Friday, March 06, 2009

Nesting...

Ok I have been busy getting the rooms done... well, you could say I have been 'nesting' with cleaning around the house and wanting to get all done so I don't have to run around later on... when we come home from Las Vegas, we are going to get Shauna's room painted... cannot wait to slowly get things started in there. The carpet in the downstairs bedroom was laid today... there is just a few odds and ends to be done in the bathroom and it will be looking brand new - well, nearly...
Mike is on the mend from his bout with Pnuemonia... not often he is sick but when he is...
What I do want to know... is there anyone with a list or two of things meds etc that need to be taken to China... I will try to travel as light as we can but at the same time... we don't want to not forget anything... What about ideas for the 'gifts'... I do already have some of the 'Burts Bee' stuff... I grab them when they are on sale... I want to get things together now, so when the time comes I am not running everywhere trying to get it all together while I am at the same time trying to get all that other paperwork done... I wouldn't be surprised if that bout of Shingles that I had, not only came from work but also paperwork! At the best of times I am not an 'organized' person but for this... I want to be on top of it as much as I can. So, any lists even links of lists sent my way would be great... once the carpet is laid in her room... I am putting a suitcase down to do a dry run...
As much as I hate the waiting thing... I am thinking of anything and everything to keep myself busy... for once to make the time speed up - at least until we get Shauna then I want time to slow down again so I can enjoy it!
Of course I need to put yet another small movie of my little baby on here... this is what I nuture whilst waiting for a child. To break up the boredom of bird movies - next time I will do one of my fish... this was taken in the morning on my day off and early in the morning... this is when little Barack is full of energy... when you see him lower his head to me and will turn it to the side, that means he is wanting me to scratch or rub behind his head... he mostly does this at night time when he is ready for bed... he likes a little scratch... gee, the way I am talking right now, I think I need a child :) Although as I type this, he is in his cage and making noise... I have had to cover him and tell him to get to bed, he is to young to be away this late... yep, I need a child... hahaha... so, this is all that has been going on of late... exciting huh!!!!

video

15 pearls of wisdom:

Chelley said...

Barack is a sweetie!! Thought he might need is own blog if he learns how to type

On the Eastern Journey said...

Hi Fliss! I'm excited that you're nesting and getting Shauna's room ready. Can't wait to see the photos after it is painted.

I'm sure your adoption agency will give you a list that is much more thorough than my little comment, but the thing that comes to mind is: Tylenol and ibuprofen. You should bring infants or childrens depending on Shauna's age.

This is the only medicine we carried from the US for Schäfer.

As for yourself, you might want a bring a little Tylenol or ibuprofen. You can buy it, but I'm sure you don't want to waste your tour time digging around a Chinese drug store.

I'd also highly recommend bringing a Women's One a Day. I'm a big fan of a good multi-vitamin.

You may need to bring Imodium in case you eat some food that does not agree with you, but honestly in the 5 years of living here - we've taken Imodium ONCE.

As for the 'gifts' remember that you are giving the orphanage $5,000 USD! That's a BIG gift. Please do not feel that you need to spend a lot of money and bring a lot of expensive stuff.

The Burts Bee "stuff" is OK, but most people can't read English so using the Burts Bee products might be difficult.

Anyway, I've been thinking alot about the gifts we'll be giving and honestly $5000 USD might just be it.

I've thought about giving a letter of thanks in Chinese with a photo of our family. Or maybe buying some children's books at the local bookstore and donating them.

I don't understand why people want to give gifts. The orphanage director is getting $5,000 USD in cash in his pocket from every single family.

If Shauna is under foster care, the actual foster family will never be allowed to meet you.

The Auntie who actually hands you Shauna will have probably only met her that morning.

If Shauna is actually in the orphanage care, then they'll probably be getting a kick back from the $5,000 USD you just donated.

I'm sorry this comment is so long. I'm processing a lot of my own thoughts here.

I am so happy that your nesting. I long to be in that nesting phase myself

Chinazhoumom said...

Hi there - don't sweat the gifts...really spend very little - I went to Marshalls and bought pretty kitchen towels ($3) you can google nanny gifts China - and will get a whole list of things - but basically -nothing like a lotion (can't read it) no pens etc - as these are on every list...I looked for light and not expensive..they dump them on a table - and normally do not ever open in front - I did not put who it was from etc...they did not seem to care..DON'T sweat it - no ball caps no team names etc. Good Luck.

amy said...

our agency has a list of gift idea for each province..yours might as well. i was told bath and body works are good because they are made in america and there are some good sales

Ron said...

Kaopectate for yourself and Tylenol, Benadryl and some sort of Pepto for Shauna would be best.

Carrie said...

Barack needs his own blog-LOL! I think we brought some T-shirts from "FL" Gators-someone told me they like America teams??? Then lotion with perfume in it I was also told this was something they liked. I know I need to get my crap together and get the pictures I need to send my dossier!

Ruth's Place said...

I'm so excited that it's getting close for you guys. Here is a link to a blogger recently back from China. She did a list of what she took and did and didn't use. You might find it helpful. http://waitingforlaurenelizabeth.blogspot.com/2009/01/this-and-that.html

Susan Appleton said...

Barack is a cutie-pie! I love the little squawks he makes and the way he twists his little head at you. I also loved the way he stared up into the camera......what a litle ham! hahahahahahaha
If you get any packing lists...pass them on to me. Someone sent me one too and I'll try to find it and email it to you. I'm nesting too girl! Can't wait til we get our babies and GO!!!!
Love ya girl!

Dawn said...

Wow your nesting...yeah!!! I agree with everyone else...dont spend alot of money on the gifts. One thing I did was at the Dollar Store they had bags of Jelly Bellies and I had heard those were popular...so I bought a bunch of those and some drawer sachets in the dollar bin at Joanne's and put them in small red bags...lightweight and super easy to pack...hope that helps!!

Half Gaelic, Half Garlic! said...

WOW...you are nesting:)

If you are looking for lists...packing, meds, etc. You might want to go to RQ's forum....there are topics just on these very subjects!

Glad to hear Mike is on the mend....hope all is well in sunny florida!

Lisa

Kayce said...

You've definitely got the nesting going on! I really need to do some stuff around here to get done. I love your BertsBees gifts, I think those would be great!

Barack is a cutie!!

Vivian M said...

I have heard chocolates are a biggie in China. As are t-shirts with Sports or Disney motifs.
Have fun nesting! And Barack is going to be an amazing little brother!

Snowflowers Mum said...

we did burts bees and chocolate...dont sweat it, they dont really care, it's just a gesture.

Barack is a cutie.

Natalie said...

I'm going nuts just waiting for your referral to come through!!
On another note, cute post
Natalie

mommy24treasures said...

Nesting was always my favorite thing to do... Pack and unpack... Decorate, I loved it.