So thanks to our wonderful friend Ernest, we have found out that Chun Mei is a very very beautiful name!

Chun = Spring
Mei = Blossom (the plum blossom, in particular), plum is the direct translation but Chun Mei written together is understood as Spring Blossom.

Significance
1. The blossoms of a plum tree are usually the first sign of spring. They blossom very early, even in the coldness of spring to welcome its arrival.
2. "It has great symbolic value for the Chinese because of its resilience in the harsh winter weather."
3. The plum blossoms are very pretty white and pink flowers giving a delicate fragrance. (see pic above)

4. It is also the national flower of Taiwan.
5. It has good feng shui as the plum fruit signifies abundance and wealth.

More retail therapy!

Check these out!

Jacob just had to get into the act... CHEEEEZZZZ!

H&M rocks... (boy am I in trouble!)
Little red apples on pink... now who would have thought!

Just plain sweetness and light...
and yes, Mom, I know its white
but I am getting really big bibs to cover every inch of it!


A little poncho action to brighten things up a bit...
got to find bright orange leggings or a dress now! (H&M again!)

Finally, la piece de resistance: the little bathing suit!

Climbing the wall all ready!

So its only been a week since our LOI was sent and I am all ready climbing the walls... this is going to be a looooooonnnnnnnggggggg wait, it looks like.

I could make "a list" of things I should be doing or getting. I've been reading up about scabies... oh my. Tristan's worms were bad enough for me, and now scabies! I haven't looked on line yet to see what it look likes - I am not looking forward to it. Lice I am prepared for, as I am all ready checking the boys heads for them... several outbreaks at school and at day camp.

Let's see, a list... a list would look like this I suppose:

1. Meds: scabies, lice+ comb, de-worming stuff, motrin/tylenol, general antibiotics (Zythromax, Cipro), benadryl, gravol, glycerin suppositories, polysporin, cortate cream, calamine, Immodium, band-aids, Sinus/Cold meds, Yeast infection meds (yuck!), Liquid vitamins, Melatonin, sanitizing wipes, epi-pen for me

2. Personal hygiene for K: tootbrush/toothpaste, hair brush, nail clip, hair accessories, Aveeno bath wash, shampoo/conditioner, pull-ups and diapers, wipes for the wee-bum, pate d'ihle for the wee-bum, little washcloths for when the wee-bum is raw and can't tolerate the wipes, kleenex packets

3.Clothes (size 24 mths and 2T): bibs, pj's, leggings and long sleeve shirts, a few dresses, jeans, sweatshirt or sweater, bathing suit, undies (?), socks, a jacket and pants (fall) + hat + mits + neck, winter jacket and winter pants (for here).. can't get shoes nor boots as I don't know her size

4. Toys: a soft security blanket, a dollie, a blow up ball, spunges, books, yarn

5. Gifts for officials (Notary, Orphanage Director, Nanny, Orphanage): ???? Inukshuk scupltures, tea/chocolate, pens, envelopes for money, cleft bottles + nipples

6. Travel: stroller, back packs (one for me, one for K), tanslation cards - allergy card, travel journal, books to read for me, alarm clock, duct tape

7. Food (hot plate available in room): Cheerios, Granola bars/Ensure bars/Fruit Bars, Ziploc bags, Ziploc containers, plastic cutlery, sanitizing wipes, coffee/tea, gum, oatmeal/cream of wheat packets

8. K's room: bed, linens + draperies, bureau, paint, art work

9. Z + J room: re-paint per Z's specs ("multi-color"!), move furniture around to fit two kids in J's room

10. Official stuff: 2 passport size photos, photocopy all docs going to China (2 or 4 copies) - our original file submitted, SN addendum/LOI, Immigration paperwork, TA , notarized letter for Greg (since he will probably not be able to go with me... sighhhhhh)

So here's a question... how is all this going to fit into 1 suitcase that weighs less than 50 lbs+ one carry-on? (Minus of course the bedroom re-modelling). Oh, and I haven't mentioned my clothing and toiletries as I have most of that stuff all ready, so I just through it in too.

I was thinking of getting a portable dvd player and bringing some movies along (both for me and for K). What do you think? Don't want to bring a laptop, as I don't feel confident enough in hooking it up myself in the room -would rather find an internet cafe for that.

The Police concert was awesome....

I had the best time with my hubby last night going back into the 80's and re-living my youth. We stood for almost the whole concert! Our seats were awesome - we were up in section 102, row H... which was equivalent to being 7 rows back from the stage at ground level. We had a birds eye view of what was going on back stage too - I saw Sting waiting with his bass guitar, and then I saw them run out and under the stage... what a treat to see that activity. I am paying today for the fun though - I had a migraine yesterday, and today it is full force and I am having a hard time controlling it, so I took the day off. My favorite was definitely Walk on the Moon. Copeland is an amazing, amazing percussionist and he really got a chance to shine in certain numbers! Worth every penny we spent!


Fictionplane was great too - I have their single going through my head today (Two Sisters). Yes, Joe Sumner sounds like his dad at the high end of his voice and yes he moves like him... bu t they definitely have their own sound and its a joy to listen to them. They will mature a bit more (even though they have been together for like 5 yrs), but over all I would see them again in a local "spectacle". Their new album, Left Side of the Brain, is awesome... it carried us through 1 hr 30 minutes of traffic to get home from the concert.

A little Retail Therapy never hurts....

I had my moment of Zen buying these outfits for Kaitlynn. What fun to go and find matching outfits, and tights and socks and headbands... oh my!

Here we are!!!!

Welcome to Kaitlynn's cafe - an opportunity for everyone to sit down and have a cup-a and learn about our latest addition to our family.

Kaitlynn Chunmei is currently in Danyang, which is about 68 km from Nanjing in the Jiangsu province. Whenever I check the temperature over there, its humid and hot - 33 degrees C. It also seems that they are getting quite the downpour in a number of provinces... hope she is all right!

Last week was a whirlwind of activity - I wanted to get a care package to her, along with our LOI. I managed to get a scrapbook done for her:

I also sent her a coloring book with crayons, butterfly and heart stickers, a little dolly, some Dora figurines, a Sunshine toy that makes music (boys chose this), a little pop up book, a toothbrush, and a Camera for the caregivers to take pictures of her and her surroundings so that we have a memory book for her when she is here:





So come along with us to our journey to Kaitlynn - lots of excitement in store as we get ready for a journey of a lifetime.

Next post will be about retail therapy!