Utah....where the tears flow like beer

Hey Everyone. The baby will be born any minute now. We are excited but I have found myself holding back just a little until the baby is actually ours (24 hours). I have to say though that I am on the verge of tears just reading the comments so far. I didn't think I had any tears in me with all this dry weather and well the holding back. I hope these can be tears of joy but you never know with things like this. Needless to say, we need your prayers.

Jessica

The call heard 'round the world

We just got a call from Stacy the social worker and Katie is in labor!!! We are heading up to the hospital to wait. Please pray that things would go smoothly and quickly for Katie and for mine and Jessica's sanity. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers... we feel them.

Ticker Vote

Ok, I need some opinions on what to do with the baby ticker at the top. After tomorrow it will be inaccurate. Should I pick another date or do something else.

Give your opinions by clicking the comment link below.

Jess

Ansel Adams or Ansel "Adam"?

Monday, Monday;...

Drive to Snowbird Resort

I wish I had an interesting update but I don't. Our moms are leaving tomorrow and after much thought and discussion I think we are going to just buy a car seat here. My mom planned to bring it for us but it may be easier on all of us to just buy one. We need an extra anyway. So I will be getting out today to do that. We didn't get together with Katie yesterday but we did talk to her on the phone for a while.

Jessica

Humidity please.

Yes. I do love the humidity. I was warned by Stacy that the air is dry here and our skin would be feeling the change in a few days. Great. My skin is already trying to set a world record for the driest. Now, here is it 3 o'clock in the morning and my eyes are trying to compete. So I got up and after unloading about half the bottle of solution in my eyes on "full stream" the contacts relinquished their death grip and I fumbled to the mound of suitcases to do a search reminiscent of that television game show Double Dare. Yes, I will take the "physical challenge". I found my glasses in under 60 seconds and no one applauded. My sinuses are like a crime fighting team from another planet. Sinus Rangers...Power Up!

I discovered that you get what you pay for in hotels where the bed (and everything else) is concerned. I am now using the baby ticker to count down the days until our moms get here since we will be changing hotels at that point in hope of relief. Adam and I have developed a plan to not eat so much since we are being served up healthy "American" sized restaurant portions at all our meals. We split a meal and sometimes take the leftovers back to the room. We have a "kitchen" here at the ExtendedStayAmerica that includes full sized fridge, two plates, two forks, two spoons, two bowls, a colander, and a pot, no kitchen soap or paper towels, a microwave and two stove eyes. So we aren't serving up much. Maybe the Marriott Suite will be better. It doesn't have any Barbi sized shampoos and lotion. Just the mini bar of soap. I did discover that the chair in the corner is actually a recliner. Now Adam and I will have something to compete for besides the one computer that will get on the internet. An internet connection that according to Adam couldn't be slower if it were being powered by an exercise bike hooked up to a battery powered alarm clock. Ok, those are my words based on his talk about band width. Which is a concept I haven't thought about since picking out wedding rings.

I have been working on my mind control skills. Don't worry, I will be using this skill mostly for good and maybe a little evil just for fun. So far it has only worked on controlling what sandwich a friend ordered at McAllister's Deli. Now, I will try it on the baby. Since I am awake already, it would be very convenient to get the call now. Give me a moment....hmmm. Nothing. Why didn't it work? The medication I am taking said that mind control was a potential side effect. Maybe it meant you LOSE mind control. Yawn...

Jessica

Build-a-Bear

So we are back from our meeting and outing with Katie. We had a great time. Meeting wasn't awkward at all. It was like it was a continuation of our phone conversations just in person. We had breakfast with her sister and Stacy (Agency) and then Katie, Stacy, Adam and I went to the build a bear store and she picked out a bear for the baby. I love that store! I am not much for the clothing but the concept is really neat. You pick out your bear and it is just a flimsy unfilled bear then you take it to the filling station where they let you press the foot petal that fills the bear. Before you they fill it you pick out a heart and you hold it up to yours and you make a wish and the heart goes into the bear and then it is filled and laced up the back which forms the cutest wrinkles. Then we used the computer to name the bear and it prints a story and a birth certificate. We both got copies. It is super cute. Katie chose the softest and (thankfully washable) bear. She picked a simple purple ribbon to tie around her neck. After much discussion, we all agreed that Katie Bear is the best name for the bear. The bear was put in a little cardboard house for the ride home.

