we got our official travel call this morning!!!
i took the day off today because i knew i wouldn't be able to think straight and there are about, oh, a gazillion things i need/want to get done before we leave for korea! we barely got any sleep last night -- the hubs claimed we were high on excited energy. :) i went to bed after midnight, woke up at 5:00 with piper and finally fell back asleep around 7:30 for another hour. so, when the call came, here's what i looked like:
love the bedhead and slightly crazy eyes! ;)
we'll be leaving on monday morning and will get to see our son in less than a week! and, i didn't even think of this, but my friend, min, reminded me that this great news comes on the day choi boy turns 15 months! even more special and amazing. :)
and, now i'm in crazy get-ready mode...there's so much to do, i don't even know where to start!
what should i pack???
no, seriously, what should i pack?? especially for choi boy?? any thoughts or advice on what i'd need to bring along would be greatly appreciated!
thanks for rockin' out and celebrating with us! love to you!
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Congrats!! So excited for you! And very smart idea to stay home!
ReplyDeleteWhat to pack - an ergo or baby carrier, puffs and other small toddler finger food, some toys, clothes, blanket, baby tylenol (with dosage amounts based on weight - just in case!), baby orajel (again - just in case!). we brought diapers, wipes, a couple of bottles, and a small can of formula (I don't know if eastern gives you any of these things or not but I was too paranoid to go without them).
Your camera!!
Enjoy getting ready!
EEEKKK!!!! Now it's really real!! You know who has a great packing list? Sue! She'll send you a copy of it. We brought way more than we needed for Max (especially considering we only had him on the plane) but better to be over-prepared, right? Oh my goodness, let the countdown begin! Three more days to go!!!
ReplyDeletePS - Eastern gives you diapers, bottles and formula so you don't need any of that stuff. Although FYI their wipes suck. Would you believe we never changed Max once on the 9 hour plane ride home? Crazy.
WOOHOO!!!!! SOOOOOO EXCITED FOR YOU!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteand diaper cream. a baby with a diaper rash on a plane and no cream could be bad. so diaper cream. And we brought pacifiers (different types) because we wanted to have something other than the bottle for them to suck on if their ears hurt during the flight. A sippy cup (with soft top so easier to use) and something to hold the snack in.
ReplyDeleteOkay - that's what I got. Good luck packing!
Yeah! GERBER PUFFS!!!! THey were a lifesaver for me in bonding with Joel! (But he is an eater). Super excited for you! And he's gonna be home by Christmas! yeah!!!!
ReplyDeleteAHHHHHH!!!!!!! SO SO SO SO SO excited for you. Choi boy will be home the holidays! What great news. Okay...bring everything mentioned above and 2 changes of clothes. Baby/toddler motrin (call the pediatrician to get dosages), extra diapers and wipes.
ReplyDeleteI am truly thrilled that you are going to be able to finally meet your son. Have a great time preparing. Can't wait to follow along!
OMG!!!! Seriously sooooo excited for you!!! I'm sure you are going to get tons of tips from people with experience of picking up their little ones from overseas, but I would suggest...
ReplyDelete- a couple of your favorite outfits for him in various sizes... even though he'll probably have all of his clothes it'll be nice to finally put him in something you picked out or got as a gift! oh and be sure to have lots of layers... RJ gets really cranky when he's too bundled up and sweating.
- a smartphone or ipod touch (or ipad) loaded with one of those toddler games that lock all other functions and lets them play with colors, shapes, and sounds on the display. and a few kids' movies and/or episodes of sesame street. and a charger!
- an assortment of yummy snacks. RJ is currently obsessed with cheerios, but other alternatives would be: kix, gerber puffs, gerber biter biscuits, baby mum-mums.
I'm too excited for you to think of anything else!! Oh, and in response to an above commenter, the BEST wipes are the Kirkland brand from Costco. I currently have FIVE boxes of them in my house (each box containing 12 packs)! I stock up whenever there's a coupon.
I cannot believe your blog entries are going to turn into entries about day to day life with your son!!!!!! AHH!!! I know it'll be so tough with the new baby and all, but PLEASE keep us updated on how it is going!!!!
Yay! It's official!!! What a whirlwind you must be feeling right now. :) So very exciting!!!
