More pictures of our sweet baby girl....

Awwwwwwwww................sooooooo CUTE!!!!!

Introducing.............Kira Alexandria

Our beautiful little girl. We are so happy to see her face. She looks just like D!!!! We are in love with her big, pouty lips and her chubby cheeks! We can't wait to meet her in person!

New Poll Feature

Hello faithful follower's of Kira's Blog!

Blogger has just come out with a special "polling feature" which allows visitors to vote for answers to a specific question. I have placed a poll question at the bottom of this blog. Simply scroll down past the posts, and you will see a poll question above the picture of the newborn baby. Have fun voting!

Love,
Kris

Year of the Red Pig? - OR - Year of the Brown Rat?

Will Kira be born in the Chinese Year of the RAT???????? The Chinese New Year begins in the U.S. this year on February 6th, 2008.

Oh my goodness!

If Kira is born late - February 6th or later - she will be born in the YEAR OF THE RAT!

I don't know about you, but RATS don't bring to me any fuzzy or warm feelings. I don't think of RATS as being pretty or "cute"! RATS don't say to me, "Petite, feminine, pink bundle of joy". Nope. If Kira is more than 8 days late, based on her due date of January 29th, she will officially be a......dare I say it????.....a RAT!!!!

Here are the characteristics of the children born in the Chinese Year of the RAT:

Being Born a Rat
Being born a Rat is nothing to be ashamed of. In China, the Rat is respected and considered a courageous, enterprising person. It is deemed an honor to be born in the Year of the Rat and it is considered a privilege to be associated with a Rat. Rats know exactly where to find solutions and can take care of themselves and others without problems. They use their instinctive sense of observation to help others in times of need and are among the most fit of all the Animal signs to survive most any situation.

The Sign of the Rat
Being born under this sign determines many talents, as well as other characteristics that may not be so commendable. Rats are very lively and need a lot of mental and physical stimulation. They can be calm and perceptive, but sometimes their brains can cause a mental restlessness, tempting them to take on too much, only to discover they are unable to meet their commitments. Rats are blessed with one of the best intellects going. Add to their intelligence a curiosity and a bright imagination, and they seem as sharp as a needle.

Rats in Leadership
The sign of the Rat is the first sign in the cycle giving Rat people exude great leadership qualities and are good at taking the lead. They don't mind a lot of responsibility and they demonstrate a strong presence that other people respect. For those with the Rat nature, status and monetary satisfaction are the greatest motivation.

Rat Facts
Smart, Magnetic, Well-liked, Affable, Quick-witted, Surreptitious, Selfish, Protective, Calculating

The 2008 Rat
Rats are spontaneous. Rats born in 2008 will likely adore change and travel and will be eager to start new projects or to take trips to exotic places. These Rats may be the most likely to change their occupations and residences more often than most, and essentially shun any kind of routine. They could be anxious and impulsive, but their zest for life will be quite irresistible. They will have the Rat's ability to get along well with others. Compared to other Chinese signs, Rats are likely to be more charitable, autonomous, and energetic and the LEAST self-controlled.

Health and Home
RAT HEALTH
The affect of the sign of the Rat is energetic, and demonstrates enough endurance to fight most any sickness. Yet, all Rats tend to be tense, full of nervous energy, petulant and prone to stress. Rats also harbor a bit of aggression; yet, they are usually able to control it. Yoga would benefit Rats by calming their aggressive natures and helping them manage stress.

At Home with the Rat
Rats make good homemakers who are always willing to do household chores. Rats are not usually interested in keeping up with the times, and it doesn't matter to them whether or not their furnishings are in style. What does matter is that their home is a refuge expressing warmth, comfort and vogue. Light blue is their color of choice for home decor. Because this is a sign of acquisition, the Rat person's house is presumably bursting with various knick-knacks collected over the years. Most Rats are cheerful, domesticated individuals who find happiness at home with their family.

