Scoutmob, blabla, Seed Factory & BBraithwaite

Because I care about you, I want you to know ... If you are in Atlanta (or another city with access) and aren't a Scoutmobber, then you are really missing out. Scoutmob is another one of those one-deal-a-day sites--but what makes this one so much better than the others is that you don't have to commit with cash up front. You can simply request the coupon and use it when the time is right (and you have the money). Or--even better--if you have an iPhone, you can get the app and simply have all the current deals at the ready on your phone. It is soooooo handy and convenient, and I love it.

I first got wind of Scoutmob and signed up when blabla was the deal of the day. This was pre-iPhone era for me, so I requested the e-mails and printed out coupons for any deals in which I was interested. It worked for me just fine.

But then I discovered how nice the iPhone app was--no having to request a deal, no printing coupons, no trying to look back through your in-box to see when an offer expired. All the current deals are right there at your fingertips, 24-7--I mean, as long as you have your phone ready to go. All you have to do is--when you are on location and ready to use the offer--pull up the participating merchant on the app and show it when you are checking out. A few buttons may have to be pressed, but that's about it. So easy, and so convenient. It is really worth getting an iPhone JUST for Scoutmob. ;o)

You totally need to sign up for this. Even if you don't live in a city with Scoutmob--if you plan on visiting one anytime soon, register. You can thank me later.

I thought I would share with you some of the Scoutmob bargains I've nabbed so far ... and more are on the way ...



Got this owl bin for 50 percent off at BBraithwaite. I think I am going to use it as a hamper in Kate's room. This store is so pretty--I loved looking around at all the gorgeous baby things.


This elephant bin--also scored for 50 percent off at BBraithwaite--holds toys in our play room. I also scored some cute goodies that I'll be using for party favors at Isaac's birthday party. Half-off! YAY!


Got this blabla goat as a birthday gift for our niece Rebekah. (She picked it out--I was on the phone while in Seed Factory, going over the store's blabla inventory. LOL!) 50 percent off, baby! BTW, my first visit to Seed Factory was over the weekend, and I just LOVE it! So many cute children's things. I will be back!


This blabla elephant (and the one at the top of this post) is also a Scoutmob score. Both were bought for 40 percent off a few months ago, via the Scoutmob discount at blabla.

We also have eaten out for half-off recently with a Scoutmob deal--there are tons more deals we'd probably use if we got out more. But that's OK. :o) We'll take what we can get. Get yours, too!

Riley's Pink Pig Pottery Party

Riley celebrated her birthday with friends back in May (before school was out). She decided she wanted to have a sleepover with some of her girlfriends. Beforehand, most of the girls who were spending the night met up at Into The Fire, which is one of those paint-your-own pottery places in Johnson City. The party's theme was pink pigs--and each guest got a piggy bank to paint as her party favor.


The birthday girl with her family before the festivities began


Sweet sisters


The party girls had an area of the studio all to themselves.


Kate went to the balloon store with Aunt Robin before the party started. She fell asleep in the car--look at that paci!


Check out these adorable piggie cupcakes--a talented friend from high school made them. They sure were tasty, too!


Getting ready for the guests ...


All set up and ready to be eaten ...


Group shot of the girls--they're so cute!


Abigail and Uncle Johnny (A-C was sick that day. :o()


I wasn't sure if Kate would be interested in the pottery-painting thing. Well, she LOVED it. Didn't want to stop painting. At all. There may have been a scene when she had to put the paint away ...


There's no way she was going to stop painting long enough to look at the camera ...


Her finished product--it turned out really cute, despite about 374 layers of paint! LOL! All the pigs were left at the store to be fired, and then we got ours from Aunt Robin a few weeks later. I should take a photo of it in its finished glory. :o) (Don't hold your breath, though. hahaha)


Time to eat! The party was in between school and dinner time, so it was just snacks. The girls had pizza for dinner at the sleepover.


Rebekah worked hard to fill this poster with drawings of some of Riley's favorite things.


Riley got a giant blabla monkey from her Mom and Dado.


Silly Bandz made an appearance as well! What a fun party!

New Family Photos

A while back, our talented friend Lori graciously offered to take new family photos for us after Isaac came home. We met Lori and her adorable family last Saturday in Birmingham for a quick session before hitting the McWane Science Center, where the kids had a blast. Afterward, we enjoyed a yummy lunch before heading back to the ATL (more on our visit in an upcoming post). We are so pleased with the images Lori captured--thank you so much, Lori!

If you are in Birmingham or Atlanta, check out Shooting Star Photography. Lori, along with Jody Lynn Williams (of Jody Lynn Photography) also offers fabulous photography workshops called Click Workshops. You should totally sign up for one if you have a fancy camera and are looking for some professional, hands-on instruction. I would sign up for the class already--but I just have a point-and-shoot.

