Baby Bed Time!

Well, I couldn't wait any longer and I made Barry go and get my September present out from it's hiding place. (Don't worry secret pal, I still have no clue where October's present is hidden!)

The first thing I saw were these adorable little baby slippers. The little duckies are just too cute!

Then I saw the Lullaby CD.......It will be on our CD player this evening! The CD is even purple, I love purple!!!! But you already knew that didn't you!!

The books are just way too cool. I love the Boynton series and I don't have any yet. I read both books to Barry as if I was reading him to sleep. We had a good laugh over that!

Thank you so much secret pal. Your gifts are always so thoughtful and special. I love each and everyone of them!

To the Moore Secret Pal

Each month has been filled with a simply wonderful gift and this month is no exception. We received an adorable green soft elephant and really, really soft (doesn't even come close to how soft) green blanket with flowers. I know it is hard to shop for us, just ask our families around Christmas, but you always find something unique and wonderful for us. Thank you so much for making this long wait bearable.

Lisa & Chester Moore

PS: I apologize for the photo quality - camera phone was all I had available today.

I love my Secret Pal!!

My secret pal is the greatest! I have gotten fantastic gifts the past two months, and now that I have a working camera, I can share them both with you all! :)

First, last month was a tricky one for my pal...we're pretty sure that we are going to decorate the nursery with Pooh, but we won't start actually doing anything for another few months at least (I think we'll start after April is out of review). So our secret pal stepped up to the plate and got us the cutest "my first" set for her room...my first piggy bank, and two little boxes for her first tooth & curl. She also sent a toy storage net (which is perfect...it's got fishes, which is how the bathroom is already decorated!) & outlet covers!


Now for this month...oh how I wish you could reach through the screen and feel how soft my gifts are! There is a Pooh security blanket (which is the softest thing I have ever felt) and a soft soft soft baby blanket. There are also some bedtime goodies for us too - two boxes of herbal tea! As I'm typing, I am also boiling water for a mug of tangerine spice tea! YUM! :)

Thank you secret pal for making the wait so much more bearable! You are the best!! :)

Hugs, Mara & Chris

Thank you secret pal. I returned from work this evening to a gift on the front steps. Inside there was a stuffed Eeyore which was beautiful on its own but there was also a Beatrix Potter book which played Rock a Bye Baby. I love that book so much. Thank you for thinking of me. You picked out a perfect gift as I love Eeyore. I just hope to show Grace that book soon.

Lenora

Thanks Bryant Secret Pal

To our always awesome secret pal, thanks, we needed this months gift. On the day we met the builder and the floor contractor to discuss why we aren't closing on time and will likely be waiting a few extra weeks I was able to pick up this month's package from the Post Office.

On and off throughout the meeting I'm wondering what the heck could be in a long box that's 4"x4"x20" or so... Well, take a look at the picture! A cute as heck umbrella. Eric thinks I should be using it to go to and from work... it's cute but not quite the corporate image that I'm going for!

We also received some picture frames, safety items, a brush, a beautiful blanket and a great card. Thanks Secret Pal.

2 last thoughts, do you know something we don't know? With the theme of 'bed time fun" and receiving an umbrella are there roof leaks in our future in the new house?! Just teasing, we did have leaks already that are being repaired...

Lastly, little does our Secret Pal know that every month we receive tissue paper, one of the dogs is gently tortured with it! Check out the newest in canine fashion! Keep the tissue paper coming, this is fun!!!!

Thanks to the Anderson's Secret Pal!

This month we got a great story to read at bedtime and the stuffed animal version of the main character Katya (a tiger). The Zoologist part of me can't wait to cram little Olivia's head full of fun animal facts and this is a great start! I think Katya will be a good bedtime buddy for her. She is oh so snuggly!

Thank you so much!

The Ups Man must have delivered these yesterday while I was on my walk. When I left for the walk there wasn't a package, but when I got home there was a package. I LOVE those walks! :)

Our secret pal sent two of the cutest pajamas and this book. I wanted to get the book for Tori. I am so excited.

Look how adorable the pajamas are! I just love them. Thank you so much!

There is Sadie checking out the pajamas.

Getting to know Marianne Jonsson

1. Add your name and a little something about your family.
Hi,
My name is Marianne Jonsson. My husband Per-Erik and I have been married for 7 years. We have a wonderful daughter, Amanda, who is 3 years old. She is adopted from China, Guizhou province. We became a family in May 2004.

