Lists and lists and lists

I've found that I need to keep a series of list lately. Medicine to take to China, things to do there, packing lists, items needed for when we get home, shopping while we're there, and the to-do list, which I thought would get shorter. It hasn't. To give you a window into my world, here's a few of the running lists, and these are just excerpts!

Medications:
Advil-- it is almost impossible to find in China.
Benadryl--mellow babies have an easier plane trip home for everyone.
Nebulizer--pollution is really bad.
Allergy meds--see above
Hemorrhoid wipes--GOK what the food will do to us!
Antacids, nausea, gas meds--see above
Antibiotics--stomach infections and assorted cooties.

Foods we'd like to try:
Steamed buns
Dumplings
Duck
Tekila Mexican Restaurant in Guangzhou
American restaurant on Shamian Island, I think it is called Lucy's.

Foods that seem scary. Highly unlikely these will be tried:
Jellyfish
Eyeballs of any kind
Scorpions
Snakes
Feet or hooves
Beaks

Stuff to take:
Small toys and snacks.
Blanket I crocheted for Michael.
Bubbles, crayons and candy for Michael's friends at the orphanage.
Gifts for nannies and local officials.

To do:
Call the craniofacial surgeon and start dialog.
Follow up on unanswered email for the state adoption grant.
Round 2 of vaccinations. Thankfully the typhoid is done. That really hurt!
Start packing, then unpack because the bags are too heavy, then repack. Rinse, lather and repeat.
School supplies and clothes for Annie.
Make the Red Thread story board for my adoption shower.
Get lots and lots of cash, in crisp bills, for the in-country fees.

Pictures to take in China:
Michael with the Shamian Island orhpanage statues.
Michael with his nannies and orphanage director.
Michael's first meal and how much he eats.
Gotcha Day. Duh.
First steps with us.
Swimming.
First smiles.
Picture of the McDonald's menu. I've heard you can add squid or octopus to your Big Mac.
Pictures of signs with translation issues. I've seen a few that are priceless.

Things to do in China:
Visit Michael's orphanage.
Visit Tiananmen Square
Climb the Great Wall. Not all of it. We'd be there a while.
Visit the Forbidden City.
$15 massage in Beijing at hotel.
Go to silk, pearl and jade markets.
Ride in a rickshaw.
Guangzhou zoo to see the pandas.
Safari tour in Guangzhou.

Exciting stuff going on this weekend. You may remember that we were very blessed to share a meal at our home with a team of student researchers from China. These were the most impressive young people we have ever met, and will make a change for the orphans of China! They were researching American opinions on adoption and are planning to make a documentary of their visits in the US to help the Chinese people understand how much we love these babies! Understanding and acceptance of why Americans want special needs children will be a major culture change in China, so pray for these pioneering young people! One of the young men that visited our home is the son of an orphanage director in the same area as Michael's, and he is going to go visit our little man at his orphanage this weekend! Stay tuned for pictures and updates! Below is a photo of our friends from China, and fellow adoptive parents Mick and Tracy Hooper with their children Tai and Chance.

Now, I must make a list to keep track of all my lists!