Money and the Rat
Rats work better in flexible situations where they can be freely creative.Cunning and thrifty, Rats have a knack with money and are apt to save for rainy days. When capable, the Rat is a great money saver, and in strapped times he knows how to make something out of nothing or how to turn make things advantageous for himself. Although few Rats suffer financially, the Chinese have a proverb: They who pile up grain hoards have much to lose.

Suitable Rat Careers
Writers, Broadcasters, Actors, Advisors, Counselors, Lawyers, Politicians, Designers, Engineers, Managers, Directors, Administrators, Entrepreneurs, Musicians, Stand-up Comedians, Researchers, Historians, Race Car Drivers

Hobbies and Pastimes
Interior design, playing basketball, crafts, painting
Rats' Dislike: Doing without things they want, strict time keeping, any routines, being at the end of the line

Rats Make Friends Easily
Generally friendly and sociable, the Rat is one of the extroverts of the Animal Zodiac. Often, the Rat is lively and genial, and has a special gift for easing the minds of others. It is not surprising that Rats have a lot of friends. They are great speakers and intriguing conversationalists, and can generally find something to say on just about any topic or subject. Of course, there is always that renowned Rat lure that allows them to charm the pants off of people! To the people they love, Rats can be amazingly charitable, popular and supportive, and will go out of their way to be certain their loved ones are content. On the other hand, if the Rat does not like someone, he is considered fair game and can be used to achieve any and all of the Rat's desires. At the end of the day, though, the Rat is a loyal friend and will be there for his companions through thick and thin.

The Rat Infant or Child
Rat babies love to be loved and cuddled. When they are young, Rat babies tend to depend tremendously on their parents, but later in life they develop natural leadership qualities. During their baby years, Rats mature slowly, but gain momentum as they become toddlers. Eventually, they begin to exhibit active mentalities, so, in the early years, plenty of sleep is necessary. In school, the young Rats are eager to learn. It is then, too, that Rats begin collecting things, and like to fill their bedrooms with pebbles, shells and keepsakes of every kind. Generally, young Rats are smart little people who are artistic and literary students. They are well-rounded and many of them do well in sports, too. Being born in the first sign of the Chinese horoscope motivates these children to be pioneers and gives them a need to be first in line.

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O.K. I admit that it isn't very likely that Kira will be born under the sign of the Rat - but, it's a possibility. Ian was almost 5 days late!!! Kira would have to be NINE days late in order to born under the sign of the RAT.

So, then, what is Kira's sign most likely to be? Well......ummmmm......it's the PIG!

Here are the characteristics of the children born under the Chinese sign of the PIG:

The Pig is a fun and enlightening personality blessed with patience and understanding. People born under the sign of the Pig enjoy life and all it has to offer, including family and friends. They are honest and thoughtful and expect the same of other people. Pigs can be perceived as oblivious or gullible because they do care about others so much that they will do just about anything for a friend in need.

The Sign of the Pig
"Its better to give than to receive" would probably be the Pig’s motto. Pigs are more comfortable giving of their own time or attention than they are to ask others for it. They do not find asking for help an easy task and would rather carry the burden themselves. Pigs will do anything they can to maintain a sense of peace amongst family or friends. This can lead to a tendency to be taken advantage of, but Pigs basically forgive and forget everything. They are compassionate souls who simply want to keep the peace.

Pig Facts
Hardworking, Giving, Willing, Helpful, Materialistic, Gullible, Oblivious, Obstinate,
Active, Outgoing and Extroverted

Pigs breathe new life into everything they do. Pigs are vivid, motivated individuals who cannot be deterred from a goal once they have set it. They are emotional and passionate about their loved ones, their occupations and their objectives. They are bold and vivacious, unafraid to take risks despite the consequences. They make great bosses because they do work so hard and because they are so spirited. But don’t doublecross a Pig. They have the ability to be quite abrasive when things don’t turn out as they planned.

