Packing List Challenge

Clothes for Giorgia

2010-03-17T08:28:00.001-07:00

Clothes for G

Orphanage Visit
Dress
Leggings
Turtleneck
Sweater
Matching Hat

Coming Home Outfit
Dress
Leggings
Turtleneck
Tights

Sleepware
5 Pajamas (could be outfit too)

Daywear
5 Outfits

Misc
7 Onsies
5 Pr. Socks
3 Vinyl Bibs

Comments welcome.

UPDATE: We stayed in GZ the whole time and for me, this was the perfect amount of clothing for my daughter.

THANK YOU!

2010-03-17T08:13:00.000-07:00

I want to Thank EVERYONE that participated in my Packing List Challenge. It was super fun. I know many have left the group due to it's inactivity but I am going to continue to leave it up as I think there is some invaluable information on it. I actually went in and "tagged" everyones posts so that it makes viewing easier for visitors. On the right hand side you will notice a list of tags with the number of posts that correlate. Thanks Again!!!

Travel Clothes for ME

2010-03-16T08:27:00.000-07:00

Okay, here is what I am packing for my clothes...

Beijing Outfit
Set of Long Underwear
Jeans
Turtleneck Sweater (still in dryer)

Orphanage Outfit/Oath Outfit
Dress w/SweaterJacket
Flats

Other
2 Misc outfits
2 Extra tops
1 Sweatsuit
10 pr. Undies
2 Bras & wearing one
1 Bathing Suit

Sleepware
2 sets of PJs

Plane Outfit (not shown)
Nice Grey Sweat suit
White top
Flight Socks
Merrels
Fleece Coat (doubles as pillow)
Scarf (safety pinning on)
Glasses (Sun & Reading)
Candy Necklaces
Money Belt
Ticket holder thingy

Comments Welcome!!!!

New Airline Fee, this is next!!

2008-10-15T06:55:00.001-07:00

Adoption for All: The Fairness for Families Petition

2008-09-30T14:56:00.000-07:00

Adoption for All: The Fairness for Families Petition

Travel & Your Health

2008-09-25T05:51:00.000-07:00

I just got my newest newsletter from Cool Travel Mail. There was a great article in it. There is some great info here...

The stress and excitement of travel can make you more likely to get sick, but if you follow a few simple tips, you're more likely to stay healthy throughout your trip
- and your trip will definitely be more enjoyable. The biggest tip...lack of sleep and a poor diet can make it easier for you to become sick.

The first thing you should do if you're heading overseas is to find out what kinds of vaccinations you'll need in advance because different countries have different re-quirements. In the United States, contact your doctor or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for a list of necessary vaccinations. You'll want to allow plenty of time for this step in case you need to get vaccines that require more than one dose.

Common Travel Troubles

Three of the most common health problems that you may experience when traveling are jet lag, altitude sick-ness, and diarrhea. When you fly across time zones, the differing amounts of light can change your internal body clock, resulting in a condition known as jet lag. Jet lag may cause some symptoms that are bummers on a fun trip, including upset stomach, insomnia, and tiredness.

There are some things you can do to combat jet lag; for example, if you're traveling from west to east, you should stay out of the sun until the day after your arrival. If you're flying from east to west, go for a brisk walk as soon as possible after you arrive.

Altitude sickness is caused by dry air, a decrease in oxygen, and low barometric pressure when you travel to a higher altitude than you're used to. As a result,
you may have problems, such as headaches, dehydration, and shortness of breath. Some people are affected at 5,000 feet (1,524 meters), but others aren't affected until they reach altitudes of 10,000 feet (3,048 meters) or more. Find out what altitude you're traveling to before you go to see if altitude sickness could be a problem.

The best prevention for altitude sickness is to gradually increase your altitude every day to get used to it. If that isn't possible, a drug known as acetazolamide
can help relieve and even prevent symptoms of altitude sickness. If you think that you might get altitude sickness, talk with your doctor before you leave home.

The topic of diarrhea may seem gross, but it can be a serious problem. Traveler's diarrhea, known as turista, often occurs when a foreign type of bacteria enters your digestive tract, usually when you eat contaminated food or water. The best way to prevent turista is to be very careful of the food you eat and the water you drink on
the road.

You Can Take It With You

When you're packing, you'll want to include any medications and other medical supplies you use on a daily basis because they may be hard to find in another country if you run out. Even if you can find them, there's a good chance the formulations will be stronger or weaker than the ones you're used to. These may include any prescriptions you already take, such as inhalers, allergy medication, and insulin, as well as contact lens cleaners and vitamins.

Packing an over-the-counter pain medication like acetaminophen and diarrhea medication is also a good idea. It's a good idea to pack some over-the-counter allergy medication even if you don't take it at home. People sometimes unexpectedly develop allergic reactions to the pollens and other allergens found in a new environment. Those with asthma or other allergies can unexpectedly react to these new substances.

Write It All Down

Even if you watch what you eat and drink and get enough rest while you're traveling, you may still get sick. The good news is that you'll probably be able to find
competent medical care. The key is knowing where to go. Most travel guides suggest you go to a hospital where English is spoken or U.S.-trained doctors can be found. For this reason, it's a good idea to always carry a written copy of your medical history with you.

Having such important information available in one place can help health care workers make appropriate decisions, and you won't have to worry about forgetting important information at a time when you're likely to be upset and not thinking clearly.

