Looking Toward 2017

Now that Christmas has passed, we are gearing up for our main event of 2017. Our papers that US officials will check over before turning over to China officials will be picked up Jan 12th and overnighted to the child welfare agency.  They will issue our travel approval  and consulate appointment date soon after and we will be able to book flights, which we have already been looking into. We are also figuring out Beijing touring. Just nailing down the timing of it all makes my head spin. Flight options aren't clear cut- widely variable in price, we can leave and connect many different ways, and they vary in length and arrival time. But it's getting exciting thinking about it!  

I've put away the Christmas decorations and started putting packing-related stuff on the office couch.  I've got a big spreadsheet of packing items and am sorting by what needs to be bought, found, printed, etc.  Also figuring out what suitcases to bring and how to do gluten free in China. 

Julia has surprised me with her enthusiasm for getting ready for Allie. She has been a little jealous, but last night was really excited to set up the crib (thanks to a neighbor that dropped hers off!) in her room and dldnt want to stop these preparations. This morning she asked right away if there was more we could do to get ready for Allie. She had been talking more about wanting to have secrets with her sister, give her old baby dolls to her, play together because girls play better with each other, she says. She insisted she was ready to have Allie sleep in her room but we will put a playpen in our room in case that doesn't go well at first. 

The break from work and from painting has been great for catching up on things and has made me feel much more prepared for the trip. It's getting close!!