caybee

I'm looking forward to posting in this thread, but am not finding much time yet. This is my first week back to work and I'm trying to get into a groove, but am finding it challenging so far. Wadi is staying with Adam for half the day and my grandmother watches him the other half. I think it's rough on all of us right now (not so much my grandmother, she's having a blast).

I was wondering today how it was going for you. It still feels unnatural to me sometimes.

*and of course i meant adhan in my original post, not the name adnan. though in my defence it was like 2 am. bloody insomnia...

And I just copied your typo. I have no excuse.

It was good and all, but

Was it just because I didn't see the 3D version?

Nice thread. I'm Caroll Anne, my husband is Jamal, and we have a five-month-old boy, Rayan. My husband has been taking care of the baby since I returned to work part-time after eight weeks, and he's wonderful at it. They have a great relationship, and Rayan just lights up when his dad enters the room. He enjoys bathing him and is good with the diapers, though if I'm home, the diapers are exclusively my job

Rayan has a fauxhawk -- his hair fell out on the sides and has started growing back, but he has a long, curly patch on the top that we both love, and he already has his dad's dark eyebrows. His dad sometimes talks about shaving his head once, but I really don't want that.

We hope to take him to Morocco this summer to meet the rest of his family. They get some time with him on the webcam, and I hope it's enough for him to recognize their voices, but that's nothing like being together in person.

We didn't give him any mushed date at birth, but my husband did recite the adnan into his ear as soon as the three of us were alone. I gave him a taste of date juice when he started getting colicky at a few weeks of age, and like so many things, it worked very well...the first couple of times. I started signing "milk" for him at maybe two months of age, and he seems to understand now -- he seems to calm down and make his "milk face" when I sign it for him. But that may be a coincidence or wishful thinking on my part that he's catching on so soon. I'm going to start doing more signing now though.

Different states do it different ways, but it was the same for us. The JP had us sign the marriage license and signed off on it herself, and then she filed it. We took our certified copy with us that same day. We didn't get a "pretty" one later.

The school is heated. I wonder how many of these kids' homes have adequate heat for this kind of weather. Warm coat or no, some might be warmer overall if they do go to school.

Rayan has started eying our food, reaching for it, and making his hungry face. He also wants to nurse whenever we eat. So I have a feeling he'll be ready by six months. I'm seeing some of the pincher grasp. He's passing things from hand to hand and tries to shove everything into his mouth. My sister got him a booster seat to attach to a chair so he can sit at the table with us. I've tried him in it on the floor, and he loves sitting upright playing with toys on the tray.

We're going to try the organic baby foods, and we'll be careful of sugar and salt, but I suspect he's going to have his dad's taste for spices. If we let him smell spicy food, he's very interested. I read that he gets a taste of whatever flavors I'm eating, and I've eaten spicy food all through pregnancy and BF. I also read that it isn't really necessary to keep things bland. So we'll go slowly to screen for allergies, but I think we're going to end up pureeing a lot of what we have ourselves.

Vi, we hope to fly to Morocco when Rayan is close to a year old. I'll probably take Tylenol with me for possible ear pain, but I've rarely used it. I hope to be still nursing, and I hope that will calm him and alleviate any ear pressure, although these days he's starting to get pretty squirmy. At five months, swaddling still calms him down a lot, usually to sleep, when I nurse him at the same time (makes him mad until he gets the milk :-)). He doesn't like a paci, at least at this point. I'm thinking about new or favorite toys and books, possibly white noise or favorite music through a headset.

Anna, Jona didn't eat solids yet at 8 months? We're waiting until at least 6 months, but what signs did you look for that he was ready for solids? Rayan can't sit up unassisted yet, and I think that's one of the recommended criteria.