Before you leave your home sweet home, create a medical history form that includes the following information:

your name, address, and home phone number as well as a parent's daytime phone number

your blood type

immunizations

your doctor's name, address, and office and emergency phone numbers

the name, address, and phone number of your health insurance carrier, including your policy number

a list of any ongoing health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes, or AIDS

a list of current medications you are taking and pharmacy name and phone number

a list of allergies to medications, food, insects, and animals

a prescription for glasses or contact lenses

the name, address, and phone number of a relative other than your parent

It also helps if you have some basic emergency medical knowledge, not only for yourself but for helping others you may be traveling with. A great way to prepare for your trip is to take a first-aid or basic life support course before you go; if you're traveling with a group, you should know where the first-aid kit is and what's in it.

Basic Safety

It's easy to let your guard down when you travel. After all, you're more relaxed and there are so many new sights to focus on. In addition to paying attention to
your personal safety (avoiding secluded places and not walking alone after dark), you'll need to reset your thinking when it comes to traffic safety, too. The rules of the road aren't the same overseas as they are at home. In some countries, people drive on the opposite side of the road and you'll need to be aware of this before you cross the street - look in the opposite direction from the one you're used to. Pedestrians don't always have the right of way overseas, either. Be sure there are no cars coming when you step into the street: If there are, they may not stop for you!

If you practice these healthy hints you can focus on the scenery - not medical emergencies - and return home with nothing more troubling than some tacky souvenirs!

Travel Sizes

2008-09-17T05:07:00.000-07:00

Do you have a Christmas Tree Shop near you? I walked into our Christmas Tree Shop and see that they've done some rearranging. They also added 5 walls of Travel Item stuff!!! Here are photos of 3 out of the 5 isles! I almost BUSTED my budget. There are so many good small travel items that we'll need for our trip to China. Check out the store nearest you!!!

Airline Baggage Fees

2008-09-12T15:56:00.000-07:00

Airline Baggage Fees - Mandatory Now!
By Meritt

While I'm always keeping an eye on great sales and affordable travel, the recent change in baggage fee's makes a huge difference in the cost of your trip. We have a family of 5 and the extra fee now imposed for bringing any luggage with us can now up the cost of the trip by about a hundred dollars. The confusing thing is that all the airlines are different! There is no 'one' universal fee at this time and it's up to you to be on top of the changes the airline makes so you aren't surprised at check-in to see you now owe an additional $20-50 per person for luggage as well as $15-35 each for an aisle seat or bulk head seating. Everything is starting to cost 'extra' these days (prepare to pay $2 for a can of soda and $5 for a little snack pack as well) and if you haven't budgeted for these you might start out your trip on a bad foot!

I live in the Midwest and checked with my local airport to get the latest information they had on luggage fee's for our area. Here is an update that is recent as of August, 2008. If in doubt, please contact your airline directly about week before you travel to check for updates!!!!

Allegiant Air
CHECKED BAGGAGE FEE (EACH WAY): $15 per bag for two bags when
purchased at the time of booking; $25 per bag for two bags when purchased at
check-in.
EXCEPTIONS: Wheelchairs, other mobility aids, and assistive devices used by
an individual with a disability.
BABY GEAR: One infant stroller and one infant or child safety seat will be
checked for each fare-paying passenger at no charge.
RECREATION EQUIPMENT: A golf bag, including clubs, balls, and shoes, can
be substituted for one of the checked bags for the $10 fee. Bicycles, when
properly crated in a bicycle carton, will be accepted as baggage for a charge of
$50 each. Check current fees: http://www.allegiantair.com/aaFAQ.php

American Airlines (American Eagle)
CHECKED BAGGAGE FEE (EACH WAY): $15 for the first checked bag and $25 for the second checked bag, on tickets purchased June 15 or later.
EXCEPTIONS: Wheelchairs and other assistive devices
BABY GEAR: Strollers and car seats don’t count as baggage items.
RECREATION EQUIPMENT: Golf clubs can be substituted for a check-in.
Bicycles less than 62-inches (linear measure) and under 50 pounds can be
substituted for a check-in. Otherwise they are $100. Check current fees:
http://www.aa.com/aa/i18nForward.do?p=/travelInformation/baggage/baggageAll
owance.jsp

Delta
CHECKED BAGGAGE FEE (EACH WAY): First bag free, second bag $50.
EXCEPTIONS: Assistive devices such as wheelchairs or crutches, provided
passenger is dependent on them. *** Note that you may not check baggage any
later than :30 prior to departure.
BABY GEAR: Stroller not counted as checked luggage if taken to gate.
RECREATION EQUIPMENT: One golf bag or bicycle in a box not exceeding 62
inches can be substituted for your free baggage allowance. Check current fees:
http://www.delta.com/traveling_checkin/baggage/index.jsp

Continental Express
CHECKED BAGGAGE FEE (EACH WAY): First bag free, second bag $25.
EXCEPTIONS: There is no charge for wheelchairs.
BABY GEAR: Car seats and strollers may be checked free
RECREATION EQUIPMENT: Continental Airlines will accept a standard-sized
bicycle or golf bag and clubs in lieu of one piece of free baggage.
http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/content/travel/baggage/check.aspx

Midwest Airlines
CHECKED BAGGAGE FEE (EACH WAY): First bag free, second bag $20 after June 16.
EXCEPTIONS: Wheelchairs and other assistive devices.
BABY GEAR: Stroller not counted as checked luggage if taken to gate.
RECREATION EQUIPMENT: Golf clubs can be transported without charge in lieu of the free checked bag. Bicycles are $80 each way.
http://www.midwestairlines.com/MAWeb/travelPlanner/travelPolicies/baggage.aspx

Northwest Airlines
CHECKED BAGGAGE FEE (EACH WAY): First bag free, second bag $25. 3rd
bag is $100. Overweight bags: 51-70lbs. is $50 extra. NO BAGS OVER 70lbs.
EXCEPTIONS: Wheelchairs and other assistive devices and up to 10 pounds of
fruit from Hawaii or Florida are exempt.

