Mirror kisses...

AN ODE' TO TERESA!!!

This is TERESA...

She's one of the wonderful people from my agency,
Faith International Adoptions, out of Tacoma Washington.

I was fortunate enough to have her with me while in China to get Little Miss Ruby Cate (aka: CHEEKS!)
Teresa made the trip FUN because she completely not only tolerated my sense of humor but she could DISH IT OUT JUST AS WELL if not BETTER than me!!! I LOVED THAT ABOUT HER! hehehe She's got a quick wit & a sense of humor bordering on 'wiseass' but that's what makes her SO FANTASTIC! I just got off the phone with her & it was so nice to hear her voice again & catch up with her to see how she's doing. AND EVERYTHING SOUNDS WONDERFUL over there in FAITH LAND! ;) I promised to send her a tape of our trip soon & include with it some special
GOODIES that she is to HIDE IN HER DESK DRAWER!
Woman, it was a TRIP talkin' to you this morning & I hope you'll check back OFTEN & COMMENT here & there cuz it's always nice to hear from you! RUBY CATE & I MISS YOU BUNCHES & BUNCHES! TAKE CARE & WE'LL TALK AGAIN SOON!

~XOXOXO~

PS: Aren't you glad I convienently 'misplaced' the pic's of the GIANT NOGGIN EATING HAT? hehehehe You KNOW that picture cracks the shit outta me BUT I WOULDN'T do that to you, not on my blog! HAHAHAHA (but I may use it next year in our christmas cards... not sure ye!) HA! ;)

LATER GATER!!!

REPRESENT!!

BOSTON RED SOX, BABY!!!

The many faces of LOVE... <3

Silly time with my NONNO!

Tonight my Nonno & I got SO SILLY! He gave me my first ever ride on his shoulders & when he marched around the house with me & bonked my head on the ladybug hanging from my ceiling fan! I just LOVED IT CUZ IT MADE ME CRACK UP LAUGHING EVERY TIME!



My Nonno is so silly ! He knew how much I loved being on his shoulders so he just kept trotting around the house with me until I wore him OUT!


Yiiiipppppeeeeeeeeee!!!!!! Nonno THIS IS SO MUCH FUN!



Man I'm tired... I gotta have a sit down here in this neat Rocking Chair that Momma bought for me at a yard sale & it was all old & falling apart, UNTIL my Nonno FIXED IT ALL UP AND PAINTED IT SO THAT IT LOOKED BRAND SPANKING NEW! I love it!!!



Don't I look so cute in my chair Nonno? THANK YOU FOR FIXING IT FOR ME! IT'S MY FAVORITE SEAT IN THE HOUSE! (aside from your shoulders!)



Man, we gotta do this again sometime REAL SOON! TI AMO NONNO!!!!!!!! XOXOXOXOXO

Playtime afternoon...

Sleeping Beauty...

Nanny/Momma runs a TIGHT SHIP!

