Corners of My Home #2

This post is about one of my favorite rooms to be in - the kitchen. I love to cook and enjoy spending time with the radio on preparing a meal for my family. My husband Joe is a super handy man and built this entire kitchen from the studs up about four years ago.

As for appliances, I have the standard toaster on the right, coffee pot in the middle and the "what the heck is that" appliance next to the sink. That actually is a staple in many a Chinese household (along with the mandatory shoe rack next to the front door). It is a hot water heater that maintains water at the boiling point for tea. My girlfriend Nicole from What about Mommy loved the idea of instant hot water so much that she asked her husband for one at Christmas time. If you are a big tea drinker, it is awesome (you can buy them online at Amazon). If not, you could probably find better use for your counterspace.

I am a little obsessive with keeping my kitchen clean. I don't like clutter on my countertops and get annoyed when the stray glass ends up sitting in the sink all day. Is this a symptom of obsessive compulsive disorder? Probably, but I'm not going to worry about it unless I start washing my hands a hundred times a day.

A little sweetness from a fellow blogger

I just saw this on the blog So, it's come down to this. He posted about this video, which is well worth your time to watch. If you are a softie at heart (like me), grab a tissue first. Enjoy!

Going to the Chapel...

Leah's godmother Chau will be getting married this spring and asked Leah to be a flower girl. This afternoon, the three of us went shopping for the dress. After trying on several, we all agreed on this one. Chau's sister and maid-of-honor will be wearing a deep red dress, so the sash, bow a little roses on Leah's will match perfectly.

Enjoy the wait

There is a lot of talk on other blogs about the long waiting period for adoptions. If you are unfamiliar with adopting from China, let me explain. Once you have completed the paperchase phase (which on average takes between 31/2 to 5 months) then your documents are sent to the Chinese Center for Adoption Affairs. Once they log you into their system (log in date or LID), then the real wait begins. I think the average wait right now is 8 months from LID, but that can fluctuate. As you can see, there is a lot of time between your LID and when you get to travel to China to bring your little one home.

The reason for this post is to encourage my fellow bloggers and others who are going through the adoption process to try to sit back, relax and enjoy this time of their lives. If you already have a child, then you can relate to my advice.

Your life is about to change forever. Appreciate the things that you can do, right now, which will become more difficult once you have your child home. I guess I just want to tell people to value life and the situation you find yourselves in at this moment in time.

Here are a few things that you can do while waiting to bring your child home:

Sleep in – trust me on this one, it is important. Until you have a child (or are some kind of insomniac), you can’t imagine what lack of sleep does to your body and your mental health. If you are currently getting a full night of uninterrupted sleep, savor it.

Read a book, uninterrupted – Pick up that novel that you have been eyeing at the bookstore. Get into your most comfy clothes and take an entire Saturday afternoon to just sit back and enjoy a great read.

Go out to dinner – My daughter has always been pretty good when going out to eat (except for maybe a handful of times). Still, a lot of my time is spent looking for crayons under the table and trying to bribe her into being quiet. It is hard to really enjoy your meal when you are constantly worried that your child is going to flip out at any moment (they are fickle creatures, you know). So, go out to eat and savor the yummy food and peaceful atmosphere.

Take a trip – I used to love flying. Having hours of uninterrupted reading/sleeping time was like heaven to me. Now my flying time is spent trying to keep Leah happy. In reality, I don’t have that much reason to complain. My daughter is like a little world traveler and has survived two trips to Hawaii and one really long flight to Hong Kong. She is a champ when it comes to air travel and has always been very well behaved. Still, it would be nice to sneak in a little shut eye in!

Be spontaneous – Now when I want to go out with my husband, I need to line up a babysitter usually a few weeks in advance. Gone are the days when we could just grab a quick bite out and get in an early movie just for fun.

Don’t worry, be happy – A classic sign that you are a parent – the constant worrying. My Dad says that this never goes away, that to this day he still worries about me and my sister. I used to worry about a lot of things before Leah was born (work, friendships, mortgage payments). Now my list has expanded and contains things like my daughter’s health, her preschool, saving for college, etc. You get the picture.

I have not written this post to minimize the emotions that each and every one of us feels while waiting to get our children. Let me tell you, I can get as stressed out as the next person when it comes to the anticipation of adoption. Having said that, becoming a parent has taught me to enjoy the little things in life. Children can and will bring the greatest joy into our lives. And soon, we will all know the great happiness of adding to our family through adoption.

