Less Than 1 Week To Go!

Four days to go before we leave for Beijing! Getting last minute things together and making decisions about packing. Since we're flying inter-country one last time to Shanghai before we fly back to the States, we can only have 1 suitcase per person weighing no more than 44 lbs. Don't know where souveniers will fit for sure, but we will take advantage of carry-on.

Dennis decided to get the iPod for the trip...especially since he could use his Simplicity Points he earns from his work ;) He thought about the other game type devices, but he would really get a lot more use out of this because of the iPod. And we got a gadget that we can use to add a little more battery life to both his iPod and my iPhone. So I think we're set for the trip there! We'll have games and movies on our devices, books, and when it's time to sleep, Melatonin, eye masks. And we're making our own travel pillow! Will have to post that. Will add to our business too. Pillows 4 Me is officially closed until we get back. No orders will be processed right now...

Couldn't resist this package of two DVDs from Target. This show is so stinkin cute!
My sister-in-law's friend has two garbage bags full of clothes. So when my sister-in-law asked if we wanted them, I said YES! These will be great for her to grow into and for the warmer months to come.
Picked up freshly made pralines yesterday...actually made yesterday, so they will be good for 2 weeks. This will be the last of the gifts for the officials. Will make up the gift bags when we are there. Have some postcards and some bubblegum to hand out as well. Have heard from other families that people will come up to you and they love to get things from you like this. I'm a little nervous about that...but I'm glad I have something to give them.
Started Daisy on Benefiber yesterday. The vet recommended it to mix in her can food to help with her diarrhea. It is helping her already. I think she feels better too, poor thing.

This time next week, we will still be asleep, but when we get up, it will be Sunday, and we will fly to Changsha. Then Monday we will meet Emma!

Happy Birthday, Emma!!!

July 8, 2009, Emma's First Birthday!

We just kept it simple and baked some cupcakes and made a wish!

We will see her soon!!!

I love the latest photos of Emma and made these mobiles. The paper lanterns were $1 at Michael's. I used my Slice to cut out the flowers. And for $1 at Michael's I bought the heart bracelets and used them as frames instead. I just can't stop looking at her!!!

Less Than 2 Weeks to Go!

We've done a lot already to prepare for the trip, so we are not in a panic mode, JUST anxious, nervous, excited, trying to breathe deeply...getting the last little details together. And everything has come together. So releasing some of that stress and having fun with the new Flip Camera and iMovie...and some extra resting for the big trip to come! Nothing fancy here, but it was way too cute seeing Daisy on Dennis and then when I walked in the kitchen the other day, I was startled by this noise...looking around...I figured out who was making it ;) She is so cute! She had had a pretty bad bathroom day ;)...and so did we in cleaning it up!

The a/c runs in the background and sounds like rain...haven't figured out how to get that taken care of...turn off the music to hear what I'm talking about ;) I'll probably take the music off once we leave, so it can load fast and not interfere with anymore videos we upload here during the trip!

More Info From My Orphanage Call

I realized when I made the post about the information we got from Ladybugs N Love From Above, with all the excitement, I didn't post the Finding Ad. It's pretty hard to make out Emma's face, but some of the others you can. Based on Emma's date they have of 7/12/2008, that is the date she was found. So I would guess that the others are listed the same way if anyone would want to see if their daughter is on here. Don't have a translation for it though.

I'm so glad to meet other families getting their daughters through the same orphanage. I'm just so happy to see they are taken well care of. Angela from Ladybugs N Love from Above said she would pass on to the nannies and director how much I thank and appreciate them for what they do for the babies.

I've answered a couple of questions about what other girls were listed as being in Emma's room, so I want to post that here too.

Does she have a special friend at the orphanage? What is her name?

Her friends in the same rooms are: Chen Yun Yue, Chen Shu Ya, Chen Qi Sheng, Chen Ting Huai, etc.

And in case your daughter is about the same age as Emma...12 months on 7/8/2009, here is what they listed as far as food:

Does she eat any solid foods on her own or is she still on a bottle? What types of foods and/or formula does she like?

5：30am and 9:30pm a bottle of formula mixed with rice cereal (about 250ml);

8:00am a small bowl of egg noodles;

11:00am and 4:30pm vegetable, mashed meat and soft rice.

She likes crackers, candies and apple.

We use Nan Zai brand formula.

I saw some discrepancies on the original medical report and again here. In another question I asked about her sleeping habits. They said she goes to sleep at 7 p.m. and wakes at 7 a.m. So I don't know if the bottle feedings above are just off, if she gets hungry and they feed her???

Hope some of this may help.

Emma Yong Yi Update Came In!

I'm so excited! The company that I used to make the orphanage call was able to not only get the additional questions answered but 4 ADDITIONAL PHOTOS!!! The name of the company is Ladybugs and Love from Above if anyone would like to use them. I know it was luck that the orphanage was cooperative, but at least you can know from our experience that they really do make the contact and try to get the info for you. The cost for this was $40.