... ok, so it's 7:37pm & I've just successfully put miss Ruby Cate down for what will be the night. She's not asleep yet however, she's doing her 'I'll keep this up until momma comes in & saves me from this crib' cry which to be frank, isn't much of a cry as it is more a 'whiny dragged out moaning' kinda cry. Sorry kid, Momma was a Nanny way before she was a Momma and I don't play that game! (sadly for you) LOL I also REFUSE to play the 'pick up' game... if something she's playing with falls to the floor by genuine accident, of course I'll pick it up & give it back to her, but if she deliberately chucks said item & sends it barreling to the floor to see if she can make her Momma bend over to pick it up? I don't think so, nope, sorry babe, no can do... Momma doesn't play that game... EVER! This Nanny, turned Momma runs a TIGHT SHIP. Part of that tight ship is the 15 minute rule... none of this co-sleeping stuff for this family. Ruby has slept in her OWN crib since the very first night we became Momma & Ruby! Hell, even Ebenezer has his OWN bed! Ruby knows that bed time means just that, bed time. No games, no playing, no back & forth in the crib/out of the crib crap for me, no way, no how, not a snowballs' chance in hell! Now, this is my own personal choice & to those of you who chose to sleep with your children in the same bed, your life, your choice, your rules. It just was NEVER an option for me & won't be, ever. Now, someday when she's older, if she wants to have a fun 'sleepover' night with Momma & we both sleep in my bed for a special treat, totally different, but it's when she's older & she knows that it's just for a special treat.
She's only 16 months people, at this age, she doesn't get 'special treat' she only gets that she 'wants it' and if I start caving in now, there's NO turning back. So, back to my 15 minute rule... babies cry, it's a fact of life. It won't kill her, harm her, scar her for life, etc... it's crying, it happens. So, I put her jammies on her, get her & Bear all snuggly warm & toasty with their matching blankets, we read a book of her choice, usually 'goodnight moon' and then it's in the crib she goes. I then put her Baby Einstein CD (on repeat play), walk over and kiss her several times, tell her how much I love her, & then do the same to her beloved friend Bear & then it's LIGHT'S OUT & GOODNIGHT! She usually only cries for a few minutes, but I remember the first time I did this here upon returning home, I had family & friends question my tactics of letting her cry it out. I said to them, ever so gently but very firm & to the point: "Ruby is tired, she's crying BECAUSE she's tired... if I allow her cries to get to me & I go in & get her out of the crib, all I've done is TEACH HER that her CRYING gets the desired effect she's looking for." Which is why I do NOT get her, rather I let her cry for up to 15 minutes. Nine times out of ten, my child is asleep in under 8 minutes, EVERY TIME! The off chance that she's still up crying for longer than the 15 minute window, there's most likely a reason for the tears; (she's dropped Bear out of the crib, she's pooped her diaper, her foot is twisted inside her feetie pj's etc...) so then I WILL go in & tend to whatever the problem is but once that's fixed, she goes directly right back into the crib & it's bedtime again. By my answer, most could tell by the tone of my voice that I meant business & honestly, why question a nanny with over 15 years experience on how to parent a child? That would be like me questioning my accountant on how he does my taxes, c'mon! It was my job of choice for years because I LOVED WHAT I WAS DOING & if I may say so, was DAMN GOOD AT IT! I've raised more kids than I have hairs on my head & I'm still very close to ALL of them! It's wonderful and before you all jump down my throat (ugh she thinks she's so perfect...) on the contrary, I never claimed to be perfect, however I do know that I'm good at what I do & it's spilling over obviously in the way I parent my daughter. So maybe the way I do things wouldn't necessarily be the way you chose to do them & that's ok... again, different strokes for different folks, right?
All I know is that as I'm typing this, I am hearing the soft sound of breathing coming from my daughters monitor & I know that I'm obviously doing something right.

G'night all & remember to PLEASE give a SHOUT OUT if you haven't done so already... I LOVE reading all your comments! =)

-Momma ( & one very sound asleep, all snuggled up with Bear, Miss Ruby Cate)

A Ruby & her Bear...

Ah... True Love! ( does it get any better than this???) *grin*

AND REMEMBER: Don't forget to give a SHOUT OUT and let us know where you're all tuning in from! Ruby & Bear WANT TO KNOW! =)
Thanks to those of you who've commented already! We love HAVING YOU HERE! ;)

Where's everyone from?

Ok, so I have had my blog since august of last year & I've had lots of visitors here & I love knowing that you all enjoy popping in every now & again but what I'd love to know is, who you all are & where you're from? It would just be nice to know when I'm looking at my site counter & I see someone from Tempe Arizona, King City Ontario, Northville Michigan, Dodge City Kansas, Cherry Hill New Jersey, Ogunquit Maine, Hopkins Minnesota, Seattle Washington, Hendersonville Tennessee, Cleveland Ohio, Fredericton New Brunswick or even Los Angeles California ( & the list goes ON AND ON...) that I can say " OH I KNOW WHO THAT IS!" and smile. =) So, if you would all love to say a little 'hello' on the comments section & let me know who ya are & where you're poppin in from, I'D JUST LOVE IT! =)

Thanks Guys!

-Amy
(who is now off for her weekly sunday date with TiVo & DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES! *grin* LOVE THAT STUPID SHOW!) hehehe

pssst... for those of you ever toying with the idea of visiting good ole' Bean Town (AKA: Love that Dirty Water... BOSTON YOU'RE MY HOME!) be sure to check This out! It's a GREAT BOOK of places to see, things to do and FUN TO BE HAD in BOSTON! And the BEST PART IS, it's ALL KID FRIENDLY DESTINATIONS! *grin*

Shhh...

... Bear and I are down for the night but will be back tomorrow with more fun & games, we PROMISE! G'night everyone!

Friends came to PLAY!

This is a picture of Me with Momma's friend Lisa & her kids, Christina & Joey! Lisa is one of Momma's oldest friends from when she was a little girl! It was great to finally meet her & Christina & Joey played with me lots & lots! They even brought me some fun presents too!! THANKS FOR VISITING GUYS! LET'S DO IT AGAIN SOON!!!

Grandma Pam's YELLOW SWEATER!!!

This beautiful sweater was HAND MADE for me by Grandma Pam! (Emma, Abi & Sam's Grandmother!) and I wanted to have Momma take a picture of me in it because I LOVE IT AND IT FITS ME TO A " T " !!!!! Not to mention it looks GREAT paired with my Red Floral Robeez's that are Momma's favorite! =) Thanks Grandma Pam! I LOVE MY SWEATER SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!

