We leave for China 1 week from today - 7am on Tuesday morning, October 5th. I feel a little bit lighter with each passing day. I can't say we are 100% ready but pretty darn close. The goal is to be completely ready before Monday so we can enjoy our day off before leaving. I'm pretty sure we'll be running around like we usually do the day before a trip but it's good to have a goal.
I'm frantically trying to wrap things up and hand em off at work. Still looking at 10 boxes of clothes in the guest room but they are all 12+ months so they will probably just head up to the attic until we really need them. I need to make an appointment with our chosen pediatrician (thanks Jenn!) and notify our insurance company about Emerson. A few odds and ends to buy for the trip. That's it. Pretty darn close.
Banner pictures
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Sunday, September 26, 2010
the lucky bamboo
Back around summer of 2006, just after our paperwork was recognized by China, Brian came home with a little lucky bamboo plant, shaped into a heart. It was a reflection of our journey to China and something we could take care of while we waited. We gave our families lucky bamboos for Christmas that year so they could do the same.
Ours has been through much: our Great Dane/Lab knocked it over with his tail breaking the vase and scattering the bamboo and rocks all over the living room, cats batting, pulling, clawing, chewing the leaves, and constant moves around the house in hopes of finding a safe spot. About a year ago, it settled on the kitchen counter next to the sink where it has simply endured the cat abuse and doubles as a cat water bowl. Somehow this little plant has thrived through all of this - I think I know why! May Emerson be as strong and resiliant as her symbolic sibling:
Ours has been through much: our Great Dane/Lab knocked it over with his tail breaking the vase and scattering the bamboo and rocks all over the living room, cats batting, pulling, clawing, chewing the leaves, and constant moves around the house in hopes of finding a safe spot. About a year ago, it settled on the kitchen counter next to the sink where it has simply endured the cat abuse and doubles as a cat water bowl. Somehow this little plant has thrived through all of this - I think I know why! May Emerson be as strong and resiliant as her symbolic sibling:
Thursday, September 23, 2010
13 boxes of clothes
I was feeling very organized - everything in Emerson's room in place. Then my sister turned over 13 boxes of clothes! All things we need and I'm so happy to have them. Just trying to find time to sort through 13 boxes.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Why China?
Why China? This is a common question so it feels like blog material.
First a bit of irony. When we decided that we wanted to have a family, Brian suggested that we adopt. It was something he felt compelled to do - to provide a loving stable home to a child who otherwise would not have it. My exact quote: I hate paperwork. That was over 10 years ago and the path has not been easy but there is no doubt that it has been our path, the right one for us.
Ok, back to China.
When we made the decision to adopt, we did a lot of research - domestic, open, closed, international, special needs, etc. We attended information sessions and considered many different options. We settled on a plan to adopt a minority baby, domestically. For some reason, Brian continued to do research and one night showed me some information on China. As we read about the process and the stories of the orphanages crowded with baby girls, we both knew this was for us. We didn't really discuss the reasons - we literally just knew and that was that. Since then, I've compiled a list of reasons that make it easy to answer the question and they make perfect sense:
-we wanted a girl
-the process was predictable
-the wait was only 10 months (ha!)
-we both have a deep respect for Asian philosophy/religions
But, the truth is that we both felt this in our gut. Our baby would be born in China.
We've had many opportunities to revisit this decision. Specifically, every time a delay was announced, when our paperwork had to be updated, and annually around my birthday. We even had some serious conversations about a year ago with a domestic agency. Every single time, we concluded that this was our path. Our guts told us to stay the course.
This year, our baby was born in China and we are on our way!
First a bit of irony. When we decided that we wanted to have a family, Brian suggested that we adopt. It was something he felt compelled to do - to provide a loving stable home to a child who otherwise would not have it. My exact quote: I hate paperwork. That was over 10 years ago and the path has not been easy but there is no doubt that it has been our path, the right one for us.
Ok, back to China.
When we made the decision to adopt, we did a lot of research - domestic, open, closed, international, special needs, etc. We attended information sessions and considered many different options. We settled on a plan to adopt a minority baby, domestically. For some reason, Brian continued to do research and one night showed me some information on China. As we read about the process and the stories of the orphanages crowded with baby girls, we both knew this was for us. We didn't really discuss the reasons - we literally just knew and that was that. Since then, I've compiled a list of reasons that make it easy to answer the question and they make perfect sense:
-we wanted a girl
-the process was predictable
-the wait was only 10 months (ha!)
-we both have a deep respect for Asian philosophy/religions
But, the truth is that we both felt this in our gut. Our baby would be born in China.
We've had many opportunities to revisit this decision. Specifically, every time a delay was announced, when our paperwork had to be updated, and annually around my birthday. We even had some serious conversations about a year ago with a domestic agency. Every single time, we concluded that this was our path. Our guts told us to stay the course.
This year, our baby was born in China and we are on our way!
Saturday, September 18, 2010
travel plans - set!
And, we are leaving early. We mistakenly thought we needed to leave on October 5th and when we found out we don't need to leave until October 7th, we were pretty set on the 5th and just stuck with it. So, we'll have 2 free days in Hong Kong for sightseeing, adjusting, feeling closer to Emerson.
We will join our group on the 10th and take a bus from Hong Kong to Guangzhou. WE WILL GET EMERSON ON OCTOBER 11TH! From the 12th through the 22nd we will be meeting with Government Officials (Chinese and US), doing paperwork, and getting to know our daughter.
We will leave China and get home on October 23rd. My niece was hoping we would come home on a week day so she could miss a day of school. It's Saturday.
We will join our group on the 10th and take a bus from Hong Kong to Guangzhou. WE WILL GET EMERSON ON OCTOBER 11TH! From the 12th through the 22nd we will be meeting with Government Officials (Chinese and US), doing paperwork, and getting to know our daughter.
