here's the latest...

Hi there,

We are settling in at home. We took Zachary and Zoe to a pool over the weekend and knowing how much Zoe HATES her baths this was a big gamble. I heard the reason might be is that in her orphanage they only gave the kids sponge baths. The good news is she did pretty well. She didn't love it but then again she didn't scream frantically the entire time like she does when I bathe her.

Zoe is having trouble deciding if she wants to walk or crawl. She is very interested in both which is enough for me we will see where she goes… literally.

Zachary is doing well as a big brother the biggest problem we have is getting him to back off a bit.

In the mean time Zachary is moving to the "blue room" after Labor Day so we have been going to orientations and filling out paper work. He will actually go on field trips on a little bus this year… ahhhhhhhh.

We got Zoe signed up too but I am not sure how that's all going to play out yet. They want to put her in one room where she would be the oldest child and then move her up to another room by the end of year. This may sound like a good idea and it might be. The adoptive mother in me is worrying about the attachment issues that she might have if she has one teacher for 3 months, then starts another teacher after that. We will see how it goes.

Her skin on her cheeks has all cleared up I will try to post some new pictures later today.

I think that's all that's news around here.
Laura

Packing and Notification

What we packed

What	Who	Qty
Brush	Both	1
Toothbrush	Both	2
Toothpaste	Both	1
Laundry bag	Both	2
Gifts	Both	1
Ziplock	Both	1
Money Belts	Both	2
Visa Cards	Both	2
Shampoo	Both	1
Deoderant	Both	1
Reading Glasses	Harvey	2
Sun Glasses	Harvey	1
Passport	Harvey	1
171H	Harvey	1
Paperwork	Harvey	1
Medication	Harvey	16
iTouch	Laura	1
iTouch Battery	Laura	1
iTouch	Harvey	1
iTouch Battery	Harvey	1
iTouch Mic	Harvey	1
Flip Camera	Harvey	1
iTouch Cable	Harvey	1
Money	Harvey
Drivers License	Harvey	1
USB Drive	Harvey	1
Insurance Card	Harvey	1
Medex Card	Harvey	2
Socks	Harvey	3
Underwear	Harvey	3
Pants	Harvey	2
Shorts	Harvey	2
Tee Shirts	Harvey	2
Belt	Harvey	1
Shoes	Harvey	1
Sandals	Harvey	1
Shirts	Harvey	3
Hat	Harvey	1
Shaving cream	Harvey	1
Razors	Harvey	1
Jacket	Harvey	1
Folder	Harvey
Scrubs	Harvey	1
Eyemask	Harvey	1
Ear Plugs	Harvey	1
Travel Pillow	Harvey	1
Croakie	Harvey	1
Sun Glasses	Laura	1
Passport	Laura	1
Medication	Laura	14
Computer	Laura	1
D90 Camera	Laura	1
Computer Bag	Laura	1
Camera Bag	Laura	1
Computer Charger	Laura	1
Camera Charger	Laura	1
Camera Batter	Laura	2
SD Cards	Laura	3
Drivers License	Laura	1
Jacket	Laura	1
Socks	Laura	4
Underwear	Laura	4
Pants	Laura	2
Shorts	Laura	3
Shoes	Laura	1
Sandals	Laura	2
Shirts	Laura	4
Hat	Laura	0
Bra	Laura	3
Sun Glasses	Laura	1
Oragel/Anbesol	Zoe	1
Baby Ibuprofen	Zoe	1
Baby Tylenol	Zoe	1
Baby Shampoo	Zoe	1
Teething ring	Zoe	1
Bibs	Zoe	2
PJs	Zoe	3
Tops	Zoe	3
Bottoms	Zoe	3
Blanket	Zoe	1
Shoes	Zoe	2
Thermos	Zoe	1
Clippers	Zoe	1
Themometer	Zoe	1
Baby Meds	Zoe	1
USB Charger	Both	1
Plug Converter	Harvey	2
Formula	Zoe	1

We think we did a great job packing - we used everything we brought and didn't want much that we didn't. I might have brought an extra pair of shorts, but laundry was cheap and quick. Other brought swimsuits as the hotels have nice pools, but we didn't have the energy anyway. They also require swim caps. We both carried a change of clothes and all meds in our carry on backpacks. Dryfit and scrubs are both lightweight and easy to pack. We brought a Snugly baby carrier, but gave it away. We brought a couple of books each, but only had time to read one. I would have brought a router so I could use wireless, but we got by with wired networking and our netbook.  I'm glad we brought a backup camera as one of our camera died. I also gave a travel charger away, but you only need one to convert a 3 prong to a 2 prong. An American adapter would have worked just as well.

We bought baby food, a stroller, and luggage while we were there.

TO DOs BEFORE LEAVING

To Do Items

Leave itinerary with parents with phone numbers

Leave emergency phone numbers with neighbors:  parents, hotels, cell

Get long distance phone card

Get wills completed

Notify Visa of travel

Pay all bills

Get dog food, meds

Power of Attorney to Paula and Walt for Zachary

Notify Rainbow Station of Parental Authority for Paula and Walt

Open Skype account

Put reading materials on SD Card

Put adoption paperwork on USB Drive

Charge all batteries

I should have tested Skype before leaving. We were the only ones not using Skype video to call home. Otherwise we were in good shape.

