Browsing the Internet today I thought I'd share some really cute things I've bookmarked for a 'later date'.
I have been reading about slings and baby carriers a lot. I never used them with either of my other children but because travel in Vietnam will require alot of carrying and because it clearly fosters bonding and attachment, I am looking into them. Also in Vietnam it is very difficult to navigate a small stroller on the sidewalks there. Much better to have the baby close and avoid weaving in and out of traffic and crowded sidewalks. I won't buy one til we know if we be referred a baby or a toddler (not sure my back can handle carrying a toddler all day) but aren't these "Hotslings" just the cutest... and they are really fashionable with beautiful and fun fabrics.


Found some really cute tshirts for the whole family (As well as bibs, etc) at Cafe Press. That place is such a fun place to turn to when needing unique and creative clothing. I especially liked these ones:
Born in my heart
Loving Family

These quilts, made by the women of Vietnam and sold out of Ho Chi Minh City, VN would be adorable for Chloe's & Keaton's beds (and their brother or sister, ...one of them will share their room). After referral time I may have to buy two in either pink or blue.
Children Size Vietnam quilts

This website has some fun tshirts: http://www.adoptionmama.com/
Lucky Momma

Home Study #3

Finished. Our Adoption Practioner came this past long weekend and finished up most of the work involved in our Home study. Our final appointment will take place once we recieve our fingerprints back from the RCMP as well as medical forms, and other paper work we are waiting on. Fingerprinting from RCMP can take up to 6 wks from Ottawa so now we just wait.
As more people learn of our adoption plans the more excited we get. But, there really is a long wait ahead of us and very rarely do I have anything new to report to them. I am trying to make contacts with other families in our area of Ontario and would really love to find a multi-cultural playgroup within our Belleville area that we can be involved with when we return home from Vietnam.
That's really all I have to report. We are keeping busy, enjoying our new pool and running to one sporting event after another. I am mulling over the idea of joining Keaton up for baseball... which would mean taking the kids to 4 different sports activities a week. I'm torn :)... I love our time at home in the evening - I hate to give it up. (SELFISH ME).

A night out...

What fun! I drove up to Toronto yesterday and had the pleasure of meeting 22 other waiting mommies. Most of the mom's are adopting from China and it was interesting learning the differences in the process between China and Vietnam. There were 4 of us adopting from VN and I learned some great information just speaking with them... all of them are further into the process than we are with their Dossier's already in VN. One girl Nicole from Buffalo, NY received her referral of a tiny little baby boy a few days before the dinner. She had photos and he was beautiful. He was only 6 wks old in the photos and she expected to be traveling to Vietnam in July to bring him home. SO EXCITING. I also sat across the table from another mom who had just recieved her long awaited referral from China, a beautiful baby girl that was 8 months old in her referral photos. She will hopefully travel to China in the summer as well to bring back her pretty little gal.
The dinner was held at the Pickle Barrel in the Yorkdale Mall, Toronto. I managed a quick run into Disney store to get the kids each a pair of pjs but the rest was just a social night with some new friends. With 23 women we took up a good chunk of the back of the restaurant and were split up amongst 2 large tables so I wasn't able to meet and talk to everyone. I was lucky and got to sit beside 2 moms that had their babies with them. Olivia and Samara (both 14 months old) ... omg they are adorable and were so good during dinner. Olivia is just starting to walk and was showing off for us.
I feel lucky to have found a group of women that I can hopefully stay connected with long after we have come home from Vietnam. It is important for me that we find families like ours so our daughter/son can experience friendships with children that have some things in common with her/him. My heart goes out to all these lovely women as they face a long wait and dream of the day their children can be in their arms.
Thanks for a fabulous evening! (photo by Catherine)

Home Study #2

Our social worker came to our house today. It was our 2nd appointment and our first 'home' visit. He was a bit early and I didn't even get a chance to brush my hair. Ha, talk about making a good impression. The kids got to meet him and he spoke with them briefly about having a new child in the home and how they felt about that, etc. Chloe made it fairly clear to him that she would only accept a 'baby girl' ... but Keaton is more flexible, bless his heart. 3+ hours later and we were finished for the day. Our 3rd appointment is scheduled for 2 wks from now.
We have been doing lots of reading on all the unique things international adoption involve. This is in many ways a learning process and we are learning a lot. Our hearts are open and ready and the time cannot come soon enough, even though we know we have at least 1 yr to wait and be patient. Next on our to-do-list is finger printing, police checks and reference letters. Fun, Fun, Fun! :)