Happy Halloween

Home: Kirsten has learned how to blow raspberries! When you talk to her she does it, if she's in the car seat in the back she does it! Her little personality is starting to emerge. She's getting pretty good at holding her head (but hates tummy time)! We didn't dress her up in a costume for Halloween but some Halloween colors (she looks like a boy)! She is doing very well with Heidi during the day and even has a little friend (who knew babies could be friends)! The picture below is of Addison and Kirsten...

Work: Not too bad. With the holidays coming it is slowing down a little bit - which is good for me since I am still half asleep some days!

Dan: He has been working late. I know he would rather be home with the "girls" as he says and he will once this job is finished. We finally have the house just about together with the changes we have made!

Here She Is!

Kirsten Danica Klein

August 18, 2008

Home: We still can't believe it! The 30 days are passed and legal papers have been filed. We should be finalized sometime in February! She has been a joy. I think she is going to be very independent and will just want to take off running. You should see her try to hold her bottle, push it away and then try to get it back. Very uncoordinated but nonetheless she is trying!

I know most know the story but here goes..... We received a call from the agency the same day I cancelled surgery to start IVF (which I think in the back of my mind, all along, for moral reasons was against it). Since we had 3 placements fall through we were not totally convinced it would happen and just went on with life and well.... got 2 puppies in June 18, 2008. The puppies were born on April 18, 2008. Then I was later told that the baby would be born on August 18. The number 18 just kept popping up everywhere! I noticed in August that most of my bills were due on August 18. I told my mom that I really think this baby is going to be born on August 18 and that for some reason this was going to happen! And here we are today!

I'm trying to catch up, learning to be a mom, and enjoying every minute because I know how fast time will go. Dan is even more ecstatic! I will post more to keep this blog updated!

Not this Time!

Home: Well the adoption fell through. The birthmother changed her mind (which was a little expected and you have to be prepared that it may happen). So we took everything back since we kept the receipts! Maybe we will have better luck next time! Now we can prepare for our trip to Colorado - and we can't wait! It should be a nice trip for all of us.

Work: Not too much to report. It's still busy - trying to get things together for our Service Award Ceremony for employees. THAT will be a crazy week!

Dan: Made dinner two nights in a row! Wow. I'll take it! He may be working down OC for a week coming up - not sure yet.

Possibilities

Home: Well, if you have not heard by now! The birthmother picked us! This news arrived the week that we found out the following: Dan's brother had a heart attack and his sister was fired from Johns Hopkins. That night Dan and I were talking that we hadn't heard anything from our social worker and I told him, "Well if it falls through it will just go with the flow of how this week is going in the Klein family." Not an hour later our social worker called to tell us to get ready but keep the emotions in check (not to go out buying a bunch of things just yet). The birthmother will have 30 days to change her mind once the baby is born. Our social worker will try to determine how the birthmother's thoughts and feelings lean one way or the other (this will help us to determine if we bring the baby home right away vs. foster care if there is a likely chance she will change her mind - it protects us from getting too attached and then hurt). So for now we are waiting - -she is due May 5 with a girl. Of course we are excited but I think we are doing a good job keeping the reality of all this in mind.

Dan: Went to BICSI training last week. He should be certified soon with the highest level you can get through BICSI. The family finally found someone to represent them with the family trust. Now to work through all the disagreements between siblings.

Work: There are two openings in Personnel at work. Im thinking about talking to my Supervisor about one of them. I must be nuts though.... possibly expanding the family AND a new job!? I think the chances may be slim though but can't hurt to ask!

That's it for now!

Spring is Here!

Home: Well we haven't heard from our social worker yet (yes I did email her). Guess I need to call her. Which to me may mean that the birthmom hasn't decided or more than likely chose a different family. Which is fine either way. Whatever is meant will be meant. Don't forget to check out our KathnDan pictures link on the left (scroll down a little)!

Dan: Well Dan's brother (who is in his 40s) had a heart attack! He will be in the hospital in West Virginia where he was "working". The question is, how will he pay the bill because he has no insurance since he is "self employed" and no money since he really doesn't "work". We also just found out today that Dan's younger sister, Michelle, was fired from her job she has been with for 18 years! Im getting nervous about what may happen next!

Work: Wow, spring is coming, a lot of craziness there. We may finally hire an employee for our vacant position. Then a position in recruitment is open. I briefly thought of moving over there (but it would be a lateral transfer) to get different experiences but .... one, don't know how I would tell my current supervisor and two, well.... not sure I want to work under the other supervisor.

Our Meeting w/a Birthmother

Dan and Kath (2008)

Home: Well we met with a birthmother today for adoption. Honestly can't say how it went. She was a little quiet and couldn't think of any questions to ask. We think she may not be sure she even wants to place her child (even though she says she is). What I'm not sure is who the "real" father is - supposedly her current boyfriend - but why (she has an 8 month old) would the "real" father of this child (the first is not his) want to give his own child up for adoption? It is interesting to meet people, but I'm not going to get excited about this (no matter how far we get until parental rights are at least with Catholic Charities)! I'll keep everyone updated. Right now I'm still looking forward to going to Colorado in May! I'm half way through Accounting 102! Only a few more courses and Im ready to move on.

Work: Some of the staff are planning a dinner get together but I think it's Easter Weekend. Not sure how many people will show up. I think Dan having an extra day off was good for him... One less stressful day - he seemed much more relaxed!

Dan: Is still Dan! The birthmother today told him he could do something about his "gray" hair (meaning dye it)! Then Dan blamed me for giving him gray hair (I asked him if that made him feel old - he said no.)

Florence Klein 1930 - 2007

Dan's mom passed away after a year long battle with lung/liver cancer on December 30, 2007. His sister had called us at home and told us to come to the house that his mom may not make it but a few more days. She passed away before we left our house.

The weird story with all of this is..... when Dan's father passed away Dan had a flat tire going back to work (the next day I think) which resulted in Dan's truck rolling off of 95! Well this time on the way to Dan's moms, after we got the news, would you believe we got a flat tire on the way to the house! There has to be a message in their somewhere - really - what are the odds!

Home: We are redoing the bathroom. Just small stuff like repainting and new shower curtains, etc. It just needs something different (or we do)! We have a few things going on that I may post more on next month - we will see how it goes. We do have an upcoming vacation in May to Colorado - I've always wanted to go there! Can't wait! AND I think I will be finished school by the end of 2008! Then I'll work on the next degree.

Work: Looks like any political bantering has finally calmed down at my work. Finally. I think it was starting to irritate a lot of people which wasn't good for some politicians. Dan's venture with work and the new business is doing fair. With the economy slowing down finding some jobs has been a little more difficult. Things could possibly pick up by the Spring. They do have a job at Ocean City that should be starting soon (but once summer gets here they will have to stop until Fall). They should be finishing the job at Washington Christian soon.

Check out my links on the side. I added one to Dan and my photo's. Don't worry I will keep this one up to date!