Thanks again, Lori! We love the photos!

Kim's Magic Pop

Last week, when Helen and Grace came over for a play date, they also brought with them a basket full of yummy goodies--including some Kim's Magic Pop (or something like it). Isaac LOVES this stuff!

Tanna said that he had seen it at the Buford Highway Farmers' Market (aka Chongo ... sp?), which he has been known to visit from time to time. (He likes to take Kate there, and she likes to look at the crabs--sometimes they're there and sometimes not. She will let you know--"Crabs all gone"--if there are no crabs to be found.)

Anyway, Isaac just chows down on this stuff--it is like baby crack. LOL! Tanna came home with two bags the other day. I love the story that is printed on the packaging--and on the Web site:

"After years of working together in the food business in South Korea, married couple and business partners Mr. and Mrs. Kim decided it was high time for everyone to enjoy the crisp and tasty goodness of fresh-popped Korean snack cakes.

"But how? The machines were the size of refrigerators! So Mr. Kim applied his business and engineering knowledge to the task and the result? Table top Magic Pop machines that turn out fresh grain snack cakes right in your local supermarket!"

Isaac's Permanent Resident Card Arrived!

Isaac's Permanent Resident Card arrived the other day--yay! The card is about the size of a credit card and has his cute little picture on it. It also indicates that his signature was waived--that's probably a good thing because his penmanship probably isn't the best these days. LOL!

The card came with its own little holder--for protection and also to prevent wireless communication with it. (Who knew?) Also included was a brochure titled "Welcome to the United States: A Guide for New Immigrants." Apparently, the whole guide (not just the brochure) is available--in some 15 languages--on the USCIS Web site at www.uscis.gov/newimmigrants.

Another Notice of Action from USCIS

Earlier this month, we received another I-797C from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The I-797C is a Notice of Action. What was the action this time? Let me tell you. Let's see, Under "Case Type," it reads "Immigrant Vida and Alien Registration." After "Notice Type," it reads "Welcome Notice." How nice!

"Welcome to the United States," the notice reads. "We have received your immigrant visa packet from the Port of Entry where you entered the United States." The form goes on to indicate the importance of our USCIS account number and that we will need to have it if/when we contact USCIS about our case.

"You should hear from us within 30 days from the date shown on this notice," it continues. What was that date? August 9th for the receipt date, and August 10 for the notice date.

Will we hear from USCIS before the 30 days are up? Stay tuned ...

Notice of File Transfer to the National Benefits Center

In July, we received a from letter from the USCIS Atlanta office that indicated that all intercountry adoption cases are being centralized at the National Benefits Center (NBC). (We knew this already, but it is nice to have official word.) We actually received two of these notices--one addressed to our current home and the other with our old address. I meant to contact someone at USCIS/NBC about this--contact info is listed in the letter--but things got a little busy around here.

Fast forward to this week. Or was it last week? Anyway, in the last several days we received a "Notice of File Transfer to the National Benefits Center (NBC)." (We actually received two of these, too--both regarding our I-600A--so I need to contact someone about this.)

"This is to serve as notice that we have received your file at the National Benefits Center," the letter reads. "As part of an effort to provide the best service to everyone, all international adoptions have been centralized at the National Benefits Center."

The letter continues by indicating that we have a new receipt number for our case, and that we will need to provide this number in our communications with the NBC for the most efficient service. It goes on to list contact information as well.

Just FYI. I am documenting our process for our records and also in case it might help someone out there who is in the process ...

More about Isaac @ 10 Months

Here are more things about Isaac @ 10 months old. I asked Tanna to list some things as well, and I jotted these down several days ago (like, when Isaac was actually 10 months old).

• He puts everything in his mouth. I have fished out a few different things, including Play-Doh and a little hair elastic. Nice.
• He eats good but does not like peaches (even in Georgia!).
  
• He likes the car seat just fine. We had been told and had read that because car seats aren't really used in Korea, a lot of children who are adopted from Korea hate being in car seats because they aren't used to them at all. (Think nonstop screaming, kicking, and carrying on, etc.) But Isaac has done very well with the car seat--he even fell asleep in it on the way home from the airport.
  
• When he is trying to go to sleep (this is when he was sleeping with us), he likes to lay on one of us or right next to us and rub his face on us (usually in the chest area).
  
• Isaac does not have any interest in a paci. I tried to give him one the first few days he was home to help comfort him and calm him down some, but he did not want it.
  
• He is attracted to string, ribbon, yarn, etc.
• Loves Cheerios.
• He is a great clapper.
  