ReplyDeleteAFA what to bring... ugh. Kelly's right that the agency usually gives you a bunch of essentials (but we were through SWS and I don't know how Eastern differs in their loot bag). Both of our girls were very interested in anything - the hotel room has tons of entertainment. On the plane, you've got TV/movies to watch - we watched LOTS of Pororo. Definitely take a baby carrier and a backpack to carry your stuff - one parent gets baby, the other carries the crap. We had a REALLY hard time finding extra diapers (keep in mind we had two in diapers on our last trip), so I recommend bringing a few, just in case. Bring some Power Bars or some other type of filling, easily transportable food, just in case you're stranded somewhere not near food. We also clutched a notebook with oft-needed phrases in Korean that got us through a LOT of Seoul. :)
Eek! You're packing!!!
Woohoo!! Love that you took pictures on the phone. :)
ReplyDeleteCompletely brings tears to my eyes!!! SO so so so happy for you and for your family!!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! How exciting! This brings back such memories of Seoul in the winter! Let me suggest baby spoons, a teething ring, winter coat (our agency planned on keeping the one our daughter had on her till we told them we didn't have one), and quiet toys for on the plane. Can't wait to read about your trip!
ReplyDeletewoohoo!!! let us know if you need anything!!!
ReplyDeleteOH, I'm so happy for you!!! I can't imagine how you feel after this looooooooong wait. What an exciting couple of weeks you have ahead of you. Enjoy every single minute!!
ReplyDeleteI am so stinking excited for you guys!!!! What a perfect Christmas you're gonna have!!!!
ReplyDeleteYAY!!! So excited for you two. My "package" to you has been delayed due to some "technical difficulties" but I will do my best to get it to to you before you leave. I'm going to email you the document I used for foster mom questions. It was very helpful. I compiled a lot of questions from blogs, boards, etc. during our long wait. We gave it to our social worker on our first visit and received it back with answers before we left. Did I say "YAY!" yet? Whoo Hoo! Congrats - you're almost there!
ReplyDeleteHello!!!! I've been following your blog and just wanted to say Congratulations!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great Christmas gift! :D
SO excited for you!!!!! Pack your camera, some clothes for you and choi boy, shoes, a jacket, your passports, and you're good to go!! oh, and maybe a toothbrush, various medicine (advil, immodium, baby tylenol) and some deodorant and a baby carrier. Don't worry too much about it, most things you forget can be bought in Seoul if you need them!!!!
ReplyDeleteoh, yeah, and diapers and wipes, although Eastern will give you a few. they will also give you formula and bottles, so no need to bring those.
ReplyDeleteHooray!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so excited for you!!! Wahoo!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteSo happy for you, Grace! Have a wonderful time in Korea!
ReplyDeleteyay yay yay!!!
ReplyDeleteGrace, I have a packing list I can email you if you want. Its what Melody and I worked off for this summer. Just drop me a line on the forum if you want it. Have a wonderful time.
ReplyDeleteSOOOO EXCITING!!!!!!!!!! We traveled exactly a year ago. We did not bring warm enough clothes for walking so much outside. Bring lots of layers, hats, scarfs, warm mittens, etc.
ReplyDeleteSoooo excited for you!!! I am going to email you my list:-)
ReplyDeleteLots and lots of baby wipes!!! They are the best and can solve almost any problem. And besides the extra baby clothes, bring a quick change of clothes in your carry on for you and Peter. You never know when a child is going to get motion sickness or spill something all over you... :) Good luck with the big trip!
ReplyDeleteYay! Just YAY!
ReplyDeleteI don't have a list to help you with, but I can send lots of prayers your way for safe travels for your FAMILY. I can't wait to hear updates of the first time you hold him and hug him.
ReplyDeleteOMG, OMG, OMG!!!!!!!!! WHOOOOHOOOOOOO!!! AMAZING NEWS!
ReplyDeleteEastern pretty much stocked us with all of the essentials. Diapers, formula, three bottles... and the foster mom will give you lots of snacks and extras. We really didn't need anything! I brought a couple change of clothes, some fun distracting toys (you can get there), a small container of wipes, an IPad (was a helpful distraction tool) and the ergo carrier (a must for most). Maddyx hated it, unfortunately for us, as carrying a 29 pound baby through the two airports and customs was a nightmare! Oh, this would be a REALLY GOOD time to have something that Choi boy can attach to. M's foster mom sent us home with a brand new buckwheat pillow (this is the perfect item in my opinion!) and we used that religiously as a soothing tool. He attached to it immediately. It saved our life. Still to this day he sleeps with it every night. But for the first month or two he really found so much comfort in that pillow. If he was upset he would always find it and bury his head in it. And we'd always give it to him when we saw that he was struggling, or even tired. They need this. And I think having it on day 'one' would be great! That would be my biggest tip to you. I think you will find it so helpful for Choi boy to have 'something' he can use to help soothe himself during his transition and grieving.
