Exposed

I've wondered how I am going to potty-train my son, since, well, I don't have much experience with the male method of going. Apparently I needn't worry as I had it figured it out when I was 3.

And for those of you that wonder what I look like (since I haven't posted a picture of myself on my blog) here ya go! Just add 40+ years. Boy, I wish my butt still looked like that! ;)

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MamaSource

A friend forwarded this link to me awhile back. I signed up (free) and find it interesting and valuable. The premise is to connect moms in geographic regions in an online forum for advice, referrals, etc. Not an adoption site, but general advice on all things child and more. You can ask a question and from what I have seen in this area, you'll get about 15 responses the same day! I recommend giving it a try. For a first-timer like me, I think it will be very useful.

http://www.mamasource.com

And for the real reason you checked my blog... no news yet. LMI thinks it will be a couple more weeks before the LOI transverses cyberspace and lands in my inbox. Right in time to hang up on the holiday weekend. :)

Quick LOI Update

We (my agency and I) hoped I'd have my LOI this coming week, but alas, not the case. The special power of attorney now required in Aqtobe that I had to FedEx to the in-country coordinator (which was finally delivered yesterday, after FedEx claimed it was "undeliverable" due to a wrong address) is required to start the LOI process, not end it. So, looks like a few more weeks. Hoping now for the end of June.

Slightly disappointed, but as I have been stressed trying to pull everything together, I now can get it all done at a calmer pace, then enjoy a week or two without the frenzy.

Also, on the good side, my laptop has been giving me massive problems of late and my IT department is sending me a new (old) one this coming week. Yay! Just have to reload it with all the stuff I need for the trip that isn't supposed to be on it in the first place, like Skype, Russian/Kazakh language programs, tons of music files, all my scanned docs, camera/video camera editing programs, etc. Wonder why the current one has problems.... ;)

And with the several months of delays already, why is she not packed and ready to walk out the door you ask? Yeah, I'm wondering the same thing! ;)

Off to mow the lawn and plant some flowers. Enjoy the weekend!

Work in Progress

My son's room has a ways to go, but I figure I can finish it up between trips. I still haven't put anything on the walls, or managed to get the 2 chests of drawers stained. Sort of wondering where they are going to go, given I'm filling up the room with toys and clothes and assorted stuff. Closets are full too. Here's a preview....

Yes, four tubs of clothes. One of books. One of blankets, towels, bath toys. Boxes and tubs of toys everywhere. Can't see them all in the pictures. Trying to stay far away from all toy and baby stores right now. ;)

I'll be putting many of the toys in a cabinet in the basement for awhile, partly in hopes they will be a bit too old for him, and partly to avoid overwhelming and overstimulating the little guy.

The walls are really not as washed-out minty toothpaste as they look in these pictures., although not quite the sage I was after.

This cubby bookcase? LOVE IT! After searching most of cyberspace and every store I could think of, I finally broke down and paid (too much) for it from Land of Nod. I have to say it is the highest quality and best craftsmanship of anything I have ever purchased that had to be assembled. Very sturdy. And amazingly enough, matches the stain on the crib perfectly. Almost pains me to have a toddler dinging it up with toys, but it is all his.