We walked around the mall and sat in the food court. We talked about everything...her family, our families, pets, school, the mountains...can you believe that people her actually forget that the mountains are there? I don't know how someone could look up at them and not be amazed every time. We ended our visit with plans to meet again and at some point we will meet her mom.

There are so many great places to shop around here so I think we are going to hit some of the places tonight. Sundance Film Festival ends tomorrow so I think we may ride up to Park City and see if we can spot some celebrities. Katie's brother in law is a film student (and is working the festival) and he has offered to do a documentary on the adoption and interview their family and the hospital scene. I hope he will because that would be awesome to show her when she is grown.

Jess

We are here!

We are here. We arrived last night and successfully drove our rental car (which we have named "The Ice Skate") to the hotel. The car is a cute Pontiac Vibe. I am glad we went with the midsize vehicle because there is snow everywhere (well as far as the eye can see at night) and the parking lots are a little icey if they haven't been driven upon.

Adam is still asleep and I can't wait until the sun comes up so I can show him the huge mountains and do a little "I was right dance". You see last night I was able to spot them and he didn't believe that they were a) that big and b) right outside our window. They were just dark pointy things below the clouds last night but I just knew that they were there. I can see them better now but a few more minutes will do the trick. I am not sure but I think that the sun may come up behind them...

We will be meeting Katie this morning at IHOP. Stacy her coordinator from the Agency will be with us and Katie's older sister (Sabrina or Hillary, I can't remember) will come too. I have tried on my sweater to make sure that it fits. I chose red because it is my favorite color and I think we have decided to wear nice jeans for the meeting. The sky is getting lighter. We were trying to strike a balance of making a good impression but not appearing to up tight or intimidating (if we can be that). The snow is very powder like here and believe it or not is really isn't that cold outside. It is about 32 degrees and you see people wearing all sorts of things. I can make out a big mountain black against a lighter sky.

We are in a good area. There are tons of good places to eat. We went to a place called Iggy's last night. It is a Sports bar and grill. There really isn't a cloud in the sky except around the top of the black mountains. We had a great pizza and a very interesting beer. I will have to have Adam tell you about it. It had blueberry in it. There is a Krispy Kreme next door and I am vowing to completely ignore it.

Oh wow...

Leaving on a jet plane...don't know when I'll be back again...

Hey Everyone! I wanted to give an update. We got a call from Katie last night - our final update before leaving. She is still 1.5/60% for those of you who like the details... Other than that there isn't much to report. We will meet her Saturday morning. We are all packed and we are going to give the house a final blitz before Lonn takes us to the airport.

I have to say that I packed way to much (and it involved stepping on the scale repeatedly while holding the bags) and I will probably have a hard time getting it all home.

Jess

P.S. Check out that cabbage patch baby at the top! The red dot is a goner (n. Slang One that is ruined or doomed).

Like a Chia Pet...watch us grow.

Today we make our final preparations for our trip. Adam will be at work today so my plan is to get everything packed and the house clean. Yesterday I ran a bunch of errands and I thought about my Aunt Cherri. I remember her saying that running (or was it having?) errands made her feel grown up. I felt that way too. I use to think that when you drove around in a strange city and could find your way you were grown. I think I was 15 when I thought that and I was just impressed that I could drive in general so I didn't know what I was talking about. Now, errands just make you feel tired and old...too grown up.

Adam and I are still in shock about what is going to happen over the next few days. We will get on a plane and drive in a strange city in a car we rented all by ourselves. We will meet someone who plans to entrust her baby to us for the rest of our lives. There are so many new things ahead that technically we are old enough for, but we still can't help but think "I want my mommy" (that is secretly why we are having them come...they think it is for their first grandchild but we are saying "you aren't done with us yet, mama!").

