Breast Cancer....

Is a serious problem. Millions of women all over the world are effected by this dreadful disease. A group of amazing women that I know from weight watchers are participating in the Race for the Cure in Boston and have a goal of raising $20,000 as a team. They are a little over $15,000 so far and I am beyond proud of them. I know many of you are focusing your giving on Katrina victims and other charities. If you would like to help my friends out, they would greatly appreciate it! You can check out their fund raising efforts on the Susan G Koman website.

Ya Got Me!

My darling Princess tells me that her friends are coming in from Europe to see her for her birthday. We are going to all have brunch together. Can you believed I fell for this line of crap? I honestly thought I was going to get to meet the wonderful friends she made on her adventure in Israel. Nope... not happening. Instead, my wonderful sister threw me a Baby Shower. My friends Andy & Lori came down from Boston to see us (we love you guys), my favorite cousin Judith was there, cousins and Aunts, my sister-in-law brought the kids (all three G-d bless her), my friend Val brought her newest addition (I had much baby cuddle time which was wonderful), my Mother-In-Law and her sister were there (which is huge because our families don't get along). They got me good. :)

We have a medical Update

He's growing like crazy. He's gone from the 25% in height and weight to the 75% percentile and his head went from 10% to 10-25%. He's had his second Hep B vaccine and is sporting an umbilical hernia which is not a big deal (from what we are told). WE are also #11 in line for DNA testing. This is a very important step. The birth mother will be signing off for a third time during DNA testing and she will be with the baby and hold him for a photograph. This is a point that, if a birth mother were to change her mind, this is when she would do it. I would understand if she did, he's a beatiful baby. I hope that she is at peace with her choice. She is (and will always be) in my prayers. Congrats to Kim who has just received her referral of an absolutely, positively beautiful little girl. Crazy girl and her crazy husband are flying off toot sweet to meet their little one. Safe journey Kim & Dan :) Tonight we are grocery shopping for Saturday. What's Saturday you ask? Just a big, crazy bash with about a bazillion Parrotheads. We are partying with about 40 other people starting at 11 a.m. Should be much fun.

Bloggers, Bloggers helping... Bloggers

Ok People. We need some help here. Seems that my friend Wolfette has become the victim of an internet scam. They have stolen almost $1,000 from this poor women (a fellow IF'r) and she is having such a hard time getting her money back. Please, if you know how to help this wonderful woman, please please please go post on her blog. If you can't help - go give her some much needed loving. She's been through so much and she really doesn't need this. Thanks!

And Now, For Something Completely Different

Please go give some much needed love and support to our friend at Deadbug. She is completely wigging out (and justifiably so!).

Update and Some Blogger Happy News

First... I spoke with our social worker L at the agency. She is very upset that we don't have an update and gave us the number of the pediatrician in Guatemala. She said he is very kind and speaks fairly decent English. I have called our pediatrician here to find out if she will call on our behalf and, if not, what questions we should ask the doctor. UGH - this is frustrating! Second - a bit of happy news over at Deanna's so go give her some loving. She and her wonderful husband are going to become parents to a baby boy who is due October 10th. It's a beautiful day today and I hope I have time to get out an enjoy a little of it. What I really feel like doing is calling the pediatrician and then, when I know everything is ok, kidnap Marc and go down the shore. It's so nice outside and I just want to stroll along the boardwalk, holding hands with my sweetie, trying not to buy the incredible treats they sell up and down the boardwalk.

It's Right Around The Corner

I can feel it. My favorite time of year. I love the fall. The leaves turn incredible colors, the weather gets a bit cooler, the air smells sweeter... I just love it! And it also means that Halloween is right around the corner too! It's my favorite holiday. Last year was the first year that I handed out candy to treat-or-treaters in my own home. Before Marc and I were married, I lived in an apartment complex that really didn't have any children and before that I lived with my parents and they were in charge of trick or treaters. Last year, we made an uber cool pumpkin using stencils we purchased over the internet and sat on the front step (it was beautiful outside) to hand out candy to the neighborhood children. They were so cute and the parents were so nice. Next year we will be walking around the neighborhood with Dylan in his first Halloween costume. I can't wait! We are still waiting on the medical report. I am sure if there was a problem, we would know but I won't be comfortable until we have it in our hands.

It's not too late!!!!!

