Yeah for Robeez!!

I had heard, from other PLAN families, re: Robeez (the infant/toddler, cutie-patootie, shoe manufacturer)of their generous Heart and Sole program. They will make donations for various causes, for infant, toddlers, families in need. Well, I faxed them verification of our upcoming adoption, filled out application and their representative called me yesterday. She said that they had already made a sizeable donation to our particular orphanage but agreed to send more, with us, since there were proably more babies arriving each week. We also agreed to pass on any aditional shoes to other orphanages, our agency might know, that need shoes for babies and toddlers! So, 20 shoes will be arriving soon! Oh, and it is pronouced "Robbies" (like my husband's name), not Robeeeez (like I had been pronouncing). THANK YOU, ROBEEZ! You're the BEST!

Rob's "Big Boy" Shed and Race for the Cure, race day photos

More cute-ness! Bebe Noli

Oh, also, we have begun to prepare Miss. Claire for her baby brother! We know fully well that there will be moments! However, she is only 2 and Caitlin was 7 when she received her little sister, now, a very mature 8, I must say! Caitlin has and is a phenomenal big Sissy! She is such an enormous help to us! The two girls just adore each other! She is doing so well in school, her dance, anything she takes on, really! We are soooooooo proud of both our girls! We make sure Caitlin gets special one on one time with both her Mom and Dad, going to plays, movies, getting a pedicure, etc!

Now, with Claire, we have already hung pictures of Nolan (with other family pics) around the house. She calls him "Bebe Noli"! And.......she gives him kisses each day. She has her little baby doll and calls him Bebe Noli! So, we have all been playing dollies with Claire! (When she diapers the baby doll, she says "Eeeew, poo, poo! Phew!" plugging her nose. So funny!)She is so bright! She can already identify her numbers 1 through 5 by finger presentation. She is talking more and more each day! She says "Hallo Nana" to all the Nanas she sees in the store, each and every day! She is our little greeter, everywhere we go, saying "Hallo" and "Bye Bye", quite loudly, I might say, to everyone she meets! Well, thats' all folks!

Waiting and anticipating!

Ok, well, a few families with referrals made late August, have received their travel approvals. That is, for our particular orphanage. We have been told that our orphanage might be running a little later with travel approvals. These recent TA families will arrive in Hanoi on October 20th. So, our prediction of travel early to mid-November, probably more accurate. That is fine with us! While we can't wait to get our arms around that adorable baby boy, we have sooooooooo much to do! Rob is finishing building his "big boy" shed! He has been asking for a shed for some time and it has become a reality! I think he feels that, once he has his son, he will take less harrassment from the girls in the family (we love to tease him)! But, the girls have thoroughly enjoyed helping him build his shed. I will add those pics later when I am taught how to down load pics from our new camera (a bit of a learning curve)!

We then will tackle the nursery, aka play room! We will be taking off the Pooh wallpaper and attach wainscoting and chair railing. Then paint the upper half of the wall a pretty green. Eventually have my talented frind, Kath, come over a paint a forest scene, with Panda bears etc.

My dear friend, Kendra is throwing me a baby shower! I was so thrilled to hear the news! I didn't receive one for Claire as, I believe, many adoptive Mommies are often times forgotten. Thank you Kendra (and dear friends helping too), it means the world to me! I am throwing in a pic of Kendra and her wonderful family!

Another dear friend, and sister (as opposed to fellow), adoptive Mommy, Shellie is finishing Nolan's quilt. Beautiful, brightly colored Asian boys and girls, frollicking with lanterns in hand! (I will try to take a pic of the fabric!)I went to a re-sale shop and bought all of Nolan's first clothes (obviously, I don't have boy clothing)! I couldn't resist, they were like brand new and oh so cute! I will download some pics of his G & R outfit (Giving and Receiving) which is the big ceremony we will have in VN, to commemorate his adoption!

Also, my buddy, Mike and his lovely wife, Susie just returned from Peru, climbing Machu Picchu (he isn't one to take retirement lightly! Way to go!). They brought back a bag loaded with goodies for the girls. Beautiful, brightly woven hats, alpaca stuffed animals, a beautifully woven cardigan for baby Nolan and beautiful, brightly colored finger puppets. It was like Christmas at the Christners! Thank you Mike and Susie!

We all attempted to particpate in the 5K Race for the Cure last Sunday. However, after arrving at O dark:30, ready to begin, realized that they received record turn out (I believe close to 60,000)! We soon discovered we were in a rather large line, barricaded off from the race line, coming the opposite direction, unbeknownst to us. So, we waited and waited, were told that we couldn't cross the barricade and had to wait until the last of the leg coming the other direction passed,(which, by the way, weaved through downtown streets and over the Morrison bridge)! We waited, the crowd became restless, after a half hour or so, Claire began to scream bloody murder! So, beginnning to feel overwhelmingly claustrophobic, we threw in the towel! That was our walk for this year! We should have slept in for the cure!

So, many things to do, we have begun packing in preparation. As soon as we receive TA, we schedule our plane tickets, request our Visas, get a couple of addl shots for all, schedule hotel, etc etc! Lots to do! Also, mixed in with our joy, is deep sadness. We will need to make a decision, before we leave, to put our first baby, Maggie, the beagle to sleep. See, the cancer has returned and the vet is giving us very limited time. We don't want her to suffer though but I/we are having a tough time letting go! So...........

IT'S A BOY!

Wowee, oh wowee! PTL! We cannot believe it, weren't expecting it for another 2-3 months! But............it's a BOY! Judy, from PLAN called this a.m., to make the announcement! (Thank you, Thank you! We are overjoyed! I can't concentrate on much of anything else today!)Here is Nolan Tu' Foster, born 7/17/2007 (two days after Rob's bday 7/15) and he sure is cute, tiny, only 2 months old, weighing in at just shy of 10 pounds!) What a cute little booger! We are overjoyed!