They're Here!

Our Travel Notices arrived at CCAI this morning! I say this as an exclamation but I really don't know what it means yet! :) There is talk of us leaving by this weekend, or at least if "Plan B" (the one where we get the February 2 consulate appt.) is actualized. If not, I guess we are still looking at early February because of the holiday. But this weekend! That is terrifying! The news made me want to drive directly to Ben and Jerry's for some reason. I didn't go, but the urge was powerful. I don't know if that's a bad sign or what. Where I did go was Target--I am starting to re-think these Size 3 Pampers Cruisers. She looks pretty dimpled in the latest photos--what if they are too small? So I got some "4s," too.

I had my flu shot this morning. I've never had one before and I resented it mightily. Not the shot itself--Lord knows I could have those and Irish step-dance at the same time by now--but the mysterious side effects experienced by a small segment of the population, side effects that are suspiciously akin to...having the flu! So I ask you...what is the point? Anyway, everyone kept saying don't go to China without one, and now I've had one, and am of course convinced that I'll be languishing on my fainting couch by this evening. The jury's still out.

Did I mention we installed our car seat? It's very stylish and matches the upholstery of my car so closely that I keep forgetting it's there. Then I'll be getting out of the car and see that my back seat has grown a 3-D hologram appendage and just as I'm wondering "What the hell is that?" I go "Ohhhhh, right. I have a car seat. For the baby to ride in. I'll be able to see her in the rear view mirror. She's probably going to mash Veggie Puffs into every nook and cranny of my car. I hope I love her anyway."

Today at the bank the teller said "Samantha! That's my baby's name." And, after agreeing that it's a lovely name, I asked "How old is your baby?"

"She just turned one on December 20."

"Oh!" I exclaimed, and ventured, "My baby just turned one on December 28."

"Is she trying to walk?" I was stumped at that one. I considered lying wildly, telling her that she's already training for a 5K and has mastered three languages. But I couldn't do it.

"Actually, I don't know, because I haven't met her yet." That got her attention. Even I had to laugh a little. "She's still in China." Beat. "Wanna see her picture?" She did, and was thrillingly thrilled when I showed her. "So...what can I expect from a one-year-old?"

"She'll be into everything."

"Check. We are babyproofing like crazy."

"Good. And she'll be trying lots of foods. And loving Cheerios. And putting everything in her mouth. You'll want to vacuum a lot."

Vacuuming! I hadn't thought about that.