Weddings, Funerals & Babies...

Weddings, Funerals and Babies...

The three times in your life when the salesmen really see you coming.

As you all know I've planned a "few" weddings in my day. Unfortunately have had to plan a funeral as well. And now for the baby part.

After an extensive search these last two weeks we finally settled on a new bedroom set for Tamara. I really appreciate all the advice I've received via comment post, email and phone.

I have taken all your opinions into account.

And we have decided to go with Young America Isabella by the Stanley Furniture Company.

A made in the USA set that she can grow with... adding age appropriate pieces as she matures.

The concept is similar to the crib conversion to a toddler bed and then a daybed or full size.

We purchased a twin canopy that will start out at Toddler bed height with matching bed rails.

When she gets a little older we raise the bed and add a box spring to regular height. Still able to use the bed rails. At regular height we add a Trundle bed. Which will slide under the bed when not in use. Great for sleep overs.

It's a set that I would imagine any little girl would absolutely love.

I think you'll agree.

Above Isabella Set

Picture a twin set.. toddler height. Matching night stand and dresser / mirror...

Cute NO???

~~~

OK... It wouldn't be shopping if we didn't dream a little. So I figure I should show you what I would have bought had I won the Mega million lottery drawing this week. Of course I might have had a better chance had I actually purchased a ticket..lol

This little princess bed can be yours for a mere $16,000 + delivery.

I thought about it for about 10 seconds. That's how long it took me to realize where the comma was. The sheets.. being round are probably as expensive as the dresser we bought....lol. but it's nice to dream. ;o)

~~~

While looking at Fantasy Items I also found this Play House at Le Petite Maison.

Couldn't tell you how much this baby goes for as they don't tell you.. you complete their form which asks what your play house budget is? Since these are two story Baby Mansions with heat and running water perhaps we'll build one for Tamara as a wedding gift? lol

Nice huh?

OK and life wouldn't be complete without a special place for FiFi

So as you can see there are loopier people then I.

Comforting isn't it? LOL

~~~

On the adoption front ... everything seems to be moving along.

A little hiccup here and there but nothing we can't handle.

~~~

Ouch!

Ouch!

Back to the Doctor today for more shots.

I don't think we'll catch anything for about 10 years.

They don't tell you about this part... no one makes it a point to tell you about all the medical screening, poking, testing you have to do first before you're approved and then again to travel.

Bruce picked up our prescriptions today.. they were over $500. That was our co-pay part.

Sounds like a lot doesn't it.. you'd think we'd have dozens of bottles and hundreds of pills for that. But in reality is was 2 Hep A vaccines, 2 Z packs , 2 Tami flu, and 2 Typhoid pill packs. In total I think he came home with about a dozen pills. Wow.. so glad we have a prescription plan??? The rest our Dr. provided at the office for a fee of course. Not sure which was more painful... the shot in the arm or the shot in the wallet. Somehow... the wallet seems more like an insult to our intelligence? Yeah... like we're not suppose to notice a $500 charge? Ah? Ouch!

Anyway... That was the highlight of my day? Other then shopping with Bruce and a quick dinner at Pizza Hut. Yes... he can be bribed with food.

Poor guy... he's been dragged all over 3 counties as I look for a possible new bedroom set for Tamara. Think we found it last night. But it really burns my buttons when I have to pay full retail on big ticket items. Guess it's all those years as a buyer.. you get used to wholesale figures. And when you know what the mark up is? Grrrr.

aNy WaY... the bedroom I want for her is not discounted anywhere... and I mean anywhere. Yeah... I'll probably get the store to eat the tax and delivery fees but I think they know that no one is discounting the set. Bummer. Well at least it's made in the USA.

And there is a HUGE difference in quality. I mean huge. Not sure what they're using to make furniture in China these days but they really should try ...um... wood?

So here's what I noticed / learned the last few days about the furniture in our stores these days.

Most of it is manufactured in China. Seriously... read the fine print. With the exception of some very expensive brands... the rest of it is pretty pathetic. So this is what happens and using the set I want for Tamara is a perfect example. OK... see if you can follow along here.

