still no baby

Today we visited Pennsylvania's grand canyon. It was about a 15 minute drive there and back. Here is what it looked like.
Here is what I looked like posing with a statue that was there.
Here is a picture of the hospital where the baby will be born. You know- whenever she gets around to doing that.
Here are two strange things that we have seen since we arrived. One is way stranger than the other. The first is a man talking on a pay phone. I didn't even know there still were pay phones.
Any the other, well I will let you figure that out for yourself.
After our big Grand Canyon adventure we drove about a half an hour to go to Walmart. We didn't really need anything but sitting in the hotel was getting old. While we were gone our Birth mom drove about 45 minutes away to a mall in New York. She walked around for about 3 hours. Then we met her for dinner. She must be craving Italian because we had pizza again. She is just as ready to have this little lady as we are for her to arrive.

more from PA

Yesterday we slept in and then got the lay of the land in our new city. Mr. D. ventured out on his own to bring me back some much needed Mucinex D. and some conditioner. He also stopped at a little bagel shop and brought back bagels. We chilled out all morning and made plans to have a late lunch with our birth mother. Mr. D. and I spent the oh so cold afternoon exploring the little shops. It was in one of these shops where Mr. I wear shorts year round and never get cold actually bought a toboggan. We talked to the locals and tried to figure out exactly what there is to do in the town.

Finally it was time to meet our birth mother. We took her out for pizza at a local pizzeria. She was very sweet and we were all comfortable with each other instantly. We spent about two hours at the pizzeria and then we took her to a different little shop for ice cream. She was very fun. We had a great time together. After she left, the Mr. and I went back to our hotel room. We were pretty stir crazy last night with nothing on TV and nothing to do. I even worked on my class progress reports. We went to sleep hoping the pull of the full moon would induce her labor. No such luck.

This morning we had bagels and it is negative 5 outside. The plan for today is to visit Pennsylvania's grand canyon. Stay tuned.

well wishes from wellsboro

We have arrived. It's a cute little town from what we saw when we got here last night. Split over two days, the determined that this was a 14 hour car ride. It is in the single digits and teens here. We didn't see any snow until we were about an hour away. The place where we are staying looks like the place where Earl and Randy live on My Name is Earl. We can't complain. The price is right, they have free wifi, it's clean and we are 3 blocks from the hospital. After we brought our stuff up last night, we decided to go to the grocery store. We have a refrigerator and a microwave so our eating every meal out has stopped for now! We were thrilled. We stocked up on a few things for the room. I just had a bagel for breakfast. Actually, if it wasn't so COLD we could walk to the grocery store since it is literally across the street... but, we can't risk the hypothermia just for a bite to eat! Our cell phone usage is a challenge. We are doing the best we can to communicate with what we have to work with. Bear with us.
We haven't met our sweet birth mom yet, but that is the plan for today. We are all hoping the full moon will bring on the labor tonight! She is ready, we are ready- come on baby!
I will keep this blog and my facebook updated as much as possible. That's it and that's all from the top of Pennsylvania.

today we started our journey

4 different downloaded apps later I am blogging from my phone!  We traveled today to Roanoke, Virginia.  Halfway to our adoption destination. 

ok- this is weird

Tonight has been a very weird night. We are getting ready for our trip, but unlike any other trip that we have been on, we do not know when we are coming back. And, when we return our lives will be totally different. It is a very odd feeling that I really can't explain. Tonight, we are doing things we love. I am sitting in my red chair enjoying time on my laptop and Mr. D. is playing Playstation3. It is very quiet and very nice. We are both very nervous, but no one is really mentioning that. There are just so many unknowns about this trip. Will we get there in time? Will we have cell service? Will we come home with a baby? Will we get released from Pennsylvania before the child turns 1? We don't do well with the unknowns!

the fortune cookie tells it all

The necklace

This is the necklace chosen by us and our birth mother to be a symbol of our connection through adoption. Four connected hearts, one for her, me, Mr. D and the baby. A four leaf clover is a symbol of luck and we each feel lucky to have each other in our lives. Just wanted to share.

more camera catch up

Last night, our friends Natalie and Jesse took us out to dinner at a nice restaurant to celebrate our pending adoption. Check out the announcement under the date on the menu!