First, no, I would not send my child to school without dressing him appropriately for the weather. If I absolutely did not have the means to clothe him properly, I'd keep him home, get his assignments, and help him catch up as best I could. That said, I don't think expensive winter coats are necessary for a few days of 20-degree weather. I grew up in South Carolina and still live here. We didn't have money to spare when I was growing up, and I don't remember having anything heavier than a lightweight jacket because I almost never needed more than that. On very rare occasions, we got enough snow to play in and go "sledding." On those occasions, we layered up: a couple extra long-sleeved shirts under our jackets, long underwear under our jeans if we had them, but at least a couple extra sets of undies to keep our backsides dry longer, three pairs of socks, plastic bags between two of the layers to keep our feet dry (family members were allergic to wool), and sneakers. If we didn't have gloves or mittens one year, we put baggies and Dad's socks on our hands, anything to get us out there so we could have fun. We'd play outside like this for hours, then go inside, change out the wet layers, and go outside again.

If layering got us through hours of rolling around in the snow, I would think the same would be enough for a kid to wait for a bus and dart between buildings between classes. If there was not adequate heat in the school buildings, that would be a different story. I also missed the age of the kids. High school and most junior high kids will find a way to stay warm if they are uncomfortable. Elementary kids need a little more guidance in that area, and if the parents aren't providing it but have the means for frivolous things, that's shameful. It sounds like the school district took everything into account and made the best decision they could, and nobody here knows your area like you do, but I would say at least for my area, they close school more often than they really need to.

Now, wind chills like Charles is talking about are a different story. I experienced a wind chill of -40 F once in my life as an adult. As bundled up as I could get, I still couldn't stand to be outside for more than a minute or two at a time. My car battery froze. Temps like that in a place that isn't used to them merits closing schools as well as many workplaces in my opinion.

Where's the huge cane they used in vaudeville to drag people off the stage?

♠

We told my family on Christmas Day 2008. I was six weeks along and had heard the heartbeat. I special ordered some pink and blue M&Ms with "We are pregnant" on them and handed the bag to my mom. She thought it was a joke at first until my sister stared at me. Unfortunately, the video camera battery died just before she opened the package, so we didn't get it on tape, but I'll always remember everyone's reactions. It was a tense time, though, because I'd had two episodes of spotting, and one time I was pretty sure I was having a miscarriage. But if we'd lost the baby, we would have needed their support anyway, so we told them.

I told my boss at 13 weeks or so. I wanted to get through the first trimester first. I had almost no morning sickness, just a little queasiness from time to time at any hour of the day, so I didn't need to rush the news.

We used a PO box on the I-129F, and it wasn't much of a problem. I think the G-325A asked for an actual physical address, and we gave that (I don't know if the latest version still asks for a physical address or whether we may have misread the form). Unfortunately, that must have been put into some database as our mailing address because we occasionally received something there from USCIS. Fortunately, it was nothing crucial. Approvals and green cards all came to the PO box.

When we moved to a new apartment in our city, we were required to update the physical address, but there was a place to indicate that the PO box was still our mailing address.

Once you move to the U.S., wherever you're receiving your mail, put a sticker with both of your last names inside the box so the mail carrier can see it easily. This way, official mail addressed to your maiden name won't be accidentally returned to USCIS as has happened from time to time.

What an awful situation for everyone concerned. I hope you finally get it resolved tomorrow. Seems if her condition has deteriorated such that she can no longer move her legs at all, a medical assessment is the next logical step. You simply don't have the resources to care for her in your home, especially now, and it's placing undue stress on your family. You're in my thoughts.

If one more account eases your mind further, my husband made an infopass and asked for and received the I-551 stamp after he applied to remove conditions (he needed the stamp with one-year extension to register for classes and didn't have time to wait for the NOA). When they gave him the stamp, they took his green card. This was in Charleston, SC. He had to carry his passport until he received his 10-year GC.

We'd like to do the same this summer -- land in Spain, do the tourist thing a bit, then drive to Morocco. From what I'm reading, it MIGHT be easier for him to get a Schengen visa since he has a 10-year green card and USC wife and child, but there's no guarantee. We'll probably avoid the hassle and wait for his naturalization also.