Pig Health
Pigs enjoy being around other people and so being alone for long periods of time can cause illness in a Pig. They also like to party and have a tendency to over do it at times. Because they do not get much exercise they also have a tendency to gain weight. A Pig’s stomach and intestines are prime spots for sickness because he tends to overindulge with food, alcohol or nicotine. In order to maintain a clean bill of health, Pigs should watch their diets, make sure they get enough vitamins and minerals each day and somehow work an exercise routine into their daily lives.

At Home with the Pig
Pigs have comfortable, friendly homes that just invite you in. As much as they love company you can believe their homes are going to reflect materialistic gains. Pigs like to show off assets and pay close attention to their decorations in their homes. They can certainly make something out of nothing; however, they don’t make cleaning or chores a top priority.

Pig Careers
Pigs generally do really well when they get to be creative. They usually do better at jobs where they can express themselves. They are enthusiastic about taking on new responsibility at work and jump in to give a hand to colleagues in need. Pigs are well-liked by co-workers because are so willing to help and they have an eye for detail that makes them quite invaluable to upper management. Pigs make excellent
doctors, caterers, students, dentists, entertainers, veterinarians, hotel managers, department store personnel, or interior decorators.

Money and the Pig
Pigs love to spend money. They have an eye for name brands rather than generics so they generally spend a lot of it. Pigs have a knack for being able to find a diamond in the rough. Although they can sometimes be thrifty with money, most of the time it is the reverse. Pigs should be careful; a rainy day may sneak up on them.

Pigs are Loyal Friends
Pigs are great friends to have on your side. They will nurture you, care for you and make sure you have everything you need. In times of trouble, Pigs are genuine friends who will give you the shirt off of their backs if you need it. They entertain their friends and host parties as often as they can. Any chance to gather n a social setting is enough for a Pig to have a party and most of the time, he doesn’t really need an excuse to host one. They are loyal and good-natured, always willing to lend a hand or an ear.

Pig Babies and Children
Pig children are joyous children. They giggle and twirl and are truly enjoyable to be around. These children love to play with other children and usually have many friends. They have confidence in themselves and in others.

Pig Mates
Pigs are great partners to have because they are so supportive and giving of themselves. They are happiest at home, so arguments about late nights out with friends are few and far between for the Pig and his mate. Pigs are wonderful companions, appreciative and caring. They are grateful for the things they have, especially a loving and healthy family. Once they choose a partner, they are in it for the long haul. Pigs do not like discord and will do whatever it takes to maintain a peaceful homestead.

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O.K., so my first reaction is that Pigs sound like pretty nice people! And for those of you who are interested, Jim is an Ox, Ian is a Sheep, and I am a Rabbit. J is a Rat, and I *think* that D is a Horse. Have some fun and google the Chinese "Year of the..." signs for yourself. It is amazing how accurate these characteristics truly are! I will add here, however, that I believe that the above information is strictly for FUN, and mainly, to poke fun at RATS - the animal, not the sign.

Love,
~Kris~

A Special Kind of Praise

Today, after church, we had our usual 2nd Sunday "Young Adult Luncheon". I say those words in quotes because, really, the "Young Adult" group has members that are from 19 - 45, some married, some not, some with kids, some without, LOL. We are a group of about 16 different people that pretty much only have a love of Christ in common with each other.

Our pastor's wife pointed out a young woman in the congregation that has been to our church a number of times, but has never joined. She was sitting alone in the pews. "Invite her to lunch today," she said. My stomach did a lurch. I remembered the woman immediately from all of her previous visits. She is married, but her husband travels extensively. She is 32 weeks pregnant - I know this because the last time that she was at the church and I spoke with her, I didn't know that she was pregnant, and she announced it to me with pride. She is due on the very same day that the baby we miscarried at the end of May would have been due.

