Struggling...

This is it, the final wait on a government body to issue something for the adoption process to bring Tatum home. We are waiting on our Travel Approval (TA). I look at blogs, forums, you name it...anything associated with a way for me to estimate when we can expect to receive our TA. I'm going crazy...my phone is with me at all times, I'm not sleeping well...and did I mention that we were in an earthquake today here in MD? In addition to that...we are expecting a hurricane this weekend. We are hosting a crab feast for 22 of our closest friends and family who are in turn hosting a shower for me to celebrate the homecoming of Tatum.

Tomorrow night, I am hosting a Cookie Lee jewelry party and my friend Jodi has offered 30% of all sales to be donated towards the orphanage fee that is needed to bring Tatum home. I'm looking forward to a night with some ladies to kick back and relax.

On top of all of this, work is nuts. I have just about zero interest in being there, I've had enough and I need a break....a 12 week break for me to be with my baby girl....so, come on TA!! (according to my neurotic math, we should receive TA this Friday...just saying)

Update

Last week we received an update on Tatum!! I took this picture from the lap top to brighten it up a little...our little beauty is 22 lbs now and just beautiful! I can't wait to get over there to get my hands on her and bring her home...I'm ready to see that first smile!

Article 5

Good News...our Article 5 was picked up!!! Now we wait for Travel Approval (TA)!! I can't believe this good news.......YAHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nursery Sneak Peak

 Chair ready for bed time stories...

 Crib with the quilt from PK Kids (Jungle Friends)

 Dresser-I still need a lampshade and a changing pad

 Letters hung above crib

View of room from doorway

We were very lucky to receive the furniture we bought from craigslist at a SUPER deal! We went to pick it up on Friday evening and got it put together and set up that same night! I couldn't be happier. I still have a long way to go, but this is a great start!!

Happy Monday...it was a rough one at work for me! I need a glass of wine!!

NVC

We received a copy of our NVC letter via e-mail yesterday, I was so happy!! Thank you to this website that I found that prompted me to chech where my letter was in the system.

Now we wait for our Article 5, which I believe takes 3-4 weeks.

Tonight we are headed to Crofton to pick up some nursery furniture from a family that was selling on Craigslist. We saw this last weekend, and fell in love. It is just meant to be, and we are getting a great deal! More pictures to follow....

Happy weekend, I am enjoying a little early with today off from work, and boy is it HOT!!

Giveaway

Oh my how I would LOVE to win this wonderful giveaway!! Check it out!!

And today begins my stalking of the mail lady for our NVC letter....keep your fingers crossed!

Catch up & Meal Plan

Tatum's closet is finally complete! The clothes are ALL washed and I just need to add some baskets and move a lot of the toys to the playroom and we will be all set!

My friend, Laura, got me this wall decal for Christmas and after we decided to do jungle animals in the nursery, we knew the bathroom with butterflies and birds was the best place for such a wonderful saying. Thank you Laura!

Here's a little update on life here.....

Today we received our I-800 Provisional Approval! Yahoo! We are 5 steps (count them....5 steps!!) away from Gotcha Day!

• NVC letter in ~7-10 days
• Cable to China ~2 days
• Article 5 ~3-4 weeks
• TA ~2-9 weeks
• Travel ~3-5 weeks

I can't believe how far we have come! My friends and Todd's family are throwing me a shower on August 27th. We have a few friends from out of town coming, and I can't wait for some good girlfriend time celebrating Tatum's arrival. I really feel ready for this, despite my pages and pages of lists of things I need to do before she arrives, to prepare for her room, bathroom, food for her, while in China, when home, etc....the lists are endless, but SO worth it!

And...because I have grounded us from eating out right now....back to meal planning....

Monday-Pork chops, stuffing, green beans

Tuesday-pizza and salad

Wednesday-chicken picatta with pasta

Thursday-tuna, mashed potatoes, beans

Friday-Chicken alfredo

Saturday- Rockfish, baked potato, salad

Sunday-shrimp with pasta

Have a great week everyone!