I finally watched the video of "The Call" and it is great! The only down side is that I can't figure out this freakin' software to edit the video! Grrrr. I have software that I am familiar with but the format of my new video camera is not supported by it! :( Grrr. Now I have to use a new software and READ! Again...GRRRR... I did, however, figure out how to capture photos from it. Here are some from "The Call"
(Panasonic SDR-H40P)
Don't think it shows but I was SOOOOOOO SICK this day! Thank GOD for adrenalin!!!!!
Lots of GREAT stuff today. Today, is exactly ONE year from the moment I first saw Giorgia's Beautiful face. (see below) Ironically, Today, I also get the call from the Courthouse that Giorgia's Re-Adoption Papers were done! Yippee!! Just got back from the city were they were signed, sealed and placed in my hands!!! Then, to TOP my day off, my secret squirrel sent a video to my phone of my baby having fun at daycare!!!
Wednesday, November 5, (EXACTLY ONE YEAR AGO TODAY) I got "the call". It was a dreary day here and it was misting. Something told me that maybe this was the day and I took a photo of the trees across from my house as I jumped in the car. It was 6:30am and the darkness had just started moving away. My plan was to take photos every morning, never thinking that this was "the day". Unlike my fellow Precious Pandas, all waiting for "the call" I tried not to get to excited only to be let down another day. You see, all of our paperwork has been in China for over 32 months. Most of us started way before this and when we did, the process took only 6 months. So, for the past three years, every 6 months we were told/though, oh, just 6 more months.
The Rumor boards were quiet, all the yahoo groups were quiet...eerily so! How is it that the CCAA and the agencies have finally mastered the zip-lip technique when I'M expecting the call. My ECG girls & Precious Pandas are all speculating but nothing...all quiet.
At 2:00pm on the dot, my cell rings. Unkown area code??? No, My Agency area code?? Can't remember!! OMG!
I pick up the phone and
my FA says: Stephanie?
me: Phillip? Is this it? Is this the call? DON'T SAY ANYTHING!!! I'm on my way home!!! Can you call me back? BUT DON'T TELL ME ANYTHING YET!!!!
Phillip: (trying not to giggle) Yes, this IS IT, How long will it take you to get home?
me: 30 minutes
Phillip: Okay, no problem
me: You can call another family if you want so I don't hold you up, I'll understand and I'll be home waiting for your call. I hang up. Post to my group that I got the call, referrals are really here and that I hung up on Phillip and told him to call me later. Jump in my car and race home. Meanwhile, I'm getting all these texts saying "ARE YOU CRAZY, INSANE, STUPID...YOU HUNG UP ON THE CALL" I know, I know. But I wanted to be home and video tape it. Hey, I've waited for 3+ years, I think the least they can do is wait for me for 30 minutes!!!
So, I arrive home, oh did I tell you I'm sick as a dog with major resp. issues!! Thank God for adrenaline...I didn't feel a thing. I change my clothes, brush my hair, let Pirate outside, turn on the computer, turn on the video tape, review call sheet, look for lost "referral pen". (which I never did find) then wait... wait... and wait...
Finally Phillip calls me back. He waited for me to get home and didn't call anyone else. I was the first person he called...he didn't call anyone else yet. He said he sent the email with her photos and for me to open it up. I said no, I want you to tell me everything first because I won't pay any attention otherwise. I have no idea really what he said. I will have to reference the video.
The tidbits I got were:
It's a Girl
She's 10 months old.
Her birthdate is in January
Her name
She's from Guangdong
That's it!! He rambled for about 10 minutes but I have no idea what he said but I kept saying yes, okay, absolutely.
He then asks me to open the email and I say no.
I told him I wanted to do it by myself when I got off the phone but Thanked him for the call.
Then, I go to my computer and keep refreshing my email...
there is no email from Phillip.
Refresh, Refresh, Refresh... nothing
Then I decide to check my msn email...Then I see this...
This is it!!! And this is what I saw. Sorry that the video is so bad. I was trying to be cool because I had the video camera on me and my little camera taping my laptop as I opened the photo. Those of you that want to do this, might I suggest practicing. It didn't come out well but it's still memorable. The second I saw her I was in love and I kept saying that she looks like me. Something about her looks like me or it was her I saw in my dreams. She was so familiar. I must say Pirate was smitten too, you can hear him in the background. Stephe (yes, it's official, I'm a dork)
to be continued...
