Sorry, still no pics

Dear Hubby still hasn't downloaded the last of the pics yet, hopefully I'll get that done by tonight.

Lets see. We left the airport in our very nice car (you can recline the back seats) the driver was very nice, he looked like my grandfather. Got the airport and checked in, we didnt have alot of time once that was done before we boarded. Enough to ride the escalator SEVERAL times.

Once on the plane, we got comfortable, well as much as one can, I guess. We put Grace in the middle and gave her some books and different toys, she did very well I must say. She however, did not get much rest on this flight. AFter her first visit to the potty, she was upset by the flushing in the toilet. Daddy took her the first time, he just keeps amazing me. Still ok, hours later when she had to go again, we flushed and it was then she decided no more. She wrapped her arms around my legs and it took work for us to get out of that very small room. It is smaller than a phone booth. MUCH. Another two hours and she got quiet, I knew she had to go, but she kept saying no and shaking her head, there was the first melt down. After five minutes, I told paul she had to go and I made her. I carried her all the way to the back, as she was crying very upset. I kept promising I would not flush with her in the room, which was hard because she was clinging on real good, but I did manage to get her out, set her down and go back to that. We still had to force her the rest of the trip. This flight was hot, the first one over, we froze, go figure.

We made it through that flight, we only had a 2 hour layover in Newark, and we had to go through customs. Our gate was changed twice, but we finally found it, our plane was delayed so we did have about 20 minutes to sit before boarding our final flight home. She slept through that flight.

In customs, I was wanting to see what all was in that Brown Envelope. Nope, I handed it to the guy and he was like "what is this" well that made me nervous. I told him it was for adoption and he said for who, we picked her up so he could see her. He said, Oh Congrats, and then had to take the envelope else where, I'm sure for instructions. He came back processed Paul and I. Then he opened it, stamped the page on the outside and said you're good and put the envelope in a pile to the side. I thought we would get that back, but nope.

After landing in Charleston, It Felt So Good to be home. I changed Gracie into her pretty smock dress with our flag on it and we made our way. We had a group waiting on us: my mom, pauls parents, chris, erin and the boys, donna and the kids, my bf bonny and ashlee, her parents mr & mrs craven and stacey nicole, liz, betty ann and willie, the lady from newspaper, and most importantly, my boys, PaulPaul and Brandon and lyndsey!!!! I missed them sooooo much. They had balloons and bears and an easter basket, it was nice to see everyone. Some of them came back to the house, and I'm sure we'll see everyone else over the next week.

Gracie did really well on the drive home in her carseat. She does NOT like the dogs and her feet will not touch the ground if she can see them. She likes her bed, but slept with us of course. Her and her baba are napping at the moment. When they get up, we'll venture out to walmart, there is not much food here.

I'll post pics later, and life with Gracie begins.


LOVE
Peg

Leaving on a Jet Plane

Can you believe its here!!!!!

One Week from Today and I'll be leaving on a jet plane!!!!!!!!!!

OK We got our Final Travel Packet, I haven't even read it yet, thought I would update this first, because it looks like a lot of reading!!!!!!!!!! I'm so excited I just cant stand it!

03/26/08 Leaving Charleston (bright and early) 645 am arrive in Newark at 838


03/27/08 Arrive in Beijing, China at 2:00 pm

Our guide Helen will pick us up at the airport and us to Novotel Peace Hotel
(picture to right) for 3 nights.


03/28/08 Tour Beijing (she named them off but I didn't get them)
Tienanmen Square plus some other


03/29/08 Tour Beijing - Great Wall



03/30/08 Travel (hopefully by Train) to Tianjin
Well be staying at the Tianjin Holiday Inn (picture to right) 8 nights!



03/31/08 GOTCHA DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Complete paperwork for orphanage and apply for her passport in the afternoon


04/01/08 Registration Office for adoption registration & notarization


Looks like Helen will be still be our Guide. Note: It says our adoption is final at the time of registration. After that point, the Chinese government prohibits you from relinquishing your child to China. I'd like to see someone try and get her back. :)

04/02/08 Rest, relax, free time - it says to ask Helen for details. ????

04/03/08 Same thing, lots of rest


04/04/08 More Rest, hmmmmm or maybe some shopping

04/05/08 And More Rest - More Shopping, maybe we can find a park.

04/06/08 Waiting for paperwork

04/07/08 Travel to Guangzhou (Aboard China Southern- Gracies first plane ride) Guess
what our Guides name is???? Grace. She will take us to the famous White Swan
(picture to right)

04/08/08 Have her picture taken and get her physical.
Its says we'll be walking there, brings supplies and be ready to go.
Meet with Grace to prepare for CA.

