Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow...

and 19 more after that...just 22 LIDs before us! Doesn't it sound close?! You can imagine how many times, how many ways we've calculated. If 3 LIDs receive referrals every month, then we'll receive word in 7 months (December); if 4 LIDs receive referrals every month, then we'll hear in 5.5 months (October); if 5 LIDs are matched every month, then we'll see Baby Rock in 4.5 months (September). Dare I think it? Seven LIDs matched per month introduces us to Baby Rock in 3 months (August)! What a difference a day makes!

Referrals through March 14, 2006

What a relief! Families with a LID of 3-14-06 are receiving referrals! Hopefully, this is a sign that the process is back on track--if we can call a 3+ year wait "back on track". We're still unsure what to expect next, but, because this referral group is 3+ weeks later than expected, we're thinking we might see another round of referrals in the next couple of weeks. That would be huge! Congratulations to all of the forever families created today!

Sickened by the flu

We've said this process couldn't get any slower. Well, we didn't anticipate a bug, named after a pig, named after a something no one recognizes because the pig felt wrongly accused. Hmpf. I can relate to the piggy! CCAA has suspended referrals and has limited travel for waiting families. While the organization has not admitted to flu paranoia, it seems to be the logical explanation. We are still hopeful that matching is happening although we don't have any confirmation of that since CCAA is not releasing any referrals. What does all of this mean? We could see even more delays or we could simply hear nothing for a long time, then see large numbers of referrals all at once. Either way, we probably won't know anything for a while. More importantly, our hearts go out to those families that received their referral and are now told they have to wait to bring their baby home. Please keep the waiting families and the waiting children in your thoughts! Peace.

Tara's "good and good for you" pick for May

I love this recipe for GRANOLA BARS--easy, yummy and healthy. Those who know us well will appreciate Todd' stamp of approval on this recipe as opposed to what he calls Tara's "forced flaxseed and fiber filled phoney food". By the way, I did sneak 1-2 teaspoons of flaxseed into the last batch. Shhh...don't tell Todd! Combine in a medium bowl: 1 cup quick cooking oats, 3/4 cup whole wheat flour, 1/4 cup toasted wheat germ, 1 t. cinnamon (I use more), and 1/4 t. salt. Combine in a medium bowl: 1 egg, beaten, 1 egg white, 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce, 1/2 cup honey, and 1/4 cup canola oil. Combine wet and dry ingredients; then add 3/4 cup dried tart cherries, chopped, and 1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts. Spread in a 9x9 coated pan. Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes (until toothpick comes out clean). Boil 1/4 cup apricot preserves (or flavor of choice) and spread on top of bars immediately after removing from the oven. Makes 12 bars (9 g fat/4 g protein/2 g fiber/34 g carbs) (Special thanks to my wonderful friend, Jennifer, who tried the recipe and confirmed my "good and good for you" assessment!) Source: Food Network's Ellie Krieger

Attachment Information

While we wait for encouraging news of more referrals in spite of the swine flu slow-down... We've been learning about the importance of healthy attachment and the reality that this is something we'll need to consciously nurture in Baby Rock. We've also discovered that our family and friends will play a significant role in helping us develop Baby Rock's deep understanding that we are her forever mommy and daddy. (The title of this posting is a link to an attachment site.) This site is amazing, offering scientific reasoning and pragmatic suggestions. We would be grateful if our family and friends explored the site (especially attachment 101 and the suggestions for family and friends) as we will need to call on your patience and support even after this long wait for Baby Rock!