I will try to post referral video with the camcorder. At least it's clear video. Then more of that day!!!
Just before lunchtime, Daycare had their annual Halloween Parade. I dressed up as a WITCH.
Here is G with one of her most favorite teachers...
Cute photos above but the reality was not pretty. From the moment I walked in G DEMANDED to be held by only me. I couldn't talk with anyone else, I couldn't put her coat on, I couldn't put my keys down, she wouldn't line up, hold her treat bag... just wanted to flip out. See below...
Okay, so when she heard the word "OUTSIDE" she let me put her down and accepted her treat bag...
She managed to walk outside with her fellow classmates...
And that was IT. TANTRUM until I picked her up... So we only have photos that I could take while holding her...
Note to SELF: Next year I am coming to this Halloween Parade in a costume that she won't recognize me in and just be a bystander snapping away with a camera! Geez. Such Drama!
(Oh yeah, and when we had to change her out of her costume...she flipped out to. I handed a SCREAMING child over to her teacher and practically RAN out of there!)
This morning Miss G started out as usually, her happy, yet demanding self. I put her slip on but decided to wait until AFTER breakfast to put on her costume...
I fixed her hair and decided to forgo the tiara until we got to school. Miss G is NOT HAPPY with this decision so I gave in...
Tantrum averted...
Now, I had to show her how pretty her tiara was!
Currently, we have NO self esteem issues. This is Miss G kissing herself...
Now we are at Daycare, Miss G drove of course...
Thanks Aunt Christie for the Princess Coat!
Now she is instructing me to put her sippies in the refridgerator...
Now we have a Princess smirk and a wave goodbye...
This is on of G's buddies at school, A. Her mommy is also one of G's old teachers. G misses Miss Shelley but because A is still in her class, she gets to see her at least twice a day!
Here is one of a bunch of photos at school that Miss Rebecka sent to me via email. At least I know G is smiling for someone with a camera. All I've been getting lately is "NOooo" and the back of her head.
On the flip side, reverse physchology is working GREAT. When she doesn't do what I want her to do I say "FINE, give me your pretty bows!" and I take her hair bows out. Didn't you know that naughty girls aren't allowed to wear pretty bows?
Happen to be in the neighborhood this weekend. It's most beautiful in the fall and couldn't resist taking some photos! This is one of the homes I grew up in.
I know it looks pretty but all I see are those dreaded leaves. lol (I'm sure my parents would say the same thing!)
Fill their bellies with a wholesome meal before they go out Trick or Treating. A healthy and nutritious dinner at home can keep them from emptying the bag before they get back.
Plan activities that don’t focus solely on candy and high-sugar treats. Carve a pumpkin, tell spooky stories, or create your own haunted house. Roast pumpkin seeds and watch a scary movie.
Limit the time spent going door to door, or limit the area they can cover. Maybe two hours, or maybe two blocks…
Give them non-food treats, like temporary tattoos or stickers, instead of high-sugar treats.
Trade them homemade treats for the candy they collect. Homemade is always safe, if you’re the one who made it. Try Pumpkin Spice Cookies or Spiced Sugar Pumpkin Cake.
Trade them healthier treats for their Halloween candy. Honey sticks or sesame candies from a natural foods store are always popular at my house.
Cash them out. Decide on the exchange rate for each piece of candy, and let them “sell” you their loot. Turn it into a homeschool lesson about currency or math or business.
Sort out the worst of the candy and get rid of it. Stuff full of high fructose corn syrup or from China should go right in the trash. (sorry China)
Keep the candy out of reach. Having a bowl of candy on the counter, or letting the kids keep it in their room is bad news…
Ration the candy. Set limits on the number of pieces they can eat on Halloween night, and ration the rest out at two pieces each day.
Decide on a date for pitching the rest. After a week or so, just get rid of it. Make sure the kids know in advance, so there’s no surprise.