Lastly, do yourself a favor, don't over pack. I know it's hard, but trust me when I tell you that traveling with a 15 month old is a whole new ballgame. Less is better! I promise!
Sorry for this super long comment! Sheesh!
NO WAY! I logges in and saw this and it made my day, I am so happy you will have your son home for the holidays! This is a silly side note, there is NO sweetner in Korea (splenda, equal..etc.) Jim laughed at me for brining it but I used it all!
ReplyDeleteWooohoo! Bring your credit card, that's all you need :-)
ReplyDeleteMake sure to ask the fostermom what his favorite snacks are and get some while in Korea for the plane ride home. Ben was okay with the Gerber puffs we brought but much preferred familiar items.
so so so excited! and i love the pics in this post and the last of yyou guys, you look great for just getting out of bed! haha. but on more importantly- ahhhhhhhhhh this is such awesome news. so glad your call has come. your mariah carey christmas (i own the cd too) that you posted about previously has come early! love it! can't wait to see you and choiboy in the same photo next!!!
ReplyDeleteOH MY GOODNESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI am SO excited for you guys! Praying every step of the way!!! Can't wait for updates!
So excited for you grace! You can check out the holt board for packing advice. They have lots of info.
ReplyDeleteThis news made my day! Can't wait to hear more.
YES!!!!!!! I'm so happy to hear this! I CANNOT wait to follow along while you are in Korea. I love that you took a picture while you were on the phone - I wish I looked that good early in the morning!
ReplyDeleteYou have gotten so many great tips already about what to pack. I'm not sure if this was mentioned yet..when you come home with Choi Boy, not only have extra change of clothes for Choi Boy on the plane, but for you and your husband too. You may not need it, but it will be there just in case. We had a little incident on the way back that required a clean shirt for Jason, but we didn't have it on the plane!
Oh my goodness!! Fantastic news!!!
ReplyDeleteDiapers, baby food, just a few clothes - warm clothes, a baby carrier, spoons, a few toys...
CONGRATS!! :) I have no idea what to pack, as we are behind you in the process, but I do know I am super excited for you!!! Warm clothes? ;) Have a wonderful time!
ReplyDeleteHip hip hooray!!!! The time has finally come!!
ReplyDeleteI brought WAY too much stuff for Gabe. All he really needed was some snacks and we needed a change of clothes for all 3 of us.
I've read your post about five times and I still have goose bumps! We are SO SO happy for you guys. Have safe travels and we can't wait for your updates!
ReplyDeleteThis is THE. BEST. NEWS! I'm am so utterly, genuinely, positively happy for you! Enjoy the wild ride.
ReplyDeleteBTW: As much as you want to load yourself up with tons o' stuff for Choi Boi, Eastern supplies you with everything you need, right down to tissues. But, Kelly is right, the wipes will leave you longing for more.
So looking forward to posts from Korea.
I read on someone else's blog that you should bring a power strip. That way you can plug in all your gadgets while only dealing with one adapter. I have no idea how that would actually work in theory though.
ReplyDeleteHow long will you be in Korea?
I'm so excited for you! This is so great.
Yeah..congrats on your early christmas gift!
ReplyDeleteYayyyy!!!!! oh my gosh! i hope you can get some sleep between now and monday morning! this is sooo exciting!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteIt's going to be so neat to be in Korea around Christmas time. We went Jan. 5th and they still had some decorations around. Seoul, in January, was very cold...we brought a snowsuit for Daniel and were very happy to have it. Maybe bring a warm hat, mitts, and a scarf for Choi Boy. As well, we brought a cheap umbrella stroller and were REALLY happy to have it. It doesn't cost extra to bring it on the plane, and you just give it to them right before you board. We had an Ergo carrier too, but it was nice to take the weight off every now and then. I also agree about Gerber puffs. Big hit! Have a wonderful time!!! Can't wait to read all about it.
ReplyDeleteSo, so, SO EXCITED for you. I'm so glad you'll have Choi boy before Christmas. What a blessing to start 2011 with him in your arms! Have a safe trip!
ReplyDeleteFinally!!!! I can't believe it, Grace! Finally! I can't wait to follow along in your journey to beautiful Seoul to get your beautiful son!
ReplyDeleteAs for packing...from one long-haired-son's mom to another (or maybe Choi boy's hair is still short from his last cut!)...pony tail holders...no kidding...we used them ;0) If you fly KA, they will provide food and juice for your little man. Buy some Pororo toys while you are there. We brought them on the plane with us and they were lifesavers! Oh...I can't believe it...one week! Congrats, friend!
YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy your wait is (almost) over and Choi boy is coming home!!!!
