It's official...

From the CCAA:

Adoption agencies:

Currently there are cases of human infection of the swine flu found in some countries and regions. With the high infectivity of this disease, children are susceptible to it for their low resistance. In order to avoid cross infection during the process of adoption registration and protect the health of children in orphanages as well as the adoptive parents, we hereby announce that:

Adoption agencies are required to counsel the adoptive parents who have received Notice of Coming to China for Adoption to postpone their trip to China for the registration procedure.

The validity period of Notice of Coming to China for Adoption issued between March 1 to April 30 this year is prolonged from three months to five months (There is no need to update the paper).

Adoptive families are advised to follow the arrangement of local registration authorities and cooperate during the entrustment of child for the harmony period and the adoption registration process.

If adoptive parents feel unwell during their stay in China for the registration procedure, they shall go to the hospital for medical checkup in time and report to CCAA about relevant situation.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Please contact the following persons for more information:
　　Li Lei 010-65548835
　　Li Zhiqiang 010-65548836

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　China Center of Adoption Affairs

Perspective and introspective

A friend of mine, who is a travel agent, wrote a post on her blog about the Swine Flu, and I figured I'd jump on the proverbial bandwagon. She mentions the following on her blog (this was written on Monday):

Here is the Canadian perspective:
Canadian Population (as of Jul 2008): 33,212,696
In 2007 - there were a reported 20,000 cases of the influenza and about 4,000 deaths in Canada. (I couldn't find the 2008 stats)
Current cases of swine flu in Canada: 6 confirmed, more 'suspected'.

Mexican Population: 109, 955,400
Confirmed swine flu cases: 103, with 400 suspected in hospital now

That certainly puts things in perspective, doesn't it?

I'm sure that most, if not all, of you now know that the CCAA has ceased issuing referrals for the next 20-30 days and that they're going to reassess the situation after that time. I can't even imagine what some of you are going through (especially those with referrals in hand) - you know who you are...I can never remember if I'm allowed to link to you or not. To get through this hellish wait, have your referral, and then just as you're about to clear the last proverbial hurdle, you go back to the 'wait and see' mode.

I know this pandemic is serious. I know it, and I know a lot of you (especially those who are very close to referral) are reeling from this news. It's yet another speed bump on the already far too bumpy road of adoption.

Busy day!

The day started out, as usual, checking my emails sitting in quiet reflection and pondering life, when I noticed an email from Catherine. She mentioned that there was an attachment seminar taking place this afternoon. What great timing! After all, I wrote a post yesterday, asking for book suggestions.

We got to the seminar a little late, which was no big deal. The speaker was really terrific and gave a lot of information about attachment disorders and how to handle them. She also gave some book recommendations (some of which are on the lists you all provided). By the way, if any of you still want to suggest some books, please do so here. I'd like to keep all the book suggestions on one post so I can refer back to them. Even if the book you suggest is already on the list, please leave me a comment on that post. :)

After the seminar, we met up with Lisa, Craig, and their daughters K & S for dinner. We went back to Boston Pizza (HI RYAN) and had a wonderful dinner. We used up the last of the coupons (hint hint, nudge nudge) that were sent to us by Ryan. If you don't remember that story, you can read about it here, here, here, or here. ;)

We spent over three and a half hours (which did NOT feel like that much time had passed) and we talked about everything under the sun - topics related to adoption and not.

When we got to the restaurant we made sure that we got our 'usual' waiter, Karlos, who is a really nice guy. We ended up telling him that we were adopting from China and he asked for both of our blog addresses and he said he was going to come by and say hi.

So, in case you are reading this...HI KARLOS! :)

I had to include a picture of Lisa hijacking the forks and a plate, in case Ryan comes back to the blog... :)

Book suggestions...

Since I've got a bunch of irregular readers here and a bunch of new people who pop by from the RQ site, I was wondering if any of you could make some suggestions on good attachment reading material.

I figure I should get started, even though we're a good couple years away from referral. Please leave a comment, even if the book you've suggested is already listed. I figure I'll probably get the book(s) that is/are most suggested. Thanks!

I DARE you to get this tune out of your head...

Since you asked...

Isn't it purty?! I put some vanilla lime candles, and it smells SO nummy.

I bought the lantern at a PartyLite party a couple of weeks ago. I saw it and I fell in love. Seriously. It's SO much prettier up close. You can also take out the tealight tree holder and put in a votive, while it looks nice, the tealights really make it look spectacular. I think I'm going to indulge and get a second one...

I'm thinking of hosting one of these parties...anyone interested? ;)

Stick a fork in me, I'm done...