2. Girl, Boy, Twins requested?
Girl

3. Age Requested?
0-12 months

4. Child/children's names?
Haven´t decided yet.

5. Nursery theme and colours?
Yellow, bugs.

6. Likes and Dislikes?
I´m crazy about ladybugs.

7. Hobbies and Collections?
With a child you are quite busy!! I used to collect painted wooden Dala horses.

8. Favourite fragrance or scents?
I´m allergic, but I like the scent from fresh roses.

9. Favourite foods?
I like home cooking as well as Greek, Chinese food, pasta etc.

10. Favourite books or authors?
Karin Fossum, Liza Marklund… Drama, thrillers etc.

11. Favourite movies?
I like drama, comedy as well as thrillers.

12. Favourite music?
Good popmusic, BWO etc.

13. Favourite colour or colours?
Blue

14. Registered at a store?
No

15. Favourite clothing item for a child?
My favourites are cute dresses and matching sets. All kinds of fun and cute clothes with bright colours.

16. Anything else you would like to share with your secret pal?
This is going to be so much fun!!

Thank you to the Fellman Secret Pal!

My October present came and has been safely hidden away from me!

My September present will come out of hiding this weekend.

My August present was so sweet and will go so perfectly in Jamie's nursery!!!!

I cannot wait to have her referral picture to put in the adorable Winnie the Pooh mucical picture frame.

I loved the hangers, they are so cute. I didn't realize at first that they have different little faces on each side. Way too cute!!!!! Thank you!

Barry and Lisa

I just wanted to send a HUGE Thank You to our Secret Pal!!! We just got our package today and my kids LOVE you! :) They look forward to your package every month!!

My youngest was quite perplexed with the lady bug blanket. He had to lay on the floor and see how it worked. I think he was confused by the size. It is the cutest blanket! And I LOVE ladybugs, so thank you!!! The lady bug soap is so cute! And the little musical toy is definitely going to China with us (the blanket too, if I can find room!!).

You are the best. Thank you so much for being so sweet to us!!!

p.s. We got more pictures of our little one today! A family just went there to pick up their little one and took pictures of our daughter!! I put them on our blog this morning. The ones of her crying make my heart ache. It is amazing to watch her grow through these pictures. She is only 10 months old and it looks like she is starting to walk. Actually, from the orphanage update they say that she is walking while holding on to things. This wait for our travel approval is going to drive me crazy missing out on on of these firsts... :) Hopefully it will be soon!!!!


Lisa Phillips
Mom to Kaleb (6 yo) & Brayden (3 yo)
Waiting for Xin Xaio Yi in Xinhui, Guangdong
LID 4/17/06, LOI 8/16/06
http://www.parentswithawarenesss.com/blog




Kaleb saying... "Look Mom, my tongue is long and green!" He wanted me to take a picture and share it with you Secret Pal.

Brayden trying to figure out how such a small blanket worked.

Both boys saying "THANK YOU!!!"

A huge thankyou to the O'Briens secret pal!
Secret Pal I dont know how to thankyou for the wonderful blanket that you made for Anisha. It is just beautiful! I just love the Disney Princesses. Now I have decided to incorporate the Disney Princessess into the theme of Anisha's room so this beautiful blanket matches. Secret pal I would love to have the pattern for this blanket if you wouldnt mind sharing? So sorry for posting so late but I have had computer problems and have been sick.
Once again secret pal your gift when I opened it I was shocked at how much work was put into it and how beautiful it was.
Thankyou again for your thoughtfulness
Trisha

I looooooooovvvvvvveeee my secret pal! I received a baby Einstein music cd, pacifiers and a cute snuggle ladybug stuffed animal. I wish I could download pictures but my hubby is working on getting it fixed. It may be a few months with all of our other projects-whew! Thank you again for putting a big fat grin on my face! the de la Rosa's-Kristen and David

Getting to know Leanne McGann

1. Add your name and a little something about your family. My husband (Bill)and I have been married for 6 years and this will be our first child. We really like to camp, hike, travel, spend time with family, and reality TV. :o)
2. Girl, Boy, Twins requested? Girl
3. Age Requested? 0-18 months
4. Child/children's names? Brooke
5. Nursery theme and colours? Flowers
6. Likes and Dislikes? Like to travel...but always love to come home. Dislike being unorganized and unprepared.
7. Hobbies and Collections? hobbies: scrapbooking, card making, reading books, crocheting, shopping and exercise.
8. Favourite fragrance or scents? pumpkin, vanilla, apple, and coffee
9. Favourite foods? salads, pasta, and mexican
10. Favourite books or authors? Danielle Steele, Janet Evanovich
11. Favourite movies? drama, comedy, and action
12. Favourite music? Top 40 and alternative
13. Favourite colour or colours? Purple and pink
14. Registered at a store? No
15. Favourite clothing item for a child? dresses, skirts, and bootleg cut jeans
16. Anything else you would like to share with your secret pal? We have 2 little Shitzu's, Sami (8) and Duke (4) that we absolutely adore and have been our babies....so bringing a baby home is going to be a huge shocker! :o)