• He can be very clingy, which is to be expected.
• He makes funny noises when he eats. (This is one of Tanna's. LOL!)
• Loves to watch ceiling fans.
• Points. A lot. (This is interesting to me because Kate was so delayed in this and did not point--or follow a point--even at 18 months+. This was on our list of Kate's red flags for autism.)
• He leans forward when eating.
• He likes to climb stairs, but we don't really do this or encourage it a lot.
• He does NOT like: bathtime, diaper changes, having his face wiped. (As an update: Now, at 11 months, he is liking bathtime, and diaper changes are a lot easier--however, the face-wiping is still a struggle. Poor little guy just hates having his face wiped.)
• He likes to push chairs and stools around on the hardwood floors.

P.S. I took the above photo just before bedtime on August 11, 2010, Isaac's last day of being 10 months old. I was thinking, though ... because he was born in Korea, I guess technically he was already 11 months old because of the time difference. Just FYI. Or if you want to really get technical AND theological ... he is technically older than that because I believe life begins at conception. So there you go.

P.P.S. Tanna updated his blog last week with a post about Isaac.

'I Can't Reach!'

"I can't reach!"

[Insert straining and grunting noises, accompanied by outstretched arms and jumping]

"I STILL can't reach!"

This is an everyday occurrence--usually multiple times a day--around here.

Kate has been saying "I can't reach" for months. I think it orginally came from one of her Little People DVDs. I know she was saying it regularly back in May, but I am not sure exactly when it started.

We figured out that this also is said in one of the Super Why episodes that we recently recorded on the DVR.

Kate is always trying to reach something--the ceiling fan, her balloon that has floated to the ceiling, and many imaginary and/or invisible treasures that linger overhead, just beyond her fingertips.

Keep trying, little girl. You will reach one day. And we will keep cheering you on.

P.S. The photo is from last week when Kate joined me for an evening run to Costco. She's been obsessed with all things birthday recently and wanted to wear this birthday hat. People kept telling her happy birthday! LOL! :o)

Labs

So getting a bunch of labs drawn soon after your child comes home is apparently pretty standard procedure in the world of international adoption. Our pediatrician requested a whole host of tests to be run. We discussed this at Isaac's first pediatrician's appointment after arrival, and then I went back a couple of days later to pick up the paperwork with the doctor's orders for the lab.

I had decided we'd go to the lab to get Isaac's blood drawn the next week, when Tanna would be off and could stay home with Kate. In the meantime, I had to collect a stool sample for a portion of the tests. Fun times! Oh yeah, as I mentioned previously, a urine sample was also requested, so we went to the pedi's office first (on our way to the lab) so they could "bag him" in order to collect what they needed. This was my first experience with this, although others I have talked to have had this done with their children several times. We ended up getting seen for a sick visit that day because Isaac came down with a cold/cough/croup, but our pedi said that any medication he might start taking wouldn't interfere with any of the tests, etc.

So I had a bit of trouble finding the lab. I wasn't sure where to go. It's a very long story, but for brevity's sake I will just say it was a long and frustrating afternoon that involved a visit to a different lab (after not being able to find the initial one) that was unsuccessful. But fortunately, a lady at that lab told me where to go at Children's. Whew. I had considered giving up and going home (as I still had to get Isaac's new prescription filled), but I thought we'd give it another go. So off we went--stool sample and all!

To be honest, I was kind of aggravated and tired when we finally got there. Then I went to the wrong parking area. Great. Oh and then I got a bit of the runaround when I asked where exactly we were supposed to go. But as we made our way down the hospital corridor on our way to the lab, God gave me a new perspective. You see, I had never been inside Atlanta's Children's Hospital, and my heart was broken as I walked by obviously sick children with their family members. My silly and selfish frustrations melted away as my heart was filled with gratitude for two healthy children. Please forgive me, Lord, for my attitude.

Once were in the lab, we had to wait, but I had a new patience. I opted for the numbing cream for Isaac, so we had to wait at least 30 minutes for it to take effect. In the meantime, I heard a little boy who must have been getting some blood drawn, too, and I was about to start crying for him. Poor little guy.

When it was Isaac's turn, there was more screaming and crying. The nice lab lady had to collect a lot of blood, and I held Isaac on the table so she could do her job. Isaac was a champ, and the lady got all that she needed (or so we thought). Our pediatrician said we might have to go back because of the amount of blood needed and because sometimes it is difficult to get adequate amounts from children who are so young.

A few days later, we got a call from the lab requesting more blood. Boo! I was relieved, though, because at first I thought something might be wrong (although I realize that if that was the case, it would be our doctor calling to tell us). Fortunately, the lab at the hospital is open until 8 p.m. on weeknights, so Isaac and I went in that Friday evening. We didn't get the numbing cream this time--just the spray--because he still screamed at our previous visit, and I didn't want to wait. I did ask one of the ladies there what her opinion was, and she agreed. The same lady who drew Isaac's blood on our first visit saw us. She was super sweet and got the job done. I did tell her that I hoped we wouldn't see her again--at least not in the hospital. And she felt the same way. ;o)

Dr. G has called a couple of times so far, as the results come in to his office. Everything is looking fine, and all of Isaac's immunization records from Korea seem to be accurate. Yay!