I'll shut up!!! Here she is. WOW!!!! After four months, she has grown!!!! The original photos and medical report, she was already smaller for her age, even though she looked like a cute butterball...I think it was the clothing. I was so surprised to see so much of her skin in these photos because of their culture. She looks so BEAUTIFUL! Droopy breaches and all! I think she might have put some blocks down her shirt! That's my silly girl!!! Little Twinkle Toes!

She weighs 15 lbs, and is 27 in length now. She has 4 upper teeth and two bottom. She is eating solid foods and taking a bottle once in the a.m. and once at p.m. Is a very gentle and quiet baby. Shy around strangers (I know it'll be hard at first when we meet). She will be happy in no time when you play with her in the playroom they say. She started to pull herself up on the rail when she was 10 mos. old. They call her Yong Yi. She did have some other babies in the same room with her, I've got their names so she can read about them later. And I was able to get the Finding Ad that was circulated to try to find her birth parents before she could legally be an orphan...so that is the only thing I have for her as far as her birth family.
I just love that hair!!! And I was able to go pick up just a few more clothes in 9 mos., and replaced the 12 month onesies and the dress we were packing with the smaller sizes. The diapers I had gotten will be perfect.
I CANNOT stop STARING at these photos!!!!!! I know we are prejudice, but she is PERFECT!!!!

This one, I know she is probably just playing and they caught her face while playing...but I can't help but see a little bit of "I'm playing with this and you can't tell me NO!" kind of look!
Oh, I cannot wait!!! Well, before we got this info from the Ladybug company, I did have to scrap this page about Michael Jackson. It is just so sad that he is gone. I know his life wasn't how he had hoped it would have been, so I hope he is at peace and knows how much he was and is loved...

Hey! Guess what?! We're freaking going to China, baby!!! We're crazy?! You bet! Did this layout for my July calendar. We've Got our Ticket to YOU!

And this came by FedEx today...the original Notice of Traveling to China for Adoption letter!!! Everything is so official!

More scrapping...of my iPhone love...I'll download some movies too for the plane ride there...it is the most amazing phone I've ever owned!

Got my haircut and some smaller product sizes to use for my hair to pack. Think I have to go back to Target and get some of the Ni Hao Kai Lan products...she is not old enough yet for some of them, like the adorable doll...but maybe the DVDs! I just love Kai Lan! I think she will too. It's just like Dora the Explorer except for Mandarin Chinese.

We Have a Consulate Appointment!!!

I kept thanking God that we had that I-797C or else we wouldn't have this important appointment and wouldn't be going!!! Things are rolling now!

We have to either purchase the airline tickets from the agency's travel agent by tonight or on our own by tomorrow! We will have the original Travel Approval Letter Monday. Once the airline tickets are purchased, the China staff will begin making the arrangments for the inter-country flights, travel, and arrangements!

We have to pick up some pralines and postcards the week before we leave, and just a few other things, but we are ready!

Heard from Angela at the Ladybug N Love. She will have the updated information soon on Emma!!! I'm so excited...we both are!

Dennis says I'm more prepared for the long trip there. I've got games, tunes, and a book to bring. He doesn't have anything :( So trying to help him out...

WE HAVE TRAVEL APPROVAL!!!!

The rush, the excitement, the emotions of what we feel each step of this journey is the coolest thing ever. And the latest excitement is our TA - Travel Approval!!! It came about a week early. So the next step is for our agency to get an Appointment (the actual adoption) with the Consulate. Then...WE BOOK THE FLIGHT!!!

If we hadn't had our I-797C we couldn't get the Appointment and then miss the trip...OMG, it's been so emotional with that. Thank you, Jesus, and thank you Sonji, Officer Hinds, our Agency, and all of the eyes and hands involved in getting that to us in time! So thankful!!!

Making lists to help calm my nerves and not forget even the smallest things we need to pack. Using Numbers on my Mac to do that, so much better than Excel. Making sure I won't lose any photos, so bringing DVDs for backups besides uploading them to Picasa, practicing making movies in iMovie so I can put this incredible journey together, loving my iPhone and so happy to have Game Apps and my iTunes all in one (for the long flight there) as well as getting the International plan for the time we will be there so I can use my email, Internet, and make and get phone calls for Emergencies on it when we're not in the hotels. Getting the house and Daisy and Archie taken care of with the sitter. Making more lists of things we want to buy for Emma while we are there to give her for milestone birthdays.

Looked up information about Changsha where we will stay the longest and so exciting. I knew Hunan was known for their HOT foods, but OMG, we can't wait to try Xiang Cuisine, one of the 8 Cuisines of China - a hot taste equal to Sichuan...perfect for us. And found out that even though Changsha isn't as rich in history as Beijing, it is very rich in the most recent history of China. Hunan is where Chairman Mao Zedong is from... Hoping to get as much information as we can about where Emma was born.

Can't wait to see and hold her!!!

Wo Ai Ni - I Love You

I am so happy to find so many Asian songs on iTunes and did find this one that I have on the blog now called Wo Ai Ni which is I Love You in Mandarin by S.H.E. I will be buying more on iTunes...even though I cannot understand, really some great music and great to have for Emma and us for her culture.

