Paper and Scissors and Adhesives, Oh My!

I've been trying to take control of the quilt situation and at least get the wishes in a scrapbook. Not being a scrapbooker, I think I've underestimated the level of effort needed to glue down all these bits of paper in a somewhat presentable fashion. The supplies have also taken over the dining room table! What's worse is that I'm no longer sure that it's all going to fit into ONE scrapbook.

Rob is talking about getting me a new sewing machine for my birthday, so I have two months left to get all the paper organized and prepare myself to begin tackling the sewing projects. Wish me luck!

Second April Bib!

We received our second bib from the CCAI Dec/Jan DTC bib swap. This one is from Amy and it says "I Love My Mommy" - what a nice thought after waiting so long to be a mommy! Thank you so much, Amy, it is adorable!

It's Here, It's Here, It's Here!!!

At long last we have received the infamous "brown envelope" from the US Consulate in Guangzhou! I have to admit that I don't know exactly what it is other than confirmation that our immigration paperwork has made its way to the consulate and a bunch of papers that we'll need to fill out in China.... but I'm SO GLAD it's here. Anything that seems like progress is great with me!

CCAI Dec/Jan DTC Bib Swap - First One!!

Julie from the CCAI Dec/Jan DTC group had a great idea for a bib swap! There are sixteen of us participating and each month we send one bib to two people (and receive one bib from two people). It is so practical and so much fun! Today we received our first bib from Melinda. I think it is so pretty and it's exactly the color of Nora's crib bedding, so I photographed it in her bed instead of in my usual spot on the kitchen island.

Bargain Baby Art from Target!

It started off as an innocent paper-towel buying trip... but then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw THEM! The cutest framed bug prints for Nora's room. Aren't they so cute?

December DTC - April Secret Pal Gift is Here!

The December DTC Yahoo! group is also doing a Secret Pal Swap. April was the first month and the theme was "Lucky Ladybugs". My secret pal sent a WONDERFUL Brio Ladybug pull toy and some ladybug chocolates (at least I think they are chocolate - I've managed to resist tearing in for their first 15 minutes in the house!).

I love Brio products, they are so well-made. Thank you very much, Secret Pal, for sending such a nice toy for Nora!

Travel Training DVD!

Yesterday we received CCAI's travel training DVD in the mail. We tried watching it last night, but Rob and I were both so exhausted that we fell asleep before finishing. I watched most of it on my laptop in the van pool today, though. It was very informative. I think I need to start on a packing list!

January DTC - April Secret Pal Gift is Here!

I'm so excited!! Our January DTC secret pal gift came today and it includes a crab bath sponge that makes a bubble sound. It is so cute and so appropriate since Rob and I are both summer babies - Cancer, sign of the crab! We are such water people and really hope to cultivate a love of the sea in Nora. We also got a bottle of Mr Bubble (very cool) and a rubber ducky that measures the temperature of baby's bath water and turns another color when the water is too hot (very practical - safety first!) ... but -oh- the crab. I LOVE HIM! Thank you Secret Pal!! You have us figured out!

Travel Packet #1 Received

At long last, we have received Travel Packet #1 from CCAI. It is great to have reached this milestone and we are so happy to have some additional information about the process to come. However, despite having received and read 15 pages of new information, I'm still hungry for more!!

Baby Sign Language

This morning Rob & I went to a terrific community education class - baby sign language. Learning sign language enables babies to communicate their needs earlier and more effectively than babies who do not sign (think of baby signing "milk" instead of screaming). The reasearch has found that babies who sign also aquire verbal language more easily and have greater reading, writing and verbal skills later in life. In addition, sign language can be used as a bridge between different languages.

We are very excited about this opportunity to give Nora a skill that will serve her well throughout her life!

For more information, see www.signingwithbabies.com and www.signbridge.com

What's the number for swappers anonymous?

If ever there was any question regarding my tendency to go a little overboard, the OHGWQ (one hundred good wishes quilt) fabric swaps should put all doubt to rest!

There is a tradition in the northern part of China to make a Bai Jia Bei, or "100 Good Wishes Quilt" to welcome and celebrate a new life. It is the custom to invite 100 people to contribute a single square patch of cloth. The 100 patches are sewn together into a quilt that contains the luck, energy, and good wishes from all the families and friends who contributed a piece of fabric. We thought that this was a charming tradition and wanted to make a quilt for Nora to welcome her into our family as well as provide a connection to her Chinese heritage.

We received many beautiful squares and wishes from our family and friends, but I found a quilt pattern requiring 237 squares! So, I decided to participate in a few fabric swaps to fill the gap. Well, one thing led to another and now I have about 500 squares.

Luckily, many of these are destined for special projects such as a Chinese Zodiac book, an alphabet quilt and a state/province quilt. The others will go toward Nora's OHGWQ. I still need to take some photos of the squares - including the many precious clothing items - that we've received, but I do have a photo of the squares I've contributed to the various swaps. (pictured above)

First Chinese Lesson

Tonight we attended our first Chinese lesson! We, along with another couple and their daughter, are working with a tutor, Nicole Darcy.

Tonight we worked on all the sounds and learned a song (to the tune of "Skip to my Lou"):

Ni hao. Ni hao ma?
Ni hao. Ni hao ma?
Ni hao. Ni hao ma?
Wo ye hao. Xie xie!