One Week Later

Well, after one week at home, things are starting to return to normal. Jill finally slept through the night last night till 7:00 am. and Jen is starting to warm up more (not there yet). Everyone here has gotten a cold, I think it all started on the plane home. We are now in the process of re-organizing their bedroom and creating a play room to contain the multitude of toys. Jill has become even more active, and will climb the stairs with out hesitation if you are not looking.

For those traveling soon, a couple of tips we learned this time around, leave pre-made meals in the freezer for when you get back. You will definitely not feel like making anything in your sleep state. We also found that Jill seems to sleep better if she has a pile of blankets on her, which she was the way the slept before us. Also, in the hotel room, use the ice bucket has a receptacle for hot water, to warm baby food etc. Use the Chinese TV channel to sooth her to sleep etc.( in hotel). If staying at the Holiday Inn in Chongquing, it is extremely new family friendly, and had crib and stroller in rm on our arrival, so I would not bring a stroller to Chongquing, we should have left it in Beijing. A snuggly is good for the great wall ( or similar), nor stroller friendly. Don't sweat the gifts for the Officials, if it will collect duct in your house it will definitely collect it there with the multitude of gifts they receive,(think of the number that go through) keep it simple. The giving of gifts is probably the biggest headache, and I think too many people make a big deal of it. Especially for the Civil & Justice officials, all we did was pile them in the cornor with the others ( other groups going through that day), we did not meet the actual officials. They didn't accept each one personally and look at them, I am sure they go through them and divide them latter. As far as gifts for the Director & Vice Director, pretty much the same deal, they get tons of stuff over the year, keep it practical & simple. We loaded all of them on a table at the S.W.I. and the nanny gifts in a separate pile. Your nannies will probably not get the gift you intended for them, I know they divide up the gifts, and appreciate practical type stuff. ( seen nannies leave with nannie gift bags), so I would make up nannie gifts with the thought if will be shared among all. I feel the gift thing is become a formality, and don't be disappointed if it doesn't seem personal when you give them. This may be different if traveling to a orphanage that does not see many adoptions as some. We also made up a gift for foster family in our case, we just hoped it reached them, nothing special (honey, Old Port cigars, lighter, herbal tea ). Our guide was excellent in prompting us when we should have gifts ready, and how much to tip bellhops/drivers, she had a excellent understanding of westerners and we gave her the extra gifts that we had (just in case) at the end of the trip.