Hometown Shower

This weekend my Aunt Ann, cousin Casey and dearest friend Jennifer had a shower for me. It was a blast. I have been keeping a mental list that compares my experiences waiting for Christian to come home to what a pregnant mom goes through. I added to that list at my shower when I was able to have a few beers. Something we hope an 8 month pregnant woman would not do at her shower.

I want to thank all of my family, and friends for helping me celebrate Christian's impending arrival. I feel like it was over so fast and I didn't give everyone enough attention. Although, I probably would have those same feelings had it lasted two or three times as long.

My aunt Ann hands me a gift while Jennifer keeps a list for me.

My mom's side.

Cousins

The Grandmas and me

Since the shower I have been able to spend more time getting the nursery together since I was fortunate enough to receive the organizational items from the registry. I might even finish "Phase II" by the middle of this week.

Visa Physical

After finding out about Christian's Embassy Permit approval earlier this month we have very anxiously been waiting to hear of his Visa Physical (VP) date. It took longer than I had expected so I even sent an email asking if the agency knew anything one day last week. I was told that his VP may or may not have already taken place. The reason for the very vague reply was because a key player from the Korean side of things had come to the USA last week for meetings.

I was exceptionally nervous because if the VP had taken place then we might get the travel call completely out of the blue. Now that we know when when VP is we also know that the call will most likely come two weeks later. Although it could take a little longer than two weeks.

It is always nice to make progress and get information.

What's in a Name?

My mother-in-law recently asked what we plan to call our son when he arrives home. This is an excellent question that Frig and I have thought a lot about. Seeing as Christian is obviously old enough to know his name very well we are going to call him Jae-won when he initially comes home.

While his name is not the hardest Korean name I have ever had to get used to saying it is also not the easiest either. This is because the Jae is similar to the English name Jay, but not exactly the same. I know I'm still not saying it exactly right from my Korean students' expressions, but I am trying. The "J" isn't as hard as in the name Jay. It is more like a mix of a "z" and a "j" sound. I keep trying to thing of an English word with a similar sound, but it hasn't come to me yet.

We are not exactly sure when we will start to transition him to Christian. Much of that decision will be based on so many factors such as English language acquisition and attachment. My mom suggested that perhaps his Baptism would be a nice time to start the transition, but only time will tell.

A little something

Frig is often asking people, mostly the people that schedule TV programs, to "throw him a bone". I believe this mama just received one of these much needed bones.

I wish I knew what he was holding!


I believe someone had told him "No". What do you think?


Once again, such a curious little man.

Giving a little bit of a smile?

I wonder why our son was at the reception center. I am so thankful for this little bone, but wish there was a bit of meat or even fat attached.

What's the hold up??????

For those that missed it, we experienced a pretty major milestone on Christian's birthday when his EP (Emigration Permit) was approved. There were several other families I know of whose children received EP on the same date. Many of these other families were notified of their child's Visa Physical (VP) on the same day as their EP approval. All of these children met the doctor for their VP on July 14. Due to already having their VP these families should all expect their travel calls any day now.

Sadly, we were not one of the families to get notice of a July 14 VP. In fact, we have yet to hear any news since the EP notification on July 7. I was hoping that we might get a Well Baby Check this month, since the last one we received was May 5, but I know that sometimes if the baby seems healthy appointments might be skipped during the hottest times of year.

I know that God has a plan, but I just wish he would share it with me so my need for logic would be fulfilled. Maybe He is waiting for Robin to get to Houston. Maybe He wants me to get to experience my first Baby Shower. Maybe He thinks it would be easier if I was still here for the incoming seventh grade math camp. Maybe, maybe, maybe........

If anyone out there has any answers please feel free to share. ;)