March 24, 2009

Calling all BTDTs

We're hoping to get our TA in the next 7-10 days, and I have absolutely NO IDEA what I should be doing right now!!

We would like to be able to travel as soon as possible after receiving our TA, so we need to make sure everything is in order here so that we can leave fairly quickly.

Here's what I have done so far:
  • Gathered all required paperwork & filed into accordion-type folder (the only thing I need in there yet is the TA)
  • Visas are done
  • I've made a packing list, and have everything piled in Kalia's room. There are still a few things I need to purchase, but not too much.
  • My sister will be watching the girls....still need to work out a few arrangements there, but for the most part I'm good to go with that.

Things I know I still need to do:

  • Finish working out details with my sister (routines, appointments, etc...)
  • Write letter to school regarding dates we'll be gone and who will be in charge of the girls.
  • Order new money (will probably do this next week....our agency will wire all in-China fees so we'll only have to worry about personal spending money)

There are probably a few more things that should be added to both lists, but that's all I can think of right now.

So....what else should I be doing? What am I forgetting? I know there are tons of things. Help me, please!!!!! (I've been calm for the past couple weeks....now I'm back to "freak out" mode :)

5 comments:

  1. Order some RMB currency. You will need to pay som fees in RMB and of course you will need it for spending. You can order from the bank.

    Also there are plenty of laundry's around so dont worry about taking too many clothes.

    Internal Chinese flights are strict with the 20 kgs weight allowance.

    Gifts for nannies and ophanage directors?

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  2. Anonymous12:49 PM

    I agree with Suzanne about not taking many clothes and you can have your laundry done.

    She's correct about the in China flights being strict about 20kg weight for each suitcase, weigh them on your bathroom scale before you leave.

    We actually exchanged American money for RMB at O'Hare airport to have some before we entered China. When you're in China you can exchange it at banks there, it's just nice to have some before.

    And I would order the new money sooner than later, every bank has different policies and sometimes it takes a while for them to get it.

    You are doing great...no worries.

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  3. I can't really help you....Cause I'm in freak out mode myself! =) I'm just going to take notes on what people tell you! BTW, your daughter is beautiful!!

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  4. Just thought another tip, get some Y feeding bottle teats. Dr Browns and a few other companies make them. If you child has been used to orphanage formula with baby rice/egg they are used to it thick and so the teats are cut. Hence they are not used to sucking on normal feeding teats even high flow ones and getting formula down may be an issue. The Y cut teats work so well and saves trying to cut them!

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  5. We didn't exchange any money before hand and there is NO need to. You can exchange money at the hotels. If you exchange before hand you won't get as good of a rate.

    Pack something for baby constipation!!!!

    Tri-cut/Stage 3 nipples. I found some at Wal-Mart.

    Gerber puffs. Mia loves them!!! life saver!

    REally there isn't anything more to do until you get your CA dates, unfortunately! PACK!!!

    Our flights weren't really that strict with the 44 lbs actually. Remember it is 50 lbs there and back and 44 within China, but a lady we traveled with was over by 5 lbs and they didn't say anything to her.

    If you use Jefferson Bank let them know now!!! It took them a few weeks to get our money, but we also didn't wire any. So you won't need as much as we did.

    We were told to put rice cereal in her bottle but she wouldn't drink it with it in there!

    Take a thermos bottle! We really needed it for when we went on tours and such to have water to make a bottle.

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