I'm golden...

30 on the 30th! Off to play with my new present...

Birth family update

Many people have asked how the birth family is doing and I am happy to report they are very well! We speak to Tasha regularly and she feels at peace with her decision to place Nori with us and is recovering from her surgery. We have a very open relationship so she has shared with me that some people (uncles, distant friends) have told her to take the baby back or that she is making a mistake. Yes, that is hard to hear but Tasha is so reassuring that Jake & I are Norelle's parents and she wants her to be raised by us.

Tasha has a 2.5-year-old, Alice, who keeps her more than busy. They are both going to come to Norell'e baptism so it will be wonderful for them to see how she has grown. Nori will call Alice her sister and Tasha her birthmom or just plain Tasha. Her birthdad Paul may be having a bit harder of a time because he had not prepared for any grief but he is committed to this choice and looks forward to the photos we email him. It's a unique yet really special family that our baby has and we hope that everyone will come to understand that it's just more people to love our little girl!

On February 8th, the legal risk period (window of time the birth parents have to revoke their consent) will be over and we can proceed with the adoption details...

Jake's girls

Daddy

In other news, Jake had to go back to work yesterday as it is his busiest month of the year due to companies and stocks and Dow Jones thingies. He stayed up lat last night working to get reports done when he would much rather would have been hanging with his eater and his eater's feeder. He can not wait until next weekend he says. He has already read Norelle two books and luckily they were not about predatory lending or solar energy.

Nori Kobayashi

I am raising a future speed eater who will hopefully make use of her skills to win Nathan's Hotdog Eating Contest one day. My child was up every 2-2.5 hours last night to gulp 3 oz of formula. This is a record, even for her. She should be on solid foods by Valentines Day at this rate. Her tiny 7lbs body is very deceiving. Blessedly Gramsie Holly is still here so at 7:00 a.m. I brought baby down and put her into Hol's care so I could go get a few hours of sleep sandwiched between by two dogs, Doro & Harley (who are NOT allowed on my bed but they sensed I was too tired to scold them and jumped right up to comfort me).

(Jeff's) Grown-up Mac and Cheese

Grown-Up Mac and Cheese

8 oz (2 1/2 cups) uncooked mostaccioli
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon white pepper
dash nutmeg
1 1/4 cups fat-free half-and-half
1/2 cup shredded fontina cheese
1/2 cup shredded swiss cheese
1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons dry white wine
2 Italian plum tomatoes, thinly sliced
1 teaspoon olive oil
2 tablespoons green onions

1. Heat oven to 350.  Cook mostaccioli per package
directions.  Drain.
2. Melt butter in large saucepan over medium heat.
Stir in flour, salt, pepper, and nutmeg; cook and stir
until bubbly. Gradually add half-and-half, stirring
constantly.  Cook until boils and thickens, stirring
frequently.  Remove from heat and stir in cheeses
until melted.  Stir in wine.
3.  Add cooked pasta to cheese sauce; stir gently to
coat.  Pour into sprayed 1 1/2 quart casserole.
Arrange sliced tomatoes around outside edge of dish.
Brush tomatoes with oil; sprinkle with green onioons.
4.  Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes (until edges are-Up
bubbly and thoroughly heated).

Yummers.

Big thanks to Pat & Ang for the delicious homeade BBQ chicken pizza & salad on Friday night and to Katie & Jeff for the awesome adult mac & cheese tonight! I need that recipe! We also enjoyed Jake's Fatherhood Party with Luther friends last night at Boca Chica! The eating spree continues as my mom, henceforth known as Gramsie Holly, just rolled in with fixing for a turkey dinner. I need to adopt more kids, this rocks.



Also, Happy 47th Birthday Aunt Wendy!

We are all very tired...

Much to report but no energy right now...everyone is happy but beat!

her name

People have asked about Norelle's name. We have read that Norelle means "of the north" or "light of the north" and we think that is fitting because is she from Duluth after all. Renee was given to her by her birthmom Tasha and it is also Tasha's middle name.

What really matters in life...

For some odd reason I am having troubling thinking about something to blog about other my baby. I refuse to turn into just a mom so it is essential I keep up with my pop culture and celebrity gossip. Not for me but for Nori. Seems like Britney is stilling acting crazy so that's a relief, stability is what I need right now. If you don't already check out the blogs because you busy doing something productive with your life, stop right now and visit my Top Five:

1. TMZ
2. Perez Hilton
3. Dlisted
4. Pink is the New Blog
5. Seriously? OMG! WTF?

Warning: browsing US Weekly while in line for groceries has now become obsolete.

1 week old!

