Photos for Lili

These are some of the pages from the photo album I assembled and sent to Lili.  I hope that she is able to see it soon so that she can see her new family and start to internalize what is in front of her... and just get familiar with these new faces (besides 50 pictures of us, pictures of her grandmother, aunts and uncles, and new cousins who cannot wait to meet her).

I understand that she probably hasn't yet received the packages we sent.  It can be hard to share the gifts.  Some of the other children can get upset if they do not yet have families and plans to leave the orphanage.  I know that the Shanghai SWI does a great job at preparing the kids to come home and Lili does know that she is being adopted.

Aoli's bedroom (before stage here except for the lights), pretty easy to work with all things considered.  This old bed is out...will post new photos once we are done.  I am only going to decorate it a little bit so that she can finish it off the way she wants to.  

We chose this room because it has a nice view and nice light but mostly because it is exactly diagonal from my room and I have a perfect view - bed to bed.  I am going to be worse than the Helicopter parent, apparently.  Here comes Snowplow/Bulldozer Parent, ready to remove obstacles before they arise...Kidding.  I do not want to be like that!!

article 5 in...Almost time

Almost time to come home!!


Word has it that our "Article 5" was expressed to the CCAA (China Center for Adoptive Affairs) on Monday and should be there now!! Next we wait for our travel invitation.  I think we should certainly have this in August :)  Have I told you how Excited I am!?!!  Very.  Went clothes shopping today.  Who knows if anything will fit.  Size 6 or 6x??  4 feet, 45ish+ pounds (my last measurement update was in June.) ... G. thinks everything is too small. 

Mandarin in Massachusetts

lucky day... Gerry and I got to meet with Judy B. from "Panda Land" in one of my favorite seaport towns, Salem, MA (home of the great Federalist architect Samuel Mcintire and also home to the witches, it's true).  Judy has offered to help with translating when Aoli gets home (including the random phone call from me), as well as helping with English language instruction, and continued studies in Mandarin (and any pre-travel needs as well!).  Judy is wonderful, very smart, and also very funny which is appreciated.  She is a computer scientist turned language instructor from Beijing.  We met at Judy's dining room table, headed by a life sized stuffed panda...

Oh, and G. learned at least one new sentence "“Wǒ shì nǐ bà ba” -  Apparently, the accent must be on the first "ba"; otherwise, one is saying "I am your dog poop (vs. daddy)"!  We spent a little time practicing until he got the tone down just right...

Bilingual Books

befuddled at the bookstore...That is how it has been lately as I meander around trying to imagine what book would make any sense to sit down and read with Aoli when she comes home.  Until today, when someone from one of my Yahoo groups came to the rescue with this great website:  http://www.asianparent.com.  Many bilingual books, cds, and dvds!!  Time to load a few items into the cart :)

A Good Weekend

progress and relaxation...Hubby assembled the bed so All is Well.  My design scheme is now quickly taking shape.  On a more important note, I have nearly finished the Pinsleur Mandarin CDs and am moving on to the Rossetta Stone.  Very fun, if slow progress in learning Mandarin.  I had heard mixed reviews on RS and was dragging my feet in starting.  It is a bit confusing at first because the software begins without any explanation, "immersion style."  But, it comes together after a while and now I love it!!

Today, another Journey of Hope family is in Shanghai.  Thinking of the two boys and wishing them well as they meet their new dad and new brother today!!

A few photos for your viewing from Graz...our last big trip before CHINA!!

Busy but not blogging...

buttoning things up and getting organized...Well, I am very aware that I have been a Bad Blogger, neglecting to post anything whatsoever!  I have been blaming it on my broken iPhoto software because I wanted to post some photos but cannot use my photo software.  Anyway....

joy or JOH
Many of the Journey of Hope families have returned, are boarding planes, or getting ready for travel to Shanghai.  It has been a great experience being able to follow along and watch these kids come home and begin their life with their new families.  It really made our day to hear that one of the kids who came home last weekend, named Liam - extremely adorable little boy, and lives in our local area had the following to report:

• Lili is his friend.  He was happy to hear she's coming to America.
• He doesn't think Lili knows where she is going but she knows she will have a family.
• She went to the same school as Liam. 
• She is nice to everyone.

Well, we think she is very sweet too Liam and we can't wait to get her home where she can see you again!!  Gerry has 55 follow-up questions for Liam that I have not forwarded to his mom :)


bedroom

We have a bed!!  I finally purchased a bed, though I nearly left IKEA empty-handed :(  What a relief!  Now to get the husband to dismantle the current bed (this bed was too rickety for Aoli, according to Gerry, but is a beloved piece that belonged to my father and I was hoping to use it), which he promises to do on Saturday.  I have now selected bedding (at least twice, not actually purchased though my cart is loaded up).  

listing it out

My 'to do' list has been extensively updated.  Tomorrow I plan to go to Target and purchase learning toys and work on my (non-prescription) medications list.  It's a long list (recommended by parents who have already travelled).  Hope to not need much of it...  

language 

Yeah!  I have scoured the North Shore of Boston for a Mandarin speaking instructor who can help Aoli with her English (not so easy around here).  I finally found someone through the Peabody Essex Art Museum, searching around their site hoping to find some Chinese/Mandarin related activities (it is an Asian art museum).   She also teaches Mandarin and can help her maintain her native language while she learns English.  This is very important and I hope that we can try to make this happen.  Usually children go through a period where they forget their original language and cannot really think or communicate in the new one and it can be a frightening experience.  Gerry and I will meet with her next week to get planning and to do some pre-travel prep. as well!  

more nesting?

Not at all required for this adoption but completely cathartic...I reorganized all of my kitchen cabinets, moving all smaller items into nice tidy bins, bulk items to pantry, etc.  Provided strong, if temporary, feeling of control and order.  Very gratifying, wish I could post a photo of my handy-work :)