Ode to Grandmas

I was thinking the other day how lucky we are to live 15 minutes away from both our moms.....and we are not only geographically close, but have a great relationship with them! A rare gift. Their support is invaluable. Barb often babysits the girls on short notice so Chris and I can get some "sanity time" for our marriage. She also loves to take them to movies, the zoo, museum, etc. They are always quite thrilled (and tired) after a day with grandma Smith. And I can't even tell you how many times my mom has folded my laundry. The other day I went to work with a mountain of clothes on the couch, and came home that evening to find it had miraculously disappeared. My mom was in the neighborhood and let herself into my house to do a few chores while she waited for her doctor's appointment. She also watches NiNi for me every Friday, which has become a highlight of both their weeks. In addition to the "nature walks" (which are the source of the ziplock bags of crickets and rotten crab apples that decorate my countertops) she also usually brings some messy craft project. Last week they painted eachothers faces. NiNi didn't want grandma to wash hers off.....so she didn't. Mom drove all the way home like that. Now THAT is grandma love!

Welcome baby Quinn!

Quinn Marie Reuter was born in the wee hours of Tuesday morning, September 14th. The girls are very excited to have another girl cousin!

Ethan update #3

It looks like the picture was taken on the same day as the 7/30/10 update, but all of the medical info is dated 9/9/10:

Age: 16 months
Weight: 16.3 lbs
Head: 17.1 in
Chest: 17.7 in
Height: 26.4 in
Feet: 4.1 in
Teeth: 4

They also mentioned that he received our carepackage. We sent two, so not sure if he received one or both of them. He has been healthy. It does not look like he has gained any weight but he grew a centimeter in height:)

In case you didn't notice, I updated the timeline in the sidebar that we received our I-800 provisional approval this week. Next we are waiting on our NVC letter which as been averaging about 10 days. After that, the Article 5 has been taking about 20 days. So here we are, plugging along!

When I grow up

Had this conversation with NiNi the other day.

NiNi: "Mom, what do you want to be when you get bigger?"
Me: "I'm already bigger"
NiNi: "No, I mean bigger like FORTY! So what do you choose, a ballet teacher or a gym teacher?"
Me: "I don't really want to be either of those things."
NiNi: "Mom! So you just want to be a mom running around crazy?"

Our life really is not that hectic, I just always like to say, "You guys are driving me crazy" or "Keep it up and you guys will have to come visit me at the funny farm" Now NiNi likes to tease me and say, "Mom, I'm gonna take you to the LOONY farm!"

This is my new fav picture of the girls and I love it that the expression on Meagan's face says, "I love being a big sister"



We went for a walk at Eagle Creek over the weekend and Meagan snapped this picture of us. We were standing in the very spot were Chris proposed almost 11 years ago to the day. We like to call this our "nerd kiss." Because we're both wearing glasses and you know how nerds get their glasses all tangled up when they kiss.

Family weekend

We had a great weekend with Chris' dad in town. The girls don't get to see their California grandpa very often so it's always a treat...and a mad dash to get in as much time with him as possible. We also took the opportunity to get some pictures of all the ladies.

The girls and I with Barb and Jenni (with baby girl Quinn in utero)



Chris was talking to Meagan about how water can be in three forms. Liquid, solid, and then he said, "What does water become when it gets really really hot?" NiNi burst out and said, "A gas!" We were floored and said, "How did you know that?" She replied very matter-of-factly, "I knowed it on my Leapster"

We were at the dollar store the other day and NiNi got side-tracked in the candy asile. When it became apparent that I wasn't going to buy her any, she said, "Mom, the next time you talk to the Easter bunny, tell him I want a blow-pop?"

More paperwork...

So we just got the nitty-gritty details on where we go from here in terms of paperwork. Sometime in the past year or so, the U.S. has added an additional step to an already exhausting process. So these are the things we need before we get the green light to travel.

1. File the I-800 (seeks approval to adopt a specific child)
2. Receive provisional approval for I-800
3. Receive letter from NVC (National Visa Center)
4. Article 5 is issued by US Consulate in China and forwarded to CCAA
5. CCAA issues travel approval

Because these steps are relatively new, there are just no accurate timelines out there as to how long all of this will take. All our agency can say is "we would hope that you would travel in 11-15 weeks." Please pray for a speedier process than that!

LOA today!!!!!!!!!!

Just received our LOA....about 3 weeks ahead of schedule. I prayed that we would get it by my birthday, so I must assume this is none other than divine intervention:) This is the last document that must be signed before they will issue our travel approval. If things continue to go smoothly, there's a good chance we'll travel in November!