This is a repost - why is it a repost? Because this is important! Heather is coming up on her final deadline for donations for her race. So... here's Heather's letter and a link if you'd like to contribute to a very worthy cause. from my friend Heather......I am writing this letter to invite you to help people with cancer and their families, LIVE STRONG!Last year I decided that I needed to join the fight against cancer. Cancer has affected me throughout my life as I am sure it has affected most of you in some way or another. I made this decision because my mother is a two-year survivor of breast cancer and I had a brother who died of cancer called neuroblastoma. For me, finding out my mom had breast cancer was very frightening. I was with her during the visits to the doctor, her surgery, and her radiation treatments. Thankfully, we are able to celebrate the fact that the doctor removed all the cancer and that she is going to be fine. It has been two year and she is still cancer free. As for my brother, I have no memory of what my family went though. I was born the year after he died. He had a rare childhood cancer called neuroblastoma that has recently received national coverage thanks to Alexandra Scott and Alex's Lemonade Stand. Alex and my brother Scott had the same type of cancer. Scott unfortunately did not live as long as Alex, Scott was 23 months when he died Alex was 10 years old. While I never knew him, he has always been a part of my life. I have come to know the challenges that my parents and sister went through during his illness and the people that they met and supported them. In October 2004, I met a new challenge: I rode in the Bristol Myers Squibb Tour of Hope, which benefits the Lance Armstrong Foundation. This is a ride between Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. I joined the Tour on the last leg into Washington. It was very emotional for me to ride up to the point where we met the national riders and see people from all over the country unite for one cause to help raise money for cancer. As we started that last leg, we were greeted by a large number of people holding signs thanking us for our efforts in fighting cancer. It made me realize that I was making a difference in many of these people's lives. We rode as one massive group to help fight cancer, to help fund cancer education and to support people with cancer. I am asking you to help me raise money this year because I am riding in the Ride for the Roses, part of the Lance Armstrong Foundation's Peloton Project in Austin, TX in October. The Peloton Project is the Lance Armstrong Foundation's major grassroots fundraising initiative that brings together a diverse group of volunteers' dedicated to helping people living with cancer live strong. My goal for 2005 is to raise $10,000 for the foundation. I will pay all my expenses to and from Austin. All money I collect will go to the Lance Armstrong Foundation.I ask that you sponsor me by contributing to the Lance Armstrong Foundation. You can send your contribution to me (made payable to the Lance Armstrong Foundation) at 300 S. Lenola Road, Maple Shade, NJ 08052 or visit that Foundation web site at http://tinyurl.com/d7g6u to put your contribution on your credit card. Thank you for your help in supporting the efforts of the Lance Armstrong Foundation to help people with cancer, and their families, LIVE STRONG!Heather GarnickP.S. Please forward this email on to all those people you know that are affected by cancer, everyone can helpLIVE STRONG!

Have I mentioned lately

That I love our agency? Not just because she got us a new picture (still waiting on that medical report) but because our social worker has a wonderful sense of humor. She gets us. Yesterday I sent her a picture of a dog begging to send down to our attorney thinking that may get her to send something (ta da - a picture!). I sent her two more in order to get more pics and the mediacl report. She told me that the attorney will definately know us by the time we get down there and I told her that she'd probably throw her computer at us (hahaha). It's so nice to have the support. I hope we more information soon. I hope the process flies by and we are able to bring home our son very quickly.

Taking a few minutes out from

staring at my new picture of Dylan to post that I have a new picture of Dylan! He's just so cute I can't stand it! He has huge ears (hehehe -just like his Aunt) and beautiful jet balck hair and beautiful lips and nose. His foster mother had him dressed in an adorable outfit too. Now we just need the medical report and I can breath a little easier. Thanks for your kind comments. I do appreciate them!

Pain

Pain I feel over lack of information on Dylan. Pain caused by my family struggles. Sometimes you need the physical pain to dull the emotional pain. That's what I did tonight. Despite my aching shoulder (got hit by a drunk driver 10 years ago and have a tear) I took a yoga class with my dear friend J. I beat myself senseless. At the very end, as I laid on the floor trying to find peace, all I could find were tears. I glanced over at my dear J and she was smiling - I had found release. A release she understood and shared. J, I know you read my blog. I truly love you. You touch my heart and I am so glad to have you as my friend. Thank you for sharing your practice with me - you have helped me find a little peace tonight.

Hey you! Yeah, you - there.

You, in Ridgetop, Tennessee, say hi. Who are you? hehehehehe

We need some big prayers in Blogland

Please go give Suz so huge prayers (or good vibes/thoughts, etc). She just found out that she is carrying identical twins and there could be some problems. So much fertility going on in the infertile world right now. I hope it continues.

Crash! Boom! Flash!

