Thursday, April 13, 2006
11:34 PM
In hindsight, we're well beyond two years into our adoption. We started seriously planning and researching for adopting from China in 2004, but because of my age, T. and I not being married long enough, and not having the house built, we were forced to defer. Vietnam was not an option then. But we looked at agencies and talked and talked and planned and planned and hoped and hoped. So it's been a long time coming, and this certainly is something we've been talking about and anticipating for years.
According to our agency, our paperwork is now in Vietnam. We are anxiously awaiting the receipt that lets us know that someone in that government center has seen our papers and put them in a pile to be processed.
So while we wait, we shop. Well, I shop. Tom just marvels over what I am buying. I've started buying toys. My favorite so far is the Discover Sounds Kitchen by Little Tikes. I was expecting a Barbie-sized kitchen, but what arrived is this toddler-sized set of fun. For some reason, I think it resembles a DJ mixing station more than a kitchen. The two little "burners" on the stove play techno music and make different sound effects depending on which way they are slid. It's pretty cool. If Cupcake doesn't like it, I'll keep it for myself.
I've also been buying lots of 12-18 month clothes. We are hoping for an update on Cupcake's weight next week, but at SOME point she'll need 12-18 month clothes so that's what I keep telling myself to justify the shopping. I have discovered Gymboree which is incredibly dangerous. I always thought Gymboree was some Jazzercise thing for kids, so I was picturing sportswear and legwarmers and leotards, but they have very cool clothes. It's funny, because I always thought I'd dress my daughter in very comfy, unisex, natural-fibers/colors type clothing, but I can't resist the beautiful florals and dresses. I am a bit surprised by it, but as I have not yet purchased any sort of hair bow that is applied with GLUE or TAPE or white tights, I think I'm okay. I know some people love white tights on baby girls, but all I can think of is how they must be sagging down by the diaper and itching. Why subject a kid to pantyhose?!
Finally, we decided on the colors/theme of Cupcake's room. I tried to get into girly-girl, but I kept resisting it. My favorite colors are ocean colors- teal and aqua - so when I saw PBKids "Ocean Critters" stuff that was it. My mom is an artist (she studied textile design and was employed by Bloomingdales back in the early 60's before she gave it up to get married) and she is good friends with a muralist, so they are going to take elements from the sheets and stuff and paint them on the walls. Some of the octopus and starfish and turtles will have bows on their heads.
The builders keep telling us "one more month" on the house. They have been telling us that for months, so at this point I am wondering exactly what calendar they are using in that builder's office. At this point, I am itching to move in and get Cupcake's room going.
Until then, I shop. And dream. And look at Cupcake's face and hope she's okay.
