Aside from the fact that gifts seem to be expected, I planned on bringing a little something for each of the people we’ll be working with while we’re in Korea. Considering that gift giving is one of my favorite ways to show love, it makes sense that I would agonize a bit over the perfect gifts for people. Top of my list, of course, is AJ’s foster mother. I feel like no matter what I give her, it will not fully express my gratitude. Last time I met with my Korean instructor, I made sure to learn how to say “I dont know how to thank you.”

“어덯게  감 사 를  ë“œ 려야  할지 모  르  겟습다”

“Aw daw ke-ah  kam sah lul  duh lyaw yah  hal she  moo  kay ship dah.” But I’ll try. And so yesterday I bought her a lovely pendant. One that looks like this.

Hopefully she will like it. For the rest of her family, I’ll be bringing some Duke swag.
I also got a small desk organizer (that I will fill with lifesavers) for our Korean Social Worker and I think I’ll buy something from Southern Season for our agency over there. One more sign of readiness!

Signs of Readiness

This weekend, we did a lot of preparatory stuff around the house. Steve put together the crib (in 30 minutes flat!), installed a certified top o’ stairs gate (NOT in 30 minutes flat!) and put together a toy chest. I did a few loads of Tide Free laundry and washed a slew of bowls and spoons. And unboxed a bunch of toys (btw, whoever out there decided it’d be nice to KNOT wire ties, screw you).
Point is, we are much more ready. I’ve got everything on my Need list and my Really Really Want list is dwindling down too.
And! I finally got dates for our mural to be painted. In a week, our wonderful artist friend Andi will be painting. That is most exciting.
So, while I was kind of freaking out last week, I’m feeling much better about things now.

Today my coworkers (which are 98% female) threw me a lovely baby shower. Complete with Chickfila chicken nuggets and Mad Hatters Cake (do they know me or what?) and lots of purple. And presents! Woo hoo!
You can see some pictures here. I apologize for the poor quality, but photographers were unavailable for the event.

Now that we’re getting closer to the possibility of a Travel Call, people are starting to speculate when it might happen.
I feel bad just saying this, but I will. I am not ready. The baby’s room is not ready, our bags are not packed, my mom is still living with us, I dont even have baby wipes. Or a thermometer. The car seat isn’t installed. The crib isn’t put together. I need a hair cut. We need more baby gates. I have a huge project at work to finish up. We haven’t figured out what to do about child care. I haven’t ordered the baby carrier I really want for the trip. We have, like, 2 onesies.  No baby monitor. Ack! Not Ready!
However, I am ready to hold my baby boy. I am ready to hear his voice for the first time. To see him smile and laugh and cry. To bring him home and introduce him to the cats. To call him mine and kiss him sweetly. To have him fall asleep against me. To get to know him, and care for him, and become a family of three. I mean, I’ve been ready for that for months.
And I know that none of the other stuff really matters.  But, uh, I better get my act together. Time is running out!

Well, I have loads of great pictures from our Baby Party. Thank you to Cristin and Nick for being my photographers. I’m so happy to have the whole awesome night captured forever. So, yeah, the night was awesome. Everything I wanted my baby shower to be. Great friends, good food, and lots and lots of presents!! Oh the presents! Unbelievable. And since my love language is gifts, I most definitely felt loved that night. Wowie! Too  bad there arent more acceptable reasons to have parties like that! My friends are the best!
Go check out all my pictures.