10 month pictures...YEAH!!!!

I met Chris at a restaurant after I got off work yesterday.  As I sat down across from him, he pulled out a flyer for a new quilting store opening up in the next town over and thought I would be interested in seeing it.  I thought that a little odd, that he had actually brought that out to eat to show me instead of waiting until we got home.  But okay, whatever.  As I was looking at it, I told him, "You know, I actually thought you were going to pull out a big package or something" (you know, from KOREA!).  He then reached down again to the seat next to him and places something on the table, saying "You mean, like this?":

I almost shrieked out loud!  I did make enough noise that the people across the aisle turned to look at us, but I.didn't.care.  I was looking at a new picture of our boy!  And he was smiling!  And wearing the shirt we sent in his care package from January.  (The soft book is also one we sent.)  Then Chris says "Or how about this?"  Out came another picture:

Again, big smile!  I'm jumping up and down in my seat by this time!!  It looks like he is sitting up on his own without leaning against anything, which is awesome.  (I also thinks it looks like one of those Olan Mills(?) photos.)  And to make things even better, Chris pulled out another picture:

Every time I see this one, I start laughing because it looks like he just has a huge grin behind that pacifier!!  What a sweet, happy little boy he is!  Can't wait to get my hands on him!!

Enjoy the pictures...I know I am!!!!

Our last big project...

...IS COMPLETE!!!  Since Chris now has to take one furlough day a month for the next few months because of budget cuts at the university, he decided to take one yesterday and we finally got our bedroom painted!!  This was our my last big project that we I wanted to get done before Baby J comes home.  Sooooo, now we're completely ready for you; you can come home any time, and the sooner, the better!  :-)

I also went shopping to get some more items for his room; now there's just the odds and ends we can get over time.  I want to put all the sheets on the crib and changing table and get it all ready, but if he doesn't come home for a while, I also don't want to have to wash everything for a second time before going to get him!!  Decisions, decisions.  Oh well, I guess I'll just have to wash them again 'cause they're going on the bed!  Yeah!!!!!

Good Omen

So yesterday I decided to try to organize some of the gifts we have received for Baby J.  In order to do that, I did a couple loads of baby laundry (never thought I would actually like doing laundry!  ha!).  And instead of putting the items away that we are planning on taking to Korea with us when we travel, I started packing his suitcase...yep, I've already started packing!!  But you know, I think it was an omen because today one of my waiting friends finally got the EP (emigration permit) for their son!!!!  Happy day, A.!!!!!  She took over one of our first two care packages at the end of last year.  I am soooo excited to hear her news; she has waited such a long time for this (the end of February will be 8 months from their referral).  So maybe I should start packing mine and Chris' bags now, if that will get more EPs rolling in!  Here's a shot at what I have packed so far:

We're not really sure what we'll need, so we'll have to take a bit of everything.  Come on, EPs!!!!!  I can be ready quickly!!

10 months old!

Our baby boy is 10 months old today!!!!  Happy Valentine's Day to us all!  We're very excited because a friend of a friend is taking over another care package for us when she travels back to Korea.

We sent over a pair of little jeans and a Cardinals sweater, as well as a small stuffed toy, teething ring, and pacifier (since we know he likes those from the last pictures of him we received!).  And of course, a disposable camera!  We're hoping and praying like crazy that we will be able to travel to get him before he turns one, but we still have not heard any news.   Aaaarrrrggghhh!!!  This weekend was the Korean New Year so we're hoping maybe we will hear news about EPs and travel calls in the next week or two, which will mean things are starting to move for everyone.  I can't wait to hold that little boy and stare at his sweet face in person, rather than at a well-worn picture!

We're looking forward to you, Baby J.  Sweet dreams tonight.  Love you, Mama and Papa

Black or Orange?

The quilt top is finished!!!!!!

I'm so excited to finally see this all put together.  It turned out even better than I thought it would!

This is the fabric I'm going to use for the backing.

Here is a close-up to see the colors better...

