BABY SIGN LANGUAGE

I dropped into the local Deaf Centre today and picked up this disc on basic sign language for babies. Thought with the language barrier and the fact Ava's speech will be delayed due to the cleft it wouldn't be a bad idea to learn a few simple signs for communication. Basic signs for hungry, thirsty, mommy, pee, poop, apple, banana, toast, sleep, cookie, play etc. are covered. I'll learn as many as I can before I travel and when I speak to Ava I'll try and also sign the same work. Some say their kids were using a few simple signs by the time they returned from China!!....Couldn't hurt to try!

FIRST FABRIC PATCH FOR "100 GOOD WISHES QUILT"

Ava's first fabric patch for her "100 GOOD WISHES QUILT". Anyone who would like to contribute a patch of fabric for Ava's quilt it would be most appreciated. If you don't know the address to ship it to just leave me a comment in the comments section with your email address and I will send you the address. Ava will love using her quilt and reading her "100 Good Wishes" Book when she is older.

"100 GOOD WISHES QUILT"

To welcome and celebrate a new life, there is a tradition in the Northern part of China to make a Bai Jia Bei, or a "100 Good Wishes Quilt". In China these quilts were originally made from garments of family and friends, which would surround the child with blessings. The custom is to invite 100 people to contribute a single square patch of cloth and a cloth scrap. The 100 patches are then sewn together to make the quilt of blessings. The little cloth scrap goes into a memory book with the wish or blessing.


The fabric you choose can be anything, it can be a piece of old clothing, a print that has some significance to you, ie: a sports team, favorite flower, favorite colour etc. The patch of fabric needs to be 12x12 inches. Then write a blessing or good wish to Ava on a piece of paper no more than 10x10 and include a scrap piece of the same fabric on the good wishes page. Now for the blessing page you can write something yourself, write a quote, poem, lyrics from a song you like etc. For you scrapbooking people you can get as fancy as you like or keep it as simple as you like.
Please sign your name to good wishes page.
One day Ava will be able to read her 100 Good Wishes Book and see how many people love her and were waiting for her arrival.

MORE LADYBUG GIFTS!!

I found this surprise in my locker after work today. It was left there for me by "Emily", a friend from works daughter. Emily is always on the lookout for cut ladybug stuff. She also found me a really cut ladybug t-shirt in the summer, I posted it in a previous post. Thanks, Emily.....keep those eyes peeled !!!!!

MEDICAL AND PAPERWORK PREP

This week I started off with getting my Typhoid Fever vaccination. I already had my Hepatitis A and B vaccines earlier in the year. I also saw my F.D. and got prescriptions for Dukoral(Traveller's Diarrhea), antibiotics for ear/sinus/chest infections as well as one for gastrointestinal infection. On my list was also antibiotics for Ava if she has an ear infection while in China( got both and oral one and ear drops), as well as a script for a medicated diaper cream. Hopefully with this and everything over the counter I have collected will provide an adequate travelling pharmacy for whatever we may encounter while in China.

I also signed my parental leave forms in Human Resources today!

All of this is making it much more real.....and much closer!

AVA, YOU AND I

WHAT IS A GRANDPARENT?.....QUOTES BY 8YR OLDS

• Grandparents are a lady and a man who have no children of their own. They like other people's.
• A grandfather is a man and a grandmother is a lady!
• Grandparents don't have to do anything except be there when we come to see them. They are so old they shouldn't play hard or run. It is good if they drive us to the shops and give us money.
• When they take us for walks, they slow down past things like pretty leaves and caterpillars.
• They show us and talk to us about the colour of the flowers and also why we shouldn't step on cracks.
• They don't say, "Hurry up."
• Usually grandmothers are fat but not too fat to tie your shoes.
• They wear glasses and funny underwear.
• They can take their teeth and gums out.
• Grandparents don't have to be smart.
• They have to answer questions like "why isn't god married?" and "how come dogs chase cats?"
• When they read to us they don't skip. They don't mind if we ask for the same story over again.
• Everybody should try to have a grandmother, especially if you don't have television because they are the only grownups who like to spend time with us.
• They know we should have snack-time before bedtime and they say prayers with us everytime and kiss us even when we've acted bad.
• A 6 year old was asked where his grandma lived. "Oh," He said, "She lives at the airport and when we want her we just go to her. Then when we're done having her visit, we take her back to the airport."
• Grandpa is the smartest man on earth! He teaches me good things but I don't get to see him enough to get as smart as him!
• It's funny when they bend over, you hear gas leaks and they blame their dog.