Geeks in the pink

Norelle has already had many firsts. She watched her first episode of Project Runway, danced to Jason Mraz, hung with future BFF Lo Lo and completed a medium level sudoku puzzle on her own. Isn't she the best?

Thank you!

Our thanks to all the family & friends who are so excited for us!

We can't believe that people are actually bringing over meals, too! Liz made pot roast & veggies along with chocolate cake upon our homecoming and tonight Missy brought rigatoni, salad & brownies. Maybe you all want me to look like I just had a baby? We are having so much fun and can not wait for everyone to come and visit! You will get sick of all the photos but what can I say? I just got a new camera and now I have a subject who can not say no...

My child is on the honor roll...

Norelle is such a good baby and so far she is very easy! She loves to eat and sleep so we are happy! We LOVE being parents! We had wonderful hospital experience and really bonded with Tasha & her family. We are so grateful for them!

We love her!

Click here for more photos of Nori...

She's home...

Norelle Renee Seltz
January 18th, 2008
11:16 a.m.
6 lbs 11 oz

Ferosh

If he was a diva, his name would be Ferosh. Christian won last night's challenge, not that I am surprised.

My grandma Audrey

My family received some really terrible news yesterday...my Grandma Audrey (79) was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer by doctors at Mayo. She recently started having pain in her abdomen so after running a bunch of tests, this is the diagnosis. They want her to do chemo but even with that they guess she has about a year to live. Please pray for my grandma and for my Papa Michael as they are BFF's and we don't know what they will do without each other.

Happy Birthday Sabrina!

Meow!

Supermodel or role model?

I love me some Lo Lo!

This one's for Jake...

Sun nap

Ick, yesterday I felt so crappy! I was queasy, I couldn't eat anything and was so very tired. I came home from work at noon and promptly took a 3 hour nap which was cozy because the sun was shining in directly on to my bed so it was just like that time I passed out in Kokomo. I feel much better today... amen!

On the baby front we go to Duluth on Friday...at 7:00 am when they will attempt the version. It feels like she is never is going to get here! Jake gave me an early birthday present, a new Canon PowerShot A720 8.0 mega pixel digital camera so I can capture all things baby. Also, Casey dropped off his camcorder so we started making a video for the baby which is sure to only embarass her and keep in her the womb all the longer.

Told you...

Sabrina wins...she guessed Nicole would be first and she was right. Her prize is me in a bridesmaid's dress at her 31st birthday party Thursday night.

Yum!

My daily breakfast...

Chocolate or mint? You don't have to choose which craving to satisfy with this mouth-watering combination of flavors! It's rich dark chocolate with a refreshing mint crunch that is delicious and satisfying.

Amount Per Serving		% Daily Value†
Calories: 210 Calories from Fat: 60 Total Fat: 7g Saturated Fat: 4.5g Trans Fat 0g Cholesterol: <5mg>		11% 23% <2%>
Vitamin A	35%	Vitamin B12	35%
Vitamin C Calcium Iron Vitamin E Thiamine Riboflavin Niacin Vitamin B6 Folate	100% 20% 10% 100% 25% 50% 50% 50% 20%	Biotin Pantothenic Acid Phosphorus Magnesium Zinc Selenium Chromium Molyb

I love waiting...

it's fun how the time creeps by so very slowly. Every day goes by at a monotaneus uneventful pace, threatening to never pass. Ah, how special. Tasha just called to say they moved the version back to Friday instead of Wednesday. This sucks for her because if she goes into labor before then she will have to have a c-section. Her due date is next Monday but I'm not sure if the baby is fully aware she needs to stay put until then.

Ungulates

Last night while at Buca with a bunch of friends, Missy informed us she does not like lamb or goat cheese. Ang deducted that she doesn't like anything from the sheep family. We knew there was a better term than "sheep family" but could not come up with it. On the ride home I remembered the term is ungulate (hoofed animals). I know this because I took an awesome primatology class at UNI where we had to study the animal orders. It was a night class which met at the prof's house... he cooked us dinner and we had lectures in his living room! If you were over 21, he gave you wine. He was in his 60's, I would guess, and he lived with an older women who looked she was in her 80's. I assumed this was his mom and referred to her as that but no, it was his wife. Oops. Anyway, this was back when I wanted to be Jane Goodall. I still do, minus living the forest part. If I have had a terrible disease and got to do a Make-a-Wish I would wish to get to play with a real live orang or chimp for a day, much like Michael Jackson. On a side note, I once won second place in a Halloween contest dressed as Jane Goodall. Obvi this was that U of M where only a bunch of geeks like me would appreciate dressing up as a scientist.

Nursery

What is up with hideous Norwegian sweaters?

