4 days people! We leave in 4 days!!!!!! My stomach is churning. I actually missed work today. Better to be sick now then on my trip that's for sure. Both my Mom and Hugh are fighting something as well. Lets hope we all get it out of our systems before Wednesday.
I went to Babies r us yesterday to pick up some things I still needed. (Gift cards rock!) I got Abby's car seat, a hip hammock (for China) and a bunch of other little things. I was standing there looking at bottles when it hit me. I didn't have a clue as to what type of bottle to get for Abby. There were so many to choose from. I started freaking out and feeling sorry for myself because I didn't have a husband to be clueless with... As I shopped I felt like I was just throwing little things in my cart without even knowing if I really needed them or not. I am nervous! So you all out there, I need your reassurance, this is normal right????? I should be nervous because this is a life changing event right? I haven't been until now though so that's why it's freaking me out a little bit.
I started packing some yesterday as well. I am the queen of zip locks! I pulled out some of Abby's outfits to pack. I still need to pull out some more. I know I am bringing too many. I still need to pack for me.
I picked up my money yesterday. It all looks good! Now for those of you that have been there and done it, How did you travel with it and keep it crease free??? They say to keep it on your person at all times but how am I going to sleep with it on me without bending it up?
I can't wait to see my Abby's face!!!!!
I am still overwhelmed by all of the generosity I received at Abby's shower! It was beautiful and everyone was so thoughtful. I hope to get my Thank you notes out before I go :) I still need to post shower pictures.
I have to work tomorrow (My last day Pre Abby) and I can't sleep. I am going to be tired tomorrow.
I am so HAPPY for my brother and Annita!!!!!
I called the day care center to check on Abby's placement today. (I have been on the waiting list for over a year. They told me I am still # 2 on the list.... I really hope I don't have to take her somewhere else.
My new furniture arrived yesterday. Is it me or is there really not much difference between a Queen and a Double Mattress. I got a new bedspread etc too an put it on the bed after it was set up. A little more then 24 hours later and my cat threw up on it. Go figure but at least this time I bought a bedspread that fits in my washer.
I am still reading but haven't been commenting as much on other blogs! Just running out of time but I need to work on that.
I am experiencing the major guilt's about leaving my cats for 2 weeks. One of my friends will be looking out for them while I am gone but I still feel bad.
Did I mention we leave in 4 days??? :)
22 comments:
Four days, yeah!!!
I carried the money on me all the time on the way there and back. When we got to a hotel, I left the money in the room safe.
I bought a travel thingy, that I wore around my waist, that was hidden under my clothes, and zipped. It was made of cloth. It made it so the bills didn't have to be folded. But, it was SOOO HOT (we were there in September) the bills got damp from sweat (ewww!), but I had no problems changing it in. We kept our passports in a thingy around my neck.
Have a wonderful trip!
I am sure it is part of the process to be sooo nervous...
This IS a lifechanging experiance...
You will be fine ....
Remember to breath...
Take in everything over there .. take lots of pictures..
and you will have your little Abby really soon..
This is the moment you have been watiing for...
Hugs to you girly..
I am sooo excited..
I will be getting up every morning to check on you...
4 days...
YEAH!!!!!
I too carried my money in a money belt inbetween cardboard. then locked it with all my documents in the room safe. Don't worry I remember the feelings of oh my gosh and i travelled nine years ago. I am a single mom and hang in there you will do a great job. Good luck, travel safely and we can't wait to see your updates from China with beautiful Abby!
Shauna and MacLean in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada
have a safe trip and enjoy the journey!
Hmm, the husband thoughts are normal. I can tell you that I continued to have them in china, and sometimes after we got home.
Specifically, I remember sitting on the bus holding taylor, going back to the hotel for the 24 hour "harmonious period". The guides were explaining it to us, saying that after tomorrow, the child would be ours. No going back. Be sure that this is what you want to do, yadda yadda yadda. I remember sitting there, looking at all the other families with their "Mommy and daddy" and sometimes bro or sis. I started questioning myself...am I doing the right thing...is it fair to go through with this and deny her a father...am I being selfish...blah blah blah. Then I'd look down and see her beautiful face, and sucked it up. Sometimes, you just make that big leap of faith, that all will be well. And let me tell you...its been SO BETTER THAN WELL, that I can not even describe it. Try not to let it get to you. I know its hard.
Can't wait to see you and Abby together!
You'll be just fine...don't worry! Get all of your anxiety and hyper-tense feelings out now, though. Abby will need you to be very calm. I did lots of deep breathing on the plane (after I was finished being hysterical about almost missing the flight), and I kept imagining my favorite moments--being on the beach in the Florida Keys. That way, when Chloe was handed to me, all she felt coming from me was calm and love. I feel like we avoided lots of anxiety and crying that way. :)
Don't feel bad about leaving your kitties--they'll be fine. Maybe mad at you a little when you get home, but mine were mostly just glad to see us. Bottles will be no problem...you'll figure all of that out in China. We used plain old simple ones, and cut bigger holes in the nipples because the babies liked the formula mixed so thick. The guides or nannies will tell you what to do. Keep the money in a money belt, and you'll be OK. One last bit of advice...take some extra 100's (that you probably have for shopping purposes) when you make your orphanage donation, in case any of them are rejected. We had one family in our group who needed 5 new 100's because some of theirs were creased just a smidgeon, and we were able to swap them some of our extras, so that everything went fine. Sorry this is so long...I'm so excited for you, and I know you'll have a terrific trip! Whoo-hoo! Just 4 more days!!!!! Enjoy every single second, because there is nothing like it in the whole world!