It was DE-licious! I had super yummo in the tummo Shrimp and Grits. I haven't had Shrimp and Grits this incredible since my Sister-in-law Laurie's wedding in Savannah. They were heavenly! It was a great night and I was glad to have a distraction from the nervous waiting that is my life.


Here is a picture of Brady just chillin' out chewing on a bone. He has been wonderful lately even though I know the suitcases are making him very nervous!
I gave him a shower today and now he is all clean for his favorite house sitter to snuggle with!


I decided to go ahead and put my X and O plates out on the table for Valentine's decor. I just love them!

I bought the baby an outfit to wear the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. I found it on Clearance for $8. It's a 4 piece set. I think Henry or Monica had one at Thanksgiving this year, or maybe something similar. I think the bib is very fitting about her. It's crazy to think she may be crawling by Thanksgiving.
This is one of my favorite elements- the little ruffle on the bottom of the pants.
This is the whole outfit.
Here is a picture of the car seat- installed and ready to go and get the little lady.
Special thanks to Keith and Meredith. We were FINALLY able to get our Christmas gift this weekend. We have tried several times and the store kept being sold out. Thanks guys! We LOVE it!
I have been busily trying to get pictures off of my lap top. Apparently I am great at photo taking as I have over 6000 pictures on my laptop! And that's just from 2008 and 2009. It's quite the job.

Today, I cleaned my house. One kind of weird thing about me is that I do something called clock cleaning. It is where I start in one room and then clean the house by cleaning each room in order like a clock. I am currenly at 10 o'clock and plan to finish after dinner.

Kudos to Keith who helped us figure out the whole web cam thing today! His had the patience of a saint with us! We are so thankful!

typical me

This is in the stack of things for me to read in the car.
There's nothing like cramming for a big test at the last minute!

the death of Canadian Bacon

Last night, our sucker fish in our fish tank died. We had him forever and I must take a moment of your blogging time to reflect on his list. He is the only fish I ever picked out without Mr. D. that did not result in cross words. I got him on my last spring break (March 09). I named him Canadian Bacon because Mr. D. was in Canada at the time. By July, he was the only fish left in my fish tank and because we were saving up for the adoption, he remained that way until almost January. I had to feed him special algae disc and really discovered he had quite the little personality. In late December, Mr. D., Donovan, Kaleigh and I went to pick out new fish. I didn't like the selection or the attitude of the lady at PetSmart, but Mr. D. was determined to get fish, so we did. I have not enjoyed the four fish from the minute they were put in the bag. On the way home one of their fins punctured the bag and it was an adventure. We came home, floated them and from the minute we released them they schooled behind the piece of Malaysian drift wood in the tank. We never see them. They are even to lazy to come out for food. They just wait for to come back to them. It's like still having an empty tank, except for Canadian Bacon. Being African Ciclids, these fish spend their time moving rocks. I guess since they don't utilize the other 36.75 gallons of the tank these fish have just been moving the rocks around the back of the wood. Last night, they caused the wood to shift thus crushing the innocent Canadian Bacon. May he rest in peace! The sad part, other than the death of Canadian Bacon getting murdered, is that the 4 fish are beautiful and they could be so wonderful to watch swim. Oh well!

Thursday 13: Thirteen things you need to know

1) NO, we have not left for Pennsylvania.
2) NO, we do not know when we are leaving, nor do we know when the baby is coming
3) I have totally stolen the baby's boppy pillow as my new pillow. It is so flipping cushy. I got the best night's sleep last night using it!
4) This make me smile- and it is one of my favorite baby gifts I have gotten so far.5) Mr. D. gets the honor of naming the baby.
6) GO HERE- and read this- It's sweet and funny to boot!
7) There is a chance that we will have crappy cell service at our adoption destination-- just putting it out there based on my recent review of the t-mobile coverage map.
8) I am so ready to get this show on the road. And NO, I don't want to (insert your suggestion of a fun side trip) on the way there or back. The largest ball of twine can wait for another time and you can forget about your Amish breads and cheeses.
9) I am taking suggestions for songs to put on my awesome road trip mix CD.
10) It's gonna be C-O-L-D where I am going!
11) I feel sorry for Mr. D. for having to be in a car with me for as long as the trip is there and back. I really hate long car trips!
12) We told my class that I am going on a trip. They know I am going from the white dot to the red dot and back and that I am bringing back a big surprise. That's enough for them to know for now.
13) I am off to bed--- rumor has it my nights of sleep are number. :)

