think of him and how all of these experiences will become part of his life in 2011.
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