What an exciting time for you. I hope you all will be healthy when it comes time to travel. I'm sure you'll get lots of advice from those that have gone before you, so I'll just send good wishes for now. I'm so happy for you!
ok, husband/father or not, the feelings are normal. i remember finding out i was preg. with shane and thinking "oh crap, is this really what i wanted??" it is all good... you will be better than fine. it is a scary, wonderful new adventure. it will change your life. you are NOT being selfish. you and abby are destined to be together. try to sleep... you will need it (esp. if miss abby isn't a sleeper!!). can't wait to meet abby and see her in your arms. travel safe. don't worry about the thank you notes... no one expects you to be superwoman!!! x's and o's
Everything you are feeling is totally normal. You will be FINE! You don't have to sleep with your money. We put ours into a belt pouch and a pouch that hangs over your neck under your clothes. Ours did not get bent. Seriously.. you'll be fine. Deep breath in... and slowly let it out. Sending prayers your way!
Wooo-hoo!!! Soon to see Abby!!!
Everything will work out wonderfully...even the bumps along the way will make the trip even more memorable! Lots of love to you all!
I haven't done any of this, but maybe you might want to put the bills into a ziplock inside the money belt thing? That would prevent any sweat/rain/spills from affecting the bills. =)
You guys are in my prayers and I can't wait to hear how well things are going in China!
Jenny,
Hope everyone is feeling better soon.
I can't wait to hear about your trip and to see all your photos with Abby in your arms:) You have waited a long time for this special little girl to be in your arms....she is one lucky little girl to have you for her mommy!
Love, Randi
so excited for you jenny. can't wait to see you when you get back. happy new year!
of course you are freakin four more days after countless days and nighhts of dreaming. but in the words of Dame Julian of norwich, 'In all manners of speaking, all shall be well." It will dear jenny, not always easy but all will be well. A dear friend of Sarah's and mine, who while carrying twins ion bed rest , told us, "Everything will be ok in the end, if it is not ok, it is not the end. Blessings and Traveling Mercies, Love Aunt Laurie Daisy
I can't speak for the money situation since my trip to China was a mission trip and we didn't have to worry about "pretty" money but I can tell you that it is a trip of a lifeime, China will amaze you!!
Oh... and don't worry about your cats. I had one when I went to China and she was fine with the daily check-ins. Although now that she is gone (I lost her to cancer) and I have 2 cats, I do wonder how they'd be if I left them alone. Even though they have each other, they are much needier in terms of my attention and time.
Prayers coming your way for a safe and wonderful journey to pick up Abby!!
WOOHOO! FOUR DAYS BABY!!! How exciting! You poor thing having to work so close to leaving... no wonder you can't sleep... I have sleepless nights NOW, and don't even haven't even seen our child's face yet!!!
Sleeping with your money?! I didn't know you should do that?!! I agree with Sophie's Mom, the waist thingy with keep it the flatest I think. Maybe take the money off when you sleep and put it under the matress? Just don't forget to get it back out!!!
Hope your last day of work goes well, and you can sleep for the next two days, and shake your sicky thing! (sleep? yeah right!!)
I can't believe you've only just started packing!!! I reckon I'll be packing the night I get our referral!!! (yes, I think I do have obsessive compulsive!)
Money Belt, for sure.
As for the bottles we used the Playtex nurser whilst in CHina as it was less to try and keep sterile, well clean.
You should be stressed and nervous it is all part of the deal.
Have a great time. You will be fine and Abby won't care about anything other than the fact that she finally has her Mummy.
As for the shopping, I did that yesterday and ended up wondering what the heck I was doing!
sounds like you're oh so normal with all the emotions floating around. You're going to do great!!
4 more sleeps...wahoo!!!
Wow... 4 Days...
I wish you a VERY Happy New Year, and safe travels... Enjoy every second!
Ok, real quick. I hope I can explain this clearly...
I used the snack baggies for the money. I cut a piece of cardboard into the same size as the money. Labeled the cardboard...Passport, visa, orphanage donation, etc.
Then I put the cardboard in the snack bag with the amt of money needed for the particular thing.
So I had a few snack baggies in the money belt. The cardboard prevented the money from folding or wrinkling. So when the time came and we were asked for the money for whatever was coming up, all I had to do was read the cardboard and take that particular baggie out and Voila!, I didnt have to count out bills.
I also had my friend (who traveled with me) hold some of the money in her money belt so I wasn't carrying ALL the cash!
It may have taken a little bit of time at home to organize this but it was well worth it when it was time to pay.
I will do this again.
As far as bottles...I took the playtex disposables with me but that is not what my daughter liked.So I ended up buying bottles in China with silicone nipples. thats what did the trick. She would not take a rubber nipple only silicone.
My passport I had in a holder around my neck.
I can not believe you are leaving in 4 days!!
Even though we have never met, I am soooo excited for you!
Have a safe and memorable journey.
Looking forward to seeing pics of "Forever Day"
Don't worry...everything will be fine - including the money (it is such a relief to hand that over!)
It wouldn't be normal if you weren't a nervous wreck. But a few months from now, you won't be able to imagine your life without Abby.
Can't wait to see you with your daughter...have a wonderful journey!
I just stumbled across your blog. Wow, how exciting you are almost there. I wish you a safe trip and can't wait to see the pictures when you get back.
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