Last Week: Lunches, Sprayground, and More!

I would share with you what we've been up to this week, but I figured I should write about last week first. Last week I was spoiled rotten because Tanna was off all week. (He had to work the first full week--including the weekend, yuck--after Isaac came home.) But last week he was off. For nine days in a row. Yipppeeeeee!

We got a lot done in those nine days. Here are just a few things that happened:

• Isaac had a little cold or something early on in the week, so I took him to the pediatrician's office. We had to go there anyway before going to the lab, as he needed to be bagged to obtain a urine sample. (I will do another post on the labs.) Anyway, after a long day, I ended up at Wal-Mart to get his prescription filled. Didn't remember until I got there that it was the first day of school around here. First day of school + Wal-Mart = Lots of fun.
• We got my emissions checked (thanks, DH!), and I got my tags renewed. Had to go in person due to our address change, etc. BTW, I think it is ridiculous the way Georgia has your tags expiring on your birthday. Oh, and don't get me started on the taxes you have to pay every year on your car. Happy birthday from the State of Georgia--now give us some money! (In Tennessee, there is no car tax--except for the one you pay when you buy your car. I can't remember how it was when I lived in North Carolina.) But on the bright side, my taxes went down a bit due to our move in counties. Oh, and my experience at the tag office was good. So that was nice.
• We started getting Isaac's birthday party plans together. Yay!
• We enjoyed a couple of lunches out as a family--and a visit to the sprayground.
  
• I was able to run a bunch of errands that would be a lot more challenging (and take a lot more time) to do when Tanna is working all day and I have to take the kids with me.
• We had our first post-placement visit.
  
• I know there is more, but on to the pictures already!

Lunch with Halmoni and Halabaji


Isaac with Halabaji


Halmoni has made Isaac chook a few times, and he LOVES it. It's basically chicken, rice and various vegetables cooked for a long time.


Halmoni giving Isaac water from a straw ...


... and the next day from a sippy cup. This is when we met with the balloon lady, who is a very nice and talented lady who goes to Tanna's parents' church. She does all the setup (balloons, head table, decorations, etc.) for a traditional Korean first birthday. Tanna's mom was telling me that she went to Korea specifically to receive her training. (She is from Korea, but that is where she was trained to prepare for a dol.) If you are in the Atlanta area and interested in her services, let me know and I will get her information to you.


Kate got this princess balloon--she was tickled pink! (Thank you!)


We went to the sprayground in Roswell--so fun! Right, Isaac?


On the go!


Holding on for dear life!


At least one of them is looking ...


Hey, I think he might be starting to like it! (Isaac is not too fond of bathtime and water in general, apparently. But he is starting to come around.)


Look at those cuties. I just love them so much!


Friday was fried-chicken day at Matthews Cafeteria, so we made a last-minute visit for lunch.


Kate enjoyed her chicken leg.


On Saturday, Burt and Jennifer came over to visit. It was so great to see them! Thanks for stopping by! XOXO

Isaac's First Date

Isaac had his first date earlier this week! Baby Grace come over for lunch and a play date--and boy, was it fun! Grace is just a few days younger than Isaac, so they both are getting ready for their birthdays next month. In fact, their mommies shared birthday ideas--and this mommy in particular is copying Grace's dol (Korean birthday party) invitation because I love it so much. (Not to worry--I asked for permission first. :o))

Don't they look cute in their party hats? I pulled these out the other day when I was searching for props for a birthday photo for Isaac's invitations. Kate has been obsessed with them ever since and insists on others wearing birthday hats, too. She also had us singing the "Happy Birthday" song. Helen (Grace's Mommy) said this would make a cute photo if we were doing a joint birthday party. :o)


Isaac's first Chick-fil-A (I think). Helen brought CFA for lunch--yum! I was getting ready to feed Isaac some baby food (in addition to the bottle he was working on) when he swiped the bun off of my chicken sandwich and started chowing down. LOL! He does love bread (and chicken, too).


All the little ones! They were sooooo cute and really enjoyed each other's company. (Don't tell Grace, but Isaac has another date this afternoon ... with an older woman!)


Mommies! Even though Helen and I just met this year, Helen's family and Tanna's family go way back ... like, to the '70s, I think. We also have some mutual friends--for example, Helen used to be roommates with my friend Jennifer (Evan and Liam's Mommy).


Tanna came home from work early (YAY!) and took this group shot for us.


And then Helen took one of the four of us.

Thanks again, Helen!