Waiting & Hoping

Keep my pal Jodi and her family in your prayers tonight!

Jodi is not only my fitness instructor but she has mentored me through the ups and downs of open adoption as she is an old pro thanks to adopting adorable Jakob 2.5 years ago. They have been waiting 8 months and 3 weeks with LSS on their second baby and just got a call TODAY that baby girl was born YESTERDAY and their family was chosen to take her home TOMORROW! As we all know, a lot could change so pray that the birth parents have peace with decision and Jakob becomes a big brother!

海苔

This is how you write Nori in Japanese: 海苔

Lab rats

That is us. We are going to be part of a huge national research study known as the Early Growth and Development Study which is a longitudinal study of adoptive families and (separately) birth families to try to answer the age old question of nature vs. nurture. The psychology major in me loves this. We will participate in three videotaped 3-hour long family visits at ages 9, 18 and 30 months to observe measures of personality, problem solving, communication, family interactions etc. We will also be interviewed by phone at ages 6, 12, 22 and 36 months.

In exchange for our time, family secrets and yes even DNA, we will have the satisfaction of contributing to science. I can see it now... it's 2022 and naive marriage & family therapy graduate students in dark classroom watching taped session of Megan & Jake in dated 2008 at attire arguing over best way to teach Nori to crawl, scribbling notes of dysfunctions in our marriage and appropriate interventions...

New verbs and such

Don't you just love new verbos that we didn't have like 2 years ago? You know like when I "blog" or tell a friend to "Facebook me"! "Facebook me" and "Myspace me" may be something only I say but it's catching on. At least I don't I say "Oh, I saw your new quote on your yourspace".

In malady news, I must have adult onset acne. Every single day I have a new zit, I don't know why. Are you grossed out yet? My baby got sent home from daycare yesterday because she was not herself, crying like a mofo. She was better for me as I sang and danced with her in front of the fan but she was very clingy and sleepy. I think she is teething plus she may have been overstimulated from a weekend with no routine and lots of new faces. I love how much she loves me, it's so sweet that I am the one she wants! Daddy is right up there too.

Instant Vacation

If you ever have a very busy day and you need to just be instantly transported to paradise, call The Ho's.




Minutes after arriving back from Duluth were listening to Jimmy Buffet, eating chips & salsa and floating in their pool. Can you beat that? Sometimes we call them mom & dad because they take such good care of us. Andy made really awesome baby back ribs, Asian pasta, roasted cauliflower and even grilled bananas with ice cream, caramel and raspberries for dessert.



Sometimes I wish I was Lo Lo.

To Duluth & Back!

Norelle made her first return trip to her birthplace (or homeland as I like to called it) this weekend when we visited with her birth families. As you can imagine, there is some stress as the build up to the visit the approaches but our fears were unfounded... we had a very nice weekend. We saw Paul's apartment, had breakfast at Perkins and walked around The Point Beach looking for agates. Paul is a big nature buff and he talks A LOT so he told us all about the lakes up North, trees, rocks, etc. He seems to be doing okay although he lives a very solitary life working from home so pray for him to find a friend/partner to keep him company and add some companionship to his days. After a brief nap at our hotel, we met Tasha & her 3-year-old daughter Alice and had dinner at mom Cindy's house before taking a dip in Pike Lake. Sunday morning Tash cooked us breakfast and we took the little the girls to park. Everyone was happy to see each other! Tasha is doing great and Alice is really warming up to us. It feels good to see them doing so well! The one thing that really struck me was how poor they both are. Obviously I knew they chose adoption partly because of this fact but after seeing their homes, it really hit me how much they struggle to make ends meet and how very different Nori's life could have been. We are extremely grateful they chose us to be Nori's mom & dad! Nori is also thrilled, I can tell.

Happy Birthday Tracy

Huge News!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Brace yourself but the region's best, if not most erratic, blog is back! Hug It Out Bitch written by none other than the future Mr. Robideau, Charles Seltz. Please visit and comment inappropriately or else it will disappear forever. Again.

What really matters...

I'll be honest, I kinda hate serious blog posts. Yes, I write them from time to time but I do not read blogs to be deep. Like my television, I want trashy & sassy. I'm smart, I read lots of books, volunteer, and help others but sometimes I just like my guilty pleasure.

I should not admit this but... is anyone else watching Tori & Dean: HomeSweet Hollywood? Jake you don't count. Sometimes I feel ready bad for her that she has such a terrible relationship with Candy Spelling and she is working so hard during her pregnancy but then I see how lavishly she lives and realize it's her own fault. In one older episode I heard her say she has tons of furniture in storage from the 90210 days but now they are buying all new stuff for the new house. I hate hoarders with a passion (sorry mom). But, we are looking forward to the new 90210!! I watched every ep of the old one except the very LAST one because my then boyfriend screwed up ther VCR so we never did see David & Donna's wedding. What about Project Runway? I didn't see this week's ep yet so I don't really have a favorite but that Christian tanning wanna-be has GOT to go. And Jon & Kate Plus 8, we watch even thought Kate does have a huge stick up her butt ALL the time.