Set A is the American set. Made of wood, solid, non toxic.

Set B is the China Set. Made of Mystery material, shaky at best and who knows if it's toxic?

They both start at about the same price. Set A does well. The floor model is solid, it looks better, better styling lines. Set B is shaky, chips in the show room. The fancy molding is not wood but some sort of molded foam? Yeah.. that sounds healthy? Anyway... people aren't stupid.. when they see an inferior sample it doesn't sit well. Think about it.. why would a parent buy a bed, dresser for their young child if the sample couldn't hold up in a store? They wouldn't unless they had no choice. So... Set A retains it's price and value and set B goes on sale 50-60% off if you look closely enough. But we want set A. So I've spent hours online and in every furniture store within a 50 mile radius looking for it.

So what is this to die for must have set like? you ask?

It's a twin canopy that has the capacity to be a Toddler bed with matching rails while she's little.

Once she gets a little taller. Daddy can lift the mattress part up to a regular bed height and then we buy the Trundle Unit so she has room for a little buddy. Should she want a larger bed when she's a teen? No problem.. we swap with the guest room.

the set is rather extensive so we can add to it as she grows.

Kind of cool ...no?

~~~

I would think?

Ta Da

Is it morning yet? Thought I'd give you all a quick update. Today our document arrived via FedEx from Trenton and I scanned and sent it over. Hard copy stays with me. And gets hand carried over.

Also today found out slight change in plans when in country. Now we have to travel to Tamara's Birth Family's region to acquire a new birth certificate. So ... road trip. Hum... wonder how far that will be? Anyway.. it will give us the opportunity to at least drive through her village... perhaps even stop? I've been bugging our agency for months for information, pictures and such on the birth family. Perhaps We'll get to meet them after all?

At some point I expect Tamara will ask about her birth family. I would love to have some pictures of them or at least their village to share with her. Although the nanny has met them and I will have an opportunity to interview her... it would be nice to meet them first hand.

When you adopt a child your best opportunity to gather information is before the adoption. When you adopt internationally... your only opportunity may be while you're in country. So although a nerve racking, highly emotional event. It's an opportunity we really can't pass up should it present itself.

I would think? If we did have the opportunity to meet her birth family it would give her birth Mom some closure as well. I would think?

I would think? She would feel a sense of relief knowing her Birth Daughter has a family that adores her and will provide her with a happy, healthy, productive life.

I would think?

I would think?

~~~

Sweet Dreams Baby Girl

Sweet Dreams Baby Girl. Yes... this is Tamara's bedroom at the Foster Home. I had asked the agency to sneak a peek for me as I wanted to know what her sleeping arrangements / accommodations were like. As I mentioned earlier we have a full size bed in her room right now. Looks like baby girl sleeps in a crib. So now we need to decide do we get a crib for her to make her as comfortable as possible when she comes home? Remember she's 3 but the size of a 2 year old. What would you do? Redecorate or risk it?

Learned a few new things about Tamara today. Her foot is 14.3 cm long. About a size 8 in toddler sizes and if you look at her sleepy picture closely. She's sucking her thumb.

Cute huh?

I'll have to break her of that as soon as she's bonded. As cute as it is.. not good for the teeth.

~~~

Orphanage Fund Raiser

A Special Thanks to all those who have donated to the orphanage fundraiser.

Although the ticker (right hand column) has run out ..it's not too late to donate as we are still state side. Read the "Do it for the kids" post (right hand column under labels) for more information.

Checks can be mailed to our residence or you can Paypal over your donation to leek@primeisp.net

I found out today there are about 200 children in this baby house. Strangely enough while they were doing a head count for me they discovered there are two extra kids there?

Too bad we can't take them :o(

Anyway my original thinking was that I would buy shoes for all the kids. I'm in the process of trying to get an American children's shoe manufacturer to donate the shoes as there are so many. If I am successful we can then use the money raised along with our donation to buy other much needed items for the children. Wish me luck. Although I don't look forward to transporting a few extra suitcases worth of shoes I think it would be very well received by the children.

Shoes are considered a prized possession among orphans.

