4 days to go....WHAT!

Christmas was great! I am exhausted from all the dinners, visits, late nights and totally amazing meals.  We are blessed and Kyla was spoiled to have so much play time with her cousins, lots of new toys to play with and pj's to sleep in.  Did I mention that Santa came too!

We got Lucy's room ready today and now we will get serious on the packing. I somehow have 4 lists going of all the things we should bring. One list for suggested baby requirements (I learned my lessons with Vietnam to pack light and don't go over board with all the suggestions), next list for medical items just in case (feels like we are a mini pharmacy), the list of suggested gifts for officials (lots of good things out there for after xmas shopping), and the important list of paperwork you must have (we can not afford to mess up here).  We need to hit a few stores in the next few days.  Here are some holiday pics of Kyla.

3 more sleeps to Xmas and 10 more sleeps till we board a plane

We have received the official travel invitation to go to China for Adoption and our full detailed itinerary complete with hotels, contacts and list of required steps to complete the adoption, Chinese passport, and Canadian visa.  Good to know that we have 2 days each in Shanghai, Nanchang and 3 days in Beijing to discover China and have down time with Lucy.  I have been getting great advice from a couple of yahoo groups of families that recently travelled to Nanchang.

We also met with our adoption agency yesterday to receive the travel orientation and it was good to be able to ask a few questions.  What a contrast to our orientation in 2009 when we were preparing for Vietnam.  First off we were the only family this time instead of 5 other nervous families (I am trying to find the best words to describe a set of people who had no idea what was a head of them, including us).  The program in China is pretty straight forward with a set agenda and with China contacts that have done this many times before.  Requirements are spelled out.  Maybe because we have experience under our belts, we are not as 'freaky unsure' this time.  Of course I know that we should be prepared for the unexpected, still.....

The packing and buying of travel items is what we need to focus on in the next week.  That and preparing 3 dinners and a brunch, hosting in laws for a few nights, and finishing the xmas shopping list in the next 2 days.  We can do it!

Getting ready for Christmas and a BIG TRIP

We are really excited about a few things this year.  Christmas at home for the first time with family and friends where we don't have to fly in, have a full packed 2 weeks scheduled trying to see everyone and 5 different places to stay.  The schlepping around of luggage, baby stuff, and gifts nearly killed us last time.  We have lights up outside, a tree decorated,  baked and decorated gingerbread cookies and house, 2/3 of the gifts are purchased, I get to see some of my favourite people and the festivities over the holidays are booked.  One thing I have not done, no Christmas cards sent...... Oh well, if I have your email address you will get a Christmas email.

It will be a great Christmas as Kyla really gets it this year and expects that we will be baking chocolate chip cookies for Santa on Christmas eve.  She is not too sure about sitting on Santa'a lap this year, which is totally ok with me.  When I first arrived in Canada when I was 7, I was not sure what to take of the big guy in the red suit.  We just get to see Santa at the mall and Kyla waves and walks the other way.  Kyla is also learning Christmas songs and enjoying the claymations of Rudolph and Frosty!









The best Christmas present of all is our trip to China when we get to hold Lucy.  By January 6th we will get to meet Lucy for the first time.  As much as I want things to speed along, we have lots to do in the next few weeks to get ready for the trip. This is when I get freaky and paranoid that I have forgotten something and I get Troy to check 2 or 3 times after I have.

• Get medical prescriptions filled for Lucy
• Get medical insurance for Lucy
• Buy travel must haves
• Prepare documents needed to complete adoption and immigration requirements
• Pack 4 suitcases for colder weather
• Buy presents for the officials and orphanage reps (I will be out after xmas to get this stuff)
• Pay the "in china" cost for accommodation and flights (this will be booked for us)
• Get through Christmas, pack it up by the 30th, and don't forget wedding anniversary

Kyla and I have started praying together at night before bed.  It warms my heart as she lists off all the important people in her life, with a very special mention of her sister.  We are so blessed!

First time for Kyla to be in charge of the art work on the house.  I had to muffle my control tendencies, it was fun!

Flights booked!

We got the call to book the flights!  and that I did!  The question our adoption agency asked me was, can you be there by January 5th?  Oh absolutely!

We leave January 1, 2013 on Lucy's birthday.

• January 2 arrive in Shanghai
• January 5 arrive in Nanchang, Jiangxi (stay for one week)
• January 13 arrive in Beijing (stay for one week)
• January 19 back in Vancouver

So excited!  We travel in 3 weeks!  I like the fact that we get into Shanghai a few days earlier to shake off a bit of the jet lag and deal with the time difference, we get to see Shanghai, and we get to spend time with my cousin Chantelle.  Just knowing that we are in China sooner is fantastic, it brings us closer to Lucy.

Crazy thing is that I was about to send a small care package for Chantelle to take back to Shanghai for her to mail to Lucy.  Package was complete with photo book of the family, a new sleeper, two stuffed toys that Kyla picked out and some sweeties to share with her friends at the orphanage.  I was ready to deliver to Chantelle tonight, but once the flights were booked, it really did not make sense.  So we get to hand deliver these items.

We are so happy and now everything steps into high gear!

Lucy Madeleine

We have been pondering on a name for a long time.  Kyla was convinced that she wanted to name her sister Sabie, it all started with a song....."I have a baby, and her name is Sabie".

After much debate.......we chose Lucy.  The more we look at her picture the more we are sure that Lucy fits.  We will always honour Lucy's Chinese name.  Fu Qing Chuan (family name, first and middle name) This is the name our daughter was given at the orphanage when she was found.  I think the meaning is beautiful.  My friend Tina translated......Fu by itself may mean a residence or place.  Qing means sunny and bright. e.g. qing tian means sunny day.  Chuan means stream.

We have made progress in a few areas.  Vaccinations done, Kyla received her citizenship and passport over the past few weeks, Chinese visa will be ready for pick up this week.  We now just wait to hear about the travel dates so that we can book flights and plan every thing else.