Adoption Update-Dossier to Russia

I was informed by my agency that my dossier (paperwork) left for Russia on Friday October 24, 2008. It will take about one week to translate all the documents into Russian then it will be delivered to the Ministry of Education in Vladivostok, Russia. Then the countdown will begin. My agency is still saying 12 to 18 months waiting time for referral but it is any ones guess. I'll just wait for the phone call from the agency.

Charlee's Pumpkin

Charlee's First Carved Pumpkin

Maggie was enjoying the sun outside. It was a perfect day to carve pumpkins.

Charlee didn't like scooping out the pumpkin guts but she had fun "Patting" the lids.

We never got around to carving pumpkins last year so that is why this year is the first year for Charlee

Halloween Package From PA

Charlee got a Halloween Package from PA. She loved everything except the "Sticky Skeleton"

Maggie is wondering if there is anything for her.

Love the purple Boo bag

A Flashing Pumkin Ring

"Too Cute To Scare"

A Skeleton Sucker
"Eat one now and save the other for later"

Thank You

Fall Leaves

After early voting, we went back to Grandma and Papa's house were we helped cutdown tree branches and played with the leaves.

Papa on the roof of the house cutting down the branches

Charlee's First Vote

Charlee's First Presidential Election

For President she picked.....

Cookie Monster with his running mate Dora The Explorer

For Governor of Utah she picked.....
Mickey Mouse

Today was early voting with Grandma, Papa, and I

32 Months Check-up

I took Charlee to the doctor yesterday for a check-up before surgery on the 4th and to get a flu shot. Charlee is now 24 lbs (3rd percentile) and 33.75 inches tall (3rd percentile). This was the first time Charlee has ever been on the charts for weight. My little peanut is growing.

She was also started on Amoxicillin for a sinus infection, too. She is already feeling better. She is all clear for surgery on the 4th.

I spoke with the doctor regarding Charlee's potential exposure to the tainted Chinese baby formula. She is making the arrangements to have her blood drawn and a urine sample taken while she is asleep during surgery. And I thought it was just going to be just the eye surgery.

Her only comment on the flu shot was "Ouch!!!! That hurt". She loved the Bugs Bunny Band-Aid.

Sticker Shock At The Pharmacy

Last week I went to my doctor for a sinus infection and was prescribed a "Z Pack" which was a nice generic price of $5.00

It worked great. Within 24 hours I felt 100% better until today.....

....the sinus pressure was back, blood sugars topped out at 462, and I felt crummy so I made a call to my doctor. She called in a new prescription.

I just about passed out when I saw the price for 5 Levaquin......$50.00 co-pay

What am I to do. I can't let this infection get any worse so I sucked it up and swiped the card.

I've taken the first pill about 2 hours ago and the only difference I can tell is that I want to throw-up and curl up into a little ball.

Sticker shock at the pharmacy. It just better work.

Good Clean Teeth

Charlee saw Dr. Rupp, our new dentist, yesterday. She was a very very good girl. She opened her mouth wide to let the dentist count, look, and clean her teeth. She got her first fluoride treatment, bubblegum flavors, she liked that taste. Charlee even let Dr. Rupp floss her upper teeth but she didn't want him to do his lower teeth. She had enough of that.

Charlee has all of her teeth, except for her two year molars. Her teeth are strong and healthy. The molars will come in when she grows a bit taller.

See you in 6 months for another check-up and cleaning...

Charlee's First Trip to Twin Falls, Idaho

Today, Grandma, Papa (Grandpa), Charlee and I took our first trip to Twin Falls, Idaho.

Why Idaho????


Next summer, Aunt Von, Uncle Matt, and the "Kids" are moving from the great state of Pennsylvania to Twin Falls, Idaho.


We wanted to see what the drive was like, three hours each way, and what the town is like. It's a good size town, not too big but not too small.

Charlee was fairly good. She was restless going up but so was I. She woke up at 7 AM and was in a carseat by 8:30. She was much better coming home because she took about an hour nap.

By the time we got home I was ready to run a marathon but my mind wanted a nap. Charlee on the other hand has been running, jumping, laughing, and helping me do everything. I thought I would but this built up energy to good use. She is great at doing dishes. This kept her entertained while I got a few things done around the house. Thank heavens for Dawn.....