~~~

Those who have written checks.. FYI they will be cashed next week.

Thanks again for your generosity... I should be able to get some pictures for you while we are at the baby house. I know it will be a heart breaking experience but one we really must do.

~~~

Back to the Tea Hive & Update

Saturday found me going back to the Tea Hive for a Tea Party with the ladies from Church.

Somewhat tired from the festivities on Friday night but a nice way to kick off the weekend.

When I returned Bruce gave me some wonderful news. Our niece Angie and husband Brian had their 1st child. Little Logan Ray and Mom Angie are both doing great. In January her oldest sister Jennifer, husband Jim and big brother Avery welcomed their son Brydon Emery and in May our middle Wisconsin Niece Mindy, hubby Peter and big brother Issac are expecting a little girl. Lots of little cousins for Tamara to grow up with. Pretty cool stuff huh? Hardest part is being a "GREAT" Aunt and Uncle. Eeek!!!

Congratulations Girls and Guys... but mostly girls... after all you're doing 99% of the work. ;o)

~~~

To bring you all up to speed... We finally heard from Immigration and have our appointment for our final finger printing. In the mean time things are cruising along in Georgia. Tonight we received our travel document with instructions for obtaining tickets, how to deal with the remaining funds, our schedule (although we do not know the court date yet). Helpful tips on tipping, gifting (which we will be doing a lot of), shopping in Tbilisi, how to deal with the rather large staff that will be there to help us. Some cultural tips. Some safety tips. We will not be staying in a hotel but rather a private residence which we will rent for the 2-3 weeks we're there for security reasons. We should have Internet access so we will be keeping you informed as promised via this Blog. House / pet sitters, a neighbor and immediate family will have a contact # who will relay the message to us in country should you need us in an emergency. Social interaction should be done via this blog while we're away. We do plan on checking in at least once a day or as time permits. Georgia does have power grid issues so don't freak out if we miss a day or two while there. Georgia is having elections in May. We expect there will be some tension in Tbilisi which is their capital. Not to worry.. just watch CNN and I'll wave

Seriously we should be fine.. just thought I'd mention it so no one has a melt down in case we do see some excitement.

Bruce will disperse the necessary contact information to his business associates once we have a real itinerary. We are planning on using Skype while in country so we should have contact with the outside world. Not to worry.

Actually I can't wait till he reads these documents... should make for some very interesting conversation during breakfast..lol

~~~

Malibu Girls Welcome Tamara...

Malibu Girls Welcome Tamara

There's something about the anticipation of a Junior Malibu Girl. ;o)

Tonight my Malibu girls surprised me with a Malibu style baby shower at the Boat House in Stillwater NJ. A wonderful restaurant for those who are local. Yes it's water front... yes the food is great and yes of course they do make Malibu Bay Breezes ;o).

After a wonderful meal, several toasts and much laughter I was presented with many wonderful gifts from Tamara's Malibu Aunties. And a wonderful cake welcoming Tamara. Michelle had her pastry chef make it and it was excellent. Bruce really enjoyed his piece when I got home.

After loading up the car with the help of the owners of the Boat House we returned to the restaurant / bar area where we were entertained by some very colorful characters. lol. Who is Curtis Hamilton was the big question of the evening. He's somebody ... I can feel it. lol

OK.. inside joke... but my girls are smiling ;o)

Thank You girls... I really appreciate your generosity towards our daughter, your welcoming her into the fold even before she arrives means more then words can express.

And YES I was surprised... not shocked as you're all special ladies... but surprised. ;o)

It was really great seeing Lou Lou (you out there yet Lou Lou?) and Joanne.

Over all a really fun night and just the kind of stress reliever I needed.

Thank You Janet, Michelle and Debbie for planning such a special night.

~~~

Paper trail update... another set of documents are on their way to Trenton.

Georgia wants us there quickly... just waiting for US immigration?