Manic Monday

Hitting the Books

School's NOT out for summer
I am right in the middle of teaching a summer class. The idea is to stuff 16 weeks worth of material into 4. The idea is flawed and I am running around like a chicken with its head cut off. At least I get some time to catch up this weekend. The good thing is that the students are engaged and it is over before I know it.

Preparations Continue
I am on a bit of a hiatus from preparing for our trip while I teach, but Scott has started computer shopping. We do not have a laptop, so we would like to purchase one for the trip. After Regina's & Frank's experience with Windows Vista in Kazakhstan, I am concerned. I would hate to get over there and be unable to use the computer. It's all such a mystery . . . how computers and cell phones will work halfway across the planet. Any thoughts on the computer?

A couple of people have sent us stuff like a set of Pimsleur Russian CDs and a Russian-English dictionary. Another AP has offered to send travel containers for formula and lots of other stuff. Jennifer M and Eileen have shared their packing lists. I really appreciate all of this. The generosity of others never ceases to amaze me . . .

Thanks for the kind words
. . . which brings me to the kind comments many of you left on my post about Hope, Meret and Annalisa. I have difficulty trying to figure out how to honor them on their anniversaries. I was very reluctant to write a post because, honestly, I feel like talking about them and writing about them "in public" makes people uncomfortable. Your comments were so kind and generous and thoughtful. I can't really express how much that means to us. It was the perfect way to honor them.

I can't thank you enough.

Hope, Meret and Annalisa

Three years ago today, our daughters Meret and Annalisa were born and died. Their sister Hope was born and died 2 days earlier. I wasn't sure about writing a post about the anniversaries, but we wouldn't be on this journey if they lived.

These three hibiscus are blooming on our patio today. I was struck by this - 3 bright, beautiful flowers that bloom for such a brief time.

As we get closer to completing our adoption, I feel a sense of closure because we are getting closer to finally bringing another child into our family. But, I will always miss our girls - our three little birds.

Luggage?

STATS:

Wheels:Yes
Fabric:Polycarbonate and ABS Blend
Hard or soft sided:Hard Sided

Manufacturer:Heys Usa Inc

Colors:Black, Silver

Description:
Blend of Polycarbonate and ABS mixed into the shell makes the xcase-XL extremely durable

Polycarbonate allows the shell to absorb impact by 'flexing' when under heavy stress

ABS is then added to give the shell greater rigidity so that it will not permanently deform when under pressure but instead 'pop' back up into its original shape

Push Button Mono Handle System

Chrome plated wheels

Dimensions and Weight:
30” Upright: 30” x 20” x 12”; 9.8 lbs.
26” Upright: 26” x 17” x 11”; 7.2 lbs.
20” Upright: 20” x 14” x 10”; 5. 2 lbs.

Warranty: 5 Year

The title of this post is a link to Irv's Luggage where you can purchase the set.

Thoughts? Anyone? I ordered one set of 3 in silver. Should we get an additional carry-on? Most people I have seen have taken 3 bags. Is this correct?

I am getting stuff done today! I also bought some balloons to go along with the stacking cups. All we need is a blow-up beach ball and I believe we are done with toys. Wow. How did that happen? DONE with something?

Treats for Everyone!

Well, almost. No toys for the parents - just the kids. Despite a rocky couple of days (Dad is out of town & Luca is "testing boundaries" - this adds up to "rocky" to put it nicely), I took Luca to the toy store in search of a marble run and the ever-important stacking cups for "Saskia."

Run Marbles, RUN!

I set the marble run up after lunch and I think marbles have made their way down the transparent plastic tubes hundreds of times already. Luca said, "I am SO happy, Mom. Never take the marble run off of the coffee table." What have I gotten myself into now? This + throwing sticks, stones or debris to make ripples in any body of water he may find = bliss for Luca. I highly recommend this product for you and/or your child if s/he does not put small parts in his/her mouth! Hey, Kim - now that you have completely purged your house, can't you use a new toy?

Lots O' CupsAsk any PAP or AP one of the most important toys to take with them and s/he will most likely include stacking cups on their short list. We have shape sorters, stacking rings, almost every book written by Sandra Boynton and about 400 lovies that Luca never loved, but no stacking cups. So, we purchased some for Saskia today - I passed on the $19.95 set (huh? for plastic cups?) and found a more thrifty $5.95 set. I think we will also take the stacking rings, the LeapFrog Discovery ball , some Boynton titles (my favorite is The Going to Bed Book) and a few of the 400 lovies in hopes that "Saskia" will love them. Any other suggestions?

When searching for photos of stacking cups, I see that this love continues well into children's 20s. Photos of towers of cups set up by drunken college students were abundant. Who knew?

Consolation Prizes for mom
Forget the cups, a completely vacuumed house = bliss for me - truly. Think of the Beatles song "Happiness is a Warm Gun" (never got the gun part) and insert "vacuumed house." Cloud 9, I tell you, cloud 9. And, it was a hard one - you would not believe how much Luca did NOT want me to accomplish this task. But, to walk from one side of the house to another without having something stick to my bare feet is bliss.

Although I didn't get toys today, the house is somewhat clean and I spent the last 1/2 hour engaged in one of my favorite activities - ripping recipes I would like to try out of Food & Wine magazine - Gateau Basque, Crespelle with Ricotta and Marinara, or Crispy Black Bean Cakes with Sour Cream and Avocado anyone? Or better yet, how about a Thai Boxer? :)

Did I mention Scott is out of town?

Will She LIKE Us?

Luca and I were at the lake this morning and I started thinking about having Saskia with us next year. It is difficult to think past the process of international adoption because it is so . . . huge and all-consuming. But, I have found myself doing this more and more. Earlier this week, I ran into another mom who had just been at an outing with her moms & kids group. I found myself thinking that I could do the group again with Saskia . . . that I should reconnect.

It's actually pretty easy to imagine life with a baby again. I can imagine Moms & Tots (UGH! But, I will save this for another post.) and diapers and bottles and interrupted sleep and baby giggles. I can also imagine that "Saskia" will like us and eventually love us. The thing that gnaws and niggles at me is will she always like us or will she like the idea of her birth family and birth country better? Will she be in love with the idea of them? Will she be angry with us because we took her away from Kazakhstan? Will nurture ultimately not matter in the face of the spectre of nature? When she is 5 will she rush into her room, slam her door and scream "I bet my REAL mother would not make me eat 3 bites of lentil soup!"

She may or may not. Knowing me, I will be worried either way. I don't think taking care of Saskia as a baby will be difficult - I do wonder about later . . . when she is aware of all that the beginning of her life was and who she is missing. What will she think?