I may sound like a big baby but you see my mom's definition of being grown is much different than my aunt's (and neither may remember saying these things). It is when you don't have boxes of your things stored at your parents' house - which I definately do.

Jess

A Little Amusement

I have added Scott Pakin's Complaint Letter Generator to the links list. This is a very entertaining site that I have used over the years to play jokes on co-workers and friends...

I also fixed the weather link.

Jess

Names

So far my mom has been trying out GiGi and MiMi. She writes them on the tags for gifts and I have a hard time trying to figure out who it is...I guess I will get accustomed to hear something other than Mom for her, but then again I will be called a new name too.

Jess

Good Grandparent names

I am voting for MooMoo and PooPoo. Hahaha. Seriously, what are your thoughts on names for my mom and Adam's parents...this means you will have to comment...you blog lurkers.

Jess

Nesting

I guess the nesting instinct has kicked in. Nice time for it since it is 5 AM on Sunday morning. I should be in bed but after tossing and turning since 3:30 I finally decided to get up and do some of the things that I was thinking about while I should have been sleeping. I have repacked the baby's suitcase with some of the new duds and now I can't remember if there are newborn pacifiers in there. This means I have to go through it again. Yawn...

It's a....Bird!

I had so much fun this afternoon. I was showered with gifts (which I do not deserve!) for the baby. I got a nice variety of things like clothes, toys, books, and blankets. Adam took a few pictures of some of the decorations and tablescapes which I will post for you to see. I am now putting away the "later oufits" and deciding what "now" outfits to take on the trip. Adam and I keep saying things like "we are on the way to a BABY shower" and "we are leaving on FRIDAY" with a how unbelievable is that tone.

John 14:1

"Do not let your heart be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in Me."

The Business of Saturday

Well, last night I successfully avoided a) my diet and b) preparing for the trip. When I got back to town Adam, me, my mom, and Sharron went out to eat and had a great hamburger. We then went to see Tristin and Isolde. I liked it. This morning I slept in until 8 AM!!! I never do that...I am now typing instead of getting ready for the day. I am going to go pick up my hostess gifts this morning at 9:30 and then try to find something to wear to my shower this afternoon. I am so excited about it. Oh, I forgot to say that Adam and I have tickets for Friday the 27th at 3:25 pm. I was a little disappointed that we did not get an early flight because if Thursday is the day then at least we are leaving the very next morning. Oh, well maybe that won't be the case. At least we won't be running around at 3AM trying to get ready. We can have a leasurely morning and then be taken to the airport that afternoon. We should be in Salt Lake City at 8. Not bad...I think it is 8 their time now that I think about it. I looked at the weather and it is supposed to be snowing that day. Great. Driving a rental car in the snow. Just what I was hoping. :-)

Jess

Update

Can anyone else not see the baby ticker? I can see it, but for a few minutes I could not. Well regardless, it says 1 week and 4 days...not very far away. I am in Starkville this morning. I am here for a conference for work. Yesterday afternoon I threw caution to the wind and just threw my stuff in a bag and drove up early to stay with Calen and Maribeth. I was debating whether to come early...I would have to pack and miss my favorite TV shows. I had several people encourage me to go because it might be the last time I can just pick up and leave. I am glad I came. We went to Little Dooey's (bbq), RUF last night (Reformed University Fellowship, for those who don't know) and then mystic bowling until midnight and then back to there house to eat cheese dip and talk until 2 AM. Of course, I could not sleep in so I got up and went to City Bagel.

Ok, so I left out the really good stuff. As I was driving in I got to talk to Katie and get a doctor update. She is progressing, though the doc won't give an estimated date yet. She told the doc that she needed to know a date because she wasn't having that baby unless we were there. We told her that we were going to come early. I could tell she was glad. I really need to get our tickets today and reserve the rental car. So much to do, so little time. I am also going to have a dig up some warmer clothes. I should have lifted some from Calen's closet while I was there.

