Showered with Love

Yesterday two of my besties from work, ARG and MSS, hosted a beautiful baby shower for me.

As guests approached the front door, this is the message they were greeted with when they entered the house. Super cute, right?

It was a wonderful celebration filled with family and friends. My mom, as well as Matt's mom and sister were able to join in, which was a special treat.

Every detail was perfect! Fabulous food, decorations, etc... I love that they incorporated Korea into the shower, too! Trivia included facts about Korea and our little man. Guests were given favor bags with Korean tea and candy, and Pororo even made an appearance on gift bags.

One very special activity was each guest wrote "wishes" for Gavin. Beautiful. It makes me teary thinking about the wishes that were written for him.

The hostesses went above and beyond!

Thank you ARG and MSS! I couldn't ask for better friends and I definitely know I couldn't make it through the school year without you!

We are Unofficially Paper Ready!

Yes indeedy, we are unofficially paper ready!

On Tuesday I happened to have some extra time on my hands, so I decided to call and see if our I600 had been approved.

This is the first time I've called to check on paperwork, and I can see how I could become totally addicted to calling, except for the fact that teaching 22 second graders prevents me, LOL!

(I know you may be wondering how I did it on Tuesday...and I was at home with strep, blech!)

When I was transferred to our case officer, she said that we are approved and she would send out the official approval paperwork by Friday!

This is the last piece of paperwork that we needed from the U.S.

...and now we wait.

Friends keep reminding us that the new year is not far away. January is literally only, wow, it's only 7 weeks away! I can't believe it!!!

So, during Thanksgiving Vacation this household will start doing some prep work for a toddler, in hopes that he will be coming home soon!

Surprise, surprise an October WBC!

I have to say I LOVE Fridays!

What made this Friday even better than most was opening my email and seeing that we had a Well Baby Check. It's a really wonderful surprise since I thought we wouldn't get an update until November. I know, I know it's November now, but the WBC is dated from October. Looking around at other friends posts, it looks like today was the day to get an update.

Gavin is now 32.4 inches and weighs 25.3 lbs.

He can say a few words and is becoming more active each month. I can only imagine what he will have in store for us when he finally comes home!!!

Happy Weekend Everyone!

November is National Adoption Month

Did you know that November is National Adoption Month?

Here is a beautiful video that kimbapumma made to celebrate adoption.
(You might see a familiar face or 2)

Autumn

A few weekends ago, I traveled to Wisconsin for my grandfather's funeral. Although he will be missed, we are happy that he had a long and healthy life. When we arrived at the wake I was touched to see a satin heart shaped pillow with a rose from each of the great-grandchildren, including Gavin. Although I am saddened my grandfather will not have the opportunity to meet Gavin, I know that he, like our many other relatives who have passed before him, are looking down and watching over all of us as we wait to become a forever family.

If there is a "best part" about funerals, it's the fact that you get to see family. With our family spread around the country it was a blessing that we were able to join together to say goodbye. In addition, we were able to spend the next day at the Elegant Farmer. Can I say, that I love Autumn in Wisconsin? I love the weather change and that you can actually wear sweaters without overheating once you step into a building...and of course the beautiful fall colors.

Here are a few pics from our family day that weekend. I hope you are enjoying a beautiful autumn weekend, wherever you may be!

Special Friend: Kimbap Umma

One of the things that I value most as an adult adoptee is having friends that are also adult adoptees. I have to say that I really lucked out when I found a group of friends who are not only adult adoptees from Korea, but they are also in the process to bring sweet babies home from Korea through the adoption process.

Today, one of my friends shared a video on her blog, from when she and her family revisited the orphanage where she had been left. I always enjoy what she posts in regards to her adoption story and with her permission, I believe you will too! Please click on the link below.

kimbap umma

Update x 3

This past week was the week of updates.

Our first update was from the agency saying that the last batch of EPs were submitted. I wish I could say that we were in that batch, but 2012 is going to be our year! (I always tell Matt that years that end in an even number are better, he just laughs) Realistically, we knew we would not be traveling this year, but you never know what could have happened, right? So, my prediction is if everything runs smoothly on both sides of the ocean, we will be traveling to bring Gavin home sometime in the first half of the year. 

The second update was a progress report which included the new pics!

A tidbit is that he enjoys food...and already eats soup, bananas, baby food, cheese, and apple juice. As a first time mama, I'm not sure if this is the norm or not for this age, but it sounds like he has a healthy appetite and by the time he comes home will probably be able to eat what we're eating or we'll eat what he eats, lol!

We can definitely tell our baby boy is loved and cared for and for that we will be eternally grateful. I can't wait until we meet his foster family so we can thank them in person for everything that they have provided for our sweet boy.

Our third update was a well baby check!

Gavin is  about 32 inches and weighs 25 pounds. He has 4 teeth on the top and 4 teeth on the bottom. It looks like he's progressing right along. When we finally meet him he'll probably keep us running in circles, which we will LOVE!

While we wait we are relaxing...and our dogs have it down perfectly!!! Little do they know how much their lives are going to change in 2012!!!