Remember the birth certificate saga with Anna Zane's birth certificate?
Well, it appears the drama is not over.
A few weeks back we applied for a passport for Anna. We received a response today. Because she was born in the car on the way to the hospital, she is considered to have a non-institutional birth. Thus, we have to provide several original documents supporting her birth. For adoptive families, original documents are difficult to come by, but we are thankful we have three. So we are hoping this is sufficient.
However, thanks to our time in the trenches with the state government during the birth certificate process, we are concerned about the hiccups the adoption details will bring in the passport process. Mainly, our original documents from the day of her birth all list her given name at birth which is not her legal name. We changed it when we adopted her.
We plan to overnight these documents, and have asked our adoption agency to write an official letter about her adoption and any original documents they may have supporting our claim. We have 90 days to work this out.
Prayers please.
Monday, December 16, 2013
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Anna-isms #6
When you ask Anna her name, she replies: "Anna Zane Worry." Always. It's never just "Anna"; it's always the whole name.
*****
She knows my first name: Em-o-wee. And her Daddy's name? Uncle Bryan, of course. She also calls her great-grandfather Uncle Gene instead of Papa Gene.
*****
When she puts coins in her piggy bank, we tell her the name of each coin. She repeats, etc. However, for dime, she often says diamond. Hey, a girl can hope. I suppose if you have enough dimes, you can buy a diamond . . . .
*****
I asked Anna: Want to put on your pants? (She likes to take them off at home all. the. time. Since it's been chilly, I've encouraged pant wearing.)
She responded: No, thank you, but thanks for asking.
*****
When picking out shoes or clothes, I always give her choices. Recently, she was pulling shoe choices on her own. Of the four pair on display, one was out of the question. As I was about to tell her that the pink strappy sandles were not happening, she looks at me dead serious, cuts me off by saying, "Mom. Calm down."
*****
When the babysitter asked her what she thought I was going to buy Bryan for Christmas, Anna said after some thoughtful consideration: A big bike. A big Bible because he's my big Papa.
*****
Anna regularly carries around a paperback Webster's dictionary that's really her Big Book of BooBoos. (Thanks Doc McStuffins.)
*****
She's really into:
*****
She knows my first name: Em-o-wee. And her Daddy's name? Uncle Bryan, of course. She also calls her great-grandfather Uncle Gene instead of Papa Gene.
*****
When she puts coins in her piggy bank, we tell her the name of each coin. She repeats, etc. However, for dime, she often says diamond. Hey, a girl can hope. I suppose if you have enough dimes, you can buy a diamond . . . .
*****
I asked Anna: Want to put on your pants? (She likes to take them off at home all. the. time. Since it's been chilly, I've encouraged pant wearing.)
She responded: No, thank you, but thanks for asking.
*****
When picking out shoes or clothes, I always give her choices. Recently, she was pulling shoe choices on her own. Of the four pair on display, one was out of the question. As I was about to tell her that the pink strappy sandles were not happening, she looks at me dead serious, cuts me off by saying, "Mom. Calm down."
*****
When the babysitter asked her what she thought I was going to buy Bryan for Christmas, Anna said after some thoughtful consideration: A big bike. A big Bible because he's my big Papa.
*****
Anna regularly carries around a paperback Webster's dictionary that's really her Big Book of BooBoos. (Thanks Doc McStuffins.)
*****
She's really into:
- Pretending to brush her doll's teeth
- Asking for Pepto because her "tummy hurts real bad." (Due to medication from the infamous car sickness episode. Apparently the children's Pepto is candy flavored.)
- Cheese, almonds, and blueberries
- Watching shows (Paw Patrol at the moment)
- Playing house
- Gummy bears
- Unwrapping Advent presents
- Christmas lights
- The neighbor's cat, whom she calls her "pet"
- Orange juice
- Singing "Jingle Bells"
I've also written some posts on the Fort Worth Moms Blog that mention my little sweetie. Here's one about her music class. And another about our life as a transracial family. Oh and an exciting one about her potty training successes. Finally, a bit about our adoption story. Clearly, I've been busy. Ha!
Here is a pic of another favorite past time: playing in my make-up. The lone tear is left over from me making her put up my "good" blush, if I remember correctly.
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
I Signed the Petition. Will You?
I met Mary Bawden through my editorial work. She is a delightful, interesting, and talented lady who's spent many years cultivating the beauty and glory of dance. She's shared a new project, a new concern of her with me . . . and now I am sharing it with you.