Isaiah 41:10

So do not fear for I am with You; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Philippians 4:6-9

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Bad Day...Edited

As the time draws near I get more scattered brained. I have even infected Adam. Last night he went to the store to get a few things - mainly dog food. He came home without the dog food so we had to give her pizza (she didn't mind). This morning we found that I had put everything but his socks in the dryer and he had left my frozen lunch meals out on the counter last night. I guess we are even. Except for Bailey...what will she do to get us back? Maybe redecorate the house with that pizza. Or to top the morning off, maybe I accidentally left the nursery door open and she is playing with the toys in there. My car was a total ice cube so I had to make two trips with the tiniest cup known to man to get water. The one good thing is that I actually ended up with a cute outfit on and my make up done before Woodrow Wilson crosses MLK Jr. Drive - for a change. Blah!

I am sorry I am so negative. You probably didn't come here today wanting to know that I am in a bad mood. I should be enjoying this time and not letting fear consume these precious last days.

Hotels

I am so glad that I reserved the suite during Thanksgiving. I called to change some of the days and try to get a lesser room for me and AD while we are there alone. I could barely find a room that wasn't $100+ a night. When you put it that way going a few days early can really rack up. I have several reservations now and I can just cancel them when we decide where we want to stay. I am inclined to keep them until the last minute because we may need them for us and our moms if the baby happens to be earlier than we have the suite. Not much else is going on. I have the day off and I am going to try to get some things done on the house. I am so disappointed because my dog needs to be groomed again already. Why can't she just stay clean? I guess I will wait until it stops raining and then take her again. Sweet pup.

Jess

Healthy Distractions

Friends, buying fabric, reading a good book...these are my distractions to date. I am trying to think of a few more so if you have any suggestions let me know. I was able to talk to Katie Thursday evening for about an hour. Adam wasn't home from work yet so it was just me. We talked about lots of things. I can tell that she is getting nervous about having a baby and while she is still excited about us I think the reality is setting in. She wants us to go with her to the Build-a-Bear store so she can make the baby a bear. I thought that was such neat idea.

She stressed that it was important for us to be there because she needs a reminder that the baby is going home with someone else and not her. I can tell that she has thought through the emotions she will feel once the baby is born and she is finding ways to protect and stand by her decision. It is not easy to be reminded that there will be that moment when she has to do something she doesn't want to do but at the same time needs to do it. I am at that useless stage. I can't clean or cook or think about anything else but getting to Utah as soon as possible. I can't answer simple questions because my mind is constantly somewhere else. I don't know why but I feel like being there will help. I guess it takes away the worry of missing the birth and since it is important to Katie that we be there I think we are going to leave on the 27th unless a phone call or this Thursday's doctor visit changes the plan. What is a little more time/money when it will give you peace of mind? I don't think we will buy our tickets until Thursday night after we talk to her. I am looking for the best deals on tickets so pray that we will be able to get a good deal at such short notice. The good thing is that we are buying one-way tickets so they tend to be less expensive and we can utilize the Southwest Fun Fare option if nothing else is cheaper. I would imagine that our Moms will follow sometime the next week. It does feel nice to have a specific date in my mind. The baby may have something else in mind though but I think that would be a welcome surprise.

The news from her doctor's visit this past Thursday was not very telling. Katie says that the baby has dropped (which is making it hard for her to get around school all day) but the doctor didn't give any predictions about when she thought the baby might be here. I think that the "early" prediction is out the window for now. I wish it weren't. As much as I want to be there before, it still would be nice to avoid the long days ahead.

Jess

Token Post

I feel bad that I have no news for you faithful blog visitors. Well, here is something. I did talk to the agency yesterday and they said that Katie has doc appointment today and they will try to call me today after the appointment. They could call tomorrow though since the appointment could be later in the day. Oh dear! I am freaking myself out again just thinking about it all. What if they call and say that it could be any day? I am having another baby shower on the 21st. I had one this fall, if you remember. Maybe I will post a picture of the cake from that shower (it was so cute). Yeah, that might tide you over right? Or what about a picture of Adam trying to put on the baby bjorn harness thingy? I will see what I can do. It made me feel so much better to talk to the Agency. I was pretty down yesterday. I am at that stage where you worry about everything working out. (This is putting it lightly, I have really been a mess/zombie/psycho) To sum up how I am feeling...the waiting and anticipation has been fun, but it isn't anymore so let's just get the next three weeks over with so we can all get on with our lives and not have to worry about packing, driving in a strange town, will we make it there in time, are we actually getting a baby...

