I can't believe that this time last year I had just thrown myself a mini pity party as I had missed the cut-off and was trying to focus on the SPC@ walk with my niece and getting as much work done at school as possible to get through to the next round of referrals. Had no inkling that on 10/8 I would hear I was included in the batch and should be expecting a referral any day! I'm hoping similar news comes to all those families that now have been waiting -8 weeks?- since the last batch arrived, thinking any day now... The wait is agonizing and just getting worse.
The agency that I used is no longer doing international adoptions. They are moving the families that started with them over to new agencies. I think that is a very good thing for those families. (That means you, K!)
I know the few visitors I have want the Ellie scoop so here are a few tidbits:
Ellie is now attending pre-school/daycare for about 3 1/2 hours every weekday. She seems to love school or "ooooo" as she says. She is also saying "more." Not much else really. Started speech therapy and working on some sensory things as well. She is a smart little girl and very active, agile and tireless! I'm not kidding when I say active and tireless! =)

Run run as f@st as U can! U can't c@tch me...I'm Ellie Be@n!

Her first stroll with her babydoll stroller. Now she leaves baby on the floor.

Ellie is very concerned with safety and goes around clicking together every buckle/latch she can find. She will then scream to let you know it needs to be undone.

Ellie doesn't care much for TV but she ADORES her B@by Signing T.ime videos and cds. She is signing over a dozen words and will sign for you to sing to her. She prefers the songs from BST and the classic U R my Sun.shine. She especially loves it when Giggy sings Sunshine to her. She will applaud for you upon finish. Alternately she really likes kissing you off (blowing kisses) when she is done with you. Like she does with the poor speech therapist. And her poor mommy!

She's gotten tons of teeth over the last month. Finally able to fill in the baby book a bit!

Looky here at all them teeth!

She went to her first concert the other night at the local outdoor festival-10,000 M@ni@cs. The group not the concert goers. =) We are both over this mosquito weather. Despite sprays and bounce liners and long sleeves/pants the mosquitos find my little girl!

Focused on her zipper at the concert.

I've been overwhelmed at work and have been lucky enough to be put on not two or three but four committees so I get to have lots of meetings after school besides the regular I.EP meetings I always have. Thankfully my mom has really helped us out. Living near family has been such a blessing for us. Ellie LURVS her cousins and laughs at everything cousin K. does and says!
We went to the local Moon Festival a few weekends ago and Ellie ran around and danced. Here Ellie is with Ella.

We are hoping to go to the local F with C from C Moon Festival mid-October like I've done since 2005.

Things are fine just busy-ok crazy- around here. =)
Again, here's to referrals getting here sooner that expected due to the Chinese holiday.