Divine Caroline

Just wanted to spread the word. Our Little Tongginator (well, her mama) has been nominated for a Divine Caroline award. She's got some good competition, many sites I read, enjoy and learn from myself. But out of all of them, if I had to choose one and only one, I would go with TM every time. I have learned so much about parenting an adopted child from her, and parenting in general. She's warm and sharing with just a touch of the sassy that I love so much.

I already voted. If you'd like to add your vote for TM, follow this link. (BTW, this is not a paid plug, there is no incentive to write this post - except that I feel this strongly about Tonggu Momma.)

China Challenge

Because I need yet another reason to read, ha!, I followed a link from Tonggu Momma today through her Sunday Linkage. Here is what she said:

China Challenge! -- librarian ninja Jennie at Bibliophile... sign up for this year's China Challenge, committing to reading and learning more about the country of China

Okay, I am so into this idea. I have no idea which level I will attain (not the trek one, sadly, as another trip to China just isn't in the cards for us right now) but I look forward to reading and learning more about a country that has interested me in quite a long time, and is the birthplace of my sweet daughter. Anyone else up for the challenge? I think it would be great fun to see our progress through the year.

Worth Reading

Every Sunday Tonggu Momma posts something called Sunday Linkage. I try to read at least a couple each week. Some are quite good, some I don't agree with, some really really make me think. This week, this one, especially, was one I found quite excellent. Worth reading if adoption has touched your life at all, and even if it hasn't.

For Tonggu Momma

.... and anyone else who made be in need today ....



And, for those who want to read why, here's the post. I love me some TM!

Learning

Tonggu Momma posts a linkage every Sunday on adoption and adoption related issues that's she's found (find this week's here). I rarely can read more than a handful, as there is a lot to absorb. And there are some weeks I can read only one as my mind just keeps mulling it over and over.

I struggle with being a white mama with a child who is not. I worry that I will screw up, not teach her something she needs to know. Stumble along when I should be clearly explaining. She's young yet, so I have a bit of time. But she's a smart little thing and all too soon those questions will come up. Reading and learning from others is going to be my only way to help our little gal. So, I read the hard posts. I struggle to really hear what they are saying. I try to stretch myself. However, no matter how you slice it. I am white. Plain and simple. I have never had ethnic jokes slung at me - well, okay, I have. But not like Emi will have. My maiden name is Polish, I grew up in a *VERY* Dutch area, lots of Polish jokes - but still nothing compared to what my little girl will have to learn to deal with. And really, should she have to DEAL with this? No, I don't think so. And hence my problem. How to teach her to say what she needs to say, when she needs to say it.

So I read things like this.

And this. Even though some of her writing is hard to read, I need to read it.

And blogs like this one. Because, mom's living life with their kids is how I need to know how to do it. And she tell's it like it is.

She's Growing Up

... and I am not happy about it! Our sweet baby is turning into a little girl. I still remember the post that Magi wrote when she said her Sera was moving from baby to little girl and I was like "NO, don't say that, not yet!". And, she wasn't even mine. :) I know I've mentioned a time or a dozen, but watching Magi and Jim make their journey to get Miss Sera, and then watching her grow up has been a true inspiration to me. Their trip came at a perfect time in my life (hahaha - better, a perfect time in theirs!) for me to watch and read with baited breath for each new step, each new discovery, waiting for my (our) turn to go to China for our own sweet little darling.

So, this week has been a week of changes. First, I made the (huge) mistake on Monday of pointing out to Emi that her pants had polka-dots on them. Just like Polka-Dot on Blue's Room (the version of Blue's Clues for younger kids). Emi loves Polka-Dot and I thought it was cute. OH MY GOSH! In the middle of the night (two-ish, I think) she woke up with a sopping wet diaper, wet pants and bed. Jeff did what we usually do (since this is a rare thing these days), change the diaper (haha, duh), pants and then bring her into bed with us for the rest of the night. However, he didn't know about the polka-dot thing. And really, I didn't either. But she was sobbing, hysterically, and wouldn't let him put on the other pants. So he just brought her into our room and she leaped into my arms. We know she was trying to tell me what a big meanie her dad was, not letting her have her pants. And we can laugh now, but then....woooooee! That gal sure has a temper. I finally figured out what was going on, and remembered that we had a pair of leggings with polka-dots. I brought them in, turned the light on so she could see them and all was right with the world. Whew. She snuggled in tight with me, gave Jeff the hairy eyeball and went to sleep! That child! So, we have two pairs of polka-dot pants. They are now both sleep-gear. I am going to need to find more, open to suggestions as I have been quite unlucky to find anymore (the two I have are Gymboree and BabyGap).