People, I have a DVR so I can save up my viewing for after baby's bedtime. Don't judge.

Smile for Auntie

My Aunt Jill came over tonight to see our little Norbert who in turn gave her the shy routine. She did let Jill feed her green beans and apples and they played a little bit. Jill found these cute Hartstrings sweaters for her on sale while shopping Florida of all place! Thanks Jill!


Highlights of my day...

• leaving work early to come home to nap
• another awesome day at the new wonderful daycare
• connecting with many old friends on Facebook
• getting a brand new BOB Revolution stroller on Craigslist

Lowlights of my day...

• Sun Country raising the Seattle fare before we booked
• being passed over for the Nobel prize again
  
• no chocolate in the house
  

Breaking News: Bob Rock drives away with three girls...

Not sure if they are his children, nieces or possibly kidnapped. Keep your eyes open for any Amber Alerts. Also, maroon minivan has Wisconsin plates. What do you make of it?

New daycare

Yesterday was the first day at Tammy's and it went really well!! When we arrived there was a big "Welcome Norelle" sign and Tammy's 9-year-old daughter played the piano for Nori who was the only daycare baby there that day (there are only 3 total). Tammy gave Nori a tour of the house, they enjoyed the swing and being outdoors as well as all the new toys. I can already tell this is going to be a great place!

RNC

So, I was all excited to make some serious money just like the real K&K are doing by renting out our house for the RNC. I won't even make one joke because this is strictly bizness! K&K Vlach are getting $3000 for renting out their house...this is vacation dough just waiting to be spent. I'm thinking Costa Rica? In my version, we had planned to go the cabin so we would not even miss our abode. But it turns out the dumb dumbs are having the convention overlapping with the first week of classes and as an all-star adviser, I have to be here to rescue my students who forget to register or realize they can't take Mulitvarible Calculus without the pre-reqs. Unfortunately, I can't think of a single person willing to take in a moody couple with smelly dog & adorable baby who is centrally located to daycare, work and bus route. My beach dreams are fading away...

Party. Animals.

As in we went to three parties this weekend and Nori likes the noises that animals make. Truly, Old MacDonald has gotten her through some of the toughest times in her life. You know I don't mean "par-tay animals" because it is 8:45 on Saturday night as I blog. Since you are reading this you must care so I will just tell you what's new.

Friday night Erin & Andrew were in town from Seattle so had the pleasure of hanging out with them and tons of other Winonans (Susie, Ann & Chirs, Stacey, Eric & kids, Brandon, John, Penny (honorary Winonan). Who am I forgetting? Plus there were lots of babies there so we felt kinda like were at at picnic in Branglina's backyard. Not the one in LA or New Orleans, the new one in France with the gardens. We are seriously hoping to make to Seattle for the Turpanderson wedding so we need to get on our trip planning.

Today Jake deejayed a rocking party at Sabrina's for her house warming. Yes she has a disco dance floor and a disco ball. Everyone kept chanting "the new K & K!" at us...I was so confused. It was fun to see Sabs, Elle-Beau, Buddy, Jeanelle & fam, Sarah and Shannon Dibenedetto. Plus, I acted as Buddy's manservant bringing him plate after plate of food. "Megan...chips. Megan...dessert, cupcakes!"

Tonight baby & I briefly attended Jiten's tennis party (the team won something- like the division?) but we had to leave for bed, Jake is still there. I have been to several of these parties now and have learned that our friends from India like to stay out late as dinner is never served until least 10:30 and they are insulted if you try to leave before midnight. Not to generalize. But the curry is awesome.

Happy Birthyday Steve!

6 months old

Return from the Northwoods

Not that North but still wood-like. We are back from 3 nights/4 days at the cabin with the family. We ate way too much, swam, took pontoon rides, napped and had an otherwise outstanding time. I'm still on vacation so I am not about to waste one more second blogging.

Organic

Jana & Tyler were here and we had a blast! Jana shaved a few minutes off her time in the Lifetime Tri however did not place as well as last year, 15th in the elite category...must be some stiff competition! They are VERY into eating healthy, all organic, no processed foods, no sugars, etc . The life of a high performance athlete does not come easy, I guess. They cooked dinner and we had delicious kabobs & veggies and talked for hours. Tyler's is a chiropractor who specializes in a wellness lifestyle and Jana is a manager at Starbucks when not training or working for Ty. Also they both like to wear camouflage shorts. It would be really cool if they lived closer but it's kinda fun to have these marathon weekend visits, too.

death of blogs

Some of my favorite people have let their blogs die. It's not too late for CPR, friends...