Now, go and grab a bite out and have a drink for me!

To Candice, With Love

My niece, Candice, visited us from Washington DC over the weekend. Actually, she is really my husband Joe's niece. Joe comes from a really large family. He is the youngest of eleven (I know, eleven kids - can you imagine)! Candice was born when Joe was pretty young, so her and I are practically the same age. We always have a great time visiting with her, and this weekend was no exception. She spotted the hat I recently knitted (see Mr. Melty a few posts ago) and asked if I would make one for her. Below, Leah is modeling the hat I made for Candice out of Lion Brand Suede yarn. It's super soft and pretty fun to knit up. I will be mailing it down to you Candice. Hope you like it!

Corners of My Home

I live in a community where bigger is better. Where women drive their kids to preschool in their high-end convertibles. Nannies and maids are commonplace. Talk at the playground revolves around manicures and massages and which decorator you are using to re-do your living room. This is not me. My house isn't a McMansion, and I don't drive the newest model BMW SUV. I live in your run of the mill split level in a nice neighborhood in New Jersey.

I read about posting "Corners of My Home" on another blog (I would love to give credit where credit is due, but I can't for the life of me remember which blog it was). Sometimes, while living in the world of MORE THAN PLENTY, it is nice to reflect on your own little places in your home that give you comfort. Places where you can relax and forget about the world around you. I don't live in your house, but mine is pretty darn good. And I am proud of it.

So, here is my first official picture for my hopefully weekly post "Corners of My Home." There are a few reasons that this is one of my favorite places in my home. First of all, the couch is very comfy and in my favorite color - green. Secondly, the lap quilt that hangs over it was made by my Mother. It is made with fabric of different earth tones and is truly beautiful. The lamp gives just the right light when I want to read or knit. In the afternoons, I get full sun from the large window therefore making this quite comfortable for afternoon naps (not that I really get to partake in that)! Oh, and the crappy wicker ottoman that I bought from IKEA 8 years ago - it is the perfect height for my feet.

Then & Now AND Adoption Update!

Above is a picture of my backyard buried under 2 feet of snow this past Sunday. Below is the same back yard only five short days later. What turned my backyard from a Winter Wonderland to this barren wet wasteland? Could it be the fact that we just had two days of 60 degree weather? Weird, huh! Anyway, a cold front is moving in and we will be up to a balmy 28 degrees by Sunday.


In other news, we received our invitation to be fingerprinted in a week and a half! Our completed homestudy was sent to the USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Service) on February 6th and we just got the invitation today. I am happy that it came so quickly. Let's just hope the rest of this stuff goes just as fast. To see an estimated timeline, just check out my previous post from January 26th (it can be found in the January Archive link to the right).

A work in progress...

First, let me say that I can in no way take credit for what you see here. I am strictly a knitter and once in a while scrapbooker, and couldn't tell you what a fat quarter was if it fell into my lap. Having said that, take a look at the picture of my Mother's next masterpiece. She has been busy buying any and all PINK fabric she can get her hands on to make a twin size bedspread for Leah's room. We had moved Leah into her big girl bedroom last year and it is painted in her favorite color - pink. Actually, to be more specific, it is painted in a shockingly bright pink. She just loves it.

The squares are currently sticking to a felt wall in her quilting room. Once we have rearranged all the squares to our liking, then my Mom will put the whole thing together. I can't wait until it is finished - I know that it will make a great addition to my daughter's bedroom.

I am afraid, very afraid...

I am pretty crafty. The scrapbooks that I have put together since my daughter's birth are pretty nice, if I do say so myself. I am also a knitter, but have only ever knitted two different types of items - tons of scarves and one hat (see previous post for picture of the hat on Mr. Melty).

Recently I found a pattern for a hooded sweater in a knitting book by Debbie Bliss - you can see a picture here http://www.debbieblissonline.com/books/sk/sk_1.htm. My girlfriend Kathy is also currently making a cute sweater for a baby, although she is using a different pattern.

Is it time for me to branch out? Should I take the time to learn how to read one of those patterns and try my hand at something a little more difficult, or am I asking for trouble? All that increasing and decreasing scares the hell out of me. What is a girl to do?

Of course, it doesn't help that I check out all the various craft blogs. Take a peek at the cute stuffed bunnies at Wee Wonderfuls http://weewonderfuls.typepad.com/wee_wonderfuls/.
Or how about the wild stripes knitted blanket at SouleMama http://www.soulemama.typepad.com/. I am so jealous of this beutiful stuff I just can't stand it!