Why I blog... ( & toddler tissue antics! )

Why DO I blog? Well, I've been asked this many times from family members & friends, strangers & online pals etc... Well, there are several reasons why I blog, but the biggest ones are the following:

I blog for those of you toying with the idea of adoption.
I blog for everyone just starting their paperchase, for those in the midst of the paperchase, for the families who just received their I171's in the mail...
I blog for everyone who is just about to be DTC or who has been DTC & is waiting for their LID.
I blog for those celebrating their LID.
I blog for everyone just beginning the "BIG WAIT" and for those of you smack in the middle of it feeling like there's no light at the end of the tunnel...
I blog for those families who've recently received their precious referrals and are now floating on cloud 9...
...and those of you waiting for your TA so you can boogie on outta here & go to China to bring your babies home!

I blog for ALL THE REASONS why I READ A BUNCH OF BLOGS while I was at EVERY ONE OF THOSE STAGES I just mentioned.
I lived vicariously through other people's adoption milestones until mine could get underway...
I was hooked on every picture, every post, ever little tidbit of info I could get my hands on to sustain me during that LONG PROCESS we lovingly refer to as International Adoption.

How long was my process you ask?

Oh, about this long:

Dec 03': Knew I wanted to adopt, started saving up $ to begin the process.
Jan- March 04: Researched agencies until I fell in LOVE with Faith International Adoptions out of Tacoma, Washington.
April 04': Got the LAST SINGLES SLOT FOR 2005' and paid my registration fee to get the ball rolling! *did a happy dance around my house*
April - Dec 04': PAPERCHASING (ugh)
Dec 04': My Dossier was ready to go and was due to leave with their monthly DTC batch, but due to an oversight, was unfortunately left behind as the others were sent off to China. At the time I was pretty peeved but after much thought, I knew in my heart that my Ruby wasn't ready just yet, and that she's doing this in her 'own time'... so I told them to just send me along with the Jan group rather than try to expedite my Dossier on it's own. I didn't want it traveling 'solo' I guess.
Jan 14th, 2005: FINALLY DTC!!!! *more happy dancing*
Jan 31st, 2005: LID!!!!!!!!!! *nearly drunk with happiness*
Feb-Sept 2005: THE BIG WAIT!!! (That's where all the BLOGS that I've loved over these past few years came into SERIOUS play & kept my sanity IN CHECK!)
Sept 7th, 2005: RUBY'S REFERRAL!!! (GOT THE CALL ON HER 1ST BIRTHDAY!!! HOW KEWL IS THAT?!?!?!)
Oct 11th, 2005: TA!!! (Travel Approval)
Nov 16th, 2005: TO CHINA I GO!!!
Nov 17th, 2005: Arrive in Beijing
Nov 20th, 2005: Flew from Beijing to Nanchang
Nov 20th, 2005: GOT'CHA DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nov 21st, 2005: Official 'Adoption Day' !!!
Nov 28th, 2005: Consulate Apt.
Nov 29th, 2005: Actually went to Consulate & swore Ruby in as a US Citizen!!
Nov 30th, 2005: HEADING HOME w/a DREAM COME TRUE!!!

So, as you can see, this process is NOT for the FAINT AT HEART nor the IMPATIENT! So, back to the original reason for this posting...?

THAT IS WHY I BLOG!!!!! FOR ALL OF YOU!!!!!!!! =)

May you all realize that your children will come to you in their own time, just as Ruby did for me. Of that much I'm sure! And hopefully in the meantime, you can get a kick out of Ruby's and My life full of silly toddler antics!

(A-hem... for example: As I was typing this post, THIS is how Ruby passed her time...) HAHAHAHA

All the expensive fancy toys on the planet & my child discovers the JOY of a BOX OF TISSUES! hee hee, good thing I have extra boxes stashed! hehehe

My Very Talented Nanna "T"...

Ahhh... there I am fast asleep with my two best friends in the world: Bear & Dog. You'll see over me is an adorable HAND KNIT pastel rainbow sherbert type blanket made for me by my WONDERFUL & TALENTED, Nanna "T". ( Momma's Aunt Allegra ) Now, not only did I get a special blanket but you'll notice that both Bear and Dog are covered as well! Yup, that's right, she made TWO BLANKETS! One for me and ONE FOR MY FRIENDS!
And Momma says we sleep the same, each with one foot OUT of the blankets! *grin* hehehe

I LOVE YOU MOMMA! (psst, I love you too Miss Ruby Cate!)

Why I love my playroom... by Ruby Cate Pei Mu

It may not be fancy with pics on the wall, it might just look plain with no 'fancy' at all.
But this little girl who came from a'far, is happy so long as I have: BALL IN A JAR! *grin*

FUN STUFF PEOPLE! SEE FOR YOURSELF!!