Last night we had our family over for dinner. Josh and I made our world famous blog famous matzah lasagna. It was so freaking good...I think it's even more drool-inducing than before.

If you take a look at the picture, you can see my new centrepiece which I wanted to show all of you. It has cherry blossoms that are etched into the glass and has a holder for three tealights (shown) or you can just use one votive. I got it at a candle party that I went to a couple of weeks ago and I'm in love with it...

For dessert, a day early, we decided to do our LIDiversary cake and share it with everyone there. We couldn't be bothered doing anything spectacular for it, so I did another cake mix. Meh. Who knows if we're even halfway there yet.



I also added a new charm to the bracelet this morning for my favourite kayakers. :)

Feeling sick...

This is not a happy post, so if you're not feeling like reading something somewhat depressing do not read...and do not click on the link. Seriously. I'm not writing this as an 'oh woe is me' post because we're all in the same (sinking) boat, I just need to get this out.

Since the new batch came out, I decided to check out China Adoption Forecast and now I feel sick. Seriously. In the last three months our wait has ballooned from a somewhat manageable November 2011 to a present (assuming the batches continue to be small) December 2012. TWO THOUSAND AND TWELVE!

I'm trying to stay positive and hope that things improve, that the batches get bigger, that the imaginary speedup (that we've been hearing about) is going to occur. I just feel beat up, trampled and I can't see that this is going to happen for us.

I wish we had an alternative, but we don't.

We continue to wait, continue to 'celebrate' each month's LIDiversary and add a charm to the bracelet which I hope our child will wear one day. Lately though, I don't see it happening. I want to believe, but I just don't. Now don't get me wrong, I *am* happy for all those ahead of us who are receiving referrals now and especially in the upcoming months and I can't wait to see her, her and her get referrals.

Just once though, I want to be happy for US. I'm just feeling defeated and deflated right now.

Adventures in Batavia!

We went into Buffalo this weekend and met up with Nic, Tim and Zubin. We had an amazing time, as usual with them. I swear Zubin gets cuter every single time we see him.

We met up at the Boulevard Mall, walked around for a little bit and then headed out for lunch at Red Pepper (Chinese/Vietnamese cuisine). Zubin had a bit of a hard time at the restaurant and wanted to walk instead of sit...hey, he's two, what do you expect?;)

Tim ended up having to take Zubin home and we got his lunch to go.

After lunch we went to Target so I could find some lipstick for my mom. Whenever we go to the States, I always end up doing shopping for my mom. If it's not shoes, it's make-up. Go figure...

Anyways, they didn't have her stuff, so I just ended up with a box of peeps. Sadly, I've never had the pleasure of eating Peeps before and I got devil peeps (bright red ones). Mmmm tasty. Nic ended up getting Finding Nemo for Zubin. Apparently he's a little too into Cars and she wanted him to expand his proverbial horizons. ;)

On the way to Target, we passed what I can only imagine is the largest Christmas store...evah! I was tempted to go in for shits and giggles, but since I wasn't going to go and buy anything (for obvious reasons), we ended up not going in...there's always next time though. ;)

We drove back to their place and sat in for Finding Nemo. I've never seen the movie before and it was actually pretty good. While we were watching the movie, I broke open the peeps and Nic said I should give one to Zubin.

...not a good idea.

About an hour later she took him to the bathroom where he wanted to take off his clothes. Not just socks and shoes...I mean everything. He was running all around the front room of the house. It was really cute. ;)

When Tim went to put his pajamas on, he had a bit of a meltdown. Poor little guy.

Memo to me: sugar and toddlers are not a good combination...

Answers to your burning questions...

It's taken me a little while to get back to this post, but faithful readers (HA!) have no fear...

1. Nic, I should have known you would ask something like this. I actually feared it would be something more personal, so I think I got away with a fairly tame question. They're white. :P

2. M&Mand Johnny asked why there are no pics of me online. I'm a fairly private person, and really, that's the only reason. Honest. Also, I hate how I look in pictures - I think I got that from my dad. He hated himself in pictures, but then again, he was always the one taking them...

Oh, and no, I'm not in the Witness Protection Plan...it's the Blogger Protection Plan. I'm thinking, just thinking (since I have a few more years to go), that I'll post a pic of us when we get our referral. So until then, you'll just have to let your imagination wander.

Until that time, just picture this but aged about 30 years...