my week

So far this has been a crazy week. As you all know we are on baby watch 2010. We are also playing a guessing game on when to go to Pennsylvania. We were told that this weekend would be a good time if nothing changes, and if nothing changes that will probably be going. Any internet predators out there please be advised that a whole army of people will be in our house while we are gone, so don't try anything. The 90 pound vicious attack dog should be enough to scare anyone away. And, if they happen to be wearing chap stick... watch out. If it's grape flavored- he is apparently particularly fond of that. If Brady sniffs and thinks you have on chap stick, she will jump in one leap until you are face to face and lick it off. Last night, my brother-in-law Keith got to witness such an attack. So, chap stick wearing crooks- beware of dog!!
OK- back to my week. Things are packed and piled up in the living room. I overly packed on Sunday and have had to dig a few things out like my hairbrush and toothbrush. I have unpacked my main bag because I was in such a hurry Sunday (when I thought we were leaving right then) that I didn't make a list of what I packed. Glad I did since I would have found myself away for possibly 3 weeks with 2 pair of socks and 1 pair of undies. I have used my time still here to re-evaluate and re-pack. We installed the baby seat and Mr. D. is getting to drive around with it in the car. L-U-C-K-Y!!! He is not a big fan of the day and night vision mirror I installed, but I think it will be very valuable on the long trip home with the little one.
Everyday, we get to play the game of figuring out what is going on in PA, how the birth mother is feeling, what we interpret of her contractions/symptoms. Then we have to respond to a million calls, messages and text asking what going on, all while trying to maintain jobs and get ready to go on a trip. It's a juggling act- one that neither of us are good at. To all put out by this- we're sorry. Oh- and I forgot to include the fact that we are not sleeping. It adds to the fun!
I have had 3 "last time we eat lunch together before the baby" lunches with my friends. It kind of gets funnier each day when we have another. We keep putting off going to the grocery store and I am creating some great meals this week based on what is in house.
So here we are, in holding pattern for now. We can't wait for the days that are ahead. It's an exciting time to be a D.

our living room

I wish I would have had the foresight to have taken time lapse photos of our livingroom today. It has been ever changing. Here is the current scene.
Things have been in the stack and taken away. Bags have been packed and repacked. We have decided to take some stuff and some things we have decided to leave behind. For the most part- this is it. Obviously, the computer bag is missing since I am still using the computer. Mr. D. hasn't packed his HBA stuff yet. We are officially ready to walk out the door in 5-10 minutes notice. I even have my riding in the car clothes on my dresser. Our birth mom is still having contractions but not as painful or consistent. We are doing what we do best-- we are waiting.

push gift from my Mom

On the back it read... "faith guides us and brings us peace"

it won't be long

... until you get to see C U T E pictures of the sweet baby girl in these hats!!

THANKS JACKIE!!!

feast or famine

You must be thinking my blog post are feast or famine since I have already posted once today, and here I go again.

This is actually nervous blogging......... my birth mom is having some inconsistent contractions-- fairly regular last night, not so regular today and we have spent the ENTIRE day debating on whether we stay or go. It's a 14 hour trip which is a long trip for a false alarm! BUT- I DID wake up and instinctively nested pretty hard core this morning. Either way it goes down, someone in this house has made a wrong decision since we are a house divided at the moment.

Anyway for your viewing pleasure, here is the list of the top 25 names. Her name is SOMEWHERE on this list- first and middle. Mr. D. is the decision maker of her name (unless he goes nuts and chooses one I do not really like) and the rule was first and middle name has to be on this list. Choose your comments wisely- if you say something ugly about my baby's name I might just hate you forever! You've been warned...