That reminds me -- I know USCs can enter Spain under the VWP, but VWP countries still have the discretion to turn someone away or require a visa, right? I just wonder how often dual U.S. citizens might be turned away from VWP countries or required to get a visa anyway based on their other nationality.

Yes, Schengen visa is a pain. As is it's for all Europe, they send a request to all european countries, if any of them say no, or doesn't answer in the delay, poof, denial.

For someone from MENA, let's say it, the probability of denial is very high.

Didn't catch this part earlier. Interesting.

My husband received one at our old address even though we had changed our address with USCIS (his green card came to the new address). I would not count on a reminder. Too much at stake.

Bamboo is wonderful. My sister made Rayan some hats from bamboo yarn. But I have to hide them from the cats - apparently they smell really good to them.

We finally made it to the post office yesterday to pick up my husband's card :-) Updating CAYBEE. Thanks, and wishing the rest of the approvals go quickly.

Vermont Service Center

VJName.............Date of I-751.....NOA1 Date...............Biometrics..........Approved

OTTOUNDKARIN.......08/03/09..........08/10/09................09/09/09............__/__/__

GABY$TALBERT.......08/03/09..........08/05/09................09/10/09............12/14/09

VAN2006............08/05/09..........08/11/09................09/18/09............12/07/09

MELO...............08/06/09..........08/10/09................09/04/09............12/12/09

USA-JAMAICA........08/07/09..........08/10/09................09/17/09............12/17/09

EDDIEYGABRIELA.....08/08/09..........08/11/09................09/18/09............12/19/09

DANIELLEJ006.......08/08/09..........08/21/09................09/29/09............12/07/09

CAYBEE.............08/08/09..........08/11/09................09/09/09............12/16/09

RCARS3.............08/10/09..........08/14/09................09/15/09............12/10/09

BEN&Y..............08/11/09..........08/14/09................09/18/09............12/17/09

RECARDO............08/12/09..........08/19/09................09/21/09............12/14/09

AMBIENTGIRL........08/12/09..........08/14/09................09/16/09............12/10/09

CHELSEAANDJOHN.....08/15/09..........08/18/09................09/29/09............__/__/__

WWYEF..............08/15/09..........08/19/09................09/16/09............12/02/09

AYAWDIE............08/16/09..........08/17/09................09/16/09............12/21/09

USRRB..............08/17/09..........08/19/09................09/21/09............12/15/09

PATRICKNOLIVIA.....08/17/09..........09/25/09................09/29/09............__/__/__ Early Bio 09/25/09

BRARIO28...........08/18/09..........08/21/09................09/29/09............12/10/09

TRACYTN............08/19/09..........08/24/09................09/22/09............11/19/09 No int.

BOSTONPARIS........08/19/09..........08/25/09................10/03/09............12/23/09

TONYECK............08/20/09..........08/24/09................09/25/09............11/30/09

ALLSWELL...........08/21/09..........09/10/09................09/29/09............11/30/09

CALADAN............08/21/09..........08/25/09................10/05/09............__/__/__

JESTAN01...........08/21/09..........08/31/09................09/23/09............12/11/09

PS40...............08/21/09..........08/24/09................09/24/09............__/__/__ (Biometrics re-take 10/23 - FBI was unable to process fingerprint)

WELLDONE...........08/24/09..........09/02/09................09/22/09............12/01/09

SK28...............08/24/09..........09/01/09................09/26/09............11/24/09

GL29...............08/24/09..........08/26/09................09/29/09............__/__/__

JG_AM..............08/25/09..........08/27/09................09/24/09............11/24/09

GOGAL2020..........08/26/09..........08/31/09................09/23/09............12/07/09

THEBIGMAN..........08/03/09..........08/07/09................09/12/09............__/__/__

California Service Center

GARYC..............08/03/09..........08/10/09................09/03/09............09/23/09

MRANDMRSBIRD.......08/05/09..........08/10/09................09/04/09............11/25/09

DUDEINNEED.........08/05/09..........08/12/09................09/15/09............10/07/09

IVYKRIS............08/07/09..........08/18/09................09/11/09............12/07/09 (Card ordered email received 12/07/09)