We will leave China and get home on October 23rd. My niece was hoping we would come home on a week day so she could miss a day of school. It's Saturday.
checking things off the list
Several weeks ago I wrote about "the big five" - the important things we had to get done before we leave. So, we are just about done. Travel Visas-check. Emerson's room-check. Travel shots-check. Still need to make an appointment with a pediatrician for our first week back (we have several great recommendations) and get one more document notarized. And, our travel arrangements are just about done. Now the biggest challenge is packing. Luckily, we are both light packers so the hard part is making sure that we take everything we need for Emerson.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
the update
The pictures we received yesterday (see next entry) were taken on August 19. Updated information was also included:
Height = 24.5 inches
weight = 13.45 lbs
head = 16.5 inches
chest = 16 inches
foot = 3.7 inches
She is sitting with support; no standing, walking, or speaking yet. All seems normal. Oh, and she is sleeping in a crib by herself.
From the pictures, we can tell that she is growing. Hair is a little longer and her toes are adorable!
Height = 24.5 inches
weight = 13.45 lbs
head = 16.5 inches
chest = 16 inches
foot = 3.7 inches
She is sitting with support; no standing, walking, or speaking yet. All seems normal. Oh, and she is sleeping in a crib by herself.
From the pictures, we can tell that she is growing. Hair is a little longer and her toes are adorable!
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Monday, September 6, 2010
Emerson's cute room
The room is pretty much done - it was a family project this week-end. My Mom & Dad were here on Saturday for some furniture assembly and planning. We also did some shopping with my 4 yr old niece who is very helpful and excited about having a new cousin. Today (Labor Day), my parents came back with the completed artwork (awesome fish painting by my Mom - see below) and my sister and her husband brought over the remaining furniture. Oh, and their kids, who were distracting, helpful, energetic, exhausting! It was a great day and it feels awesome to hang out in the completed room, just waiting for my little baby girl to come home.
That's my Dad inside the crib - he had to crawl under it to get out.
My mom painted the big fish picture - so cute!
Obviously - fish theme. Blues and greens for the water signs that we are (Aquarius Emerson and Pisces Wendy). Hopefully soothing and fun too. Grateful for the awesome furniture, toys, and clothes from my sister and bro-in-law, artwork from my mom, and much assembly help from my dad.
That's my Dad inside the crib - he had to crawl under it to get out.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
7 months
Emerson arrived at the Yangxi Social Welfare Institute 7 months ago today. It also appears that she was born on that day. I hope to learn something more about her story during our trip, but know it's unlikely. I can't imagine what that day was like for her birth mommy. I do believe that it was a decision and act carried out under extreme pressure and sadness and with hopes that her baby would have a chance at a better life than she could give. I am grateful for the opportunity to give her that better life and hope that her birth mommy has found peace with the decision she had to make.
As for Emerson Xiao Hong, I just hope someone she loves holds her today. I have to believe that despite the conditions, there is someone there with a special attachment to her, giving her as much care and love that they can. They say she has a ready smile and is quick to laugh. I hope she has a happy day today.
As for Emerson Xiao Hong, I just hope someone she loves holds her today. I have to believe that despite the conditions, there is someone there with a special attachment to her, giving her as much care and love that they can. They say she has a ready smile and is quick to laugh. I hope she has a happy day today.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
on the bright side
Just so I don't sink into complete sadness that we are leaving for China around Oct 6 instead of Sept 13, here are some good things about having 3 more weeks:
-time to wrap some things up at work before taking off 12 weeks
-will be able to attend my niece's family birthday celebration (and the last time I missed this, about 3 years ago, she was mad at me for 6 months)
These things really don't matter but I want to list more than 2 things:
-possibly cheaper airline tickets with more advance notice
-more time for our preventive shots to take effect
That's all the stretching I can do on this subject.
-time to wrap some things up at work before taking off 12 weeks
-will be able to attend my niece's family birthday celebration (and the last time I missed this, about 3 years ago, she was mad at me for 6 months)
These things really don't matter but I want to list more than 2 things:
-possibly cheaper airline tickets with more advance notice
-more time for our preventive shots to take effect
That's all the stretching I can do on this subject.
Travel Date Set!
Well, it's later rather than sooner. Our appointment with the US Consulate is set for October 20th which means we will leave Dallas around October 6th. Not sure yet when we actually pick up Emerson; sometime in between those dates, so hopefully that will be earlier rather than later in the trip.
I had convinced myself that we would be leaving around Sept 13th so this is a huge let down.
Back to procrastinating. (not really)
I had convinced myself that we would be leaving around Sept 13th so this is a huge let down.
Back to procrastinating. (not really)
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
kicking into gear
I am a procrastinator. I wholeheartedly believe that I work most efficiently and creatively under pressure. It works for me. Most of the time. Brian is better about this and I got some kind reminders (lectures) from both my Mom and Dad last night so we are kicking into gear. I guess technically we are under pressure now since it is possible that we will leave in under 2 weeks! We expect to have our travel date tomorrow...
So, here is the list, the big 5 as I like to call it: get our China travel visas, get our shots (something I would prefer to skip), have final paperwork for trip notarized, finish Emerson's room, and find pediatrician so that we have an appointment for her as soon as we return. We have made progress on each one and have a plan so it will all come together I know. Working on Visa applications tonight.
So, here is the list, the big 5 as I like to call it: get our China travel visas, get our shots (something I would prefer to skip), have final paperwork for trip notarized, finish Emerson's room, and find pediatrician so that we have an appointment for her as soon as we return. We have made progress on each one and have a plan so it will all come together I know. Working on Visa applications tonight.
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