04/09/08 Consulate Appointment

04/10/08 Oath Ceremony - No cameras allowed - that bites.

04/11/08 Travel to Hong Kong (midday - 24 hours after oath)

Leave for Hong Kong on China Southern.
Stay at the Kowloon Hotel

04/12/08 Tour Hong Kong (illness permitting)

04/13/08 Leave Hong Kong and Arrive in the USA 633 PM!!!!!! Continental 2751
Grace becomes a US citizen as soon as we step foot in Newark, NJ at 205 PM. Wow, I
may not want to leave home for a long time!

I haven't found anyone else in our group yet, maybe we're a group of 1. However, there will be lots of other adopting parents there.


To those ladies leaving this week, you'll be in my prayers for a safe trip. Keep in touch. I cant wait to see pics of you and your sweet babies. Heather, I'll see you Guangzhou.


Please keep us in your prayers. I hope my DH can put up with me that long. Just kidding. Don't let him fool you, he's just as excited as I am, except having to miss work. He's having issues with that.

I know Gracie is going to love all of you, it will just take a little while.

Just 2 More Weeks......

thats right, just two weeks from today, Paul Ray and I will be holding our baby girl in our arms. God is truly good. He has blessed me with two wonderful boys, loving parents and a husband who can be stubborn, pigheaded and then just as sweet as anyone can be. This is a long awaited dream come true. I think God was getting Paul Ray ready. I cant wait to see him and Gracie together. I have been blessed with so many wonderful people in my life, and everyone is so thrilled that we are going to get our baby girl.

I cant thank everyone enough for all the gifts, kind words and prayers.

I'll try and keep this posted. CCAI said I should have our final travel arrangements by the end of the week. Well I hope so, we are leaving next Wednesday. I'm still not sure where we'll stay in Hong Kong. I need to get that to CCAI also.


Well its time to turn in. Another day down. 9 more days to go!

CA, Oh Yeah!!!!!

CCAI called early this morning, when my cell rang, I was thinking 303 area code, what can be wrong now! Well I was half right. We did get our CA - Consulate Appointment!!!!!! That is like the golden ticket, that means, we get to plan now. Wow, that can be a tiring job.

However, our fingerprints that we redid on 01/24 have not seem to made it to China yet. I called, but I have to call back Monday, I know they were sent from the local office to the Texas office, from there, who knows. I'm not going to worry about that.

I'll post all my travel info, once it is confirmed.

Stay Tuned...........

just think 2 weeks from now, I'll be in China!!!!!!! And two weeks from Monday, I'll get my baby girl!!!!!!!!

We got TA!!!!!!!!!

Well we finally got our TA after a very, very, very long wait. What an exciting day. Even though we were expecting them, it was still a thrill to get that phone call. It took my breath away.

Who would have thought two words could mean so much. TRAVEL APPROVAL!!!!

Congrats to the other ladies who got their TA's today. Stephanie, Heather, Marilyn and Patricia, I am SO Happy for you. They will all be leaving in the next week. Wish I were going with you, but I'm still thrilled for you. Where we are going, the government will not expedite Gracie's passport and you have to be there X amount of days, and with that Tomb Sweeping Holiday, it just wouldn't work out.

I need to start getting quotes on airlines, but still cant confirm anything until we get our CA appt. (Consulate Appointment) That could be the 9th, 10th or 14th! We're hoping for the 9th of course. So our trip looks something like this.

Leave around the 26th for Beijing. Onto Tianjin on the 30th, GOTCHA day on the 31st (Cant wait to hold that sweet baby). We're there until the 7th and then off to Guangzhou until I think she said the 11th or 12th. We'll then leave there and (thanks to my dear sweet hubby) its off to Hong Kong for one night for a little sight seeing before heading home with our sweet baby girl.

It wont be long now baby girl!!!!!! About 18 more days until your momma and daddy come get you.

Here is the dress I found. This was the cutest one out there. I think its perfect for her first steps in the USA!

Aunties Pegs Easter Egg Hunt and Travel

Since we've moved here we had an Easter egg hunts for our nephews, unfortunately this year we wont be having one. I was hoping I would have our travel info by then. It was just too close to try and do that with everything else going on.

Next year will be a great one.

STILL NO TA

Really, its very frustrating, VERY. I did however talk with the travel dept and they are expecting them this week, and they plan on us leaving the last week in March. We cant make any flight info until we get our TA/CA. I'm going to give it an attempt myself. Maybe I can talk my boss into helping me, he is always making international flights. Apparently there is some small holiday the first week in April, which may be a problem. Then the trade fairs start on the 14th. She did say they hope for us to be home by then.