How Much does an Adoption Cost?

"How Much does an Adoption Cost?" is one of those questions that I get asked, often somewhat uncomfortably. The cost has nothing to do with how we value our daughter - she's priceless. Its just that people are uncomfortable asking about money, especially big sums. But its an important question if you want to adopt - can you afford it?

Here then is how much we spent. A few expenses may be missing, but this is pretty close. Details follow, but the short answer for us is $38K.

PRE TRIP EXPENSES (Estimated, Spent 2005-2009)
Agency Fee             $3,000
Dossier                    $  800 (fees, shipping, etc.)
Homes Studies X3  $2,500
Fingerprints       X4  $  800
I600, Renewals        $1,500
TOTAL PRE-TRIP:   $8,600

TRIP EXPENSES (Spent July-August 2010)
Airfare                      $  5,495.00   
China Hotels          $  6,374.16   
Taxi to Airport          $      49.00  
Airport Food             $      23.47  
Airport Food             $        8.93 
Tea Sets, Presents $  1,039.89  (presents for Zoe)
Lunch                        $      14.55  (KFC -made people sick!)
Dinner                       $      21.90  
Drinks                       $        4.14 
China Set                 $     597.51  (wedding present for Zoe)
Room Service           $      41.30  
Broken Dishes          $      22.20  
Jade                          $     954.40  (presents for Zoe)
Gifts                          $      71.77  
Gifts                          $      30.04  
Gifts                          $     101.33  
Gifts                          $      91.06  
Dinner                       $      58.04  
Breakfast                   $      70.21  
Airport Food               $      23.65  
Taxi from Airport         $      77.50  (Smart Decision!)
Seat Upgrade             $     129.47  (ask when you check in. TOTALLY WORTH IT!)
Seat Upgrade             $     129.47  
Overweight Luggage  $     205.92  (know your limits!)
CREDIT TOTAL      $22,405.66    

CASH (Taken on Trip)
Orphanage Fee        $6,100 (Exactly!)
Legal Fees                 $1,000 (actually a bit less)
"Tips"                        $   400 (for guides, drivers, etc)
Other                        $2,000 (Food, gifts, stuff)
CASH TOTAL            $9,500

Grand Total             $37,805

Zoe's check up

Zoe went to the Dr today. He seemed pretty please with her. We are going to talk next week about over the phone and then go back in 3 more weeks.

she got 5 shots yesterday and this morning she is not feeling to great. I have to take her to have blood drawn so they can do a full blood work up on here just to make sure she is fine. I was going to do that today but we will see how she feels, it may be tomorrow if she's not feeling better After her her nap.

It's hard getting back into the swing of the baby thing and jumping in at the nine month mark is a little harder than i thought. I am sure things will be fine but trying to make sure she's doing all she is suppose to be, and sleeping enough, and eating enough, and everything.

Zachary is doing GREAT. He is so patient with all of us. We are all so tired and he has his usual energy.

True story... I was putting Zachary to bed last night 8pmish... and we are sitting in his room in the rocker and he hands me his story and literally he is waking me up every other sentence saying... "mommy wake up we aren't finished yet" bless his little heart. I felt so bad ...

He loves his little sister constantly handing her toys, giving her hugs and kisses. Really he is such an amazing little boy.

And this is how the story ends

So here are some pictures from our hotel room in Hong Kong. It had a
great view.

Zoe was in a good mood and playing with Laura. Somewhere along the way
she picked up a bun in a plastic wrap and carried it all the way home on
3 planes and through 4 airports across 24 hours. She was a trouper - we
really can't complain. She got fussy when the play took off and landed
from the pressure in her ears and when she got hungry for a bottle, but
was otherwise in a good mood throughout the trip.

We got in around midnight and crashed. No one has told Zoe about the 12
hour time difference, so Laura was up much of the night since I had to
got to work for an 8:30am meeting. Thankfully, Grandma and Grandpa where
here to help out and help us get some sleep to recover from the trip.
Zachary has been a great big brother and has tried to be helpful and
been giving her hugs and kisses, but when she's crying, its still a bit
scary to her. Ellie and Rupert have also been good to her, and she has
reached out to pet them a couple of times.

Zoe goes to the pediatrician tomorrow, but seems a happy, healthy little
girl.

Next up is filling out some paperwork to re-adopt her in VA so the state
will issue her a birth certificate. It will make her life easier when
she grows up.

home i think?

well we are home but things have been a really flipped flopped.

Zoe is trying really had to flip her time clock but let's just say it's not to easy... for example

Last night i put her down to bed at 8pm, she woke up from midnight to 1, then was up again from 3-4, then up at 5 this morning for good, then she slept 45 minutes this morning, then she slept from 1:30 - 4:30.

Not a good schedule.... so it will take some time to get her situated but other than that she seems to be really well. I will take her to the pediatrician tomrorow for her first check up. I am hoping that goes well.

We are very glad to be home and thank goodness my parents are here to help us through our jet lag as well as Zoe's this week before they head home.

So glad to be home hope everyone is well.

Safely Home

Four airports and 24 hours later, we are home and all is well. We are exhausted; Zoe want to play (its her noon - Nanchang time).

I'm exhausted and everything hurts. Bed now. More details and pics later.

Its good to be home.