It’s been so fun reading the comments from our announcement post last week. Thank you to everyone! We’ve had a fun week catching our breath from last week’s excitement and starting to prepare in little ways for our little peanut’s arrival! I’ve had some fun buying some little things. Check out this sweet green wrap dress by Tea Collection — got one for Miss Lydia and one for Miss Ashlyn. I also picked up this one from Tea in with blue shades. I got both of them from a local boutique I really like, Genes. 
I got a cute little pair of blue leggings that will go with them both–and cover those little legs in China which I’ve heard is very important. I also found some great deals at Lovebug Clothing. The shop owner Kim was just running a sale of 50% off your entire purchase! I found this cute giraffe dress there by Appaman (as well as a few other things) that were all a great deal. 
My grandmother collects giraffes, and this dress reminded me of her. So looking forward to seeing Lydia’s sweetness in these cute little duds! If you are looking for some cute things yourself, go check out Kim’s store at Lovebug and tell her that I sent you there. She’s been so helpful. Her customer service is fantastic.
fun stuff
While I’ve been admiring little dresses, Mark’s been doing nesting of his own and has managed to rearrange nearly every room of the house. Ashlyn is thrilled about her new room and is begging us to go ahead and set up the crib. She has her birthday party here on Friday and really wants to show off Lydia’s sleeping spot to her friends. So cute.
And, we are happy to announce that we got our PA (preapproval) from China today! So, they have acknowledged that we want to adopt our little girl and have agreed to review our paperwork for this specific child. The next thing we are waiting on is the Letter of Acceptance which holds a lot more significance. This can take 2 weeks or 2 months to come. Obviously, let’s pray is on the 2 week side of things!
We’re starting to plan a care package to send to Lydia in China. We are going to do it ourselves rather than hire a service to do it for us. Any suggestions of what to send?
We sent Miah a Hello Kitty Stuffie (All the bedding at the orphanage was Hello Kitty so it was familiar) It was neat because she brought it with her the Day drew picked her up and we have it her in her crib at home.
We also sent a photo album with photos of us, but we did not have that returned. Also nuts and candies for the Nannies.
We sent a package from Ann @ Red Threads China. We had her pick out pj’s,coat,hat /gloves, toy car,book,blanket, photo album with our pictures in it, a letter which we asked 10 questions and got the answers for as well as introducing us to the foster family. We also sent a disposable camera, tea, cookies and candies for the family.
Before Ann sent the items she was able to contact the orphanage and the FF brought Jon Jon in to get updated measurements and new pictures. That to me was so priceless and worth having her do it for us.
Happy shopping for your care package and congrats on your PA!! That is so wonderful.
We are getting anxious for our trip the end of Feb. March. I just can’t wait to see him!!
Jody
Oh how fun… isn’t it just a blast shopping for your little one?! Makes it feel more real! The cool thing about your process compared to mine, is that all of your main papers were already done before being matched…whereas all of our’s was done after… thus the long wait. It’s crazy to think we could travel around the same time. So happy for you and can’t wait to see that sweet little peanut in your arms! <>< Have fun putting together her care package. I’m working on one for Khloe, too! :) Hugs,
Tanya
Sweet post Kelly–Adorable dresses!! Can not wait to see little Lydia in them. Can’t believe I”m saying that and it actually is going to happen soon! She will look adorable in anything you put her in–but the visual of little Ashly and her in matching sister outfits is precious! Can not wait!
We sent:
–Chocolate Hershey Kisses (would be perfect from you cause you’re from Pennsylvania) for her to share with the friends (the other children) at her orphanage. This was so neat–the orphanage actually let her distribute them–and they took pictures of that day.
–We sent a photo album too–of our house, of us, and of our parents. Of course you’ll want to include pictures of her precious brothers and sisters. If you put it together yourself–be sure to write who they are on each photo in english and chinese. I’m sure your mom and dad can help you with this. This WAS returned to us on “Adoption Day” (the day we met her). And it is still in her room where she can play with it–she still picks it up and looks at it and shares it with people that visit. it’s sweet.
–We also sent nuts (very hard to find and prized in China) and some high end specialty chocolate made in the US–for the nannies.
–we sent some bibs. I had heard from our group in China they needed these. You might ask if there is something the orphanage needs that you can send.
–I found some JUMBO blow up beach balls–sent 4 of those along too–for the children to play with.
–We did not send anything to her as far as toys or clothing–for her specifically–we had heard from the BTDT parents in the orphanage yahoo group they do not give anyting except the photo album to them before you arrive. They just can’t keep track of what is theirs and what is someone elses. None of the children have “toys or clothes” of their own.
–we sent a disposable camera for them to use to take pictures of her in the orphanage and her Ahi’s while she waited for us to come. This was so precious to see her in the environment and with the children and Ahi’s she learned to love. Be sure it’s a “disposable DIGITAL” one–and you will get a CD of the images digitally as well as prints when you develop it.
–We got the camera back–and we had it developed when we got home. BUT we had to ask for it–they forgot to bring it with them on “gotcha day” Since your Lydia’s orphanage is so far away from the city–if they forget–I’d still ask–possibly they can mail it to the hotel. Ours was delivered to the front desk–along with a slilver bracelet from the orphanage engraved with her name and birthdate on it–a matching one is at the orphange and waiting for the day she returns to visit someday. It is special and very sweet.
–we sent a letter along with it–in chinese–to explain each gift and what was for who. And a thank you note to them for taking such great care of her. Some people write a letter to HER–in chinese for them to read to her. This is usually done for children that are older–and can understand a little better. But it’s a nice thing to do–and a keep sake too.
I think that’s it. You probably already have this figured out. But we used those flatrate boxes–and although the international price is more than the U. S., it was only about $40 dollars to ship it and we could track it so we knew when it was delivered. I checked into UPS and FEDEX and it was over $100 for a smaller box.
OH…the pictures we got of her on that camera–that they took in the orphanage–were of the day they told her about us–and shared that photo album with her. THOSE are seriously priceless.
Have fun my friend–praying for speedy “A’s”all the way through!
How fun to shop for tiny baby girl clothes again! They are adorable. All the suggestions for a care package sound great! It would be fun to send something special from each of the kids, like a stuffed animal, book, or toy. Have fun!
Wow! You got your PA fast!! That’s awesome! I am so excited for you guys. Thanks for the links for clothes. I am always looking for new things for my girls too. :)
You could always send something from Baby Bobo. I hear the girl that owns it is pretty cool. :)
Oh my word. Those clothes are adorable! I’m going to have to check out the cuteness for myself :)
We did a care package for Li’l Empress’s first birthday. We used Lady Bugs N’ Love and found their customer service and attention to our order just exemplary. Their prices are fair. And we sent an album,a camera, a bear, a note, and got the ten questions back WITH pics. Then when we picked up our girl, the album came back with her, along with the bear. The album was obviously well used and she could recite (in her baby babble) the labels they had put on each pic. Soo sweet!
I would love to chat with you more. We received and accepted our first referral same time as you. We have 4 kids already and this will be our first adoption and first trip to CHINA!! We can hardly contain ourselves! Glad for the ideas about care packages, as we’ll be sending one soon also! many blessings! Vicki
Oh my there are some good ideas here!!
Congratulations on your PA already!
I love love love Tea Collection – I think it has an asian flair!