Crafting retreat 2015

My mom and I drove all the way out to WI to go to a crafting retreat with our old church. It was so much fun!  I saw a lot of friends (2 really great friends) and got a lot done.

2 Stars and Strips (Atkinson Designs)  baby quilt tops I made
(I need one more JR strip to finish the border on the left)

Interwoven pattern from Moda bake shop

Three friends in front of three of our projects

True Blue friends holding our True Blue quilts!

Gotta tube when we can :)

Looking forward to the quilting retreat in the fall!  My mom and I have talked about possibly having a quilting weekend of our own. Get some projects done and hang out together.

18 months!

Crazy!  1.5 years ago, Daughter was born!

• She now has boots that she will wear.  She grabs them and runs toward the door whenever someone leaves. 
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• She also likes to fill the boots of others
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• She doesn't like to sit in the cart anymore.  She'd much rather run!  Which is less fun for mama...
• Mat and I have colds and she's taken to imitating our cough.  It's pretty cute but obviously fake.  She does throw a few real coughs in sometimes, so she's probably getting it, too. 
• She loves to read!  She just sits and looks at her books all the time.  Or brings a book over to me wanting me to read it :)
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• She loves to be outside!
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• She is constantly getting into the trash.  At least now, when we say "no" she looks at us and closes the lid.
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• She's learning to use a spoon.  It's messy, but cute :)
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• We got her a potty chair.  I'm thinking potty training is not coming too soon since all she does is take the potty-catching part out and stand in the whole it leaves....
• She's very clear now about "yeah" or "no".  It's great except when you ask for cuddles or kisses and she says "no" :(
• She often comes around a corner, looks at me, smiles, and says "Hi!"  
• She's finally outgrowing her 12 month clothes.  Her 18 month sleepers seem a bit big, but she's getting there!

Home portion of the home study is today!

Home study is really a misnomer.

Yes, the home portion of our home study is today, but we've been working on our home study for months.

We did autobiographies, tax history, budget, letters from employers, background checks, finger printing, statements of faith, gave references (who hopefully have all sent back the info!), and signed our lives away... ok, maybe not, but if you've ever bought a home it's about as much signing as you do at a closing.  Like oh-my-gosh-my-hand-doesn't-work-anymore signing.

We're in the home stretch (hehe, home stretch) of the home study and later today the social worker is coming out.

I was not as stressed as I thought I would be this week.  I had set up a sleep over with my parents so I could get a hard core cleaning in, but then we cancelled.  Why does the house need to be spotless?  The SW knows that a toddler lives here.  I'd rather have Daughter's sleep schedule somewhat normal than have a spotless house.

One thing I am doing is not getting Daughter dressed until just before her nap, which she should wake up from just before the SW comes.  That way her clothes won't be too dirty :)

Our good little Lutheran :)

This is why clothes don't stay clean (or dry)

hasn't figured out the puzzle box yet

Costco with Grandma

Adoption on TV....

I watch Downton Abbey. 

I don't like many of the characters, but a few who I feel for are the adoptive parents of Marigold.

Yes, Lady Edith (the birth mother of Marigold) is in pain.  Yes, her situation that leads to Marigold's adoption is tragic.  But does that make it right for her to tear Marigold out of the arms of the Swiss parents who love her?  They never touch on their pain. 

This guy addresses it better on the Daily Beast.

Really, adoption is portrayed horribly on TV altogether.

Patrick, on Revenge, had his adoptive mother die when he was young and his step mother hated him so his dad did likewise.

The kid on Once Upon A Time was adopted by the Wicked Witch.  Seriously?

Thor's brother, Loki, is adopted and winds up being a villain...

That's all I can think of right now, but why is adoption generally portrayed so negatively in the media?   Almost every instance of adoption I know of is exceedingly positive- but I guess that wouldn't get good ratings.

Home portion of home study scheduled!

Next Friday we have the home visit scheduled!

EEEEP!

Then hopefully a March transfer :)

Our little social butterfly!

After the Church service yesterday, Daughter decided to become the unofficial greeter.

Someone tried to give her a high five (which she's yet to master, being as it's a difficult thing to teach one handed as I am) so she ended up shaking the hand.  Then she approached at least a dozen other people and held out her hand until they shook it!  I had to tap a guy on the shoulder to let him know she was waiting to shake hands- he wasn't used to someone down there trying.  She's ordinarily rather shy!  It was so bizarre and adorable!

Today she's found my Harry Potter Uno cards....

Whew...

Since 12/20/14 I have had a somewhat major medical issue.  I called Lynda at NEDC Monday 12/22, and she told me to be seen by my local Dr right away.  My Dr told me to see an OBGYN, and the OBGYN told me they didn't have any openings that week and that I should go to the ER.

So I did.  They diagnosed me and said that it probably shouldn't interfere with my plans for a March transfer, but that I would have to go see an OBGYN to know for certain.  They put me on loads of restricions (not supposed to lift more than 15 lbs?  uhm... Daughter weighs 20!) to keep it from worsening. 

I called Lynda the following day, 12/23/14, and told her what I had been told.  She said she would speak with Dr K to be certain, but that she was "betting" that I would still be able to go through with the transfer. 

Didn't hear back that day... and it turns out they were closed until Friday 1/2/15.  Thankfully, Lynda did email me while the office was closed.  She told me she hadn't had a chance to talk with Dr K before the office closed 12/23 but he was researching my diagnosis.

He wouldn't say whether or not it was likely or probable for me to proceed with the March transfer until after I had seen the GYN.  Presumably, he has no experience with my diagnosis (it's very uncommon in women of child-bearing age).

I saw an OBGYN in Fargo yesterday.  Great news!  Not only did she think that I should be able to go through with the transfer and hold a pregnancy with no problems, but they didn't have to do the surgery/procedure thing that I had been told I would probably need by the ER dr! 

I emailed Lynda and she wants me to have them send the visit notes to Dr Keenan :)