Visited with my side of the family this weekend. My aunt wanted to know if we had names picked out for our child, and we said we had a couple but wanted to wait to see if he/it came with a "good" one. Finally someone piped up and said we had to call IT something, because we couldn't keep calling it IT. My sister-in-law volunteered "Pat" after the SNL character - could be a boy or a girl! We immediately liked that idea - it's nice to put some sort of "title" on the child. At least for now. :)

We picked up the crib Monday night! Well, technically Sunday, but it was the wrong person (VanGelderden or something) so we had to return it for ours Monday. It's stored in the extra room with the mattress and stroller right now. We're starting to gather ideas and do some research on baby items we'll need; car seats, high chair or booster seat, bathtubs, etc. I made a list of items we'll need IMMEDIATELY upon returning from Russia, and came up with close to 50 that are not dependent on size nor gender.

We've toyed with the idea of registering for baby stuff around Thanksgiving time, for anyone who wants to be generous at Xmas. Why, you may ask? Because as far as I know, 3 different showers will be hosted in our honor. What a giving family we have!
Same sister-in-law mentioned above has offered to throw a baby shower for us before we leave - to help get those necessary items - all we have to do is name a time. I wish it could be that easy!

Things getting a tad frustrating through work. Having trouble contacting my permanent sub to have her in for a couple days this semester, to get her toes wet. It appears when we travel I'm going to miss something important in my life - Social Studies MEAPs with my 8th graders.... or wedding of an old friend.... or the first important weeks of the swim season. If we could fit our second trip into the middle 2 weeks of February, everything would be PERFECT. Or I suppose we could just get it all done with in January if we press on with this paperwork....

Anyway, not that receiving our child isn't important, or anything like that. Just wish timing could be more certain. Anyway, not much else to report this go-round. If we shaped up our act and had some questions answered by Frank, things could start bubbling again.... it's just finding the TIME to call! Between my grad class, Doug's grad class, meetings, conferences, late nights at work.... it's a wonder we've gotten this far!