She lived in those leggings all day Tuesday (changing diapers was interesting - I had to promise I'd put her pants back on and she had to hold them the entire time). I washed her other ones so that she had clean polka-dot pants to sleep in. Wednesday was speech therapy day and I was *so* sick of polka-dots! So while she was in the tub ... I hid them! Then after she got out we went into her room where I had her cute little jeans with the pink giraffe embroidered on them. She loves those and while they are too big (plumbers crack every time she bends over) at least they were clean and dot-free! I then said 'oh, and look at this cute shirt!' Oops. She waved me off and wanted something else. It was the Santa outfit. Okay, that wasn't going to fly. I redirected her attention, and then dressed her in the original pink shirt I had picked out.

But seriously, does anyone else think at not quite 25 months she's a tad young for this? Geesh! Help me now, lol.

And wait, there's more!

Wednesday while she was in the tub, I was trying to multi-task but stay in the bathroom. So she played and splashed and I did my hair (quickly, I might add, with the new and improved style!). After drying her and putting a diaper on, she picked up the comb and started 'drying' her hair! Thinking she'd wave me off, I got the dryer and started drying her hair ... she loved it! Who knew? What's next, makeup?

So, she's growing up - too fast. She has her opinions of things and while she may not yet be able to tell us with words, she more than makes up for it!

And then folks wonder what I do all day at home. Bon-bons, on the sofa, watching the soaps.

HA!

Friends in Blogland

While we waited for our referral I have met some amazing women. I may never meet them in person (real life) but they have affected my life. The list is quite long, but I met most of them through either quilt swapping (and I have yet to even start Emi's quilt!) or over at RQ's forums. Seriously, if you are waiting for your referral, be it China or any other country, and have not yet visited the forums ... head on over. That's got to be THE nicest group of folks ever. I honestly am not altogether sure how I would have gotten through the wait had it not been for these ladies (and a couple of very nice gentlemen!). I had support from a handful of very close friends, and even fewer family members, and of course the ever wonderful Jeff ... but the folks on the forums truly understood as ... they were living it too.

All this lead in is to talk about two ladies that mean a lot to me, and I bet they don't even know how much. The first women I want to chat about is Magi over at Kaffee Klatsch.com. She was, and continues to be, an inspiration. I followed her blog while she and her husband Jim went to China to get their little darling, Sera. I adore Sera, just the sweetest little thing ever. I *so* wanted to travel with Magi and Jim, and knew we wouldn't get to. What they did for me, and most likely many others, was give me the power and the courage that I was somehow lacking. The trip to China didn't bother me, I'd lived in Japan and knew the trip itself would be 'okay'. It was the unknown that had me worried. The Great Wall, and climbing it, and the other places they went, saw and experienced. I saw all this through their eyes and knew I could do it. One step at a time. And, if I couldn't ... it was okay. When it came right down to it, I needed to remember what the reason for this trip was. Emi. This is MY trip (well, mine and Jeff's) and I am going to enjoy it. No matter what. Because of Magi (and Jim). Thank you, dear friend.

The other special woman is Louanne over at Dwimble.com (I keep meaning to ask her what that means!). She and her husband Mike had a LID earlier in November, so while I knew we wouldn't get to travel with them, in the back of my mind I kept hoping for BIG referral dates so we could. She seemed fun, down to earth and a bit crazy. My kind of gal. I also fell head over heels in love with her daughter. It's like a love-fest, and whenever I was feeling down I'd head on over to get a 'hit' of Nadia (and Magi's Sera). Those were my first stops on the low days. How could I be down after seeing those two beautiful faces smiling back at me? I couldn't, and I knew that.

I think I found both of these wonderful ladies at times in my life that I needed them. They both empowered me in ways I didn't realize I needed. Special people, indeed.

Awhile back, Magi tagged me for an award. It was quite wonderful of her and I never really did thank her as much as I should have. It was terribly kind, considering all I did was bug her for more pic's of the ever-wonderful Sera. :) I think I am supposed to tag other people, but I am still new enough to blogging that I am not altogether sure how I am to do that. I am going to look into it though, and hopefully figure it out.

Adoption Friends

Adoption Blogs I don't want to lose track of!

Terri @ Traveling to Isabelle Hope and Hannah Mei Yi (LID: 09-01-2006)
Amy at When Love Takes You In (LID: 04-23-2007 for Lynne Marie)
Fliss & Mike @ Fliss & Mike's Adventures (LID: 04-05-2006)
Lorraine & Rowan @ Journey to China (LID: 12/09/2005)

Jeff & Crystal @ Journey to Ruby Ann (They have their referral, waiting on travel!!!!)
Cath @ Pension Cheques and Preschoolers (In China NOW! )

Tracey & Adam @ A Red Thread to China (LID: 11-23-2005 ... home with Charlotte!)
Denise @ The Correia Family Website (HOME with their little darling!)
Laurelle and Dave @ Journey to Mister Darcy (HOME!!)
Debbie & Sam @ Elizabeth's Journey (HOME!!!)
Terri & Scott @ In His Hands (HOME!!)
Kelly & Sindy @ For Allison with Love (Home with Allie!!)


BTW, if you are the blog owner of one of the above and I have something wrong (some of the info was going on memory ... a BAD memory!) please let me know so I can change it.

DTC November 2005 Blogroll