Ainsley
Ann
Caitlyn
Carolina
Ella
Emily
Emma
Eva
Faith
Hope
Jillian (Jill or Jilly)
Julianna (pronounced like Julie-ANNE-ah)
Juno
Kathrine (Kate)
Kelsey
Kennedy
Kirstin (Kirsti)
Marley
Mckenzie
Michaela
Paige
Reese
Shelby
Skylar
Sydney


Probably more blog post to come later today!!

oh so HAPPILY nesting!!

The baby must be coming soon. I popped out of bed at 7am and in the last two hours I ....

* put the baby's crib mattress pad and ecru valour sheets on her bed
* retied the bumber pad
* put away the decorative sheet that was on- but never used
* made a pile of trash and recycling to be taken out of the nursery
* installed the new extra padded headrest for her car seat thanks to a tip from Maggie that the one in our car seat isn't small enough. * read the manual and practiced adjusting the car seat straps
* made a stack of a few things I need to return
* repacked Little D's HBA kit
* moved a few things ready for the car into the living room
* put a few things she won't need until much later up in the closet
* I put her vented sleeping system in the bed
* constructed and installed the mobile which neither of us had decided if we were using yet but I built it so I could recycle the box it was in.
Here is the mobile.... baby's view.. which I now see I need to switch two of the flowers to make it more symmetrical.
Here is our view of the mobile. * located the What To Expect The First Year book and put it in stack of things to go into the car.
* sorted her bath stuff into her bath caddy
* made a stack of things that need to be put in her bathroom.
* put all of little D's toys.............into her CUTE little toy box.

thrown into a tail spin

As far as things go, Mr. D. and I roll with punches fairly well. We usually fuss a little, then readjust our focus and get things done. Last week we found out that the state we are adopting in request different time lines on the home study that our state does- thus we had to do A LOT of stuff over. Like obtaining 7 reference letters--- again. Like getting out finger prints done---- again. Like getting physicals done--- again. Like writing down our entire financial life on paper --- again. A several hours of work went in to getting this done this week. Why the rush? We found out on Tuesday that our birth mother is walking around a 3cm dilated and 30% effaced and that the baby would most likely be born early! No one could have been more shocked than the two of us. I am not sure why it never occurred to us that this was even a possibility- our little girl coming early. So, rewind.... Sunday the social worker came and dropped off the massive pile of paperwork to be completed ASAP and did another brief home study- well, actually she just looked at the nursery. She was only here about an hour and a half. So, we went to work doing that easiest parts first. We asked the original reference letter writers to send in more. Monday and Tuesday I have after school activities but worked both evenings packing for the baby. She is completely packed. Wednesday- Met Mr. D. at the "jail" to get our fingerprints. I HATE getting fingerprints!! I am up first to get it over with- and the officer takes my thumbprint and said-- "oops- I just messed up your card". Great! He put my left thumb where the right thumb should have been. AAARRRGGGGGGGGGGG!!!! So we left with 3 of the 4 cards completed. My dreams of going to BabiesRUs were dashed as I had to drive across town to the social worker to get another fingerprint card. Today, I went back to get my fingerprints -- again. Then Mr. D. and I went to get our physicals. Then we had to come home and get more stuff to copy. We left and drove like crazy to the post office where I was pretty sure they had a copier- they didn't. Mr. D. went to get postage for our flat rate envelopes. We went to Staples and made copies. Then we sat in the car sorting which papers went into which envelopes. What seemed like an eternity later.............
All 5 envelopes were ready to go. 1 to the social worker. 2 to the fingerprint place ( no, they couldn't possible have allowed let them ride in the same envelope!) and 2 to the other fingerprint place.
Done Done Done Done Done Done D O N E!!!!!!!! We breathed a small sigh of relief and then came home to focus on the packing of the grown ups and the cleaning up of the house.

OK- here are some things I have to tell you!! Remember the booties of the previous post?? Well, I took them in to show my friend who had told me about the store and guess what??? She had this....
YES! The matching hat and gown. We worked out a SWEET deal. I get to use the hat and gown and when I give it back she gets to use the booties! She is due early March! Look at how sweet this is!