Getting to Know Cyndi Williams

1. Cyndi , DH Bill, married 17 yrs, this is our first child
2. Girl, Boy, Twins requested? either gender
3. Age Requested? 0-12 months
4. Child/children's names? none yet
5. Nursery theme and colours? nature theme-green rug, blue ceiling w/clouds, forest friends bedding from babygap
6. Likes and Dislikes? Like eating, cooking, nature stuff, reading; dislikes sparkles, lots of pink(a little is ok)
7. Hobbies and Collections? our pets-2 dogs, Kinsey & Cody, fish tank & pond full of Koi; gardening, cooking
8. Favourite fragrance or scents? food scents--vanilla, choc, cinnamon, etc
9. Favourite foods? Never met a food I didn't like;) but esp Thai, Chinese, Sushi
10. Favourite books or authors? all sorts of mysteries, esp w/women detectives (have all Evanovich & Grafton books) cookbooks
11. Favourite movies? Comedies
12. Favourite music? Bare Naked Ladies
13. Favourite colour or colours? Blue
14. Registered at a store? No
15. Favourite clothing item for a child? Fuzzibuns ;) my new fave
16. Anything else you would like to share with your secret pal?I work in a hospital, we live in the Chicago suburbs in an older ranch house decorated in mission/craftsman style (& love Frank Lloyd Wright) like to be environmentally conscious

We have a wild animal in the house! Our secret pal has again made our day but now we need to figure out what to feed him. Just kidding! She sent us our first outfit for Sunshine which is so cute in yellow with little blue flowers on it, along with pink and white receiving blankets and a pink teddy bear lovie blanket. All of these were packed in a beautiful sleeping baby gift bag. Keeping guard over it all was the very adorable tiger shown in the picture. How perfectly appropriate. I absolutely LOVE his face and he is sooooo soft and cuddly! Now we just need to figure out a name for him. We are taking suggestions. Thank you so much for so much fun! The Kuhns'

Thank you Secret Pal. You have tickled me pink! The crib blanket and pillow case are gorgeous and oh so feminine. The picture frames will be perfect for our little girl, and the pink crib sheet will be put to good use. I love it all, Jennifer

To the Thomas Family Secret Pal,

We received a beautiful pink baby luxuries baby blanket. It is soooo soft and cuddly! We also received the cutest knit hat for our daughter. I cannot wait to see her wearing this hat. I have actually got a mini collection of hats growing in her closet,

(Don't tell the hubby) so this was perfect!!!

Thank you so much secret pal!

p.s. Sorry I was late posting!

Thank you to the Kuhns' Secret Pal! Ok, now I've finally got my own digital camera, but the memory card won't work in our card reader, so I had to figure out how to download the pic from the camera. LOL

Thank you so much for the great pink fleece blanket and the pink teddy lovie. The butterflies (or as we call them "flutterbyes") will work wonderfully with the ones in the bedding set. The bug toy is so much fun. It has lots of different texture sections and it is so cute. You are such a great pal for finding such fantastic things to send to us and we are forever grateful for your kindness.

Thank you secret pal. The gifts for my daughters room are wonderful. I am in the process of painting her new room which she will share with her sister and the items will work perfectly in there. I cannot wait to fill the frame with a photo of her, I hope China hurries up! Thanks again.
Andrea Hennen

Vandeven Family's Secret Pal:
You are outstanding and I really wish I knew who you are just so I can really, justly thank you! The bedding I bought for Kate is from Amy Coe's "Circus des enfants". And how you found a person to make these personally to match each piece of the bedding is incredible. Even the "a" has the characters hand painted on them! It is perfect. Seeing her name brings chills up my arms!
The kids love you. I love you, Bart loves you!

These individual packages with names, sticker, stamps, and goodies were so kind.
LOVE the cardinal bracelets for the boys!
Lucy's Big Sis bracelet is perfect, too!
We can't thank you enough for including the kids.
And putting so much time and extra love into each one! It means so much!
There are fans, kimono paper pads, chopsticks, stickers, a funny little fortune telling fish, (I was in LOVE), and a whole lot of love put into each one of these.