Also, I just have to say I do have a very wonderful hubby. I'm not sure if its age or what it is, but he is getting better and better with time. I really wouldn't trade him. I would go into detail but he said he would just deny it.

So who thinks he'll want to go back for another little girl?????? He said not, hmmmmmmmm.

I am trying to find a really nice Smock, Patriotic dress to bring Gracie home in, if anyone knows where I can get one before I go. Local would be great.

Packing List. I will pull out the suitcases in Feb!

02/27/2008
Well I'm pretty sure I'm going to need a lighter suitcase. We're still waiting on our TA, I'm really hoping for Friday and praying for travel the week of the 10th!!!! I would like to get to Beijing a day earlier than we have to. I just read a blog where something happened and they were delayed somewhere. They would have to put me in a stright jacket, and what if they loose our luggage, that one had not crossed my mind until right now. Can we add that to our long list of things to worry about.



Just got a really neat website (blog) from another parent (thank you so much). http://www.the-ergo-lady.com/ergo-baby-carrier/
This will help me figure out the best way to use my carrier.

02/27 FYI - I still have not figured it out!!!!!!! We are getting Little Man a week from Saturday, so I'll have to do it then.


Packing List . . . . OK, alot of this I put here as I see it and want to remember. No, I'm NOT a lightpacker, in fact, I'm way way on the other side, but I do plan on doing my best at packing light for this trip. I also want to make sure that I have everything Grace may need.
I didnt want you to think I would pack EVERYTHING I put on here. Well I might, and DH just informed me he would be going through our bags and he thought he would be fine with just his one carry on. Yeah, not in my house BUD!

As I continue to read all the Yahoo groups, I'm keeping a list of what came in handy, what people wish they had with them, what they wish they had left! The key is packing light, those that know me, know I suck big time at that. I'm always Over packed! I must be prepared. Must, I just cant help it.
02/27 Well I dont see that changing, I keep going into the dining room where everything is and all I can say is oh my! I can see right now, this packing thing is going to get me for sure.

I just read where someone suggested (and what a great idea) you take clothes that are ready to be tossed (or you got really cheap somewhere) and dispose of them as you wear them. This will make room in your luggage for the items that you bought.
02/27 that wont work either, since I'm growing out of my clothes :( I hope chasing a toddler will help me loose it QUICK

http://www.orphanallies.org/pediatricmedicalkit.html Medications

02/27 I saw Gracie's dr today and he gave me two meds in case I need them. I was very leary of all of these meds, I dont want to over dose her, I still need fever med and cold stuff.


Someone suggested using packing cubes - http://www.travelsmith.com/jump.jsp?itemID=1720&itemType=PRODUCT&RS=1&keyword=packing+cube

she also suggested travel socks ?
http://www.packinglight.net/plight/dept.asp?s_id=0&dept_id=3040&WT.svl=deptnav2

*Note: If you keep yourself VERY well hydrated, body, skin, eyes, and nasal passages, you can avoid many illnesses on long flights! Pack a flight care package to carry on the plane with you. Include Chapstick, Moisture Eye Drops, Face Cream, Sudafed, and Nose Spray (Afrin & Ocean). Nerve Pills - I'm already getting antsy!!!!!

Luggage (one carry money, one passports and paperwork in carryon) In Carryon - pack one change of clothes for both of us, meds, camera, paperwork, laptop

Me - 1 large to check, 1 carry on (backpack) and her diaper bag on way back

Him - 1 large rolling duffle to check, 1 carry on and laptop ???

Her - one backpack with a few toys

Be light!!!!! should take one change of clothes (maybe meds) in carryone

Suggestion to buy there - A large duffel for clothes - put souvenirs in luggage. Leave unused meds at Jennifers Place

Those in Red I have

Paperwork
Copy of Dossier
Addendum to dossier
Brown Envelope did not receive this, not everyone does
Passports (w/ Visa inside)
Airline tickets
Cash (ordered) and credit cards
Money Belt
copies of itinerary
passport photos of each (originals)
original I-171H
original referral
notebook w/emergency numbers and email addresses
fax/phones#'s for doctors/med.insurance
travel insurance
list of questions for CWI & orphanage director - You will forget
ask for western mattress at WS

Adult Meds / Supplies
Antibiotics (Z-pak) got script
Lomotil (?)
Tamiflu (?)
Advil
Antibacterial wipes / liquid
Tissues
Sinus meds
Jet-lag meds
Alcohol wipes
Peroxide
Neosporin