ANJAANDHENRY.......08/10/09..........08/28/09................09/11/09............__/__/__

IYA................08/10/09..........08/12/09................09/18/09............10/01/09

CHERYLANDMIKE......08/10/09..........08/11/09................09/04/09............09/18/09

SIRLANCELOT........08/13/09..........08/17/09................09/16/09............12/15/09

SPRINTSCORER.......08/13/09..........08/24/09................08/31/09............09/25/09 Early bio

KOBEYA20...........08/13/09..........08/24/09................09/17/08............10/02/09

SKEETER211.........08/14/09..........08/24/09................09/16/09............10/20/09

ZQT3344............08/18/09..........08/21/09................10/05/09............12/11/09 Early Bio 09/21/09

PERSEVERANCE.......08/18/09..........08/19/09................09/29/09............10/13/09

SILAS..............08/19/09..........08/21/09................09/25/09............10/14/09

CHOX99.............08/24/09..........08/25/09................10/05/09............10/13/09

BBZHEL.............08/24/09..........08/26/09................09/26/09............10/02/09

ISIS...............08/26/09..........08/31/09................10/06/09............10/29/09

CARDAMOM...........08/27/09..........09/01/09................09/25/09............10/01/09

SpiralShape........08/31/09..........09/08/09................10/06/09............__/__/__ (Biometrics re-take 11/02/09 - FBI was unable to process fingerprint)

IMPORTANT!

*Make sure that your VJ Text Editor setting is set to Rich Text Editor.

*Go to the MOST RECENTLY POSTED VERSION of this list (go to the last post and

scroll UP) and "Reply" to it, deleting the "quote" tags in your reply.

* Please DO NOT change the font, font size, add colors, stuff like that.

* Please PREVIEW before posting to make sure it is properly formatted.

Date of I-751 = The Date you sent your application

NOA Date = The Receipt Date on your original NOA letter

Biometrics = The Date of your biometrics appointment

Approved = The Date your case was approved

*Please Capitalize your VJ Name when adding it to the list*

**When you're on this list, please come back to update your information accordingly**

Some kind of cake for late tonight (hubby's NYE tradition is a large, round, thin, one-layer cake) and some hot drinks.

For tomorrow (if I still have time):

black-eyed peas, rice, collard greens (from my dad's side - Lowcountry SC)

chicken, sauerkraut and dumplings (from my mom's side - Ohio w/ German influence I guess)

Recipes: gonna wing it. Allrecipes.com, etc, are my friends.

<----- the buglet

Even with all the effects in the newer movies, The Birds still tops my list.

Just got back from this movie, it was awesome!!!!

Highly recommend it to all, make sure to see it in 3D.

It wasn't available in 3D here, but we saw it last night and loved it just the same.

In honor of the Sanford divorce bringing this story back into the news rounds again, time to bump this thread!

Ah, such nostalgia. To think that this thread started with the poor governor still AWOL on the Appalachian Trail!

Yeah, on Naked Hiking Day, no less.

And she filed on grounds of adultery instead of going no-fault. She wants this done and dusted. Can't say I blame her.

@ Zaidsmommy, "Fucky" made me laugh too Let us know when you figure out what he's really trying to say.

@ Anna, the diaper is so cute! I was reading about the PUL fabric, but I hadn't thought about putting an outer layer over it. That will make it easier to be creative. Do you use a serger? I've found some patterns online that look pretty easy. Now to find the time :-)

Watching Rayan's personality develop is so much fun.