What do you think? Should I stress myself out over something new, try a new challenge, or just sit back and knit another scarf?

Greetings from Mr. Melty

Call me crazy, but I LOVE SNOW! When I was little, I would spend hours playing outside in the white stuff. My parents would have to drag me inside, cheeks rosy red and hands wet, so I didn't get frostbite. Now, my daughter has inherited my admiration of winter.

We got a total of 2 FEET during the Blizzard of '06 and it was just beautiful! The first picture was taken during the storm Sunday morning. Our birdfeeder was the most popular place on the block. There were six birds on the ground waiting for their turn to eat.

My mother Judy and daughter Leah had a blast yesterday afternoon building our new snowman, dubbed Mr. Melty. Note that Mr. Melty looks extra handsome wearing a knitted hat - made by me!

What object doesn't belong?

Look closely at the following pic of my family room. Can you see what object should not be there? If you guessed the toilet bowl, you are a winner! Why is there a toilet bowl sitting in my family room you ask? I really thought it would lend itself to the decor and also be more convenient for potty breaks.

In all seriousness, my husband has been hard at work redoing our powder room and mudroom which is right next to our family room. He and Leah assembled the toilet the other day and so now it is ready to go.

The pics below are of the new light fixture and also the new tile floor. I decide to go with a bold color choice and I really love it. It is called Pilgrimage Foliage from Benjamin Moore. I will post more pics once the entire project is finished.

Please help - looking for a great read!

I love to read. If I could start each and every day with a hot shower, cup of coffee and then curl up on my favorite chair and read a really great book, I would be one happy lady. That, of course, is definitely not reality. I do though try to get some reading in during the day. Which is why I am now looking for your suggestions.

I have listed below some of my most favorite books I have read in the last two/three years. I have been lending some of these books out to my Mom and friends and my girlfriend Tracy recently asked how I came upon some of them. I do get a lot of great recommendations from my daughter's godmother, Chau, who is also an avid reader (I will forgive her for once recommending "A Million Little Pieces" which I did not like and turned out to be a BIG WHITE LIE)! Anyway, here of some of my favorites:

The Red Tent by Anita Diamant: This was recommended by aforementioned Chau and I just fell in love with the whole story. It is a fictional telling of the life of Dinah, daughter of Leah, from the bible. At first I didn’t know if this was something that would really interest me, but I started reading and after just one page I couldn’t put it down. It is beautifully written.

The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger: I had read the reviews for this book and was so excited to find it in paperback while in Hong Kong four months before it was released in paperback in the US. It is the love story of Henry and Claire – the catch being that Henry has a disorder which makes him disappear and change time periods and locations randomly. The first two chapters can be a bit confusing, but give it a chance. It really is an entertaining book.

The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold: The story is told by Susie, a young girl who is murdered and is now looking down from heaven. Warning - the first couple chapters are not easy to read – it details her last hours with her murderer. Having said that, the rest of story unfolds and you quickly become emotionally involved with Susie and her family.

My Sister’s Keeper by Jodie Picoult: A story of two sisters and their family who find themselves in a unique situation. Oh, and don’t read the last chapter in public unless you don’t mind bawling your eyes out if from of complete strangers.

A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson: Bill Bryson is a travel writer with more than one book that I absolutely loved. In A Walk in the Woods, Bill decides to hike the Appalachian Trail with a friend. The book is laugh-out-loud funny and educational as well. He gives you insight into the history of the trail.

The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown: OK, so if you haven’t heard of this book, then maybe you have been living under a rock for a few years! It is a real page turner. I can’t wait till it comes out in theaters this May!

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling: I admit it - I am a sucker for anything Harry Potter. I read this book in just a few days with my nose glued to the pages. If you have read the series, then this sixth installment was just grand. J.K. Rowling keeps surprising her readers by plot twists and turns. I cannot wait until she publishes the last book, but will be extremely sad to see how it ends. Of course, then I could just read them all again!

Beach Music by Pat Conroy: OK, I haven’t really read this one in probably seven or so years, so I am a bit fuzzy on the details. I do remember though that I was really touched by the story of a widower and his daughter living in Rome and trying to pick up the pieces of their broken family.

Do you have any books that you have just fallen in love with and want to share? Please leave a comment below so I know which ones to look for the next time I visit my library.