BABY GEAR: There is no charge for car seats or strollers.

RECREATION EQUIPMENT: Golf clubs can be transported without charge in lieu of the free checked bag. Bicycles are $100 each way.
Check current fees: http://www.nwa.com/travel/luggage/checked.html

United Airlines
CHECKED BAGGAGE FEE (EACH WAY): First bag $15, second bag $25. Starting August 18, 2008

EXCEPTIONS: An extra wheelchair may be checked and not be part of your checked bag allowance (or assessed a fee) if it is strictly for mobility purposes or is required to make a living. Other medical assistive devices are also exempt .

BABY GEAR: There is no charge for checking car seats and strollers.
RECREATION EQUIPMENT: Golf clubs can be transported without charge in lieu of the free checked bag. Bicycles are $100 each way. Check current fees:
http://www.united.com/page/middlepage/0,6823,1031,00.htmlnavSource=Dropdown07&linkTitle=baggage

US Airways
CHECKED BAGGAGE FEE (EACH WAY): First bag $15 (except on tickets booked prior to July 9th), second bag $25.

EXCEPTIONS: Passengers checking personal assistive devices.

BABY GEAR: Stroller not counted as checked luggage if taken to gate.
RECREATION EQUIPMENT: Golf clubs can be transported without charge in lieu of the free checked bag. Bicycles are $100 each way. Check current fees:
http://www.usairways.com/awa/content/traveltools/baggage/baggagepolicies.aspx

Have you ever??

2008-08-15T05:07:00.001-07:00

OMG this is the funniest thing ever. I just saw this post here about these "Brief Safes" and I completely cracked up!!!
The "Brief Safe" is an innovative diversion safe that can secure your cash, documents, and other small valuables from inquisitive eyes and thieving hands, both at home and when you're traveling. Items can be hidden right under their noses with these specially-designed briefs which contain a fly-accessed 4" x 10" secret compartment with Velcro closure and "special markings" on the lower rear portion. Leave the "Brief Safe" in plain view in your laundry basket or washing machine at home, or in your suitcase in a hotel room - even the most hardened burgler or most curious snoop will "skid" to a screeching halt as soon as they see them. (Wouldn't you?) Made in USA. One size. Color: white (and brown). You can buy them here.

To add realistic smell, check out "Doo Drops".

Hong Bao

2008-06-15T15:35:00.001-07:00

I've been looking for some Hong Bao to use for cash gifts while in China. Do any of you know if one of the options shown below is a better choice than the others?

I want something that's appropriate for everyday use (i.e. not CNY specific). Otherwise, I could just pick up some regular envelopes that are red. I just don't want to offend anyone by using the wrong kind envelope!

Jennifer K

New Airline Fees, What's next!!!

2008-06-13T10:11:00.000-07:00

I just read all this stuff online today about AIRLINE FEES!!

US Airways, United Airlines match American Airlines' $15 bag fee.

It's been reported that for US Airways the bag fee will be waived for frequent-flier passengers in Silver, Gold, Platinum and Chairman's Preferred programs, and first- and envoy-class passengers, as well as some other passengers, including military passengers and unaccompanied children.

US Airways to charge $2 for soda.

US Airways Inc. said Thursday that it will begin charging its coach passengers $2 for sodas and fruit juices on domestic flights, and raise the $5 charge for alcoholic drinks to $7.

In addition, US Airways and United Airlines Inc. both announced they're adopting the $15 charge for the first bag checked, following American Airlines Inc.'s May 21 lead

Many United Airlines customers buying tickets on or after June 13 will pay a $15 fee to check their first bag, and $25 for second bags.

In early February, United started an industry movement for charging for the second checked bag, with many carriers, including American, matching its $25 fee.

USAir also announced other fee increases, including a $25 fee for domestic tickets bought by phone and $35 for international tickets. The previous charge was $15.

Expected are legacy carriers to follow the lead of discount carrier Spirit Airlines, which now charges extra for seat reservations — $5 for middle seats, $10 for window and aisle seats and $15 for exit-row seats. Other airlines also have begun charging for window or aisle seats.

A Chicago-based carrier also is increasing the fee to check three or more bags, overweight bags or items that require special handling to $125 from $100, or to $250 from $200, depending on the item.

United estimates the potential revenue from baggage handling service fees at about $275 million a year. It expects the new $15 service fee to apply to one in every three customers.

For some airlines...Travelers who use Dividend Miles travel awards to get tickets for flights will pay a processing fee: $25 for domestic flights, $25 for tickets to Mexico and the Caribbean, and $50 for Hawaii and international flights

On Aug. 6, US Airways is eliminating its bonus-miles program for Preferred Status Dividend Miles customers, who currently get mileage bonuses based on their status level. Travelers after that will be credited one point for each mile flown, and no bonus points.

It might even come to this...
New fees could include charging passengers "by the pound," he said, as well as extra for seating selection, riding on a roomier plane, preferential treatment while boarding, cleaning the seat pockets, and a no-loss baggage guarantee, to name a few.

Below came from USA Today.

New airline fees since January 1, 2008:

Air Canada: $25 each way for a second checked bag starting May 15.

AirTran: $10 each way for a second checked bag starting May 15.

American Airlines: $25 each way for a second checked bag starting May 12; $3 for snacks, $5 for "fresh light meals" on domestic flights (sandwiches or wraps, no vegetarian options); eliminated online booking bonus of 500 miles for round-trip first- or business-class tickets, and 250 miles for round-trip coach fares.

Continental: $25 each way for a second checked bag starting May 5.

Delta: $25 each way for a second checked bag starting May 5; airline provides complimentary snacks, but some snacks and meals cost an extra $1 to $8, depending on the item.