Charlee's Solo Trip

Yesterday while driving to school, Charlee informed me of her plan of what she is going to do after school. Here they are....

I'm going to get on a "City Bus" to the "Choo Choo" and go to see Aunt Von and Uncle Matt. It's a "Surprise".

How adorable is this???????

Adoption Update

Today I received a phone call from the Lt. Governor's office (they were working on Columbus Day) to tell me that my two final documents were apostilled (stamped with official Utah seal) and ready to be picked up.

After work and school, Charlee and I took a ride to the Fedex/Kinko store in Bountiful and shipped all the documents for dossier #1 to Walnut Creek, California.

It will take about one week for my agency to translate all the documents into Russian then off they go to Russia. At that time, the official countdown will begin.

First Day of Snow

This morning Charlee and I woke up to white. Yes, it snowed while we were asleep. Charlee was eager to get her snow gear on and play outside.

Big Sister In Training

Ice Cream Potty Treat

Baskin Robbin Potty Treat

Friday October 10, 2008

w/ Grandma and Papa

Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

Egg timer: priceless

Everyone knows that I've struggled with Charlee's bedtime since the first day we've been home. I've tried everything under the sun to make bedtime less of a fight. Well, I decided to try an egg timer. I've been thinking of this idea for sometime but never got around to buying the timer until.....

.....Our trip to PA. My niece and nephews were playing with my sister's egg timer one day and it made me think of the idea (all so bedtime on vacation is 100 times worse). The next day, we went shopping at Target and I pick-up this funky "Pepper Cracker" timer on clearance for $5.00

A miracle happened. Charlee went to bed without a fight. Another miracle happened over and over every night, no fighting to go to bed. This "Pepper Cracker" timer was priceless. Until...

....Saturday when I twisted it too far and it broke.

The Priceless Replacement Egg Timer

$6.50 at the Gift Shop at LDS Hospital

Adoption Update....

Documents are at the State of Utah Authentication Office....

....except two documents that were forgotten.

Yep, I thought I was through the last hoop but when I got home from the Authentication Office I had a voice message from my social worker telling me that two documents were forgotten. I called Shonna at Partners For Adoption to make sure these documents were truly missed. They were. Oh well, things happen. I'm not sure where the breakdown in communication occurred but at least they were discovered. We have a plan in place and really no time is lost.

My goal is still to have the documents in Russian by Halloween. It is tight but still do able.

I forgot how much running around the paper chase takes. And with Russia, I get to do it twice. Yep, two dossiers with Russia. The second one will need to be completed after I return from the first trip with some of the documents having to be dated after I return home.

I can do this. I will do this. I've done this before. Some of the common things I tell myself when I've feeling overwhelmed with adoption stuff.

No More Diapers For Ducky

A Ducky Day

One of the many potty training books we are reading. This one is my favorite. Charlee's, too.

Charlee wearing her new ducky PJ's. This morning her toes were ice cold so it was time to bring out the warm PJ's.

Charlee insisted that her picture also be in this picture. This is a new thing for her.

Charlee sitting on top of the duck

Charlee is not longer in diapers. She has once again graduated into BIG GIRL panties. This time there is no turning back. So far so good. Tomorrow she is going to wear panties at school.

Sticker and Money Fun

This is what happens when you have to much fun playing with stickers and money.....

.....Maggie just wanted to play with her Charlee.

Side Trip to Buffalo New York

While Charlee and I were on vacation, we took a side vacation to Buffalo New York for a quick 24 hour visit with our friends Lori and Lilliana. Lori and I spoke nearly everyday and sometimes multiple times in the day and evening while waiting for our referrals from China. I met Lori for the first time in person at the Beijing Airport. Our daughters are from Fujian China. Charlee and Lilliana spent everyday playing with each other in China. They have a very special relationship with each other that will last a life time.

We did alot of things in our 24 hour visit. We went to the Buffalo Zoo were Lilliana saw a real Giraffe for the first time in her life. We also got to see a Baby Rhino. Charlee and Lilliana played dress-up, went swimming, jumped on the beds, ran in the halls, and many other things.