I did get a great surprise in the mail...my shower invitation. It is so cute and it just made me happy. So now that I am cheered up I will get back to my old self. I have really been trying to organize the house and on my Baltimore trip I read the best book that I found in the airport bookstore. It is by Sandra Felton and it is called Smart Organizing. My mom has The Messies Manual (same author) but I don't think that it is as good. It talks more about why we are unorganized. I did buy a new one called Living Organized and it seems to be a blend of both my book and my mom's. Anyway, highly recommend it, it will change your life. Oh, and she is a Christian (and seems to be reformed...she mentioned the children's catechism in her book) so that is even better.

Jess

Adam's First Post

So if I may, I'll deal in the ethereal for a bit. Lately I have been thinking about how odd this stage of the addoption has been. Don't get me wrong... it's been amazing and wonderful in so many ways but it's also exceptionally weird! For example, if you've read Jessica's most recent post we just packed a bag for a BABY! We ourselves are packing bags for a trip and we don't know when we are leaving. Its like we know the punchline but not the story. This is not how people who've been married for five years normally operate. By now our marriage has a "groove"... my reality check is that the "groove" is about to be thrown into one of those machines they mix paint with. But I am so ok with all of this and I am very much looking forward to it, I just have to say for the record that it's all very strange. I am so looking forward to parenthood and everyone keeps asking me if I realize how much sleep I'll lose and how things will never be the same and you know what... that's Awesome. I can't wait to be a parent and I'm so happy we chose to become parent's in this way. Thank you all so much for reading this and all of your prayers and thoughts during this process.

Adam

Ready, Set, Go

Adam and I spent Saturday packing the baby's suitcases. Mostly I was the one packing and Adam was the one telling me that all the clothes were to big. I don't think he understands that the clothes won't fit the baby perfectly all the time. I know I will be disappointed when the tiny clothes that we have looked at all this time look huge once they are on the baby. Amy is letting me borrow some premie outfits (she didn't have a premie but they are perfect for very newborn babies) so I am excited about having something that will fit the baby.

Later that morning, Adam and I tried figure out how to wear a baby bjorn carrier. It wasn't easy, and that was not involving a baby in the installation. I think it will come in handy in the airport on the way home. We are taking a car seat and I have the neatest Eddie Bauer suitcase that protects the seat while in the cargo hold. I have shoved all sorts of other things in the bag with it so it is well padded and the case is used to its full capacity and I am barely able to lift it.

Yea, my first unsolicited post!

I would just like to say thank you to our Aunt Tracy for posting a comment. You see everyone, when you comment you get praise and recognition. I have calmed down since the last post...somewhat. I am having friends over for dinner tonight and I am hoping that my friend Sarah will continue what Calen was trying to do last night...talk some sense into me and keep me from bringing every article of clothing that is remotely the baby's size. I have a baby shower scheduled for Jan. 21 so as you can see I am hopeful that I have more time to prepare. I have started some of the preparations and they are proving to be a challenge. For instance, I have two very large suitcases in my living room now and I have no where to put them. So I have named them Jack and Harvey and I have resorted to talking to them when I am home alone. Later, I will try to find an alternate use for them such as a TV tray or a footstool.

Last night Calen and I went through the baby clothes and took inventory. This morning I have been washing the newest outfits so they can be packed away once Sarah looks through all the clothes tonight. I have dusted, vacuumed and mopped the nursery so that is ready to go. As you can tell, I am doing all the fun stuff. I am trying to forget that I still have no idea what I am serving tonight.