She's started a petition through change.org to tackle the alarming issue of sexualization of young girls in dance. This is what she has to say about the topic:
All of you know that I love dance on a deeply personal level. Dance is effective communication that transforms. Dance is powerful. Dance is beautiful…..
Over the course of the last decade, dance for young children, particularly little girls, has changed. Alarmingly, young girls are becoming increasingly sexualized through dance. If you have recently attended a dance recital or viewed any one of many reality shows on television, you have no doubt viewed choreography that exploits and sexualizes children, using sexy moves, adult costumes, and mature, sexually charged songs to make little girls look and act like mature women.
This opinion is not just my own. It is based on research that I have included on my website www.soultosolechoreography.org
ECPAT-USA, the leading policy organization fighting the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC), has agreed to support this petition. ECPAT-USA seeks to end the commercial sexual exploitation of children by raising awareness of the issue, advocating for the victims, developing policy for private companies, law enforcement, and government bodies to fight the problem; they also seek to pass legislation that protects the victims and penalizes the traffickers and exploiters. They are the leading policy organization in the United States in this area, and belong to an international network of organizations that have offices in 73 countries around the world. Learn more about ECPAT-USA atwww.ECPATUSA.org.
In addition to signing the petition, to make a difference at your local level, you can access an online toolkit from soultosolechoreography.org to start a hard copy petition in your own community. Together, we can facilitate change and bring an end to the sexualization of children under 12 through inappropriate choreography and costumes! I hope that you will join me in this effort by signing the petition onchange.org.
This is the petition link: http://www.change.org/
This is the link to the online toolkit: http://www.
This is the link to the FB business page where you can ‘like’ Soul to Sole Choreography and see updates on how the petition is doing: https://www.facebook.com/
I would particularly appreciate petition exposure over facebook with ‘likes’ to the soultosolechoreography.org business page. As well, I hope that you might share this online petition with others so that there will be national awareness and education in this area.
If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me in regard to this issue: Bawden5@cs.com ormary@soultosolechoreoraphy.org
She's started a petition through change.org to tackle the alarming issue of sexualization of young girls in dance. This is what she has to say about the topic:
All of you know that I love dance on a deeply personal level. Dance is effective communication that transforms. Dance is powerful. Dance is beautiful…..
Over the course of the last decade, dance for young children, particularly little girls, has changed. Alarmingly, young girls are becoming increasingly sexualized through dance. If you have recently attended a dance recital or viewed any one of many reality shows on television, you have no doubt viewed choreography that exploits and sexualizes children, using sexy moves, adult costumes, and mature, sexually charged songs to make little girls look and act like mature women.
This opinion is not just my own. It is based on research that I have included on my website www.soultosolechoreography.org
ECPAT-USA, the leading policy organization fighting the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC), has agreed to support this petition. ECPAT-USA seeks to end the commercial sexual exploitation of children by raising awareness of the issue, advocating for the victims, developing policy for private companies, law enforcement, and government bodies to fight the problem; they also seek to pass legislation that protects the victims and penalizes the traffickers and exploiters. They are the leading policy organization in the United States in this area, and belong to an international network of organizations that have offices in 73 countries around the world. Learn more about ECPAT-USA atwww.ECPATUSA.org.
In addition to signing the petition, to make a difference at your local level, you can access an online toolkit from soultosolechoreography.org to start a hard copy petition in your own community. Together, we can facilitate change and bring an end to the sexualization of children under 12 through inappropriate choreography and costumes! I hope that you will join me in this effort by signing the petition onchange.org.
This is the petition link: http://www.change.org/
This is the link to the online toolkit: http://www.
This is the link to the FB business page where you can ‘like’ Soul to Sole Choreography and see updates on how the petition is doing: https://www.facebook.com/
I would particularly appreciate petition exposure over facebook with ‘likes’ to the soultosolechoreography.org business page. As well, I hope that you might share this online petition with others so that there will be national awareness and education in this area.
If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me in regard to this issue: Bawden5@cs.com ormary@soultosolechoreoraphy.org
Saturday, November 9, 2013
Baby Names for #2
Just this week:
- a friend gave birth to twin girls
- another friend gave birth to a girl
- and another friend to another girl
- and another friend to a boy (finally!)
- and finally, another friend is schedule to be induced in the morning.
(Can we say Valentines babies? Yes.)
All this baby business has me thinking about my second sweetie. If he or she will be home soon, or if the time will be longer. What he or she will look like . . . . What will be the name?