It's Zackali and I just love that clothing line! P-R-E-C-I-O-U-S!!!!!!
I am so thrilled with this little outfit!

if tonight were the night.....

.............and Mr. D. named the baby her initials would be SD


.............and I named the baby her initials would be CD

Either way, she will look awfully cute in these little shoes I bought this afternoon at the over priced baby boutique's 60% off sell.

Darn it!!

Darn it!! Just when I though this blog was all caught up, I found more picture on my camera card and wanted to share some pictures from today. These are totally in a jumbled order just like the thoughts in my head. Lots to do, lots to do, lots to do. So, here it goes.............

This is the new family Moses basket. Mr. D.'s mom brought it over for the baby to use. She will be the first (sorry Henry) and then I guess the plan is to pass it to others in the family when they have little ones. It's really cute. I am sure she will be cozy in it.

Mr. D.'s Mother also brought the baby her diaper bag. It's cute. If only she had a name, then it would have been embroidered on it. :( But, cute none-the-less. Love it! (Mommy got matching bags too for her trip to Pennsylvania!)

I made the recipe I posted earlier in the week for dinner. Here is the pic- fresh made. You can even see the steam coming off of it. It was a huge hit! If you thought about trying it- you should because it was YUMMO. Emily- we were singing your praises for giving me the recipe! MMMMMmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!! How Southern Living am I that my main course matches my table cloth. Haha!
Mr. D. has been enjoying his Christmas present of a PS3. Look who is always on my TV!
If you liked my tickled pink Christmas paper, you will LOVE my baby's new drawer liner.
Speaking of cute- check out these C-U-T-E shoes I got from Ross Dress for Less for $14.99.
I told you this was jumbled- here are pictures from lunch. Mr. D.'s Mom came to visit with us and have Christmas. I invited my Mom over and we all had a nice lunch together.
On Friday, it snowed at my school. We were off Thursday and NO SNOW- and then Friday- it snowed. The kids loved it! They got to go out in it on the way to the gym. Fun stuff!
Oh- you are gonna LOVE this- on the Thursday that we were out for snow I washed clothes for the first time on my Baby Wear cycle. It was an hour and forty minute cycle! They weren't even dirty clothes either! It cracked me up - and it also cracked me off that some how I lost a sock in the process. Go figure!
That's it and that's all!

We have another visit tomorrow with the social worker to finalize some home study stuff before we go to Pennsylvania. It's getting so close now! We've certainly had fun playing get ready for the baby with both of our Mothers! This baby is going to be spoiled R-O-T-T-E-N!!!

Thursday 13: Thirteen things I haven't blogged yet

Here is a list of 13 things I have not blogged about in a total hodge podge order.

1) The Name-
Everyone is dying to know what little D's name will be. I must admit I am dying to know too. We have it narrowed down to 25 possibilities. We know everyone is dying to monogram. We know we are running out of time. We know... we know.... we know.......
Here are the names on the original list that did not make the cut. To be on the original list only one of us had to kind of like the name.

Alyssa
Bethany
Anna Claire (This was my front running name for a LONG time-- Anna Claire as a double name)
Lindsay
Madison
Payton
Penny (when this one got cut I was SO sad. Darn that Big Bang Theory and Sheldon knocking on the door or Penny could have stayed)
Abby
Abigail
Ada
Alexa
Alexia
Alexis
Alisa
Allie
Amy
Angelina
Annalise
Ariana
Avril
Bella
Beth
Blaire
Blythe
Brianna
Brooke
Cameron
Camryn
Caroline
Chloe
Colette
Courtney
Danielle (got a maybe until we paired it with our last name- go ahead- say it fast and chuckle)
Giselle (Mr. D. threw this one in for kicks and giggles)
Haley
Holly
Jessie
Jordan
Julianne
Kara
Kayla
Kinsey
Lacey
Laney
Lauren
Lily
Lorelei
Mallory
Molly
Olivia
Paisley- LOVED this name- Mr. D. let me call her Paisley for 3 days then said he thought I was kidding.
Pearl
Polly
Raine
Reagan
Sadie
Samantha
Sloane
Taylor
Tori
Zoe

Sorry I can't reveal the top 25 but know that the next round is a cut throat elimination. We are both writing down 15 names off of the top 25 list and only the names that match on both list will remain. It's a BIG decision Y'all!