Sent to me by my mother, soon to be Ava's grandmother!!

TORONTO STAR ARTICLE ON ADOPTION

Two of our CB(children's bridge) singles are interviewed in an article today in the Toronto Star about the end of the "golden age" of China adoptions. Here is the link:
http://www.thestar.com/article/169561

AVA KEEP HOLDING ON...I AM COMING SOON TO BRING YOU HOME

FINAL FANTASY 9 ET 10
Video sent by studio-dream7

RECEIVED UPDATE ON AVA TODAY!!!

I got a nice surprise email today from Cathy at Children's Bridge with updated pictures of Ava, and a developmental update also. As you can see by the pictures she is still living with her foster family(this is good!). She now weighs 8.5kg(18.7lbs), is 74cm long, head circumference is 45cm, chest circumference is 47.5cm, foot lenght is 10cm and she has 8 teeth. This is close to the size of a 12 month old although she is 19 months old now. But from those chubby cheeks and double chin she certainly doesn't look under nourished!

The developmental report states she is normal in intellect and quick in reaction. She has a good appetite. Her favorite foods are noodles and ham sausages. She takes four to five meals a day. She has a big eating capacity. She can walk on her own. She can jump on one foot. She can go downstairs and upstairs with the help of her hands. She is active and restless. She is fairly timid and goes along well with others. She can share her food with other children. She is fond of climbing upstairs. She can play alone by pushing her walker. She is fond of playing games with her caregivers. She has a very ready smile. She seldom cries. However, she is afraid of being taken away by a stranger. She is closest to her caregivers. Her favorite toy is her cloth doll. She is fond of climbing up a sofa to sit on. She is fondest of playing outside while held in the arms of an acquaintance.

MORE GIFTS FOR AVA AND MOMMY

Dorothy, my mom's friend went on a tour to China and brought Ava back this lovely hand painted picture for her room. The picture was by a child in the "gifted children's" art class at the Children's Palace in Shanghai.

My friend Tracey gave me a subscription to this Parenting magazine. Little does she know I probably won't get any time to read this unless I am at work!! Just kidding, and thanks so much for the gifts.

A little girl from

a distant land......

and we've been chosen

to hold her hand.

CARE PACKAGE FOR AVA

I am sending off this care package for Ava tomorrow. I've included in it a soft bear with a knitted sweater with the words "LOVE YOU" on it, small story book titled " QUESS HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU", a small fleece ladybug blanket which I'v slept with for a week so it has my scent on it, a small photo album with pictures of family, friends, my dogs, her home and cottage. I also included a disposible camera in hopes that they will take some pictures of her at the orphanage in her daily routine.

PICTURES IN AVA'S CARE PACKAGE PHOTO ALBUM

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HAPPY NEW YEAR

AVA'S CHRISTMAS GIFTS FROM NA NA

AVA'S CHRISTMAS GIFTS FROM MOMMY

MERRY CHRISTMAS

ONE OF MY FAVORITE VIDEOS

You Bring Me Hope
Video sent by APinkRN

AVA'S ROOM FINISHED

Everyone has been asking if I have Ava's room finished yet and what colours I did it in so I thought I'd post a few pictures for those interested. Enjoy!!

LID(Log in Date)

Today my dossier was logged into the CCAA(China Centre of Adoption Affairs). At present the waiting child families have been getting their notice to travel about three months from the time their file was logged in.....so I could be going to get Ava by mid February!!! These are pictures of the actual CCAA where the matching of children to parents takes place.

AVA'S FAMILY

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MORE GIFTS FOR AVA

More gifts for Ava.....boy are they spoiling you!!

I haven't even brought you home yet and your closet is already full of gifts and clothes. My aunt Alanna who will be travelling to China with me gave me these cute little ladybug shoes for Ava. The ladybug windmill ornament is a gift from my friend Sherri, who will also be travelling with me and her daughter Shauna who can't wait to be Ava's Jie Jie (big sister)

GIFTS FOR AVA

Ava has received some lovely gifts. My friend Maureen's mother, Elli made her this lovely yellow blanket and Maureen gave her the little panda bear. My friend Rita gave me this beautiful ladybug mug. Evertime I drink out of it I think of you Ava. The ladybug robeez were a gift from my sister Cathy and her partner Janet and the ladybug t-shirt and ladybut bookmark were from my friend Cathy at work and her daughter Emily. I'd like to thank you all for your extreme thoughtfulness. I will treasure these gifts and I sure Ava will also.

NOVEMBER IS NATIONAL ADOPTION MONTH