Oh wait. I already kinda know.
When we were waiting for Anna Zane, we pored over name books and our family tree, searching for the "perfect" name, which we found, I might add. :-)
Before deciding on the name Anna Zane, the other names on our "almost, but not quite" list were:
- Iris
- Charlotte
- Greta
- Beatrix
- Imogen
- Nora
- Claire
- Lucas
- Davis
- Bryant (for a middle name)
When we were pondering name choices, I also asked for some help from family and friends. I had all these rules about what the name couldn't start with, etc.
So, in honor of waiting for Baby #2, let's play another naming game! I will provide the first letter of the names on our "short" list, and you make your guesses. There's only one rule: The name must not end with a long "e" sound.
Boy names:
- S
- J
- B
Girl names:
- L
- Z
- B
- R
Now give it your best shot. Comment below to make your guesses!
Sunday, November 3, 2013
Two Cute
Local photographer Shalene Roberts captured Anna Zane's two-year-old photos. And we, of course, love them. There's not too much more to say. The pics . . . er, my cutie . . . speaks for itself.
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Losing Twins, Gaining Perspective
A college friend alerted me to news of the death of her infant niece and nephew recently. Her brother and sister-in-law were awaiting placement of these sweet wee ones from Africa. A dysentery-type disease spread through their orphanage and village, taking these precious lives and numerous others.
The story has rattled the mister and me.
Is it because our hearts feel so connected to the realities--heartache and hope--of adoption? Is it because of the senseless nature of the deaths? Is it because we should be and can be doing so much more to ease suffering and poverty in this world? Is it because when I see these littles I see my own sweet girl--dark-skin beauties so deserving of hugs and kisses and cuddles?
The answer is yes and more.
Can I beg you to read this mother's post about this event and her babies? (Click here.) It is not only filled with grief, but also with comfort and calling . . . everything a healthy, hopeful perspective affords. And be sure to click on her own link to a page dedicated to explaining the challenges this orphanage faces in terms of clean water, toilets, and beds. It all seems so fixable to our first-world minds, but requires people with creative problem-solving, people who will extend beyond their comfort zones, and people who will open up their wallets.
If you have any information about how to help this orphanage tackle its clean water issue or know of any organizations who'd join forces with the Lotz's agency to save lives, please comment on my post below or on the links provided in the paragraphs above.
The story has rattled the mister and me.
Is it because our hearts feel so connected to the realities--heartache and hope--of adoption? Is it because of the senseless nature of the deaths? Is it because we should be and can be doing so much more to ease suffering and poverty in this world? Is it because when I see these littles I see my own sweet girl--dark-skin beauties so deserving of hugs and kisses and cuddles?
The answer is yes and more.
Can I beg you to read this mother's post about this event and her babies? (Click here.) It is not only filled with grief, but also with comfort and calling . . . everything a healthy, hopeful perspective affords. And be sure to click on her own link to a page dedicated to explaining the challenges this orphanage faces in terms of clean water, toilets, and beds. It all seems so fixable to our first-world minds, but requires people with creative problem-solving, people who will extend beyond their comfort zones, and people who will open up their wallets.
If you have any information about how to help this orphanage tackle its clean water issue or know of any organizations who'd join forces with the Lotz's agency to save lives, please comment on my post below or on the links provided in the paragraphs above.
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
The Most Unusual Week of My Life
After a rough few months of challenging call schedules, the hubs had 10 days off work. TEN. We've been thinking about and planning for these cluster of free days for weeks . . . almost like daydreaming of winning the lottery. What are we going to do with 10 days? Just imagine the possibilities.
The actual 10 days went something like this:
Day 1: Whoo-hoo the Texas State Fair. Although I've lived here for six years, I still had never attended the biggest fair in the country and right in my own backyard. (That's right, Dallas. I just called you my backyard.) Y'all, the fair is fantastic and unlike any fair. (For my Tennessee friends, this fair makes the Williamson County fair look like peanuts in both size and quality.) Please know I'm not bragging. It's more like shock. I've truly, really, honestly, never ever seen a fair so big and nice. I walked around dazed for a bit when we first got there. (Oh, and we got there by train. Anna Zane adored riding the trains across the metroplex.)
The next two hours found us cheering and gawking and smiling as our adorable daughter enjoyed ride after ride. The kid is a daredevil of epic proportions. And we totally acted the part of doting parents, not minding the money pouring out of our pockets to purchase tickets for these insanely expensive rides. It was so worth everypenny dollar because she enjoyed every second of every ride.