I found your blog through Pioneer Woman (the book festival in D.C.) and have silently followed your blog since. So happy for you and your husband and your soon to be precious son! I know you will be just the mother he needs. And if you don't know what to do, just pull out some of your favorite children's books to read to him. Congrats!
ReplyDeleteSo happy to hear that you finally got the travel call!! I hope you post lots of pictures from Korea!!
ReplyDeletei'm still so excited for you! try to get some rest this weekend. go on a date with the hubs and get packing!!!
ReplyDeleteoh and give piper some extra love too!
Congratulations!!! I'm soooo happy for you guys! Love everyone's advice on what to pack, and I'm sure Sue's list covers everything. :) I will be SO excited to read your blog next week!! You're going to meet Choi Boy--yay!
ReplyDeleteSo thrilled for you, Grace. Found this thread and thought of you as you pack to go get your son. http://www.holtinternational.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=113824&sid=30634226bb772933f2348eaa0b46bbcc
ReplyDeleteCongrats!!! Beyond thrilled for you guys.
ReplyDeleteI remember this part well. You wait FOREVER, the call comes and suddenly you're like epically behind somehow, running around and freaking out!
Breathe. And get some sleep while you can :)
Congratulations on your travel call to your little guy!!!! What a wonderful Christmas gift!!! I just found your blog and I am really looking forward to following your journey! Congrats again!!!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Grace!!!! I'm so excited for you! I don't have any advice as to what to pack but you better believe I'm going to need lots of advice from you when it's my turn!!:)
ReplyDeleteOMG!! EXCITING!!! Congratulations. We brought a TON of baby snack food, and we bought a ton more while we were in China. Food is good for bonding, and it keeps kid busy and happy. We wished we had brought a few more toys. Everybody said to pack light on toys, but we wished we had more, and we were very glad we had packed a little lovey. It became a good comfort toy for Mackenzie, and she still loves it.
ReplyDeleteOh, and zip-loc baggies, in every size. We brought tons, they are great for packing, snacks, diapers, organizing the diaper bag, holding toys, etc. We used them like crazy, as well as the millions of wipes we brought!
So happy for you!
Wow! I don't have enought time now to read through all these comments so I'm sure they have everything covered. I am still sooo stinkin excited for you! When will you get to see Choi boy? Oh I'm giddy just thinking about it!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI love that after all the waiting, you still have to scurry like mad to get ready. That's always the way!
ReplyDeleteYou can buy almost anything you need in Korea. Things I would bring from home include children's medicines (tylenol, Motrin, Vicks, thermometer, diaper rash cream, hand sanitizer, Wet Ones). Also medicines for yourself (cold meds, pain meds, Benedryl). Baby carrier. Lots of layers of clothes for everyone. Ditto on the Ziploc bags.
If you think you'll want a stroller, bring it from home. Don't expect to buy one in Korea unless you want to spend some serious cash. Cheapo umbrella strollers are virtually nonexistent.
Like others have said, don't overpack. You can buy food and snacks for him after you know what he likes. You can buy diapers after you know how big he is. Clothes, same thing. You can buy bottles or sippy cups after you know his eating habits. Can you tell I loved my time shopping in Seoul????
I am so happy for you. :)
Elizabeth D
I forgot!! Bring an extra empty bag, or only pack your suitcase half full, because you will come home with TONS more than you went over there with. Also, don't account for that extra stuff to pack buy bringing the world's largest suitcase like my friend did, and had to pay $150 extra to the airline for an overweight bag. It's better to bring many small bags than one or two ginormous ones.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth
Congratulations, and may our loving God keep you and your son safe during this awesome journey.
ReplyDeleteTal
Can't wait to meet the little guy! God is good.
ReplyDeleteBe sure to bring some poptarts (for Peter) & probably a little guy Green Bay jersey...just in case. ;)
What wonderfully exciting news, Grace! You couldn't ask for a better Christmas gift. I am so excited for you! Safe travels.
ReplyDeleteYes yes yes yes yes! Congrats...now go get your SON!
ReplyDeleteCongrats! So happy for you guys after such an unbearable wait. Soak in every bit the wonderful times ahead.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful Christmas gift! So happy for you guys!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteCatching up on blogs & I am soooooooo very excited for you!!! Choi boy will be home soon!
ReplyDeletehooray for Christmas miracles!
ReplyDeleteOK, I'm late to the party here (and you've got great advice already) So I'm going to just say WHOOOOHOOOOOO!!!! :-)
ReplyDeletecongratulations, chois!
ReplyDeletenow, go get that BOY!!
(we love boys over here!)
congrats!