Set a good example. Don’t pig out on the candy that you pass out to Trick or Treaters, and don’t eat all of the candy you bought from them in one sitting.
or do what I'm going to let G do...LET HER EAT SUGAR TIL SHE PUKES!!! LOL
Don't open any email that come from stephe(insert last name) @ msn .com. I haven't had this email in a while so I don't know how this all started. Delete as spam and I hope it's not reaking havoc on your email. Please let me know if it is. Sorry. Stephe
Well after many hours of searching on the internet, I found the background that was used on G's schools photos! Then tonight, before I put G to bed, I got her dressed back in her dress and took a bunch of photos of her in her room. After about 50 or so I had one that I thought would work. I think it did. Here is my result after a bunch of photoshopping! Do you like it better than the official ones at the bottom of the post???
Call me a sucker but I think I really want one of these!
Tired of broken crackers, runny chocolate, and flaming marshmallows from failed attempts at s'more making? Make perfect s'mores the first time, everytime, with the Microwave S'mores Maker! Simply stack your crackers, marshmallow, and chocolate under the cute, hand-like presses, fill the specially-designed water reservoir, and pop it in the microwave for 30 seconds or less. The water will ensure that your s'mores are evenly heated and lip-smackingly delicious! A great kitchen tool and a unique gift! 7"L x 6.5"W x 3.5"H. Made from plastic.
Here are some photos of our first 9 months together. I got this idea from G's crib buddy Lilah Grace's Mom. (Great idea Jill!) My girl still does not favor smiling when the camera comes out but I assure you, she does.
Aunt Christie keeping an eye on G...just like in China!!!
Attempting to get a photo of all three of the girls. I told Moorea and Brooke to jump on and squeeze tight to get G to stay. G didn't like that plan so much...
G did a lot of walking and just a bit in the stroller. Here she is on a mission in her sparkly "G" sweatshirt!
She reorganized the stroller basket when she was bored. Like the back of her sweatshirt? It's all sparkly rhinestones there too!!! She's my little goth girl!
We got a late start on Sunday and G had a meltdown in the parking lot when we were getting out of the car...but it only lasted a few minutes. She was just tired of sitting in the carseat! She's a little unsure of what's going on but she's all set and ready to go!
Our first lesson of the day was patience. Although it's October and the lines were minimal... she was a big girl!
She got the hang of waiting really quick!
This was her ABSOLUTE favorite ride...Dukes Dozers!
Now if only she could figure out how to maneuver those dump buckets like the other kids!!
It was also farm animal today. They had all kinds of animals you could pet. Here is one of the mama cows that we saw!
School Photos Time! My girl just doesn't like anyone else but Mama taking her picture. Since she didn't smile on photo day they gave her another shot on the next day. Those are the two photos at the bottom of her in pink. Should I get any? If so, which one do you think I should get?
My girl NEVER wants to get off the swing! Now combine that with a mom that likes to tease...
Now she's really mad at me!
The full blown tantrum happened when I shut off the camera and picked her up out of the swing. We had a little conference in the car and came to an understanding...for now!
I finally bought a small shelf thing to make G her own little entertainment center that she can sit in front of and watch her DVD's. As I'm sitting on the floor putting it together G picks up the instructions and walks around to check out my work. I had the camera right there so I picked it up. Actually I was shocked! Seriously, she was like a 40 year old Project Manager checking to see if my work was up to par. Are you kidding?
So I made her put down the instructions and be my apprentice!
She slid the back in all by herself and tightened my screws!
Good job G!
That's my INDEPENDENT woman in the making!!! No stinkin' boys needed here!!
I've got to stop cutting G's hair super short but I'm just not ready to loose the pigtails. So, I'm taking a poll, what style do you think she looks cute in? There are SHORT styles and LONG styles. You can reference row (1-3) and column (1-3). Thanks for playing!
I'm a single mom with an amazing daughter! It all started when I decided I was tired of waiting to be a mom. In my search to find a little girl who needed a mommy I was led to the China International Adoption program. I actually started the process in 2005, got my paperwork to China on 1/13/06. China accepted my paperwork and gave an LID of 2/18/06. After waiting 33 months, I finally received my referral on 11/5/08 for the most beautiful baby in the world. She spent her first 11 months in Southern China just above the South China Sea and now she is home with her mama!! I hope you enjoy reading & looking at my blog as much as I enjoyed creating it. During the wait I was a research junkie for all thing IA so please check out all the links in the sidebar under "Find it Here"...it will show you the posts pertaining to that category. Best wishes to all. Stephe