It was incredible! Around 12:30 a.m. Marc and I awoke to the most amazing storm. I asked him what all the noise was (as I was half asleep) and he said he thinks there is a storm. We opened the blinds on the window over our bed and just laid in bed and watched the show. Thunder and lightening and wind... Oh My! It was great. The funny part about all of this is the tree. We have this beautiful, huge tree that sits on another property but overhangs ours. It's a great old tree and I do love it but worry that it will fall onto the house. It sits on a little bit of a hill and just doesn't seem stable (although the property owner assured me that they had an engineer look at it last year and it was stable. Well, I've told Marc that I worry that the tree will fall over onto the house. If that were to happen, it would hit our bedroom - no doubt! He would laugh at me and tell me that I'm crazy. Well... last night - he was getting a bit concerned watching those branches whip around in the storm. Well, it's nice to know that I'm not the only crazy one in our house! We had a great weekend. We took a parenting class at our local hospital with Kim & Dan. Kim and Dan are in the process of adopting a little girl from Guatemala. Kim made arrangements at the hospital that offers the class for it to be just the four of us as we didn't need the same type of information as someone who was bringing home a newborn. They were extremely accommodating and the woman who gave the class was just lovely! We learned about feeding, diapering, car seats, stroller, etc. I really enjoyed it. Last night I went out with Princess for her birthday. Just the two of us for some serious sister time. It was wonderful. She's such an amazing woman and I'm just so proud of who she is. She's strong and independent and beautiful. We went out to a fun, chi chi Mexican restaurant and had yummy food and even yummier margarita's. Topped that off with some gelato and we were very full, happy campers.

A Newer Version of Being "Pregnanted"

So, I'm in the gym this morning and one of the regulars comments that I've lost a lot lately. I explained that I had been on some drugs that caused me to puff up and I had gained about 12lbs during my treatment. She asked me what kind of drugs and I explained they were fertility drugs but due to other issues, was not able to continue (was not in the mood to explain). Now, I like this lady who I usually refer to Marc as "the stinky lady with the hot bod". Stinky because she bathes in perfume before working out. Sweat + Perfume = Julie gagging. Anyway.. she asked why I discontinued treatment. I explained that due to medical reasons we weren't able to have children. We could have continued treatment but it was highly unlikley we would get pregnant and, even if we did, there was a very good possibility that IF we were able to carry to term, there was a huge chance of some serious genetic issues. Ready for this one? You may want to sit down. No, wait, lay down Fuck that - get a drink, I'll wait..... She said, "you should go ahead with the treatment, have those tests they have now an if there is a problem... JUST abort". Huh? You know, just terminate - no big deal. Ok, spends tons of money, invest emotionally & physically and then abort AND IT'S NO BIG DEAL????? Mind you, the stupid little cunt says this to me while I'm holding 25lb weights in my hands. I then explain that we are adopting and she explains "oh, that's nice" and walks away. I hate stupid people. This is why I don't carry a gun. I'd shoot stupid people.

I Love You Guys!

Now go home - it's the weekend. Have fun! Wish me luck in my parenting class - hopefully won't drop the doll on it's widdle head.

Just say no

I pulled my response to that tiny little troll. Didn't like the fact that I was giving it the dignity of a response. I've also pulled the comment. Speaking of comments - I only allow the "fat card" to get thrown at me on the GDT - so I deleted that comment as well. (yeah, someone called me fat). Sorry children, I'm trying to learn not to allow negative behavior to effect me. I want Dylan brought up in a positive, healthy environment. I need to learn how to just let insignificant people's comments and actions to roll off my back. Onto happier things.... I fucking popped a wheelie in spin class this morning. I'm not shitting you. We were doing "jumps" and I had positioned my seat too far back so had to push myself back a little farther than usual. In doing so the front end of the bike came up off the ground. Ok, normally this wouldn't be a big deal but my feet are locked (and I mean locked) into the peddles so if I flip the bike - it could be ugly. Spin buddy Brian explained that this is why he chooses bikes by the back wall. I'll be sitting by Brian from now on! I'm praying that we get an update today althought I doubt it highly. Our contact at the agency is off on Friday's. My Mom mentioned that I sounded sad that I haven't gotten my update. I am. I want to know that he's happy and healthy and I want to see how much he's grown. One month is a long time when you are talking about infants. I know that once I get everything I will feel much better. If I don't post again, to my dear blogging friends, have a wonderful weekend!

So anway....

I ran all the way home, practically ripped my house apart looking for the folder (while the cleaning ladies were there no less), found the folder, no form. FUCK! I'm running around trying to find this form when the phone rings. It's the agency. They found the form in Guatemala. Whew! Oh, and I did find out that we have been translated. We are on our way. I'm going to get around to doing a timeline soon. I promise.

