It’s happened. I’ve lost my mind.
And it doesn’t help that I’ve got a house full of 8 kiddos all day long to keep me extremely occupied otherwise.
Thankfully, my sweet husband has managed to get time off of work to take care of all the kidlets while I’ll be in China. I gotta say, it’s a huge relief to have that monster sized issue resolved.
But I’m making no progress whatsoever on my packing. What’s the weather like in Nanning this time of year?
Or my gifts-for-officials shopping. I’m sure my ‘ideas’ for gifts are totally old school… any one have any new and exciting gift ideas?
Or my ‘don’t forget to do this or that’ list. Like call the doctor to get a Rx for Vivienne. And antibiotics for myself. That’s as far as I’ve gotten. I know there is more that I just can’t remember right now. Much more.
Anyone? Tips? Hints? Things to add to my ‘don’t forget to do this’ list?
I would be incredibly grateful.
So would my brain. We could both really use the help.
P.S. Oh, and what about iPhone apps for kids? Any recommendations? I’m thinking my iPhone might just be my secret weapon in winning over Miss Thang…
We were in Nanning in Dec. 2006. The weather was exactly like our weather in FL. I would say depending on what you are accustomed to, you can expect to need a jacket in the morning and evenings unless there is a cold spell, then you would need it more. I am a baby when it comes to the cold, so I am always bundled up more than everyone else. Do you have a travel buddy?
We gave Bath and Body Works products to the officials in Nanning. (They usually have a sale this time of year). Don't forget some snacks for yourself. I remember waking up the first night in China just starving. I was so glad I had something to stave my hunger in the middle of the night. Also, some sweet treats for Vivi, in case she needs some motivation to warm-up to you. Can't wait to follow your journey!
Bubbles are great for kids Vivi's age. Throw a bottle in a plastic bag in case it leaks. Also, my girls have been playing with a puppy on our ipod touch. I'll have to ask them the name of it and get back to you. It's very cute and she would probably love it. Relax and remember that you can buy most anything you need there. Just focus on the paperwork and meds…things that you absolutely can't forget! Have fun!
I taught in China this past summer and we gave our students the game UNO and taught them to play. They loved it, but I'm not sure it's an "officials" type gift…
So excited for you to go and get Vivi!
I can't help you at all with weather or lists but 2yr old relevant iPod apps I've got :). My little man loves "peek a boo barn," "I hear ewe," "mini piano," "drum kit lite," and basically any game I've got that has lots of color. I'd also recommend downloading a tv show, like maybe NiHao Kai-lan (it's mandarin though so maybe she wouldn't recognize it?). My man loves him some Backyardigans and Olivia but who doesn't right? 😉 Good luck with your to do list!
Stefanie,
I would be willing to make up some beaded silverware for you to take as gifts…could do them in any colors you choose but think that red and gold might be enjoyed.
I'm sure it's something they have NEVER been given before and what's more American than a fork and spoon??
I will also gladly give you a discount off the price I typically charge. If you don't like the idea, it won't hurt my feelings a bit, just wanted to suggest it as something unique!
How could anyone advise YOU on what to take to China? GIRL! You've been there 5 times now, right?!
YOU tell US something! 🙂 Oh wait- you did…when you were with your sister…you wrote some great stuff. Do you have time to go back and read it? 🙂
Stefanie –
I am putting together my lists for our trip soon, and I just added "clothes line" and a bottle of Woolite to hand wash many of our things. Also, I am packing some instant soup, hot chocolate packs, peanut butter crackers, cereal bars, and maybe even some powdered milk and instant breakfast packs for in the hotel room. Last time I ate something with a milk base and got really sick, so we are staying away from milk-based menu items.
God bless you on this newest adoption journey for your family.
Hugs,
Janet, Kevin, Ted, Philip, and waiting for Eli
http://threefingerprintsofgod.blogspot.com
Stefanie, pack for Nanning just like you would for coming home to the south during this time of the year. When we were there for Brinley I never even wore a coat. I had a little sweat shirt jacket. Check out the current weather forecast. http://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/getForecast?query=Nanning%20China&wuSelect=WEATHER
We bought the Sing and Dance with MeiMei DVDs and took them to play in our computer. Bailey LOVED them and knew most of the songs. She was so sweet singing along!
Don't forget the Cheerios and sippy cup for Vivi. Both of our girls were HUNGRY and thirsty when they came to us. Brinley was about Vivi's age and she was in a diaper. Bailey was 39 months and she was not.
Brice was about Asher's age when he traveled with us. I bought him one of those balls that is attached to an elastic string. I can't remember what it is called but it would velcro around his wrist or ankle. (Bought it at the Dollar Tree.) He'd find a little spot in the airports and throw it, kick it, etc. Helped him burn some energy and he had kids come over to talk with him and play. We actually took two and he gave one of them to a little boy he met in China.
So excited for all of you! Can't wait to follow along!
First words is an app for iphone. We have two of them and they keep my daughter very happy.
