Happy Chinese New Year! Feb 7

Today is Chinese New Year. This is the Year of the Rat in China. How awesome that our "Family Day" will be on Chinese New Year! Most of the day will be spent on a plane!
Olivia and I want to wish everyone a very Happy New Year!

Olivia Here I Come!

I can't believe I'm actually leaving in the morning! This is my itinerary:

Jan 25th Friday: Fly to Detroit then Tokyo then Guangzhou. Land at 10:30 pm Sat night. That will be 10:30 am in the States.

Jan 27th Sunday: Fly to Nanning (Olivia's Province). Arrive at 3:30 pm Check into the Wharton Hotel

Jan 28th Monday: 3:00 pm MEET OLIVIA!!!

Jan 29th Tuesday: To Civil Affairs Office to complete adoption of Oivia. Then go to Wal-Mart! (That's actually on my schedule)

Jan 30 Wednesday: Drive to Qinzhou, Olivia's home city, to visit the SWI

Jan 31 Thursday: Visit Qing Xiu Mountain

Feb 1 Friday: Fly to Guangzhou. Arrive at 8:00 pm. Check into the Victory Hotel

Feb 2 Saturday: Have Olivia's medical check-up and visa photos

Feb 3 Sunday: Free Day

Feb 4 Monday: Wait for the guide to take visa documents to consulate.

Feb 5 Tuesday: Go to US Consulate for oath and Olivia's visa

Feb 6 Wednesday: Visit Guangzhou Zoo.

Feb 7 Thursday: FAMILY DAY!! We come home!

Let The Packing Begin!

You have no idea how hard it is to fit everything for me AND Olivia into these 3 bags! I have to go by China's luggage requirements because I will be flying in country. My large suitcase can only weigh 44 lbs. My hair products weigh 5 lbs!! I'll have to re-think those! :) I'm glad I've started packing now though so I'm not stressing at the last minute about what I have to leave behind.

Is this not the cutest thing??? I remember packing Lili's doll in my carry on. The security person in Paris gave me a funny look when she opened the suitcase and there was a doll on top! I can't wait to give this one to Olivia. I hope she loves her!