The waiting game

So many have asked what is going on with immigration. I will try to keep this brief. Back in February, we sent in all of the paperwork that goes toward getting your "10 year greencard", along with the fee. I can't remember what it was back then, but it was in the upper 200s. Fast forward to Novemeber. We had heard NOTHING, the USCIS website that updates case status- hadn't changed since April, and we got no letters in the mail.
I called my congressman to ask if they could find out what happened, and it turns out that they denied our greencard because we never sent in the further information that they wanted. Well, we never GOT their request for further information. What to do?? well, I will say that I've never had such rude treatment by the congressman's office. She said that she would call us back, and we have yet to hear. I also called Senator Specter's office, who were, and still are, awesome. They got the answers we needed and the guy is still working on my case.
So, we've had to file a "motion to reopen and reconsider" and spend another 585 to the government.
Luckily, the Senator's office is helping us out with finding out what is going on, and they have asked to expidite the case.

We are worried, not because we think they will deny us - I mean, really. We have a 10 month old daughter, but we are due to fly back to England in March, and we can't do anything until this is resolved. Blah.

almost 4 months???

Holy crap! Its been a long time since I've posted. So, I will do a kind of review of the 4 months that have past..

Births:
Natalie (next door) was born on Christmas Day

Rest Easy:
Kitty
Ray
Jakiepoo ( although I never met him in person, him mom is a close "web friend" of mine)

Marriages:
Lauren and Tom

Immigration:
Stupid crap...

Bad personal skills:
immigration lady at Congressman Sestak's office

Awesome personal skills:
immigration guy at Senator Specter's office

New stuff in house:
floor, carpet on stairs, fridge, bed

Vacations:
Going back to the UK in March (we hope)

Emma:
19 pounds
3.5 teeth
loves Elmo, the Songs 4 Worship and Rotel commercial, SOCK, her thumb, cheese, yogurt, bathtime, staying up late...

Here are some random pics from the past:
October:

with her friends:

pre costume:


November:
I didn't upload a lot to photobucket, and I'm too lazy to get more right now


December:
Christmas dress #1




Christmas Eve

with cousins Joe and Christian.. and Santa, of course!

Drama in my life..

Drama? No, nothing personal or anything like that.. just refridgerator drama. Our refridgerator tends to stop working for moments of time, ranging from an hour or so, to a few days.. I had to throw out an entire shopping trip the other week. That pissed me off to no end. I tend to do a "big shop" when its payday, and a REALLY big shop once a month. You know where you get the condiments and stupid stuff that lasts for a long time? Well, the other week, the fridge shut down after the "really big shop" and it all went in the trash, including 3 bottles of formula. So, its now time for a new fridge. Since we're moving, we are taking our new fridge with us. We plan on buiding on, and having the kitchen re-done, so we are not worried about the size.
Last Saturday (still September) we went out, and did some comparison shopping. Found an Amana french door model that we liked. Turns out that Boscovs had the best deal, plus it was register roulette and I saved 5%. Pretty good deal, and delivery was set up for WEDNESDAY, with a phone call on Tuesday to verify. Tuesday came and went, and on Wednesday we got the call to set up for THURSDAY! Long story short, John told them to shove it. We went back to Boscovs on Friday night and got our money back.

So, 2 weeks with a busted fridge, and no new fridge in sight. Ours is working for now, but we can't count on it. I've been going to the grocery store everyother day. Its a total pain in the ass. Now John has his sights on a Bosch.. and its just driving me nuts. Nothing like spending every weekend on the hunt for a refridgerator!

DUCK!

Remember when you, or your baby had a favorite toy? You know the one you can't be without? For me, it was Old Bear. The pink teddy bear that had a music box built in. That poor bear (yes I still have it) was so loved, that he has no fur left on him. We used to bandage him up when the material started to rip.

Well, I don't have to worry about that with Emma. Her favorite toy is the rubber duckie that tells you if the bath water is too warm! How did we figure that out? Well, she was crying one day, and nothing made her happy. I figured she was teething, but John went upstairs and brought down "duck".. tears turned into smiles. Enjoy some of our "Duck" pictures...

Trip to the Orchard Craft Fair

This past Sunday, it was finally a cool day. The craft fair at the orchard was something I had looked forward to taking Emma to for over a year now. Well, the craft fair was horrible. It was aisles of crap, with a few cute things sprinkled throughout. I picked up a cute knit hat for Emma, but that was all I got at the craft fair part of the orchard. Emma was asleep for my browsing, which was fine.

It was really nice to browse all the "moon stone" and fairy crafts, but I couldn't help but think that some of my crafty friends should have been there. They would have made a bundle on their baby items, and scrapbook style letters (to hang on your wall).

Here are some of the pictures from the day. I forgot my camera, so I took these with my phone, and "tweeked" with photoshop.

Goats, sheep and an ostrich (emu?) were in this pen togethere.
after squealing for the animals, she would look up at me to make sure I was watching her.

Getting her pumpkin. She was looking all over the place while in Pumpkin Land. I think she likes the color orange.

she was squealing at the deer that would eat right out of your hand. I never openly wasted so many quarters in my life, but the animals liked the corn I gave them, and Emma had a great time.

Here's the ostrich. This brings back bad memories of the drive through safari at great adventure, when I would call these big birds "pipsqueaks". Emma seemed to really like them. I still find them creepy. I don't like their red eyes.

In the car after a long day . She was asleep by the time I turned the key!

6 months tomorrow!

I really can't believe that Emma will be 6 months old tomorrow. Seems like only yesterday I was being a miserable bitch, not knowing I was in labor, then bringing her home! I have to say that, looking back, I feel sorry for anyone who dealt with me that day! (yeah, thats you Donna!)
Well, we've discovered that we're going to have to lock Winston up when its time to feed Emma. He goes banana's whenever she is having her brekkie or dinner.

She loves Winston, and obviously, loves her food! He got too close, and I don't know if she bit him, or was trying to kiss him. He wound up with a big carrot stain on his nose!

Today was also a good day for sitting. I am a pro at it, but usually she would tilt forward and land on her nose.. today was very good, with the help of the boppy pillow (best thing I bought)

Here she is playing with teething beads and her lion
Lion needs to teeth too!
So does noisy bear!
classy, isn't she?
stretching back to watch the naked chef.. and is happy that Jamie Oliver isn't really naked!

Today was the Christmas episode! he's shoving vegetables in little chickens..

So, now if she'd just hold her bottle, but one step at a time!!!!

damn you, picture people!!!!

Why do you have to be sooooo good! Emma is wearing a lovely outfit, given by John's friend Paul, and some bling that her nan gave her. The bow is thanks to 4 dollars at babies r us. I really didn't think they'd turn out good because she wasn't smiling like she normally does for the camera.

I can't wait!!!!!!

FINALLY! We got a new bed. I can't believe the prices of some beds either. We opted for a more expensive one, and didn't get a headboard or anything fancy like that, since by the time we got all of that, it would cost more than getting a good mattress. Besides, we don't know what will look good in the dark house we're moving into (doesn't have good light exposure- so its a dark house). We got the bed at a mom and pop store in DE, and got free delivery and NO TAX because they don't have stores in PA. So, we're just waiting for the bed to come in, and schedule delivery for when John is off.

I think she looks more like John!