We were in Nanning in December. It is not quite as warm and humid as Guangzhou but it is close. You can probably get the weather forecast on the internet closer to your departure. Are you staying at the Majestic Hotel? If so there is an inexpensive and delicious restaurant next door. When you go out the front doors of the hotel the restaurant is to the left and slightly downhill from the hotel. You can go through and point to pictures of what you would like to eat. Very yummy!
The Z-pack is your friend! So is a doodle board, travel size with Tink or some other pink princess on it. Lydia loves her as well as a toy phone. You can never pack too many ziplock bags. There's also a flashlight app for iPhone that might come in handy on the plane or naptime. And the latest and greatest is the Munchkin Snack Catcher (got mine at Target) that has a very cool lid that really does keep those Cheerios inside. http://www.target.com/Munchkin-Snack-Catcher-Cup/dp/B001GVZVBU/ref=sc_qi_detailbutton
I just wanted to say congratulations to you and your family. I hope you have a safe and wonderful trip. I'm looking forward to reading about it and seeing pictures of your sweet little girl
As for the iphone apps – get the bubble wrap "snap" one (it is free ~ both Annabelle and Francesca love that one) and get the free mirror one…it ia another hit! We also have a Disney one that allows you to play games and music on it, but for the bubble wrap and the mirror being free, you can go wrong just downloading them…plus with the mirror one you can save the imagine 🙂
As for the gifts – I always give Avon products. They are all made in the US and even though they have Avon stores in China…it is very expensive. Also I always get a few decks of playing cards (seeing how they do not have any full deck of cards there as well & they too are made in the US). You can get them here at almost any drug/food store and sometimes they have Nascar, Coca Cola, NFL or other "big" movies on them and for $3 a deck…you can't bet that!
Hope this helps….
BTW got a Smores too and it was a BIG hit! TY for supporting that little contest – if it wasn't for your blog, I would have never heard about Smores and my girls would not be loving it right now 😉
I've heard that wall calendars with beautiful scenery from your state are enjoyed, and easy to pack!
I got nothing on the weather. Or on the apps – we're ridiculously low tech here 🙂 But for the gifts, contact your local Avon rep. (or Mary Kay, etc.). I did that and scored some wonderful gifts that were FREE to me and high quality for them. Plus, they were also small and easy to pack! I also checked with my local doctors (ortho, dentist, etc.) and scored some great free samples. Each gift bag was a nice assortment of things.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH! You are traveling soon! Yay!
I know, that probably didn't help calm you down and sort you out 🙂
Yankee candle car fresheners look like a candle, are flat and our Chinese friends love smelly stuff:)
safe and happy travels!
Stickers for Vivi – they will be EVERYWHERE. 🙂 And if she's anything like Mya – all she will do is run, run, run, run and you will lose 5 pounds running after her 😉 And maybe risk Chinese prison by swatting her. Wait, I am having flashbacks. You are going to be great :=)
She will love pictures of herself to scroll through on your phone..that should be easy with all the pictures you take! There is an app that is called Learn to Talk. It is basic boardmaker type pictures with voice output. It might help her become comfortable with the language. We are so excited about this little one's homecoming!
I like DoodleBuddy for the iPhone — kids can draw on it with their fingers and make pictures or designs or whatever…Also you probably have YouTube app — that is good for clips of kids TV show or movies…
Sam
I have the "Monkey Preschool Lunchbox" app, "whiteboard" (for drawing) and "Sprout dress chica" (a NickJr thing). There's also free episodes of Seseme Street, Dinosaur Train, and a few others somewhere in the itunes store that I've grabbed before.
Any of these work great as a distraction any time of the day, ie: grocery shopping, waiting for food at a restaurant, etc.
We took along a little bookbag for our daughter back in March, and she loved it! It was full of her little treasures like stacking blocks, stickers, a magna doodle, and a play phone that was only about $5 at the dollar store. Our Maia also loved cheerios and lolipops, although Vivi might be too young for the lolipops. Good luck with packing!
Maybe something to help you sleep to deal with the jet lag? I'm just trying to remember what you've written about previously as I have no experience in this area!!!
Congrats again!
Wow…Thanks for asking Stephanie…we hope to be traveling in January and some of these ideas helped a lot!!! Calendars and cards sounds easy enough. It is hard to come up with something simple and not stress. Like you aren't stressed out enough!! Question for anyone out there though…if you did your own laundry, how long did it take to dry. We just sent it all out the last time (since we were clueless!!).
Candle or re-sealable air freshener for dirty diapers.
Ibuprofen for all.
Stacking cups and keys kept our 16 mos. old Guangxi girl happy. For hours.
Gerber puffs by the truck load.
Buy juice and also, plastic bowls for bottle and baby clothes washing at Wally World.
Bring plastic french press for coffee addiction issues.
Chocolate hidden away for a surprise — for you or for your companion, or both.
Dried fruit.
Lotsa toys to purchase at Parkson.
Ergo!!!
A pretty necklace to wear (and for Vivienne to look at) on Gotcha Day.