Benadryl tablets
Benadryl (liquid)
Benadryl (cream)
Saline spray
Cold/Flu/Allergy meds (w/cough)
Cough drops
Vitamins
Airborne (or Shaklee supplement)
eye drops
Tums
Pepto Bismal or Immodium tablets (chewable)
lotion
tweezers
nail clippers / nail file
Cipro
Laxative (?)
sleep aids (Ambien?)
first aid kit (bandaids, etc.)
Prescription meds (Paul & Peg)
Pain meds

Baby Meds / Supplies http://www.orphanallies.org/pediatricmedicalkit.html

Antibiotics
Pink eye drops (?)
Digital thermometer (oral and underarm)
Mycelex or Lotrimin (?)
prescription excema cream
Baby lotion
Baby sunscreen _ I have some but I dont think I need it
Pedialyte (powdered)
Baby Tylenol / Advil / Motrin
Baby Benadryl
ear ache medicine
Cold / cough meds

saline spray
baby nail clippers
lice & Scabies meds (Elimite)
dosage spoon / cup
hydrocortisone
Dramine
Senekot (for constipation)

Adult Toiletries

shampoo / conditioner
deodorant - both
lotion
lip balm
brush
blow dryer
curling iron
q-tips / cotton balls
toothbrushes / toothpaste
razors
shaving cream
tweezers
tampons / liners
make up
sun block
bug spray
travel hairspray
toilet seat covers
face wash cloths

Miscellaneous (ok, I cant figure out why it does this spacing thing)

Carry on for Gracie - Red one with ladybugs

Carry on for Paul

Carry on for Peggy - my Christmas present from PaulRay

Lap top computer - we really need this to keep in touch with our boys and at night when she is sleeping.

digital camera

extra batteries, charge and rechargeable batteries

reader for memory card

extra memory card (2)

tissues in small packs
extra batteries - make a list of what needs what
batteries (3 for camera) / chargers / memory cards (need one more)

GPS
cell phones /chargers
converter / adaptor (nightlight to check these out)
*Ipods / headphones

split headphone

small diaper bag
luggage tags

travel pillow/blanket 2
calculator
money/passport holders
plastic utensils
clothes pins
sunglasses
dish detergent or dawn soap pads
ziplocks
cleaning wipes
ear plugs
luggage strap (colored)
luggage locks
disposable snack containers
duct tape flat
Downy wrinkle release
thermos
special book to sign
travel toilet paper
small flashlight
Chinese for Adoptive Parents (book?)
Chinese language card
small sewing kit
travel bible
books / mags to read
Attachment book / info.
China travel book
printed out numbers for Guangzhou places
note pad

See through plastic paper holder (per CCAI)
travel journal - ink pad for foot and hand prints in china
laundry detergent packets (bottle of woolite)
phone number/email for Ann (shopper)
calling cards / China cell phone
plastic sheeting (for under sheets)
clothesline
gum
mailing tube for art work ???
baby carrier ??? She is 28 lbs, I'm thinking I'm going to try and sell it. Nope, DH said keep it
Pencil Pouch w/ paper clips/ pens / rub bands / folder for documents
glasses / cases
flash light ( small )
travel clock this was a very nice Christmas present from a coworker.(thanks Holly) you can even store digital pics on it.

Food

water bottle packets
cheerios / gold fish
peanut butter packets
cup 'o soup
pop tart
bag of candy to hand out to kids
baby fruit (4 pack)
baby prunes

dum dums (suckers)
grits packs

Adult Clothing take 5 outfits each (No White T Shirts - white means death in china)

Walking shoes
Extra pair shoes
Jacket
shirts (long/short)
pants
PJs
unders / bras
socks
bathing suit



Baby Stuff http://www.orphanallies.org/pediatricmedicalkit.html

stacking cups
Diaper bag
baby wipes (huggies purse size and large pack - no napkins are given at restaurants)
baby shampoo
little brush / mirror
baby blanket
lovie / lilly frog
inflatable beach ball
bubbles
board books
magic doodle
slinky
small see n' say
her ladybug backpack

playdough

coloring book/crayons

CD player

her CD's

toy cell phone
sippy cups (2) (soft spout)

diaper disposal bags (scented) in case she gets sick from car/plane ride
baby toothbrush/paste
DVD Player / for long ride home ???????? just dont know if it would be worth it

bibs

Baby Clothes

8-9 outfits
PJs
Jacket / sweater
bathing suit
socks
tights
hats
plastic pants / pull up just in case??????
hair bows
shoes
slippers

Gifts
Red Envelopes
Red gift bags
candy (Hershey minis) for maids/kids
for the ladies I got Bath & Body Works Body Lotion (Sweet Pea)

thinking about coffee for the orphanage director