JetBlue: $10 for extra legroom, and $20 each way for a second checked bag starting June 1.

Northwest: $25 each way for a second checked bag starting May 5.

Spirit: $10 fee for checked luggage reserved online, and a $20 fee for luggage checked at the airport.

Southwest: $25 each way for a third checked bag, and $50 for the fourth through ninth bags.

United: $25 each way for a second checked bag; $5 for snack boxes, with sandwiches and salads available at varying prices; increased ticket change fee; Saturday night stays are now required for tickets in 65% of the markets it serves.

US Airways: $25 each way for a second checked bag; eliminated the 500-mile minimum mileage award granted for short-haul flights; will charge between $5 and $30 each way for aisle and window seats starting May 7, matching other carriers.

Virgin America: $25 each way for a second checked bag starting May 15.

Luggage Charge #2

2008-05-22T07:40:00.000-07:00

I just got an email from Susan at Smartpacking.com and wanted to share with you all...

Well, I have been warning…

American Airlines announced this morning (according to the Associated Press) that they will begin to charge $15 for the first checked bag for domestic tickets purchased on or after June 15. They will continue to charge $25 for a second checked bag.

Some undiscounted tickets and high level frequent flyers are exempt from these charges, as are international travelers.

What this means for you:

Most likely there will be many more travelers who will carry on bags to avoid the added fee, which will swamp the Transportation Security Administration screening process and create much longer passing times at all security checkpoints. Once past security, aircraft have limited storage areas so this will overload the carry on bin capacity and produce major “bin rage” as competition accelerates for this space. Anticipate delays as more bags must be gate-checked.

Oh, and did I mention that it’s likely that other cash-strapped airlines will think this is a great idea and adopt this policy as soon as they possibly can?

Solution:

From now on, it is essential to check with each airline that you intend to fly to learn what their checked and carry-on luggage policy is for the date you plan to travel. Be prepared for this to change and check before each flight.

Before you travel, make the decision to pay the fee and avoid the carry-on hassles, or learn to pack light into the smallest carry-on bag possible for the trip with only the 3-1-1 bag for lotions and potions. For help with packing less, go to www.smartpacking.com for traveling light ideas.

Simply booking away from American Airlines may work for a few days but when the other airlines jump on this new-fee bandwagon that advantage will disappear. Note to self: it is becoming more costly to fly. Perhaps the direct ticket cost will not increase, but now we must carefully add up the fees as well.

Many thanks to Joe Brancatelli of www.joesentme.com for alerting me early today.

Pack smart and travel easy!

-:¦:- Stephe -:¦:-
http://www.giorgiadanette.blogspot.com

Stephe's Care Package

2008-05-19T12:03:00.000-07:00

Okay, I'm almost done!

Lime Green Froggie for Giorgi,

Lime Green Blanket,

1 pair socks,

Bunch of Misc Candy

Who Loves Baby Album

Working on getting the photos

2 Cameras

Orphanage Question

etc.

I'll update this when I get the rest. I'm finished next month's challege (SWI gifts so I'll continue to work on this one!!!)

-:¦:- Stephe -:¦:-http://www.giorgiadanette.blogspot.com/

SWI gifts

2008-05-19T10:13:00.000-07:00

Here are the Nanny gift that I purchased. I have some other stuff. Must take a photo of

Care Package

2008-05-18T09:19:00.000-07:00

TRANSLATED LETTER

Be sure to ask the staff/nannies to bring any mementos that were on your child the day of her find. One family was told that because they asked before hand; they brought the clothes and bottle that were found on the child the day of her abandonment. Priceless.

GIFTS FOR DAUGHTER

Socks and Jammies

Soft-bodied Doll that can be thrown into the washing machine
Small Photo Album - referral photo on outside, photos of us, home, her room
Small, Plastic Toy - such as stacking cups

Blanket - a soft fleece (one of those crib size ones) Some wash it and sleep with it a few nights so that their daughter would become familiar with their "scent".

Some bring duplicates of the items, just in case.

CAMERA INFO

Make sure you put the baby’s picture & name on camera. *Copy your daughter's Chinese name several times then cut and taped it to her camera, along with a few tiny photos of her, just to ensure the SWI workers knew whose camera it was.

PICTURE ALBUM

Put family photos including hers in a "Who Loves Baby" album. One family sent a set of plastic rings with laminated photos of them & extended family with the hopes that maybe she'll get used to our faces. If you can label the photos in Chinese that would be great too. Below is a site you can use to print simple phrase/words to use in labeling your camera, album (if choose to do this), etc. There are others. Just print, cut out the Chinese characters and tape them on your items (http://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/index.html#Contents)

NANNY & DIRECTOR GIFTS

Sent some small candies to the Nannies. Good choice are Hershey's and M&M's since these are well known American Chocolates. *assortment of Revlon lipsticks, chapsticks, hand lotions, scented soaps, bath gels, tea bags (imported British teas) and hard candies. *For the orphanage director, maybe a men's wallet with a note thanking him for the care that my daughter was receiving and telling him the other gifts were for the nannies. sent chocolates and lotions and a framed picture of our daughter for the foster mom.