I don't know why Momma gets SO CLOSE to me, but I think it's just so she can show everyone how pink my big 'ole cheeks are... (what she doesn't realize though is that they're really probably that pink from her CHERRY CHAP STICK she ALWAYS wears & then plants THOUSANDS of KISSES on me with those SAME CHERRY CHAPSTICKE'D LIPS OF HERS!) You know, I've ben thinking, we really gotta get my Momma a hobby! (or a husband, whichever comes first!) Anyone out there have any suggestions or know any cute single men? HELP!

hee hee

I'm sorry, what's that? I look what?

No, no... I don't look cute in this sweater, I MAKE THIS SWEATER LOOK CUTE! *grin*

THAT'S RIGHT!!!!!!!!! CHECK ME OUT, SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO ADORABLE! (Momma says that I'm a LEO at heart! hehehe I think she's right! ) hehehehe WOOOO HOOOO

Good Day SUNSHINE* (*with just a touch of BedHead!)

21 lessons to live by:

My good friend Jamie sent this to me today and said that she thought it was worth passing on, and I have to say I completely agree. Twenty one small sentences, each with it's own big message... & on that note, I say to you all, Goodnight. =)

-Amy


ONE. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.


TWO. Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other.


THREE. Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.


FOUR. When you say, "I love you," mean it.


FIVE. When you say, "I'm sorry," look the person in the eye.


SIX. Be engaged at least six months before you get married.


SEVEN. Believe in love at first sight.


EIGHT. Never laugh at anyone's dream. People who don't have dreams don't have much.


NINE. Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely.


TEN.. In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.


ELEVEN. Don't judge people by their relatives.


TWELVE. Talk slowly but think quickly.


THIRTEEN. When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, smile and ask, "Why do you want to know?"


FOURTEEN. Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.


FIFTEEN. Say "bless you" when you hear someone sneeze.


SIXTEEN. When you lose, don't lose the lesson.

SEVENTEEN. Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others; and responsibility for all your actions.


EIGHTEEN. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.


NINETEEN. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.


TWENTY. Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice.


TWENTY-ONE. Spend some time alone.

Do Not Disturb

Blogger books & ICE CREAM WITH A FRIEND!

Check THIS OUT! Blogosphere: Best of Blogs
It's a new book that you can't even order online! It's apparently only in Borders Books, which I HATE! I'm a Barnes & Noble girl myself!) It's a book of THE KEWLEST BLOGS CURRENTLY OUT IN CYBER SPACE! I wonder how many of the blogs I read on a daily basis (somewhat religiously) are included in this thing!? I MUST GO OUT & FIND IT LIKE, YESTERDAY!! Maybe my best friend the LIBRARIAN, can help a sistah OUT! ;) SHE CAN FIND ANYTHING! You just 'wonder aloud to yourself in her company' and *POOF* the next time you see her, she hands you a STACK of INFO on whatever it was you were wondering out loud about ! (neat trick eh?) HEHEHE I love you JEN! *smile* If I should find this book I'll keep you all posted & dish out the details of who's who in THE BLOGGER WORLD! =)
For now, Jen & I have a date with some Green Monster Mint ICE CREAM! ONLY FOUND IN BOSTON! hehehehe

Zia's Bella Bambina!

Baby Isabella stopped by with my sister in law Leanne for a visit & Auntie Jen held her so Auntie Amy (Zia) could snap these cute pics of her! =) Man is it the weirdest thing ever, she looks JUST LIKE MY BROTHER ADAM!

=)

A vision in PURPLE!

MMMMMMMMMM BANANA BREAD!!!! *drool*

Ok, so I'm on the phone with Lisa, and I was telling her how I just made Banana Bread from SCRATCH today & she said 'OMG YOU'RE GONNA PUT THAT ON THE BLOG RIGHT?!?" so I said " hmmm, ok, why not!"

So Lisa, this is for you & EVERYONE ELSE OUT THERE who appreciates YUMMY RECIPES! This one happens to come from my Aunt Allegra (Ruby's Nanna T.) and it's my families FAVORITE! I hope you all enjoy it very much! ( it's best served with TEA!) hehehe But then again, isn't everything? hehehe


Aunt Allegra's Banana Bread

1 1/3 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1/3 cup oil
3 mashed bananas

measure out dry ingredients in large bowl. Beat together eggs, oil & vanilla. Add to dry ingredients & mix well.

Pour into greased & floured loaf pan & bake at 350 for about 1 hour.


ENJOY!!!!!!!!

=)

ps. Ruby had some of this tonight & ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT! GOOD JOB LEGRA! EVERYONE LOVES YOUR BANANA BREAD JUST AS MUCH AS WE ALL LOVE YOU!

Love,

-Amy & Ruby Cate