R.I.P
Thankful E
Another Memory
Hug It Out Bitch

Bob Rock sighting!

Here he is...Bob Rock (sitting). The other guy is C.H. Drews, he collects woodies in his driveway. Any guesses as to what they are talking about?

It's already Wednesday?

So, Monday was Jake's birthday... we got pretty rowdy, the cops came and now he's in jail. But, before that happened, the Hos came over (yes, we have other friends but we don't have to clean the house for these particular friends so they are automatically our first call), we enjoyed Arnie Palmers on the porch, the little girls swam to beat the heat, and we ate Thai food & DQ Blizzard Oreo cake. All before 7:30 since some chicas we know must get to bed on time!

Last night my Dad & MJ came over to see the babe and we once again hung out and ordered food. If I were not going through an emotional growth spurt/suffering from parental-induced exhaustion (PIE), I would cook but that concept is on hold. It took Pizza Hut 1 hour and 20 minutes to deliver a cold pepperoni pizza (a boy pizza nonetheless) so the girls played until it finally came. Mekensie is flying to Florida all by herself to see her other grandparents and Papa Bill is having fun getting a new roof and windows for free, courtesy of the hail storm last month.

Tonight Liz & Ellen arrive to stay with us as Ellen goes through Orientation at the U of M and then Friday-Sunday Jana and her boy toy, Dr. Tyler the chiro, are here for the Lifetime Fitness Triathlon/Seltz-Severson Summer Reunion. And on Sunday we head up to Rock Lake for a week at the cabin with the Seltz fam. Stay tuned for details on baby's first skeeter bite and other riveting stories...


p.s. If you are still reading this I'm sorry. But one other blog-worthy (very loose criteria for blog-worthiness) event is my Papa Michael fell in the garden and broke his left arm! I called him the One-Armed Bandit and since he already has hoop earrings like a pirate, he just needs an eye patch now.

Emotional growthspurt

Do you ever just want to stay home, bra-less, for days on end while you play mom? That's kinda me right now.

I was talking to my friend Chels the other day and she mentioned all these events she had been to recently (which I had also been invited to that I never made). Birthday parties, baby showers, wedding showers, etc. And this is just from one circle of friends... if she only knew all the other BBQ's, grad parties and Happy Hours I had to bail on. I say had to because being a new mom is taking a lot out of me, in a good way. I am really absorbed in the all special moments with Norelle: playing in the pool, the look on her face when she tries new baby foods, baths and books before bedtimes. Not to mention the fact that we have had company a plenty, I am still working 4 days a week, I am attempting to stay healthy & fit all while trying living in a semi-clean house that needs constant cleaning due to baby juices everywhere.

It's not just my time that I spend with her but it's also all my emotional energy and it is so wonderful! Sometimes I just cry thinking about her growing up into a big kid or loving how baby she is right now in this moment. My sentimental side is in full-gear and often very consuming. I expected to wash diapers and get-up way too ealry but I never realized the JOY that comes from having a little beautiful, hilarious baby girl at your side day & night. I highly recommend you go pick yourself up one...

Happy Birthday Grandma Liz!

Happy 31st Birthday Jake!

The original BFF. You're neat, you're cool, you totally rule!

Downer post

The news on my Grandma Audrey is not good. Her pancreatic cancer is advancing and her oncologist thinks she may only live another month, two at the very most. Needless to say she does not feel good and has a lot of pain but still has some good days. My Papa Michael is very devastated and scared, as we all are, so please keep my family in your prayers!

Happy 4th of July!

Recap

So, the adoption panel was Thursday and it was nice to meet some other birthmoms which just reminds us how special Tasha really is. We had a wonderful weekend with the adoption finalization a real highlight! It was awesome to have our parents, Jill & Abby and BFF Missy there to support us! Judge Curly did good job and we realized this process has brought us full-circle: first to jailhouse back in September for a match meeting and finally to a courthouse. Hopefully, I won't be frequenting government sites very often (although I would love to ride on Air Force One someday). Holly and Steve & Liz stayed with us this weekend so it was fun for Nori to get some grandparent time. Holly actually stayed through this morning because daycare called in sick so we had an unexpected day off.

Speaking of daycare, we got in at the new place! Hooray! She starts on July 21 after we squeeze in a vacay at the cabin. When I called her current provider to tell her, she actually started crying so that was really sad!! We brought her sunflowers today so we hope that cheered her up and Nori will certainly be back when the new place has sick days or vacation.

Nori got a pink swimming pool and has been "swimming" up a storm and playing with her friend Declyn (a BOY who is 7 months). We enjoyed Mojitos with the neighbors, walks and naps. I love summer...

Enough about me. How are YOU?