MAILING INFO

Declare $0 it is a gift. DO NOT to send packages certified or registered Do not list a camera in the contents. *I would suggest sending translated questions of your child in one of packagesUSPS air mail 3.5 lbs cost $26 You can go to Blessed Kids and print off the address for the orphanage in Chinese characters. *…had very good luck with sending packages to China just using the US postal services Global Express. One thing you can do is have the orphanage write you out a label in Chinese and send it to me via email, then just print it out every time you need it so your boxes have both English and Chinese labels on them! Also make sure that you write clearly on the box "donation/gift" so that the orphanage is not taxed on the items in the box...so far, no problems there! Only send a shoebox size package to the orphanage to avoid any hassles for the orphanage in claiming the package. Sending a care package of this size costs about $30 to ship * mail it "global". Again, list contents and value enter $0. This way, the Orphanage does not have to pay anything at their end. Also, they will accept your package! mark the package as gift/charitable donation and check off the box for 'return to sender'

ORPHANAGE INFO

*You can find the address, written in Chinese and English, on the Yahoo group for your orphanage. You can also go to Blessed Kids and printed off the address for the orphanage in Chinese characters.

-:¦:- Stephe -:¦:-
http://www.giorgiadanette.blogspot.com/

Gifts to SWI's

2008-05-18T04:37:00.000-07:00

Gifts are tokens of appreciation and it’s largely ceremonial. The gift itself is quite secondary to the act of giving. Don’t a make the gifts too extravagant, you don’t want it to look like a bribe. Look for gift’s that are NOT “Made in China” and nothing Political or Religious.
I read this somewhere and I thought it was interesting info on gift giving.

"...I wanted to share something I learned from our guide that I'd never read here before. She said that every time she goes to an orphanage the nanny’s pull her aside and show her a large pile of gifts that they don't know what to do with. She said usually these are lotions and they want her to translate the bottles for them.

Because they can't read the English on the bottle, they don't know what to do with them. Makes sense! If someone handed us a bottle of something white or pink and creamy and it was all written in Chinese we wouldn't know if it was body lotion or face lotion or soap for the shower. She had us all give her our gifts and she separated them into bags and labeled them so the nanny’s would know what they were.

She said the three most-appreciated gifts are: chocolate, cigarettes and perfume..."
another AP said...

"We put a note on each gift bag, with our name, our child's Chinese name and referral picture and "Thank You" in Mandarin on each bag so that they knew who it was from. We found that they (orphanage workers) seemed to like cosmetics and nice body lotions (enough small samples for 10-12 people)-they did not seem to like cigarettes as a gift and chocolate melted (we travel in the summer and it was hot and humid). All our gifts went to the orphanage workers, we gave no gifts to "officials" and were told not to."

I also read this too...

"The only thing I would caution about up front is, don't give or buy cheap items (I've been told that some people give samples of AVON lipsticks, or the free giveaways of perfume from department stores as gifts... which shows a disregard for the SWI directors and caregivers... they have taken care of your child for the last "X" number of months/years - and now is the time to actually show your appreciation of their care. Items they would appreciate:

American Ginseng
Cd's of current popular (hip hop, popular, country, or classical)
NICE cosmetics chapstick, lipstick, nailpolish, makeup,
DO NOT give samples or cheap cosmetics.
College logo (t-shirts, nice ink pens & refills, good stationery, etc.)
Hometown items
Nice soaps and fragrant lotions. The Chinese Love fragrance...
Nice perfume/cologne.
Very nice costume jewelry, such as Trifari, Monet, Napier, etc.
Nice Chocolates or Candy

Some DON'T's are:
NO sample sizes - considered to be insulting.
NO green hat to a man - signifies his wife is having an affair.
NO clocks or watches - represents death
NO candles - signifies a wish that their home will burn down.
NO gift that is white or black in color. These colors have negative connotations (such as white is the color worn at funerals)."

Cut Flowers

Some people that you want to consider giving gifts to:
Orphanage Director
Nannies
Person in Charge of Children’s section
Adoption Logistics person
Translator
Adoption Registration Official
Chinese Notary
Drivers
Guides
NO gifts needed for American Consulate Officials

-:¦:- Stephe -:¦:-
http://www.giorgiadanette.blogspot.com/

Hope's SWI Care Package

2008-05-17T19:57:00.000-07:00

Finally I am getting these photos posted. Here is what I sent:

2 Teddy Bears

A little blanket that matches her bedding (for familiarity). Hoping we'll get that back, but it is not the end of the world if we don't

Disposable Camera

3 little bottles of maples syrup from C. Barrel

Jelly Bellys

Candied Pecans

Nail Polishs

Lip Sticks

Hand Lotions

Little photo album of me & Scott and our families

A package of receiving blankets

A little teething toy

We were told that our Orphanage ALWAYS returns the disposable cameras. I sure hope they do. I also taped Izabella's photo on all the items that were for her and nothing on the others. I also included a list of questions that Susan shared with me. Here are my pictures...

I stuffed it in a USPS Priority Flat Rate Box and it cost me about $37.00. I mailed it on a Friday and it arrived by Wednesday. Totally Worth it because I packed it full!!

Car Seat Installation

2008-05-13T11:55:00.000-07:00

How to Install a Child Safety Seat That Won’t Budge

found this here and thought it was a great post!

(I meant to post this on my Giorgia Danette Blog but accidentally posted her...hey, it's travel related so I guess I'll leave it!)

Over the years, I’ve had a lot of experience putting child safety seats of one kind or another into our cars. Remember, if you can move the seat more than an inch side to side or toward the front of the car, it’s not tight enough. After struggling to get our seats secured countless times, I stumbled onto a simple trick that lets you get your car seat buckled in tight. Every time. And with minimal effort. Here’s how you do it…

Before we get started, I should say that we always secure our seats with the seat belt, not the LATCH system. I’m not saying that you should necessarily do it this way, just sharing how we do it.

Step 1: Place the child safety seat in the car and feed the seat belt through it.

Step 2: Attach the metal locking clip (below) that came with the safety seat to the car’s seat belt just a bit short of where you think it needs to go in order to succefully buckle the seat belt.

Step 3: Recline the seat (the car seat, not the child safety seat).