I looked at the pastor's wife and said, "O.K." (What else was I supposed to say??) After the service, I went up to the woman and graciously invited her to our "Young Adult" luncheon. I remembered her name. I called her by her name and said, "32 weeks, right?" Her eyes widened. She beamed from ear to ear. "HOW DID YOU REMEMBER THAT???" she asked, innocently. I lied and said, "I just have a really good memory." She stuck to me like glue for the remainder of the afternoon. Since I had "remembered" a detail about her life that so many others would have deemed nearly insignificant, she talked to me all about her nursery decor, her baby name choices, her child birth classes, her food cravings, etc. etc. etc. These were all things that only a few months ago would have driven me into the deepest depression/psychosis possible. * BUT *

- PRAISE THE LORD -

I didn't even flinch. I didn't bat an eye. I didn't ask to be excused, or pretend like someone else at the 16-person table needed to ask me a question. Nope. I sat there and listened to her trying her very best to make a friend - someone that she could possibly connect with if her and her husband decided to join the church someday. As we were talking, the pastor's wife looked over at me and gave me a huge wink - she was so proud - her plan had worked!

My ability to endure this kind of afternoon would have been NON-EXISTENT a few months ago. But, finally, after 5 1/2 months have gone by since our precious baby was born into heaven, I am so overjoyed at the prospect of our upcoming adoption that I was unable to be upset for myself. I didn't look at this woman's belly and mourn. I didn't think "that should be me" for the FIRST TIME in over five months. I didn't feel queasy, like I thought that I would. I didn't want to run away, like I thought that I would. I didn't say "no" to my pastor's wife, like I thought that I would. It is only because I have a newfound hope - the hope of parenting through adoption - that I was able to talk with this woman with all sincerity and love. I am finding more and more that I am no longer afraid of not getting pregnant again. I am more afraid of GETTING pregnant, because having a baby the same age as Kira would not be ideal. I have finally come to realize that, although there is not a baby in my womb right now, there is a baby in my heart.

God bless Kira Alexandria. We love you so much!

~Kris~

29 Weeks on November 11th

On Sunday, D will be 29 weeks pregnant. Here are some interesting facts about the 29th week of pregnancy:

Week Twenty-Nine
Baby's head is in proportion with body now. She appears more like a newborn each and every day!

Fat continues to accumulate under the skin -- only now preparing for entering the *real world*.

Baby's brain can control primitive breathing and body temperatures.
Hers eyes can move in their sockets. Soon she will be able to follow a blinking light.

Baby is increasingly sensitive to changes in light, sound, taste, and smell! Various studies show that a baby at 29 weeks gestation may indicate preferences (or disdain) for particular tastes or odors.

She is also moving from side to side, but probably still is head up. In the next few weeks, she will move to the head down birthing position. At times, D may feel as if she is performing somersaults for a circus act!

Her length is now approximately 15.2 inches and weight is 2.54 pounds

Eyebrows and eyelashes are now very noticeable!

Hair on baby's head is growing longer. Some babies are born with almost none at all, while others appear to be ready for their first haircut!

Baby's body is getting plump and rounded. Most of that increase is muscle tissue and bone. Fat will be added during the third trimester.

Muscle tone is improving.

Lungs are capable of breathing now.

Talk to Baby often - reading stories, singing songs and more. She can recognize voices now!

Wow!!!!! The 29th week of pregnancy marked the beginning of the third trimester. Babies born in the third trimester have a very high rate of survival. Congratulations, D, and Baby Kira!!!! We're so proud of you!!

Jim, Kristina, and Ian

Dear God

Dear God,

Thank you for my family. Thank you for the miraculous blessing of Baby Kira. Please help D & J to get some much needed rest as D enters into her third trimester of pregnancy. Please help J to take extra-special good care of D as she feels more and more fatigued each week. Please keep Kira and D safe from harm, and watch over Kira so that she can grow stronger and stay healthy. Please help all of our families to be able to process all the feelings about Kira's upcoming adoption in a positive way. Please send your angels to watch over D & Kira. Please help each family member to lose the thought processes of controlling and demanding, and to gain the thought processes of compassion and understanding.

I ask these things in Jesus'name,
Amen.