PACKING!

So, imagine preparing to go on a trip for 17 days in a foreign country with your kid who, incidentally, you have never met. You don't know for sure what size she is, how healthy (or not healthy) she is and exactly what she's eating. YOU MUST PLAN FOR EVERYTHING--including all wildcards or illnesses that you catch. Good stuff, right?

Here's what you need to pack:

What you're all wearing. You only get 44 lbs a suitcase. I'm having some issues seeing as though I'm only supposed to bring about 4 or 5 outfits and I've been known to wear that in 2 days, let alone 2 weeks!

For FL I'm bringing some cute hats and a variety of clothes that start at 9 mos and go to 12mos. Nothing fancy because I'm sure it will get trashed while we are there, but I'm thinking she will look cute in anything (except ugly things which she will NOT be wearing).

FuLan's toys: Apparently stacking cups are a big hit because they seem to show up on every packing list I have ever seen, but we're bringing some other items too because we're awesome: Beach ball, soft book, stuffed animal, teething ring, crinkly toy, bubbles, etc.

Your toiletries, her toiletries. (Yes, she has tons of stuff too--Like mommy!)

Your meds, her meds (We're talking everything from baby motrin to zinc oxide to ear numbing drops to glycerin suppositories, to scabies and lice medicine, etc etc. The meds list is crazy for us too because we just don't know what could happen there and we need to be armed and ready Rambo-style. Needless to say--we're bringing everything.

Her snacks (bags and bags of cheerios and goldfish) snack traps, spoons, yummy and delicious baby food, rice, formula packs. Your snacks and instant-type food (instant oatmeal, soup, etc) for the hotel (and CANDY!)

Electronic Equipment, Multi Socket Power Strip, Travel and Adoption Documents, Neck Pouches (I just couldn't cave on wearing the fanny pack, hello??? NO.), Converters, Adaperters, Suitcase Locks, Baby Carriers, Emergency phone numbers for Embassy, Consulate and all kinds of other places, etc. (Are you loving this list so far?)

Presents and RED gift bags/tissue for all the officials we meet and our guide. (All gifts we bring are supposed to be "Made In America"--makes sense, but not so easy to find!) Plus, I'm sure I'll become best friends with everyone I meet at the hotel, so I had to get some things for them too.

Lots of disposable stuff (BACK OFF "GO GREEN-ERS,") I'd prefer not to go this route, but give me a break this time, OK? We're taking disposable bibs, changing pads, table toppers, and dirtly poopy diaper baggies.

Office supplies like pens, sharpie, duct tape (in case our suitcases get trashed--they're brand new, I'll be so mad), white out, notebook, sticky notes, scissors, calculator, etc.

Hotel room supplies like a clothes line, clothes pins (Is this getting crazy?), a big bowl and tongs to wash the bottles/nipples, a PINK thermos (it's way cute) to keep the formula water warm on bus rides and stuff, dish soap, detergent, book lights, etc.

Don't forget about 50 or 60 diapers (the ones in China aren't supposed to be so great), one million baby wipes, bathing toys, baby lotion, and all the diaper bag stuff.

Baby Carriers (I got an ERGO and although I watched the DVD and wrestled with a stuffed animal to pose as FuLan, I still can't figure it out completely...Go Bucks!!)

CASH CASH CASH and it must be all new bills.

Fun, right?

Thankfully, I live with "Cody the Master Packer" and HE ROCKED THE HOUSE! We put everything in plastic bags, labeled them, and then he packed, and packed, and packed until he couldn't pack NO MO!

We will do final weigh in tonight. Stay Tuned!