When we finally cut off the gravy train for rides, the adults scoped out the desired fair food, which did not disappoint. We ended the day with the animal barns. In the feeding/petting barn, I nearly went psycho when I realized Anna already used up her allotted feed for the animals and was remedying this problem by fighting with a goat over the next turn in the feed bucket. She was absolutely going to take feed from his trough to put back in her cup. Child, please.
Day 2: I honestly do not remember much. Chores and a few outside projects were completed. Oh, I did shop that morning at one store who sent me a birthday coupon.
Day 3: Happy anniversary to us. Happy anniversary to us. Happy anniversarrrrryyyy. We celebrated six years of wonderful with dinner and a movie. Perfect.
Day 4: All packed up and headed to Wimberley, Texas. The Youree Three on a road trip. Our last road trip to Galveston found Bryan driving in torrential rain for hours. Unfortunately, the trip to Wimberely pretty much went the same. While we are thankful for any rain, it stinks Bryan has to drive in it both times we've tried to vacate and relax.
Day 5: "Waa Waa Wimberley" is what I was going to title a blog post about our Wimberley trip. But I've decided to contain my negativity and wrath and only post this little portion: Don't visit Wimberley. Don't get me wrong. The place we stayed--Red Corral Ranch--is delightful, quaint, fun, and had very friendly staff. It was the bright spot of our trip. But the town "square" had less than stellar shops. We also felt less than welcomed. I wasn't sure if the unfriendliness came from the fact we were taking a two-year-old into the stores or if it was because we were taking a black two-year-old. Either way, it was not a happy reception. We will not be going back.
Anna's highlight of this trip--and ours too--was the hot tub at our cabin. As you can imagine, this is the perfect swimming pool for a wee one. The first go she had on her arm floatie, but quickly figured out she could touch bottom in the deepest part. During the next swim the next morning, she was sans floatie, pushing off the side and "swimming" to the other side. She's a fish!
Day 6: As the colder temperatures peeked in and out these last two weeks, it became very apparent that little cutie was lacking in the warm clothes department. So we squeezed in a trip to an outlet mall on our way home. Thankfully, we found some good deals and garb, but it was rushed and frenzied. Little Anna was sick of it quick and tired and hungry.
When we got home, we repacked to leave for Arkansas the next day. Yes, a quick sale of my mother's house meant a last minute estate sale was in order. Such a feat seems daunting enough, but add back-to-back traveling and the unavoidable emotions of seeing your parents' belongings sorted through and sold . . . you get the picture.
Day 7: I work in Dallas proofreading a magazine. When I'm finished, we leave for the Arkansas trip, which goes smooth and easy. Whew.
That evening, well, was a different story. The Youree Three slept in one super king-sized bed. You think that wouldn't be a problem, right? Ever slept with a toddler? She spent the first part of the night attached to my person, waking up every little bit to say "Mommy." I kept moving her back to the middle of the bed. And maybe just maybe, the last time I moved her, I may or may not have moved her closer to her father. Funny. When he woke up in the morning, he mentioned that in the middle of the night, she started cuddling with him, and he couldn't get any sleep. Coincidence, don't you think?
Day 8: Yard sale. It went really well even without prices on everything. In some aspects, it was weird watching strangers take off with your parents' belongings, but at the same time, it was comforting. This may sound a bit sappy, but it's nice to know your family's items can be of use to someone, that others will use it or repurpose it into something of worth to them.
Day 9: The traveling home day. One hour or so into our trip, Anna vomits all.over.her.car.seat.and.herself. ALL OVER. Cleaning. Stripping. Washing. Windows down. Air freshener. Pepto. Dramamine. Pretzels. Ginger ale. Help me, Jesus. (Apparently, it was a sudden case of car sickness. I am so thrilled to report the "episode" only happened once. However, now I am scared stiff to take her on another car trip.)
Day 10: Hahahahahahahahaha (crazy laugh). What a great vacation. I feel so rested.
The actual 10 days went something like this:
Day 1: Whoo-hoo the Texas State Fair. Although I've lived here for six years, I still had never attended the biggest fair in the country and right in my own backyard. (That's right, Dallas. I just called you my backyard.) Y'all, the fair is fantastic and unlike any fair. (For my Tennessee friends, this fair makes the Williamson County fair look like peanuts in both size and quality.) Please know I'm not bragging. It's more like shock. I've truly, really, honestly, never ever seen a fair so big and nice. I walked around dazed for a bit when we first got there. (Oh, and we got there by train. Anna Zane adored riding the trains across the metroplex.)