Fuck Me Gently With A Chainsaw*

We were supposed to get updates on medicals & photos on Dylan by Tuesday. It's now Thursday and not only do we not have photos and a medical report but my agency called to say that the attorney lost our 797H form! I have to run home, get the copy, hope that it's perfectly clean (meaning that you can read everything clearly) and overnight it to Guatemala (at the Agency's cost of course). On the happy end of things (I try not to bitch unless I can end it with a happy note), our Dossier is translated. *Great line from the movie Heathers

August 10th

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PRINCESS!!! You will always be my special baby girl :)

Nothing New To Report So... A Little Entertainment

Our Lawyer, R, in Guatemala, is in the process of moving her office and doesn't have access to computers to update us on our progress or send us medical reports or photos. So, in lieu of an exciting update on Dylan... I give you for your entertainment.... Crazy Frog (scroll down to the middle of the page for the video)

Now Introducing... Live from Blogland....

It's the Princess. She has joined her sister (me) on the dark side of technology (blogging). She speaks of what she knows... being Jewish and Single. She's an insanely talented writer (even though she probably wouldn't admit that) and I can guarantee you laughs. If you know of any nice, Jewish boys... send them to her blog too. Now, go flood her with hits (since I just told her how to get a counter on her site).

DTG!!! DTG!!!

Woo Hoo! Our Dossier was sent to Guatemala! That means we are just another step closer to bringing home our son! Now it gets translated and they request the DNA test. Great way to start the weekend no? ~dancing and twirling about~

Furniture Shopping, Registries and spinning... Oh My!

Wednesday night, my Mom and I went out for girls night out. Just the two of us. It was great because I don't get her all to myself very often. We went to this place I had heard of from friends to check out furniture for Dylan and found some amazing stuff! Our home is very open, clean lines, etc. The furniture I liked fit the whole house. Then, Mom begged me to get started on our registry (me thinks the cousins are making her nuts) so we headed over to the store and started registering. Mom had waaaayyyyy too much fun with that gun! I hope that Marc and I can head over this weekend and continue with the picking of the stuff. It was really nice. For the first time in, I can't tell you how long, I walked into a baby related store and wasn't asked when I was due. In fact, I got a few confused looks. My tummy is finally starting to go down! I don't look pregnant any more. Then we went to dinner at this incredible restaurant. Bottle of wine, great food and great conversation. It was, well, great :) I had a crazy day at work yesterday but managed to go home and have some real quality time with Marc. I had been feeling a bit disconnected so it was great to reconnect again. This morning took my usual 6:30 a.m. spin class with Russell. This man is awesome. He comes up with the craziest combinations of music to spin to but it always works. Although I really could have lived without the 75 two second jumps at the end. Oh, and the topper of my morning... some guy slowed down as he was driving past me and gave me a little look over and a "hey baby" as I was walking into the office.

An Even Better Way To Start The Day

Soper from Uterine Wars has posted again and it's good news. Go over and read her latest post and give her some loving will ya? Yeah, worked out again today but took it a bit easy on myself. Instead of killing myself to get to the 6:15 a.m. spinning class, we just got in at our regular 6:30 a.m. time and I just worked out on the eliptical for 45 minutes. Now, that 15 minute difference is HUGE! That's 15 minutes of extra snuggle time. I love for snuggle time. I could just lay in bed for hours with Marc's arms around me. He has amazing guns. I have left a phone message and an email message for the agency. I am really hoping someone gets back to me today.

Good start to the day!

Went to the gym and lifted (lower body). I was walking by a mirror and I realized that my posture is coming back. I'm starting to stand straighter with my shoulders down (which is good because when I stand straight - my belly doesn't stick out so much). I'm very excited for the Princess (my baby sister). Her birthday is coming up and a bunch of friends she made when she was living in Israel are coming in (pretty much from all over the world) for her birthday. She is just so excited to see them all and I know how much she has been missing them. We are having a big brunch so I will finally get to meet all of these people that have corrupted my sweet, innocent little sister (coughbullshitcough). hehehehe

Some Fucked Up Shit in Blogland

Ok readers - I know you are out there and that each and every one of you are wonderful loving people. Please delurk and give some much needed love to Soper. She is living every adoptive parent's worse nightmare. She traveled 30 hours to be told that there is no child waiting for her and her husband. Please delurk yourselves and give her your support, prayers, good wishes, etc. Thanks!

I'm so freaking sore!

Marc and I spent the weekend working on our landscaping. From all of the trimming and pulling of weeds, etc. my body just hurts. Of course I also added some insult to my injuries by taking a spinning class this morning. I was so tired going into it that at one point I thought I was going to throw up all over the bike and had to slow down. Yep, I'm an idiot. We also got an alarm system this weekend. It's pretty cool and I definately feel safer in the house alone. On the adoption front - everything should be coming back authenticated from the Guatemalan Embassy this week and from there it's sent to Guatemala for translation. I'm also hoping we get new pictures and a new medical report this week.