Ponytail holders for you and the humidity. 🙂
Eat some noodles for me!
Jealous!
🙂 Leigh
For officials gifts, I bought boxes of Godiva chocolates with beautiful red lids at Barnes and Noble. They are half off for the after Christmas sale right now, wrapped in plastic, inside of the beautiful lid. I've heard conflicting comments about chocolates for China, but thought these would be perfect – good luck! I'd love to know what you take 🙂
Sara
We just got back from Korea to bring home our son. For the "official's gifts" we brought Berts Bees stuff, picture books from our home town, Lindt chocolates; for foster mom we took a Land's End bag monogrammed with their Surname, a bracelet from http://orphaned-no-more.blogspot.com/ & notecards. Congratulations again! Can't wait to follow your journey to Vivi! Blessings!
Some ideas we packed for our toddler from Nanning:
*inflatable globe to toss around and flatten when on the move
*Wooden magnetic puzzle book…was a little heavy, but well worth it!!! She literally spent hours using it while SITTING (plane trip)
*bubbles
*cheerios board book and cheerios! (sold at Barnes and Noble, several to choose from)
*costume jewelry
*rag doll
Looking forward to hearing all about this trip. The restaurant outside the hotel was very good. Also, we went for a walk every morning at the park behind the hotel. One must do: a pedicure! It was the best I have ever had and CHEAP! When you leave the hotel parking lot, go right and it is on a side street down on the right. The front desk will be able to get you there!!!
Best wishes! The Whartons
Stefanie…the game is called Touch Pet Dogs…you can choose the bred you like.
Kids' iPhone apps: try Ballonimals and/or Scribble…get the "light" versions which are free! 🙂 trials).
Also, a toy phone with lots of buttons & such…Disney makes a great small one…if I can find the link I'll send it to you.
Hang in there!!
Here's the link to the phone I was talking about in my earlier post…it has a lot of little buttons on it that make all kinds of sound effects & such & it's SMALL!…Kiara still loves this phone!! 😉
http://www.amazon.com/Disney-Princess-Play-Phone-Case/dp/B002RLWQYS/ref=pd_sim_t_1
Chocolate–it won't melt this time of year, even in Nanning and who doesn't like chocolate (the good stuff!!).
I agree with the Avon idea if you can get some.
I always take Airborne to stay healthy. Oatmeal packets in case I get hungry when there is no time to get something (like early morning appointments).
okay, I have no advice ~ but I'm sure glad you posted about this, as I'm sending myself a link to keep in my folder for when we travel…some very helpful tips here from all you EXPERTS!! 🙂
Happy New Year! <><
we gave American made chocolate last year- it travels well in winter time
My daughter is 20 months adjusted and loves the apps from "Duck Duck Moose.". They are interactive songs like Itsy Bitsy Spider and The Wheels on the Bus.
See you in China?? Stephanie, my family has followed your wonderful blog since the adoption of your son Shepard. Congratulations on your travels to Vivi! We leave for China on 1/6 and have our CA on 1/20. This is our first adoption and our daughter Sara has a repaired VSD. She is 13 months old and residing in Henan province. Best wishes to you and who knows maybe we'll run into each other in Guangzhou.
Tricia & Mark Breeger
http://www.myadoptionwebsite.com/ourjourneytosara
Oh, Stefanie, I"m not much help because I left totally unprepared! I say chocolate for the officials (save some for Mama!); and stack cups for Miss Vivi!
Be sure to take your antibiotic in case of sinus trouble from smog.
And once in GZ, the island has changed so much in the last year…if you find things you really want at "A Gift From China" buy them on the spot because they will be gone! (Love that store and the purpose behind it!)
Can't wait to follow along!
Cheerios, gold fishies, bubbles, a new baby doll, nail polish, and Color Wonder markers are a must for 2-year old girls in China. Cipro for you in case you pick up a bug.
Hi, I found your link through Amy's. We left on January 8th of 2009 to get our cutie!!! I followed the weater on http://www.weather.com before we left. It gives a 7 day forecast and the usual forcast for that time of year!! Guangzhou was nice between 60 and middle 70s although the mornings were cooler!!
Cheerios, ziplock bags, stacking cups, suppositories and ballons!!!
I think our gift was a little "edgy" and it worked partially because it was a representation of local flare, but we took mini bottles of bourbon and whiskey samples (we are from Kentucky, and @3-4 famous brands come from here) There was a collective gasp (really) when they opened their gifts and they whispered amoung themselves and showed each other what they had received….when we went to the orphange they thanked us for them….we went to the liquor store in China full size bottle of Blanton's Bourbon was $245.00 so our mini bottle that cost us $6.00 was quite a BIG gift 🙂 We gave each of them 4 different sample bottle plus Kentucky Chocolates.
We are leaving on the 8th too, and we're taking Avon products, nice chocolates in beautiful red boxes(half price right now!), and small LED flashlights. Hope to see you in Guangzhou! Our 9 year-old-son will be with us and would love to meet your son. Looking forward to following your journey!