Well, I've been absolutely terrible about updating in the past two months. I hope this isn't indicative of how connected I'll be once little Edy is here at home with us. As anyone can imagine, we've been busy, busy, busy.
We went to Dallas between Christmas and New Year to visit family and friends. It was great to be back in the Big D and we made quite the tour of restaurants we miss. Edy's godmother totally surprised me with a shower on the night I arrived. The hilarious bit was that because I had a cold and was tired, I kept trying to blow off the ruse she'd crafted. Luckily *everybody* else was in on it and they gently nudged my social grace. It was a charming little shower -- very cozy and intimate. I'll post pics if I get any.
Shortly after the holidays we got our travel approval. I was truly surprised it came through so quickly and we scheduled matters to go as soon after Chinese New Year as was practical. I think the agency might have been a little surprised we didn't want to go sooner, but honestly, we needed this much time to get everything together and for Paul to wrap up his work.
On the 10th, our wonderful friends at Paul's work threw us another shower. This one was really a party atmosphere and everyone had a great time. Leave it to gals in Markering to throw a great shower!
Paul's direct boss has also been invaluable to us in our travel prep because she lived in
China for a while. She donated lots of nifty authentic decor to the party that we got to keep.
In addition to sorting all the baby booty, packing, getting visas, and shopping, we also found a great service to get a care package to Edy and her foster family. Ann at Red Thread China has been wonderful and we highly recommend her services. The most important thing we were able to send, aside from a letter thanking her foster parents, was a recordable photo album. We included several puctures of ourselves and the family cat, as well as close family members. We labled the family members in Chinese and made audio recordings in our own voices and even sang a song! We hope that she'll be at least a tiny bit familiar with us this way.
All of the essential baby gear is in place. The bags are almost all packed. Airport arrangements and grandparent visits are set, the cat sitter is booked. Aside from cleaning up the mess around here (oops) and calming our nerves ... I think we're ready to go to China and be parents!
Red Thread China
Photo album
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Taking stock
As for clothes, we're actually doing pretty good, I think. We could use more PJs for sure, as we've only got two pairs, and two fleece sleep sacks.
She's set for dresses: we have 4 long-sleeved dresses and 2 jumpers. We have three pants suits (long sleeves), one denim overall, four knit pants, four long-sleeved onsies, three short-sleeve onsies.
We also have three sets of coordinating separates in 18 month size for warm weather and a swimsuit. We have 7 bibs, a hat, three towels, two baby blankets, two sunglasses, a raincoat, a winter coat, and one pair of fleece booties.
The things we need the most, imo, are grooming/health products, bottles, and diapering supplies.
Oh, and nursery decor is completely done, except more crib sheets.
She's set for dresses: we have 4 long-sleeved dresses and 2 jumpers. We have three pants suits (long sleeves), one denim overall, four knit pants, four long-sleeved onsies, three short-sleeve onsies.
We also have three sets of coordinating separates in 18 month size for warm weather and a swimsuit. We have 7 bibs, a hat, three towels, two baby blankets, two sunglasses, a raincoat, a winter coat, and one pair of fleece booties.
The things we need the most, imo, are grooming/health products, bottles, and diapering supplies.
Oh, and nursery decor is completely done, except more crib sheets.
Planning packing
I went through the baby clothes yesterday and thanks to lucky guessing, I think we already have enough clothes to get us through China. The only thing I still lack are a pair of winter overpants and shoes. Since I don't know her shoe size I'm tempted to get some fleece slippers or something like that and take her shoe shopping in China.
I'm also wondering about travel toys -- I was planning on teething toys but she'll be past that. I'll need something without removable parts, easily portable/packable, interesting, and quiet (for the plane).
And my two big mystery areas: diapers and formula. My wonderful brother, Matthew, recommended Pull-Ups. Will those be available in China or should I pack plenty? As for formula, an American baby would be just about off of it, but I don't know about China. I suppose I'll ask the pediatrician.
I'm also wondering about travel toys -- I was planning on teething toys but she'll be past that. I'll need something without removable parts, easily portable/packable, interesting, and quiet (for the plane).
And my two big mystery areas: diapers and formula. My wonderful brother, Matthew, recommended Pull-Ups. Will those be available in China or should I pack plenty? As for formula, an American baby would be just about off of it, but I don't know about China. I suppose I'll ask the pediatrician.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Monday, November 28, 2011
The stork has landed!
That wonderful phone call finally came this afternoon. Our beautiful baby girl was born on November 19, 2010.
She is in Gansu Province, which I'm told is in Central/Western China. She has spent part of her time in foster care and part at Wu Wei Social Welfare Institute. Her adorable pictures were taken on September 6th. Her measurement stats are 71 cm tall, 9 kg.
She is in Gansu Province, which I'm told is in Central/Western China. She has spent part of her time in foster care and part at Wu Wei Social Welfare Institute. Her adorable pictures were taken on September 6th. Her measurement stats are 71 cm tall, 9 kg.
Official
The official cutoff in the latest batch of referrals is August 7, 2006! That's our date!
However, there have been no phone calls reported. Either the packages have been mailed late or delayed by the Thanksgiving holiday. Hopefully I'll hear something soon. We've known since Thanksgiving morning that we should be in this group and for once the long holiday weekend was agonizing.
In a worst case scenario our paperwork was misfiled in China and our dossier will have to be relocated. Bad scenario, it was lost in the mail and we'll have to wait for China to resend it. Best case scenario, the folks at Gladney are translating for us and we'll hear from them as soon as they're done.
However, there have been no phone calls reported. Either the packages have been mailed late or delayed by the Thanksgiving holiday. Hopefully I'll hear something soon. We've known since Thanksgiving morning that we should be in this group and for once the long holiday weekend was agonizing.
In a worst case scenario our paperwork was misfiled in China and our dossier will have to be relocated. Bad scenario, it was lost in the mail and we'll have to wait for China to resend it. Best case scenario, the folks at Gladney are translating for us and we'll hear from them as soon as they're done.
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