Now, I have to decide what color border to use.  Black or orange?  (It's going to be satin.)  Tell me what you think.  Thanks!!

Another Baby Shower!!

So yesterday, my friends from work threw me a baby shower, which was so much fun!  Wait a minute, you say, wasn't yesterday the Superbowl?  Of course it was.  Do you think the planners or guest of honor (me!) realized that when they first planned it?  Of course not.  Only after it was brought to our attention by those who were hosting Superbowl parties at the same time the shower was set for, did we realize it!!  So the time was moved to early afternoon so we wouldn't miss the game.  There was a great turnout.  Thank you all so much for coming and celebrating with me.  Every week is a week closer to getting Baby J home and we received some great gifts to use with him.  I don't think we got pictures of everyone, but hopefully there's at least a profile picture of all who were there!  Again, another post with a lot of pictures.

yummy cake!!

a "diaper cake" that one of my friends made.  It's hard to see, but there are spoons, pacifiers, bibs, onesies, and socks attached all over it.  And of course, it's made of diapers and has the stuffed elephant toy on top.  so creative, Jennifer!!

the main party planner...awesome job, Ashlee!!  Thank you.

I had a great time!!  Thanks to all of you who were able to celebrate with me while we wait for Baby J to come home.  We missed all of those who couldn't make it, especially those of you who had to be at work to keep those patients happy and pain-free!  We also missed those of you who couldn't come because they had their own babies this weekend...congratulations!!!!!!  I can't wait to introduce you all to Baby J!!
Thanks again, everyone!

Baby Shower Pictures!!!!

So here are the promised pictures from the baby shower that my sisters threw for me this past weekend.  It was so much fun and I am so thankful for everyone that could come!  We missed those of you that could not make it, but rest assured that you were thought of.  Be warned, this is a long post, but mostly pictures.  Enjoy!!  I know I did!!

C. was looking at our new pictures of Baby J.  He would take one and hold it in both hands, very carefully, and just gaze at the picture.  He would then clearly say J's name out loud.  We know he's gonna love his cousin!!

My good friend from high school was a surprise acceptance to the shower.  Laura spent the weekend at our house and we visited, drank wine, and just loved seeing each other again.  It's been too long, Laura, and we should do this more often!!  Great to have you here!

I know I look sappy here, but it's a good picture of Chris smiling...it also looks like I have something blue in my hair, but at least it matches my outfit.  ha!

Some fancy photography by my sister, who was manning the camera for the party.

the party favors.  each blue-tinted rice krispy square had a laminated picture of baby J tied to it.  cute!

the table, minus the ice cream cake still in the freezer.  My younger sister made the cake in this picture.  Good job, Becky!!  Tasted great!

the gift pile.  What amazing family and friends we have!  Thank you for helping us get prepared for Baby J to come home.

My surprises.  Laura drove 6 hours to celebrate the weekend with me; thanks, girlfriend!  And my Aunt Lori just walked into the room.  I had no clue she was coming; they had all kept it a secret.  Good job, guys, I was completely surprised!

most of the group that came to the shower.  Thank you to all the ladies for making this day so special!

These pj's are 2T, if you can believe that!!  They look so big, but Baby J will grow into them soon enough, I've been told!

C. had just woken up from his nap, but the boy likes having his picture taken.  You can't tell, but someone told him to say "cheese," and even though he was still half-asleep, he mumbled "cheeeeese."  What a character!

"hmmm, nobody's around...how much of this can I get in to and eat?!?!"  (don't worry, no child in this picture was actually alone at this table!)

cutting the ice cream cake

after the party, someone got to play with a few of the toys...

he had a blast!

seems like my nephew is always eating!

but at least he enjoys it all!

stopping to cheese for the camera.

3 sisters...

...3 expectant mamas!!!

(Baby J's picture is just over my shoulder, so we've got all of us and our babies in the picture!)

VERY fun day!!!!  Thanks again to everyone who could celebrate it with me and special thanks to my wonderful sisters for planning the whole thing from two states away!!  Love you guys!