The next two hours found us cheering and gawking and smiling as our adorable daughter enjoyed ride after ride. The kid is a daredevil of epic proportions. And we totally acted the part of doting parents, not minding the money pouring out of our pockets to purchase tickets for these insanely expensive rides. It was so worth every
When we finally cut off the gravy train for rides, the adults scoped out the desired fair food, which did not disappoint. We ended the day with the animal barns. In the feeding/petting barn, I nearly went psycho when I realized Anna already used up her allotted feed for the animals and was remedying this problem by fighting with a goat over the next turn in the feed bucket. She was absolutely going to take feed from his trough to put back in her cup. Child, please.
Day 2: I honestly do not remember much. Chores and a few outside projects were completed. Oh, I did shop that morning at one store who sent me a birthday coupon.
Day 3: Happy anniversary to us. Happy anniversary to us. Happy anniversarrrrryyyy. We celebrated six years of wonderful with dinner and a movie. Perfect.
Day 4: All packed up and headed to Wimberley, Texas. The Youree Three on a road trip. Our last road trip to Galveston found Bryan driving in torrential rain for hours. Unfortunately, the trip to Wimberely pretty much went the same. While we are thankful for any rain, it stinks Bryan has to drive in it both times we've tried to vacate and relax.
Day 5: "Waa Waa Wimberley" is what I was going to title a blog post about our Wimberley trip. But I've decided to contain my negativity and wrath and only post this little portion: Don't visit Wimberley. Don't get me wrong. The place we stayed--Red Corral Ranch--is delightful, quaint, fun, and had very friendly staff. It was the bright spot of our trip. But the town "square" had less than stellar shops. We also felt less than welcomed. I wasn't sure if the unfriendliness came from the fact we were taking a two-year-old into the stores or if it was because we were taking a black two-year-old. Either way, it was not a happy reception. We will not be going back.
Anna's highlight of this trip--and ours too--was the hot tub at our cabin. As you can imagine, this is the perfect swimming pool for a wee one. The first go she had on her arm floatie, but quickly figured out she could touch bottom in the deepest part. During the next swim the next morning, she was sans floatie, pushing off the side and "swimming" to the other side. She's a fish!
Day 6: As the colder temperatures peeked in and out these last two weeks, it became very apparent that little cutie was lacking in the warm clothes department. So we squeezed in a trip to an outlet mall on our way home. Thankfully, we found some good deals and garb, but it was rushed and frenzied. Little Anna was sick of it quick and tired and hungry.
When we got home, we repacked to leave for Arkansas the next day. Yes, a quick sale of my mother's house meant a last minute estate sale was in order. Such a feat seems daunting enough, but add back-to-back traveling and the unavoidable emotions of seeing your parents' belongings sorted through and sold . . . you get the picture.
Day 7: I work in Dallas proofreading a magazine. When I'm finished, we leave for the Arkansas trip, which goes smooth and easy. Whew.
That evening, well, was a different story. The Youree Three slept in one super king-sized bed. You think that wouldn't be a problem, right? Ever slept with a toddler? She spent the first part of the night attached to my person, waking up every little bit to say "Mommy." I kept moving her back to the middle of the bed. And maybe just maybe, the last time I moved her, I may or may not have moved her closer to her father. Funny. When he woke up in the morning, he mentioned that in the middle of the night, she started cuddling with him, and he couldn't get any sleep. Coincidence, don't you think?
Day 8: Yard sale. It went really well even without prices on everything. In some aspects, it was weird watching strangers take off with your parents' belongings, but at the same time, it was comforting. This may sound a bit sappy, but it's nice to know your family's items can be of use to someone, that others will use it or repurpose it into something of worth to them.
Day 9: The traveling home day. One hour or so into our trip, Anna vomits all.over.her.car.seat.and.herself. ALL OVER. Cleaning. Stripping. Washing. Windows down. Air freshener. Pepto. Dramamine. Pretzels. Ginger ale. Help me, Jesus. (Apparently, it was a sudden case of car sickness. I am so thrilled to report the "episode" only happened once. However, now I am scared stiff to take her on another car trip.)
Day 10: Hahahahahahahahaha (crazy laugh). What a great vacation. I feel so rested.
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