Is it just me or do the people at your church wear these too? Is it a Lutheran thing? I hope it's a trend that is over soon. WWJD about this epidemic?

We were at church much of this weekend for the Confirmation Youth Retreat. It was actually fun although neither of our mentees, Andrew or Will, were there very long but we did connect with some girls who were really neat!! We had great faith conversations, did skits, made ads for Christianity and even walked a Labyrinth. The rest of this weekend will be spent on finishing touches for the baby, a date night tonight (Jake will finally see Juno), errands and hopefully some time to relax!

Tasha is feeling very scared because the baby has turned breech again. She asked us to come to Duluth on Wednesday when they try to turn the baby because it can lead labor or cause an emergency C section. She is scared so please pray for her. She is a single mom so the thought of not being to pick up her two-year-old to take care of her is upsetting. That's the latest...

Isn't this cool?

My Family, My Journey - A Baby Memory Book for Adoptive Families

There are pages to chart the adopted child's unique journey, as well as a sturdy pocket, with a string seal, in which to store important documents and memorabilia. It also comes with over 60 colorful stickers you can use to customize the family tree pages.

God, I hope the pocket is sturdy! We need one of these!

"I'm gonna die..."

My soul mate Christian survived another round on Project Runway despite a bratty client in an ugly dress. He was still fierce.

Guess who's having a baby tomorrow???!!!!!

I don't know either but my guess is Xtina Aguilera? I heard she was getting a C on the 10th. Your guesses? Jennifer? Halle? Tasha?

Walking & waiting...

Tasha just called... she is so ready to have to have this baby! Her mom has been taking her on 3 hour walks everyday since Sunday to try to get things started but so far, no results. She is actually just 38 1/2 weeks and the due date is not until January 21 but none of us feel like we can wait even one more day. She says she bought a very cute little dress for Smellington (she uses real name we chose) to go home in along with baby tights and shoes. It is crazy because Tasha is so excited for us. We are so grateful to her and excited to meet lil' Smelli!

BoJangles

You know my friend Jana, the jock? Here is her race schedule for the next year. I am aspiring to be her manager for when she starts going to international races in Italy and such. She doesn't need steroids since she works at Starbucks. Caffeine power.

03/30/08	Friendly Sons of St. Patrick 10K	Des Moines, IA
04/27/08	Short Course Duathlon Nationals.	Richmond, VA
05/17/08	Galena Duathlon	Galena, IL
06/08/08	Copper Creek Sprint Triathlon	Pleasant Hill, IA
06/22/08	Hy-Vee Triathlon	Des Moines, IA
07/12/08	Lifetime Fitness Triathlon	Minneapolis, MN
07/29/08	Big Creek Triathlon	Polk City, IA
08/02/08	Steelhead 70.3 Ironman	Southwest Michigan
09/20/08	2008 Age Group Nationals	Portland, OR
11/08/08	70.3 Ironman Nationals	Clearwater, FL

Shirley Palbicki

I love the public library. I am constantly searching for book recommendations, requesting books online… the library calls when they’re in and viola, I am reading a good book! I am really into Augusten Burroughs right now. I have read Running with Scissors, Dry and just finished Magical Thinking last night. He seems like someone I would hate in real life but is a hilarious memoirist. When I was a kid I had so many overdue & lost library books that I was no longer welcome at the Winona Public Library (this was way before they had electronic scanning systems for books). But I found a loophole in the system. I simply showed up and pretended to be a new patron, filling out the paperwork under a new name, Shirley Palbicki. Unfortunately, Shirley was no better at returning books on time than Megan was so now if I get arrested this name may be listed as my alias.

Cripe all Friday

Do you know anyone in your life that uses offbeat or outdated expressions? My Papa Michael is constantly saying "cripe all Friday" as if it everyone knows what that means. He is also fond of the expletive "Jesus H. Christ!" (Jake once convinced me that "H" stood for Hebrew). My friend Chels also has her own vocab. She insists on referring the time after daughter was born as "just hatched" and calls anyone she thinks is a nerd or dork "a digger". When were young and I was annoying my brother or vice verse, my mom would say "stop pimping each other! don't pimp your sister". Awkward! My dad loves to tell people to "go pound sand" but it's more the obscene hand gesture he uses with this phrase that embarrasses me. My coworker Phil loves to "piddle" around at the mall. At work people love to talk about their "radar screens" and are always worried about keeping things on other people's "radar". I assume they sell these at Sharper Image next to the Gaydars?

OMG! CPR!

I completed CPR training today for my new job as an EMT. I love acronyms, KWIM? No, not really...my work offered it so I did it. It has changed since the last time I got cozy with Annie. Wasn't that her name? I rocked and I now know how to use an AED so feel free to croak around me.