Step 4: Tilt the child safety seat back and apply a bit of pressure to it while you buckle the seat belt.

Step 5: Bring the car seat back upright. If you guesstimated properly in Step 2, your child safety seat will now be rock solid. If not, then go back to Step 2 and repeat. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll be able to install your seat in a flash.

Note that the usual approach of sitting or kneeling in/on the safety seat while trying to simultaneously buckle the seat belt can work. However, it’s a pain in the butt, and I’ve never been able to get the seat as tight as I can doing as outlined above.

Don’t believe me? Just try it. It’s works like a charm.

Mailing Care Packages

2008-05-12T10:18:00.000-07:00

Hope just mailed her new little girl her Care Package through USPS. She used Priority International Flat Rate box and paid $37. (Hope is located on the east coast of the US and the package went to China) So, you know me, I had to go look up all the info. Here is what I found!

Also some great links below:

International Postage Price Calculator

New Flat Rate Boxes

Prices for the Flat Rate Boxes

This sounds like a really great deal. Thanks Hope!

-:¦:- Stephe -:¦:-

http://www.giorgiadanette.blogspot.com

Evelyn's Baby Med Packing List

2008-05-10T10:51:00.000-07:00

Here's my list for Baby Meds Challenge:

What I Have:
Purell Hand Sanitizer
Butt Paste
Baby Vapor Rub
Baby Tylenol
Liquilytes Instant Mix
Water Babies Sunscreen
Mini Travel First Aid Kit (bandages different sizes)
Alcohol Swab wipes
Health Care Travel Kit (Thermometer, Nasal Aspirator, Med Dropper,
Nail Clipper, Med Spoon, travel case)
Rice Cereal (read somewhere good for rehydration)
Off Insect Repellent Wipes (family formula low deet)
Neosporin to Go individual packets
Benadryl Individual Packets( not sure I'll need these for baby)
Tissue
Cotton Swabs
Clorax Wipes
Antibacterial Wipes

To purchase still:
Humphrey's #3 Teething Pellets
Little noses saline spray
Aquaphor

As for prescription meds, I'm going to wait and possibly get Amoxicillan (unconstitued), and prescription eye drops. I may skip the prescription meds altogether, and let a local doctor prescribe any meds if baby is sick. I also here you can get free meds left at Jennifer' Place in Guanghzou.

Melissa's Baby Meds

2008-05-05T09:19:00.001-07:00

Here is what I have so far:
Aquphor, orajel, Balmax, antibiotic ointment, Benadryl, Bulb aspirator, thermometer, band - aids and cleaning wipes, small scissors, Aveeno hydrocortizone cream, Tylenol, Moltrin, bug repellent, prunes, vicks rub, medicine syringe, and cool compress.

I need to buy:sunblock, lotrimin, ceralyte, mylicon drops, and prescription meds. For prescriptions I plan on taking an antibiotic, erythromycin for eye infections,and permethrin cream for scabies.

Jennifer K's baby meds

2008-05-04T19:04:00.001-07:00

I can't remember if we were doing just baby meds this month or if it also included adult meds/toiletries. I only did the baby meds, so adult stuff will probably be next up for me.

Here's what I have so far (shown above):

Aquaphor for eczema
Little Noses saline drops
Neosporin antibiotic ointment for cuts/scratches
Benadryl
Bulb aspirator
A&D ointment
Digital rectal thermometer
KY jelly
Adhesive bandages
First aid tape
Gauze
Alcohol wipes (not shown - I had included these with a previous challenge)
Aveeno hydrocortizone cream for eczema or itching due to scabies
T-gel shampooo for cradle cap -- do I need this?
Baby Tylenol
Baby Motrin
L'Occitane lavender wipes (repel bugs - not shown, think I included with the backpack challenge)

Still needed:

Echinacea
Pediatric electrolyte powder
Baby sunscreen
Small scissors

I also talked to our pediatrician about prescriptions and have decided to bring just Elimite, which we'll get closer to travel.

It feels really good to be getting some of this stuff done in advance. I'm starting to feel a little overwhelmed by everything that needs to be done ... and we don't even have our referral yet!

Luggage Charge

2008-05-01T04:11:00.000-07:00

Luggage Charge Effective Monday for Most Airlines If you have a flight out Monday, May 5, and want to check two bags, be prepared to pay $25 for that second checked bag. Most airlines are implementing the new charges: United, US Airways, Delta, Northwest, Continental, Air Canada. American will begin charging $25 for the second checked bag on May 12. AirTran will charge $10 for the second checked bag beginning Thursday, May 15."

-:¦:- Stephe -:¦:-

http://www.giorgiadanette.blogspot.com

Shelly's SWI & Orphanage Gifts

2008-04-18T14:07:00.000-07:00

Our agency suggested bringing 10-12 small gifts and to plan for a couple extra for unexpected people whom we would want to express gratitude toward. The gifts above were purchased for the orphanage director, notarial officers, coordinators, interpreters, and orphanage nannies. We decided on buying multiples and then grouping the gifts as we wrap them while we are in China. We are going to take the set of gift bags and tissue paper (which came pre-sorted to match perfectly) that we purchased at Target to wrap the gifts in China. Here is what we purchased to give:

4 Old Navy winter scarves
2 Old Navy suit-coat hand-beaded scarves
4 deodorants (made in USA) - may add 2 more for men
2 men's shaving gels (made in USA)
6 lip glosses (American Girl - made in OH)
7 decorative soaps, handmade in CA, USA - 2 are blue for men
2 necklaces made in Italy - Thailand
2 pairs of earrings - USA and France
6 Jelly Belly bags of candy
12 gift bag set
tissue paper set
3 additional smaller gift bags

Above, is a photograph of some of the wonderful handmade soaps we purchased. They were made in California, are wonderfully scented, and we thought very pretty. Also, very practical. We found them at Von Maur at our local shopping mall.