I can do it myself!

Leah' s preschool will be having a Valentine's Day party next Monday. The school has asked that we bring in the filled out Valentine's cards this week so they can sort through them before the party. This morning, I took on the task of writing out cards for each classmate . The plan was for me to write each kids name and then sign my daughter's name as the sender. When I explained to Leah what I was about to do, she insisted that she would write her own name. Which gets me to the reason for this post - she is one determined little girl! She constantly asks me how to do things and then wants to try doing them by herself. Very seldom does she become frustrated with the task. Most of the time she just tries again. This kid just won't give up! I really admire this quality in a person and am pleased that it is so prevalent in Leah's personality.

As expected, Leah finished signing all nineteen cards and was off to school in a flash! Now, if only I could get her to write out my Christmas cards...

What about Mommy

For the most part, my daughter is pretty well behaved. She has an excellent attention span and listens well, she doesn't cry in the store when I won't buy her something, you can even take her out to dinner and she is an angel.

Once in a while though, that cute little thing turns into a little monster. Case in point, check out the blog my girlfriend Nicole just set up at www.whataboutmommy.blogspot.com. In the "how embarrassing" post she mentions a scenario in which we found ourselves the other day. What she didn't tell you is that when I tried to remove Leah from the situation, she total freaked out and hit, kicked and even tried to bite me! I had to physically pick up all 36 pounds of her with arms and legs flailing and then get her in a car seat. What a scene!

Weren't the terrible twos supposed to end when they were still two? Have you heard the saying "little kids, little problems - big kids, big problems." If this is a little problem, I can't wait to find out what the teenage years will be like! Yikes!

Knit one, Purl two

I took up knitting as a hobby shortly after my daughter was born and have since been knitting scarves till the cows come home. My first scarf, for my husband, came out so uneven because I dropped a few stitches as I went along. We still keep that scarf so we can have a good laugh once in a while. I have recently moved into the more complicated hat pattern and have one successfully finished and sitting in my drawer. My mother-in-law is an expert knitter and can make an adult sweater, in some very complicated pattern, overnight - I kid you not!

The two above (one still in progress) will be for my daughter's preschool teachers. They are two wonderful women and I wanted to show them my appreciation for taking such good care of my daughter while at school. I am almost finished with the second scarf, which is made out of fun fur, and plan on giving it to them on Valentine's Day.

What do you think, am I ready for sweaters yet?

Donna is the best!

A big thanks to Donna from Waiting for Lauren Elizabeth (see cool adoption blog links). Donna sent me very clear directions on how to customize my blog and now I have a new header. Thanks again!

Can you help make my blog look better?

Can any of my fellow bloggers help me. I would really like to make my blog more custom (it must be the graphic designer in me) but am having a hard time doing so. I recently uploaded a pic I took, but I couldn't get it to go all the way across the page (ala the "Do the Have Salsa in China" blog). I have even designed a simple logo (but of course can't seem to upload it currently). I would be happy to just be able to put the new logo in the red title box above. Any suggestions?

Have I mentioned how sweet my husband is?

My husband is a subtle kind of guy. He isn't the type to buy dozens of roses on Valentines day or splurge on the most expensive gifts on your birthday (don't even ask me what he once bought me on mothers day)! Instead, he will do small things that show that he obviously cares - here is my new favorite.

Joe was born and raised in Hong Kong, so his first language is Cantonese. On mainland China, the official language is Mandarin. Cantonese and mandarin do not sound the same, although they share the same characters. In other words, people speaking to each other in those languages couldn't communicate, but if they wrote down the characters, then they could both understand since they have the same meaning - pretty neat. Joe is fluent in Cantonese and if he really concentrates he can understand a little bit of Mandarin, although he is far from fluent.

Anyway, I recently started getting Joe some books-on-tape for him to listen to on his commute to/from work. He has gone through the DaVinci Code and the last two Harry Potter books. He really enjoys getting in some reading time while driving. His newest book is a "learn to speak Mandarin" tape. He hadn't shown all that much interest in learning how to speak mandarin before, so I was really touched when he told me why he is listening to the tapes. Since we don't know which Provence our new daughter will come from (either Mandarin or Cantonese speaking), Joe wants to brush up on his Mandarin so he can speak to her in her native language and put her at ease right away. AWWWW - isn't that the sweetest!

Now all he has to do is teach me (yeah right)!