Jess

Freaking out

No news, but you have to understand (and those who really know me know this already) that there does not have to be news for me to freak out. I am scared. Very, very scared. So scared that I might want to say " I want my mommy", but she is the one who scared me! I guess I am in denial but the baby is 4 weeks away. That should mean I have 4 weeks, right?. According to my mom, this means that it could come at any minute. My mom was suggesting that we be ready to leave at any moment from this point forward. THIS point forward? When you say "this" you mean "now"? I was on the phone with her thinking "how did I never consider this?" The baby at the top of the screen says I have more time. I mean who is to argue with that thing. It only moves when it really means it.

My mom said I should be ready at any moment so I am not freaking out when the time comes. I said " but I am freaking out right now". Now I know that it wouldn't be the end of the world if I left my house a little messy or someone else had to dig for dog toys and food, but I really want to do this right. Usually when I set a goal I never meet it and the event or project feels incomplete and I end up not enjoying the moment to its full potential or being disappointed in myself. I really want this to be different. It wouldn't be the end of the world if we missed the birth but it would feel so wrong to be watching the flight attendant show us how to buckle our seatbelts and use our seat as a flotation device if our baby was born and ready to be held. Ok, new list and new strategy.
To Do List

1. pack baby stuff (This is a long list. Why?)
2. wash everything (house included)
3. get a Baileysitter and have her food and toys ready to go
4. have Bailey groomed and her teeth cleaned.
5. lose ten pounds
6. get all the paperwork together
7. make a packing list so we don't forget anything important (like my hair diffuser)
8. get my hair cut
9. get Adam's hair cut
10. buy more mini tapes for the video camera.
11. teach mom to not record only her shoes while using the camera
12. get everything at work up to date and ready to turn over.
13. stop biting nails
14. have car detailed and cleaned out.
15. give house key to someone
16. water plants every day
17. pay bills early so it is done
18. figure out how we are going to print our announcements (take a printer? Is that insane?)

Strategy

1. Invite someone over that is motivating.
2. Invite friends over to see the parts of my house that I need to organize/clean so I feel the crunch of a deadline. Ok, I will exclude the garage because Adam won't play this game with me. Is anyone busy this Saturday? Would you like to come over and see that I have all the doors to my home open for all to see and enjoy??
3. Eat frozen meals every night so I don't mess up the kitchen or just stop eating (that will help with To Do #5)
4. Consider wearing a uniform to work so I will always have clothes clean.

Well that was helpful. I needed to collect my thoughts and share this with you all because I definitely don't have time to tell you all this individually. I mean look at this list. I really hope that only my friends read this thing. The others may not have known that I am crazy. The secret is out. I need a margarita.

Air Jordan

I have to share this photo of a recent and favorite gift. Maribeth Willoughby gave me these for Christmas. I wish the baby was going to be older and basketball games weren't so loud so we could take her to the Jazz vs. Bulls game in Salt Lake City while we are there and she could wear her Air Jordan's. I keep thinking that Adam and I might sneak away and go to either the Bulls or the Spurs (or is it Spurrs? I am not a devoted fan, you see) game while we are there but something tells me we won't be able to leave her just yet. Even though we will have two qualified babysitters on the trip.

Kids in the Hall

At a recent Christmas party I had the idea of getting all the kids together for a group picture. It was not as easy as I thought. In fact it was complete chaos. Adam took this photo and then took his blood pressure medication. We sent this picture to Katie along with pictures of the nursery. We thought she would like to see the baby's friends-to-be.

The Shelf

The story of this shelf is a simple story but it still embodies every project I had ever tackled. Translation: It took way longer than expected. My mom, ADs mom and I tried all day to hang it. I do believe we did a great job though. That thing isn't going anywhere. Once it was up though I had a hard time figuring out what to put on it. It is higher on the wall so you can't see small things. I guess I should get a lower shelf...

Nursery

I thought I would share a few photos of the nursery for those who have not seen the room lately or at all. The room is hard to photograph due to the lighting. This angle shows some of my favorite things. The curtains and crib skirt (which I had made), the rug, and the Babar painting (painted by my friend Laura Young).