Here are the translated lyrics to Wo Ai Ni:

Using your eyes to see myself, the happiest reflection.
The connection that we hold in our hands is our guidance for tomorrow.
It doesn't matter near or far
When we embrace in heaven or wander in the wilderness.
I love you, I am willing to go
To whatever life I do not know
I love you, I am willing
Allowing you to step forward and decide (and decide and decide. . .)
The end of the world
Occasionally I don't really understand you
But who really understands themselves?
Sometimes the closer two people get
Is through hurt to prove it
Like worried and uncertain, I am stubborn and demanding
Afraid to show you're afraid, so you get angry
I love you, let me listen
To when you are tired and scared
I love you, I want to kiss your heart
That is stained to the limit. . .
I hold up all the love to push back the wind and the rain
To hold back the storm, want to let you breathe
The fault that was cut
Need time to heal
Dreams are tangled with suspicion
Cannot see the future clearly
So a tight embrace can deliver through strength and courage
I love you. . .
I love you so I want to go
To the unknown, any sort of life
I love you, let me listen
To when you are tired and scared
I love you, I want to kiss
Your heart that is strained to the limit
Wherever we go, we go together
Together to look at the stars
Walk out of a forest,
Share memories
To understand jealously,
To wait for the sun after the rain
To understand ourselves better,
To find meaning together
I love you
I can't not have you
I cannot not have you
I cannot not have you

It's Hot Here, There, and Everywhere

Wow, it takes your breath away when you walk outside. Already feels like August. Looks like we will have the same kind of weather in the Hunan province. Even Beijing is having some very high temps as well. We'll pack some dry clothes detergent so we can wash some things in the sink or tub, but will for sure be taking advantage of the cleaning service there at the China hotel at least once.

Things are going in the suit case. Have washed all of Emma's things that we will bring including the bottles/parts, clothes and blankets. Have everything lined up and ready to be packed. Should be hearing something soon about travel date. Although they did say it would probably take 5 weeks after China received our Acceptance letter, so that would be the week of July 6th. Not delaying on buying and packing because I have a feeling when we get travel approval, we will be leaving very soon after that.

And packing my laptop so I can keep up with pictures, videos, and the blog...

Here is a sample of what our itinerary will look like:

• Depart the USA
• Arrive into Beijing
• Sightseeing
• Depart Beijing for Emma's province
• Will be in Emma's province about 5 business days
• Fly to Guangzhou for US Consulate Date visit. Complete Emma's medical exam, Consulate visit, and Oath ceremony
• The day after the Oath ceremony, depart for the USA out of Guangzhou unless the Consulate doesn't get Emma's Visa ready, then delayed 1 or 2 days

Very quick overview of how it will go. I think it's going to fly by. Although, the 5 days in the province they say are the most relaxing and no schedules, just the forms for the Consulate to complete the adoption...so that is a time to take care of sick babies, rest, or just hang out...knowing us...we'll be ready to come home! I miss my cats so much when we leave. But can't help but think how perfect the timing is for all of this...I can get around so much better, and I know we will really enjoy the trip and hopefully get a lot out of it. That is...hoping we can go to the orphanage where she was...it is 4 hours away from where we will stay in the province and it is a very bumpy ride...this is also the ride that Emma and the orphanage director will take to come to us on the...what is called "Gotcha Day," the day she is handed to us!

Got a couple of our Netflix movies in and as the first movie played, I looked over and saw this...quick shot with the iPhone...:)
Dennis called the vet yesterday to just let her know that Daisy has been having consistent diarrhea now...she would at least go back and forth, but not now. Still goes about 4-5 times a day. She just confirmed what we thought that it is all part of her kidney disease... Because other than that, she is happy, wants to be by us, eats like crazy (obviously ;) LOL). We just keep giving her the fluids. Other than that...she is still very senile, which is sad because she is not really that old, only a year older than Archie. She looks the other way when you talk to her and come up to her like she can't tell where you are...she gets SOOOO excited when she turns around to see you! Constantly meows and wants something...but can't tell what she wants, and for some reason, she will not come in our bedroom anymore...I think Archie's claimed it too much ;)

We'll have our pet sitter stay and look out for them both...and are trying to make the cleanups easy for her. Lots of poop going on around here and another poop butt coming soon ;)

Hoping to find out more info about Emma. Our agency sent us links of businesses doing care packages for families to their babies waiting at the orphanage. Although it is sad we won't be with her for her first birthday, but honestly, she won't know...really she won't...and to send a cake, a letter, stuffed animal, and a disposable camera for $80-$150 just was feeding too much on emotions, and no guarantee she gets any of it or the pictures. So found one that will make orphanage phone calls for $40. I put it off, but I just have to know more if I can, and for her for when she is older. So hoping to get an update of her size: weight, height, foot size, etc., and then you can ask 10 additional questions...also, photos!!! This is the site in case anyone else adopting through China and waiting for your referral or to travel would be interested. If anyone would like links to the other business, I can post or send to you. They all look very good. I will post what information the one we went with were able to provide.

Dennis will install a cat door to the room where Daisy's litter box is, hoping to ease them both into the new addition. It will be interesting.

About four weeks away from getting our Emma!