Counting down the days......

Yes people, we are on countdown at our house. We are now getting Mira September 15th. I have put a countdown on the fridge so I can mark off the days. I went a little crazy yesterday and packed everything for Mira. James of course asked if I was going nuts, which I replied, "YES!" I am usually a last minute packer, don't get me wrong. But in this case, I don't want to leave behind something important behind, like her blow up beach ball (HAHA). I think I have reached the weight limit on the suitcase so I hope we don't get charged extra! You would not believe the things I have packed but I am SO SURE we will use all of it, including the beachball and the bubbles. If we don't, I am SO SURE my wonderful husband will love pointing out to me that we didn't need all of this stuff. I told my poor students today that I would be in class for a total of 2 weeks before I would turn them loose to a substitute. How great of a teacher am I? At this point, I don't care - put me on a plane already!

Mira Meets Mommy and Daddy!

James sent Mira a care package to the orphanage last week and he got word today that it had been delivered at noon today. Mira now has a blanket, a rattle, a doll and a picture of her mommy and daddy! I wonder what she is thinking right now. The orphanage puts the picture in her crib so our faces will be familiar to her. James and I slept with her blanket for a month so our scent would be on the blanket. Now Mira is sleeping with the same blanket! I want to bring her home so badly!

We got TRAVEL APPROVAL!!

I was at school at 5:10 this evening waiting for open house when I was paged. I picked up the phone and my dear husband screamed, "We got travel approval!" I freaked out! We will see Mira Lin's face for the first time on September 18th, 2005! I will get to hold my beautiful baby for the first time! I will also get to be the first one in the family to hold her (no matter what James says)! I do not know what I said to my students and parents at open house but I am sure I will figure it out Thursday when school starts. My poor poor students are going to have a basket case for a math teacher for the next couple of weeks. They will be so glad to get rid of me!

Greatest Family and Friends EVER!

Yesterday, my family and friends threw me the most wonderful baby shower ever! I was so overwhelmed with the love and care they showed me and my beautiful baby (and James too). I cannot believe all of the wonderful gifts we received. Mira's closet is now almost full instead of empty! I cannot wait to dress her in all of the beautiful outfits. When I got home, James and I carried her things to her room and lovingly looked at everything. Then I wondered if her room could be extended because I can't fit everything in there! I am just kidding. Everyone should be as lucky as we are to have family and friends who care so much. I would especially like to thank my bossy sister Denise for being in charge of everything. I couldn't have asked for a more beautiful shower!

Velcro Baby?

We met with Michele, our wonderful social worker today to apply for our visas, sign more papers, and basically get last minute information before we travel. Michele also told us some things to expect when we get over there. She said Mira would more than likely attach herself to one of us from the start. She said she would be like a velcro baby - sticking herself to James or me. She keeps warning me that Mira may be afraid of my blond hair because she probably has never seen someone with blond hair. Have no fear! I have a hair appointment on Friday and everyone may see me with dark hair for the first time since I was 18. My baby is going to velcro herself to me, you will see! If that doesn't work, I will put double-sided duct tape all over me and watch her stick! She said we might get travel approval next week. Once we get travel approval, she calls and makes an appointment with the embassy in China. From there, we will get specific dates and we will make travel arrangements. I feel like we get a little bit closer every day...

Adam and Mira's Bathroom

This is a corner of Mira and Adam's bathroom. Poor Adam is getting ready to have to give up his "bachelor pad."

Mira's Empty Closet!!!

How pitiful is this Mom? Your poor granddaughter only has 17 outfits so far and you won't let me go shopping! Shame, shame, shame!

Princess Mira's Big Girl Bed!

Thank God for my husband working in the furniture industry! This is going to be Mira's big girl bed one day. For now it will be part of her nursery because the darn thing is too big and too heavy to move! Also, I have a feeling James and I will be sleeping in here with her for awhile!

Mira's Play Tower

I love this! I was going to buy a treasure chest and have some stuffed animals and throws flowing out of it. Then my mom and I found these beautiful hat boxes and decided to use those instead. I added some of my grandmother's fake pearls to add an even more girly effect. James just said he wondered how long it would take Mira to tear all that down. My guess is less than 2 minutes!

Mira's Empty Dresser

This is Mira's dresser. Now, will my family please get over me buying her clothes? She obviously has plenty of room!!! Just kidding MOM.

Afraid of the Dark?

This is the lamp next to Mira's crib. Pink and green seem to be the main colors in her room. More pictures of the nursery are coming!

Will Mira Sleep In Her Crib????

This is Mira's new crib. Her crib set is a paper dolls theme. My lovely husband has yet to hang the 3 dresses over her crib so they are hanging on her crib for now thanks to Kayla!

Shopping for my baby!

I know I need to stop shopping for clothes for her but I just can't. I did go bargain shopping so I should get atleast a round of applause from the clothes police (MOM). I went with the intentions only buying one thing and ended up only buying 3 outfits. No applause needed there Mom. The problem is now that I have her picture, I can picture her in those clothes. I want to see her closet full. Is that insane? I had to get rid of 3 huge lawn bags full of my clothes so she could have her closet. I want tights, I want hairbows, I want hair clasps. I can use them for each of the sprigs of my baby's hair (LOL). If I get too many clothes at the baby shower, I will just change her outfit 2 or 3 times a day like you would a baby doll. Natalie and I did that to poor Kayla when she was first born because she was just to cute! Now Kayla changes that many times a day on her own. My ramblings are over for the night. Good night sweet Mira! I will see you soon!

Thanks BJ!

This rocker belonged to my best friend and wonderful sister BJ. It now sits in my nursery next to Mira's rocker. I can't wait to hold her in it!

Thanks Mom!

This is Mira Lin's hand painted rocker. My wonderful mom found this great shop in town that will paint these chairs with any scene you want on them. These colors are the exact colors in her crib set. Her name is painted inside the balloon and the dress she is wearing is the exact replica of the paperdoll crib set. The only thing this chair is missing is Mira's little behind sitting on it! Thanks Mom!

Isn't She Perfect?!!!!

Doesn't she just look like a baby doll? Every time I look at her I think, "She can't be real because she is too beautiful!" Don't you just love the hair?

A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words!

I am so in love with this face! I am not one to intrepret pictures but I swear my baby is saying, "Come get me Mommy and Daddy!" I don't know how you can love someone so much just by seeing her picture but I absolutely do. James and I can't wait to go get her. She is so perfect! I think she is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen! James and I each kept a picture on each side of our bed so we could wake up and see her face. My sweet husband went one step further and brought a flashlight to bed so he could see her in the dark without turning the overhead on. I just can't stop looking at her! By the way, she celebrated her 7 month birthday yesterday. Mira Lin Fogle was born December 31, 2004. I want to bring her home NOW!