We found these lip glosses at Bath & Body Works - they were made in OH, USA and have a little "American" flair. Plus, we thought they were soft colors, very wearable, and smell good too! Can't forget to mention easy to pack - and saving space!

Our agency recommends that each family plan on giving a gift to their child's orphanage as well. Some ideas they gave us:

baby bath products
diapers
crib sheets and blankets
sleepers
crib toys, sport toys
school supplies

They advised us that many families choose to purchase these gifts while in China instead of packing them, but we had already been collecting sleepers for our gift before we received that information. So we have several Carter's sleepers sizes NB - 3 months. We are planning on bringing these with us - if they fit in the luggage. If not, we will purchase what is needed in China. If they do fit, then we can use that extra space on the way home for lots of wonderful souvenirs.

Melissa's Gifts

2008-04-07T16:11:00.001-07:00

I decided to go with hand creams, deodorant, small bags of Dunkin Donut coffee and potpourri pouches. My only regret is that they are all a little bulky BUT we will pro bally travel in summer so I think we may have a little extra space. I will but red bags and tissue paper and then assemble the gift bags when we are in China. I will combine things and give people 2 or 3 things in each bag. When we find out where Lily is then we will buy an appropriate gift for the orphanage director or foster family. I am glad this challenge is behind me!

LAUNDRY TIPS

2008-04-02T10:32:00.000-07:00

(that I thought would be helpful for our trip)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
* Fewer bubbles

Less is more when using soap for sink washing. Fewer suds requires less rinsing.

Spot clean areas with a travel-sized stain remover instead of soaping the whole garment.

* Stain stick

If you don't plan to wash your clothes until your trip is over, carry along a stain pretreatment stick. Taking the time to use it on stains before they set ensures that they will wash out when you get home.

* Boxers, not briefs

Wear nylon or silk under garments - avoid 100-percent cotton because it takes longer to dry.

* Drain Plugs

Pack a flat drain plug; the one-size-fits-all kind that lays over the drain without having to be inserted. The plug allows you to convert any sink into a laundry sink.

BAGS AND BUBBLES
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Here are some tips for dealing with dirty clothing on the road:

* Bring baggies

I'm talking about plastic storage bags. The kind that are bigger than a sandwich bag, but way smaller than a kitchen garbage bag. And make sure you get the kind that zip shut.

This is for laundry that hasn't dried thoroughly, damp face cloths, wrung-out-but-wet bathing suits and other damp stuff that shouldn't get mixed in with the rest of the week's wardrobe. You're not just worried about getting dry clothes wet; mold and mildew grow rapidly in humid climates and can turn your suitcase into a giant, stinky petrie dish.

* Dirty duffel

Bring a lightweight, nylon duffel bag for your laundry. As your clothes get dirty, move them out of your suitcase and replace them with souvenirs. You'll end up with an extra bag to check for the return home, but you won't have to juggle an armload of shopping bags filled with fragile things. Plus, you get your smelly clothes far away from your fresh shirts and pants.

This is an outline of this great post that I came across. The original post came from TRAVEL TIPS at http://www.cooltravelmail.com/ Go check them out for other cool stuff.

Stephe

Airline Tip

2008-03-24T11:58:00.001-07:00

Ella's care package!!

2008-03-16T04:36:00.000-07:00

I know I am late ~ sorry!! Things have been crazy!!
I sent Ella's care package yesterday ~ yipee!! I was almost in tears at the post office it was so emotional!
Our care package was just over 3 kg ~ it was in one of those photo boxes from Michael's. We included a soft doll, a blanket, a taggie blanket (that we had slept with), 3 prs of socks, photo album (Sassy album with our pictures in it) a disposable camera, questions for the orphanage and some candies for the nannies. And we put her picture on the outside of the album, camera and bag for the taggie.

Abby Grace's Care Package

2008-03-09T19:52:00.000-07:00

Better late than never! Here is the first care package that we will be sending to Abby Grace. I plan on sending it out tomorrow. Then another one in two weeks. I put the blanket in a ziploc bag b/c I read somewhere that it would help to keep our scent on it.

Winnie the Pooh blanket
Winnie the Pooh rattle
Winnie the Pooh socks
Starburst jelly beans for nannies
Camera
Photo album (even though most told us it won't do any good since she's so young)
I included the translated letter that our agency provided, as well as a list of questions for her caretakers.

Buy Paper Underwear in China

2008-03-06T10:17:00.000-08:00

Okay, it's official...I'VE SEEN IT ALL NOW!!!!!

"Don't laugh. Both women's and men's paper underwear are easy to buy in China in many supermarkets. It may seem strange for a man to wear but they were comfortable, take little luggage space and are also a time saver. No need to wash/dry or find a laundry, just through them out after one use. The ones that say cotton are better. They come is all sizes such as S, M, L, XL, XXL. No, I will not model them for VT. :) Update for my China 2007 trip. I wrote this tip last year and got them without a problem. I found it harder to find them this year both in Beijing and Shanghai. But I was able to get some and took all of the XL size the store had. You need to go to the feminine/disposable baby diaper section of the store and not the men's underwear section. I also found the XL size was very hard to find. The "Large" size is just too small for me to fit everything propriety. :) Please rate this and my other tips when you find them interesting, useful or you like the pictures. "

Click here for a photo.