3. Juliette was wondering when we're coming out to visit her. Perhaps in the summer we might take a road trip...we'll see how things work out. :)

4. TM (since I don't know your real name - I think you're more secretive than I am) asked a bunch of questions...

My first memory, that's a hard one. I have disparate memories of my childhood, but two stick out. I remember being in Vancouver and visiting my aunt and uncle in 1976. Why do I remember that? Because I got the whooping cough while I was there and when I came back to Toronto, I got my tonsils out. Gotta love ice cream...I also remember being at the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) and going down the HUGE slide that they had there. I'm sure if I looked for one, I could find a pic from back in the day. I know there's one of my brother and me in our ever-so-stylish army-style outfits, but I think he'd kill me if I posted it. ;)

Another memory that sticks out is making lokshen (egg noodles) with my maternal grandmother. We used to stand in her kitchen and roll it out and cut it. Of course mine would be REALLY wide, but apparently they were the best she ever had. Ah, how I miss her. I can't believe it's going to be 11 years that she's gone this Mother's Day.

Now another question that TM asked was five things I really want to do when our child comes home. How can I narrow it down to JUST five? Wow. That's like naming your favourite star in the sky.

I can't wait until we can introduce her to the family. I can't wait until we can hug and kiss a child we have loved for so long, who is only a dream right now. I can't wait until we can do a "feet cake" with her. You know, let her just go nuts with a cake and get as messy as she wants. I can't wait until we can read her bedtime stories. I can't wait until I can hear the words "mommy" and "daddy". Is that sappy enough?

The last question from TM was to name my most embarrassing memory. It might not be THE most embarrassing moment, but it certainly ranks up there.

My brother (AKA Ugly) and I were sitting down to breakfast one day. He was having his cereal, and I was eating Cocoa Puffs. (Is it any shock to any of you that I'm a hard and fast chocoholic? I started really young.) Anyways, he was making me laugh. Not just a guffaw, but I mean a real huge laugh. I don't remember what it was about, but all I DO remember is that I laughed so hard that I shot the Cocoa Puffs through my nose. In their entirety. Yes, whole Cocoa Puffs went flying through my nose and all over the kitchen table. Can we say pain? ;)

5. Wendy asked how much cake I eat in a year and what my favourite kind is. Well, before this cake tradition started, I didn't really eat all that much cake. Now we eat cake once a month. Just so you all know, we do NOT eat the whole cake. We usually have friends/family over to join us...I just wanted to clear that up. ;)

My favourite cake would have to be anything chocolate-y. As long as it doesn't have cherries in it, I despise cherries. So black forest cake is definitely out as far as I'm concerned.

6. Jen and Bill asked what is my favourite candy bar and soda. I'd have to say it's either Kit Kat or O Henry. As far as soda (and yes, we say pop here) is concerned. I'd have to go with Diet Pepsi, Orange Crush or Grape Fanta. Yeah, I can't decide between the three.

7. Kerri asked if I could dine with anyone who would it be and why? If it could be anyone, I'd have to say my late father. Back when I was in grade nine, I took a Family Studies class with Mrs. Brooks (a few people from back in the day, who read the blog should remember that name). Anyways, we were learning how to make a lasagna. My dad and I had plans to make the recipe over the March Break that year, and we were both really looking forward to it. My dad passed away March 7 of that year...the Friday right before the March Break, so we never got the opportunity to make it. Josh and I try to make a lasagna a couple times a year...and every time we make it, it brings back memories of my dad.

8. Dolores asked if I could be a tree, which one would I be...would it be obvious to say maple? ;)

9. Doris asked a bunch of questions...favourite show/food/time of year/chicken or fish/Bath and Bodyworks or Lush? Whew. Ok, I guess I have two favourite shows - House and Desperate Housewives.

My favourite food would have to be Ethiopian...gotta love injera! Josh introduced me to Ethiopian food when he was doing his undergrad degree and he took a very strong interest in African history.

My favourite time of year would probably be summer. I'm SO over winter right now. I need some warmth...

Now for the chicken or fish question, it would be fish, but then again it depends on how it's prepared. I *love* cedar plank salmon, and Josh makes a wonderful salmon a l'orange. He also makes a wonderful salmon in a mushroom sauce. Mmmmm.

Now the last question, whether I like Bath and Body Works or Lush, that's a tough one. Right now I'm really loving Lush, but I can't do without my Bath and Bodyworks shampoo. Choices...choices.

10. Dianne asked me to describe Josh in one word. It's hard to just pick one, but if I have to, I'd have to say "thoughtful".

11. Michele asked what my favourite flower is and what colour. I'd have to say, without exception, it would be pink tulips.

Holy crap, I didn't think this post would be nearly as long as it turned out. If any of you actually finish it, give yourself a gold star. :P