2) I can tell you based on the 25 list her name will either start with an A, C, E, F, H, J, K, M, P, or S.

3) Wanted to share this cute picture of Brady and my niece Kaleigh- they were big buddies!
4) Over the break we were invited to dinner at the home of a student of mine. I have become friends with her parents and her mom is a fellow blogger. Being at their house was like stepping into Southern Living magazine. Here is a picture of their dining room.
The little girl, Olivia was so delighted that I was there. I could tell it was a dream come true for her. We played and enjoyed each other's company. It was a great break because it was one of the evening after we had worked in the nursery all day. In addition to the sweet Olivia, there is a little baby boy named Gavin. Emily has been a wonderful source of "Mommy" advise for me.

5) Emily made the most amazing dish called Chicken and Pasta with creamy pesto sauce. My in laws are coming tomorrow night, so I am planning to WOW them by making this dish. It's good enought for company for sure! Here is the recipe. Meredith- this is right up your alley!

• Pesto:
• 2 cups fresh basil
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/3 cup pine nuts
• 1 medium ripe tomato, chopped
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• Marinade:
• 1/4 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup white wine
• 2 tablespoons dried basil
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
• 1 (16 ounce) package dried penne pasta
• 5 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 1 large onion, diced
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/2 (8 ounce) jar oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained and sliced
• 1/3 cup pine nuts
• 1/2 cup white wine
• 1 cup heavy cream
• salt to taste

Directions

1. Place basil, garlic, Parmesan, pine nuts, and tomato in a food processor. Gradually add olive oil, while pulsing, until mixture is smooth and creamy.
2. In a bowl, stir together chicken broth, 1 cup white wine, dried basil, oregano, and minced garlic. Stir in chicken pieces.
3. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta, and cook until just al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain, and rinse under cold water. Toss with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Set aside.
4. Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in onions, and sprinkle with sugar. Cook until the onions are soft and translucent. Stir in sun-dried tomatoes and pine nuts, and cook about 3 minutes. Stir in chicken and marinade. Stir in 1/2 cup white wine. Simmer chicken pieces, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes.
5. Add pasta and pesto to the skillet. Stir in cream, and cook until the sauce is thickened. Adjust salt and freshly ground pepper to taste, and serve with freshly grated Parmesan.

6) Speaking for dinner- I have to show you my FAVORITE gift that I got for Christmas.


In addition to this wonder- Mr. D. bought and created centerpieces.
After the Holidays, Donovan recreated the center pieces with the stocking candy. Luckily before Russell left he Trick or Treated me and took a lot of it!



7) I took full advantage of using my new table to sort out the ten million baby clothes that a friend of mine brought for the baby. Here are the hand me down clothes - sorted by size. Believe me- this child is not hurting for clothing!
8) This is Brady's new spot in the yard. It cracks us up because he looks like he it in a Jungle and he is the king of the yard.

9) Speaking of Brady- this is what happened when Kaleigh shared her toy with the wrong kid in the house.
10) Donovan, being my nephew LOVES infomercials. I will never forget the year he begged for an aquaglobe because he was so worried about his plants at home. This year, he confessed that he had really wanted a snuggie for Christmas. So a few days after the holidays, my Mom found one for him in the store. Have you ever seen a child so thrilled?
Here he is showing it off. and... his came with matching socks- (no book light for the kiddies I guess).
11) Here is a picture of me and Donovan at our big new year's eve dinner. We are toasting each other and drinking my favorite holiday drink- Welch's Sparkling White Grape Juice. Donovan thought it was the grossest thing he had ever tasted!
12) After the kids left, our friend Russell came from South Carolina. He came for the PapaJohns dot com bowl game. His team lost but we had fun! Here is a picture of us at the game!


13) After the loss of the Gamecocks- Russell was sweet enough to help Mr. D. build the baby's crib.
I cleaned it up. And here is how it looks. There! Caught UP!!!