Sunday, May 6, 2007

The "package" is in the mail...




I finally was able to finish off the package to send to our little tyke- we mailed it via express post to our agency yesterday, and they will bring it to China with them during their next trip. Our director probably spends almost half of her time in China, and there is always someone from the agency going back and forth. Hopefully, the package gets to him before we do!

The most important part of the package is the photo album. 24 pictures of us, and grandparents, and a few of his cousins. I hope he's not overwhelmed! I was able to find a file of Chinese picture labels on the Waiting Children China group- so the nannies can point out his mama and baba and his 2 "jie jei"s (pinyin for big sister), his wai po (Nanny, maternal grandmother), and wai gong (Poppy, maternal grandfather), as well as his nai nai & ye ye (paternal grandparents). Since he's almost 3 years old, giving him faces to become familiar with is really necessary. We'll still be strangers to him when we meet him in China, but at least we'll be familiar strangers.

Above there's a picture of the front of his album. The first symbol is traditional Chinese for "family" and the next line is his name.

We also included some Hershey's kisses for the nannies, some pencils and notebooks for the older children, a dinkie (toy car), some little socks, a really really soft small teddy bear, a disposible camera, a soft book about "Pets" ('cause he'll need to become used to that concept in our household!), and a "Canada" sun hat. We had several other items that wouldn't fit in the box. Our agency asked that we try to keep the box small, since they are carrying it. And, really, it is the photo album that is what we most want him to have.

It's hard to believe that after almost 3 years of being in this adoption process, I am now "scrambling" to get things done! Anyone who knows me irl wouldn't be surprised, I'm sure (news flash: I'm not the world's most organized person). But the reality of it all is setting in... and its both exhilirating and a bit frightening!! Plus, there is an on-line friend who is in Jiangsu (our son's province) right now, having just adopted her daughter, and I'm following her posts like a hawk (and making comments like: "ooh... there they are in the Civil Affairs office... I wonder if we'll be sitting on the same couch soon?" & "hey, kids, come quick, this is the Walmart in Nanjing" &, of course, "isn't Emmelu one of the cutest kids you've ever seen?"! ).

SO... the wild ride with all its ups and downs is continuing. We'll be ready to leave when the time comes. More than ready in some ways- the important ways. And, hey, if we end up forgetting things that we should have packed, we can always find that Walmart, right?


7 comments:

Elizabeth said...

Oh I love reading about your plans. It's so exciting. I can't wait to be the one posting about how disorganized I am rushing to prepare. I will remember your ideas for the package too, the label are so great to have.

"M2" said...

Woo Hoo Carolyn
so happy and excited for you

aimeeg said...

So, so exciting!!!

redmaryjanes said...

I am so happy for you Carolyn. You sent a wonderful package. The photo album will fill him with excitement I'm sure!

Red Sand said...

great package! Can I live vicariously through you for a while?

Anne Marie said...

Three years??? Wow, Carolyn, I didn't realized it had been that long.

YOu did a wonderful job with the package -- I know he'll love it!

Fingers still crossed for speedy travel! Can't wait until I am looking at photos of you in Nanjing!

Tao's Mommy said...

Yay....hopefully Daniel received the package.....do you know if he did!!! That package looks wonderful.....not too much longer now my friend.....YAYYYYYY!!!!!