deciding on a name

I don't know why I continually refer to my daughter as "baby girl" or "munchkin" on this blog.  As soon as I decided to adopt, I got a name stuck in my head.  My mom and I would refer to my future baby by this name.  At the same time, however, I was always warning my mom that I didn't want to commit to a name until I saw my daughter.  Well, as soon as I saw my referral picture, I knew.  The name suited her perfectly.  I considered other names just to be sensible, but no other name felt right.

When it came time to pick a middle name, I knew that I wanted to use part of her Vietnamese name.  Now that I know that she was abandoned at the hospital at 3 days old, I wonder who gave her her name.  But the truth is, it doesn't matter.  It's the only name she has ever known and I want to honor that, as well as her culture.  My daughter has 4 names.  The first is her surname, then I assumed the next was her middle and the last two were her first name.  What I thought was her middle name is Thi.  This is a VERY COMMON Vietnamese middle name and in my daughter's case, it is really just a gender identifier.  I finally decided to ask my agency what the caregivers call her.  I was told  that in addition to calling her "sweetie," "baby" and "honey," (which made me smile) they call her by her fourth name.  As soon as I heard that, I knew that would be her middle name.  So, here it is:

 

Sadie Hieu

Y

what a week

I'm so happy that tomorrow is Friday.  It's been quite a week and I'm ready for it to be over. 

Still no acknowledgement and Tet starts next week.  That is not good since rumor has it that everything shuts down for many days during Tet.  Monday will be two weeks since my I600 was submitted.  Come on people....just let me know that you have it so my "60 days" can start already.

I found out today that 2 families with my agency have been waiting for I600 approval for 62 and 72 days, respectively.  That just plain sucks! 

On Tuesday, my mom ended up in the hospital, where she remains today.  She had been really sick for a few weeks and it finally got so bad that my dad took her to the ER.  They finally decided today that she has pancreatitis.  She's going to be in the hospital for several more days at least.  She's lost a LOT of weight and still can't keep anything down.  She needs to get well soon if she is going to make the trip to Vietnam.   And if she can't make the trip to Vietnam.....what the heck am I going to do?

Yesterday I started to feel like I was coming down with something.  Nothing major....stuffy head and sore throat.  I worked for a few hours today but now I'm just vegging on the couch getting ready for the new episode of "Lost."  I'll probably work a half day tomorrow as I have some things that have to get done but then I've got the whole weekend to rest. 

Let's hope February brings good health, new pictures of the munchkin, an acknowledgement and maybe even approval!  Hey, a girl can dream!

that's what friends are for!

I don't know why, but I've only given my blog address to 2 of my friends (Y and E).  I'm writing it for me and my munchkin.  It's not that I don't want my friends and family to read it.  Eventually, when my munchkin is here, I hope to use the blog as a way to keep those I don't see often, up to date on how amazing my daughter is.  For now, however, I update it when I have the time.  I don't really think about anyone else reading it so it's always a lovely surprise to find comments from other adopting parents who have somehow found me in cyberspace!  Especially my Internet friend K in the Netherlands!!

So, imagine my surprise when I received a call from Y this afternoon saying that she saw my blog and wanted to help get me out of my funk.  She wanted to know if I wanted to go shopping and to the movies.  For a minute I thought it would be easier to stay home and veg.  But then I decided that I wanted to get out.  Well, we had such a fun day.  First we went shopping for baby clothes at Macy's.  She needed a gift for her brand new niece.  I needed nothing, but of course my munchkin ended up with no less than 6 new outfits!  Everything was on sale and I had a coupon so how could I not?!  Then we went to see "27 Dresses."  Predictable but cute and just what I was in the mood for.  We had a fun celebrity sighting on the way out of the theater.  We saw Patricia Wetig and Ken Olin.  I've loved them both since "Thirtysomething."  I still think he is sexy, but he's not aging as well as I imagined he would.  Anyway, we finished the night having dinner with her fabulous hubby.  I'm a lucky girl to have such amazing friends.  Can't wait for my munchkin to meet her Auntie Y!

pity party

I'm in a funk today.  A real funk where I don't want to do anything.  I have about 80 thank you notes to write to my amazing friends and family who have spoiled my little one rotten and I'm just not in the mood.  Tomorrow will be a month since my last munchkin update.  Some of the families with my agency received video of their kids over a month ago and I hear that others just recently received video.  I've never seen video of my baby girl.  I was told that they took film of her but had problems converting it to dvd.  Obviously, it is not the end of the world, it just bums me out.  I've never seen her smile.  I have 6 photos of her and that's all. 

My agency is great though.  I have complete faith that I will get some sort of update this week.  I just need something to help me get through the wait.  Poor me, right?  It's not like I'm the only one living through this wait.  It just seems to get harder each day.  I'm officially at the end of the road.  Just waiting on I600 approval and I'm done.  Her crib and dresser are being delivered on February 8th.  I've got almost everything else she could ever need thanks to the 2 amazing showers I had this month.  I feel ready.  My house is basically ready.  Bailey, however, is definitely not ready and neither is work.  OK.....there's my focus.  Do what I can to lessen the blow that is about to wreak havoc on Bailey's life.  How do you prepare a cat for such a major life change?  And focus on getting everything organized at work so I can enjoy my 12 glorious weeks of Family Leave.  Wish me luck!

munchkin is 8 months old today

Munchkin is 8 months old today.  I've been thinking about her all day.  (Not that that's new!)  I know they are taking good care of her.  I know they are meeting her basic needs.  But she deserves so much more.  Eight months is too long to be without a mommy.  And it will probably be at least 2 more months before I hold her in my arms.  I hope someone holds her, hugs her and kisses her today.  I wish she knew that I'll be coming for her as soon as possible.  That I think of her every day.  That there are so many people here who love her and can't wait to meet her.  Hold on baby girl.....I'll be there as soon as I can!!

still no acknowledgement

I still have not received an email from USCIS acknowledging receipt of my I600.  I have been obsessively checking my email - even more than usual.  I finally emailed my agency today and learned that my I600 wasn't sent until this past Monday, 1/21.  Argh.  This means it could be two more weeks before I even receive my acknowledgement. 

I just have to make it through this last waiting period and then I am on my way to my baby girl.  I can do it!  I think I can, I think I can.  : )

munchkin's new nickname is lucky

I swear my munchkin is good luck.  I've mentioned that I check many blogs daily and enter various contests.  Well, much to my surprise, I continue to win. 

I've already blogged about the onesie and the Baby B'Air.  Since then, on December 21st  I won a $100 gift certificate to www.naturalpod.com.  I haven't decided what to spend it on yet.  Then, the very next day I won a bib and drooler set from www.febebebe.com.  I chose the cupcake print.

Then yesterday I found out I won a pair of shoes from www.seekairun.com.  I chose the Emilie in a size 9. 

And finally today, I found out I won a Downtime Sleepy hat from www.downtimebaby.com. 

How cute is that?  May come in handy on the 20+ hour flight home from Vietnam!

I have never been lucky and never won contests before this.  This is why I am convinced that my munchkin is my lucky charm.

I600 on its way!!

I received amazing news today.  My agency received my munchkin's paperwork today so we can now file my I600.  This is the last step before travel approval.  OH MY GOODNESS!!!! 

In addition, I learned that I will receive a copy of all of her paperwork.  It will include her birth certificate, police report and any information available about her birth parents.  I can't wait to learn more about my baby girl!

USCIS says it will take up to 60 days to approve the I600 once it is received, but I know that some families have been waiting longer than 60 days since this is a new process.  So far everything in my adoption process has come quicker than expected so here's hoping for a swift approval!