Karen's Care Package

2008-03-01T13:30:00.000-08:00

Here are the items for Kaelie's care package:

I've included the following items in the package:
1 blanket
1 lovey
2 disposable Kodak cameras
1 family scrapbook (I will put this together at the Scrapping Pandas weekend)

Baby Questions Book (not shown)

For the nannies:
6 bags of Jelly Belly's
6 nail polishes (thanks for the idea, Susan R.!)

For the other children:

Infant and toddler socks (not shown)

I already have a box to pack everything in. I am almost finished with the orphanage letter and have it saved in Word...when we get our referral I will print it out. I plan on using Blessed Kids to translate the letter and mail the package to Kaelie's orphanage.

Panda hugs,
Karen

Evelyn's Care Package

2008-03-01T05:53:00.000-08:00

Here's my care package for Meili. These are the items:

Warm Ladybug Blankie
Teether Stuffed toy
2 Pairs socks
2 Lace burp cloths-for the newborns
Nuk Pacifier-for the newborns
Camera

Will add later:
Candies for nannie, if I buy them now, I'll eat them :) LOL.
Who Loves Baby Photo Album
Translated Camera Instructions

For packing I used this cardboard photo box holder. I will probably place into another more sturdy box. But it's the closest I found to the size of a shoe box.

I'll be going out to find this at our local Babies R US today. And plan to add photos of us, the house, her room, and of course her big brother!

Melissa D. Package

2008-02-29T14:08:00.001-08:00

I am not done yet but I wanted to post it before we moved onto the next challenge. I have 2 cameras, photo album, taggie and a stuffed frog for Lily. I have a teether, blanket and socks for the other children. I still need Jelly Bellies and choclates for the nannies. I ordered the "book" of questions and I need to write my letter. I have a box but I think it is to small, so I will need to find a larger box. My plan is to use Bleesed Kids to translate my letters and I will also send my pacakge to them and they will deliver it for me. I have a taggie blanket and a frog for home so if we don't get those back it will be OK. Thanks for everyone's ideas, this was so fun!!

Jennifer K's Care Package

2008-02-25T18:13:00.001-08:00

Here's (most of) our care package:Pictured are:
camera 2-pack
baby's family photo album (referral photo will go in the window on the front)
labels for photos (they are ready, but not stuck in yet because we are missing a couple of photos)
2 bags of Jelly Bellys
4 small boxes of Frango chocolates
"taggie" blanket that I bought on Etsy (sooo cute!)
fleece blanket that we got from one of our secret pals
a bunny lovey
two sleepers (on sale for $10 at Gymboree!)
4 pairs of baby socks
rattle

Missing from photo:
letter to orphanage director (not finished)
baby questions book (not here yet)

I've bought three boxes so far - one of them seems a little smaller than a shoe box and the other two seem bigger. I think I want something around 14x9x6 , but so far haven't found one that size. Anyway, what this really means is that I haven't done a test pack yet and don't know how much of this won't fit. If there is a space problem, I'll pull out the fleece blanket and the "taggie" blanket.

Bib Clips

2008-02-19T04:31:00.000-08:00

These look great and looks like they might save lots of money in the long run! No more spending money on bibs and disposable bibs! Find them here at Kipiis!

Sophia's care Package

2008-02-18T17:56:00.001-08:00

OK so I have been obsessed with this challenge. I think I have everything and probably more then what I need/want to send to Sophia's orphanage once we know where she is.

The first picture is an over view of everything including the box.
The overview

The second is a picture of just the things I am sending for Sophia
A soft Blanket, a teething toy, a soft doll, and a photo album with pictures of me and Riz , my mom, in-laws, and her nursery. There is a spot on the front of the album for her picture.

The Third is the things I am send for the other children in the orphanage..

2 sleepers, 2 packages of socks, a package of linking rings, a teething toy, a set of play keys, and 3 small rattles.

The fourth are the things I want to send to the nannies. I will buy something appropriate for the director once we know if it is a male or female.

1 package of hard candy,1 bag of, Hershey Kisses, 1 package of Peppermint Patties, 1 bag of Ghirardelli chocolates, 5 lipsticks and 5 nail polish
The camera X2

2 disposable cameras

The last is the letter I am sending. I will also be sending the list of questions that Jennifer put on the group...

So now my challenge is to get it all in the box... LOL...
The LETTER

Cool Travel Gadgets

2008-02-07T04:52:00.000-08:00

I found some really cool travel gadgets pn this blog. Go to it to read the full post. Click on the Links below to see the gadget!

RoboForm2Go - a handy USB drive loaded up with all my passwords for every site that I log into, protected behind one master password. Any Internet cafe, I’m surfing just like I would at home, without leaving cookies behind.

Packing Cubes - I’m going to be on a boat for about a week of the trip, in a cabin that will not exactly be sprawling. These will help me find my socks and underwear.

Whoomp Earbuds - Sure, those Bose noise-canceling headphones are nice, but they’re the size of a football helmet. I just stick these puppies over my iPod earbuds and suddenly everything sounds fantastic.

Monster Outlet to Go - I will be generating lots of good karma in places where electrical outlets are scarce.

Orbit MP3 Speaker - Yeah, this is kind of extravagant for someone packing light, but I’m going to be in a cabin on a boat, so it’ll get a lot of use. (And is not very big, after all.)

-:¦:- Stephe -:¦:-
http://www.giorgiadanette.blogspot.com

The Cost of Luggage

2008-02-06T06:16:00.000-08:00

"You’ve probably already heard the news that United plans to start charging the majority of its customers $25 for the second piece of checked luggage on domestic U.S. and Canadian flights. You can check out their new policy here. This comes as no surprise to airline insiders and follows the “successfully introduced” industry-wide reduction of individual suitcase weights to 50 lbs/23 kg from 70 lbs/32 kg. While many issues surely factor into this move (increased handling due to security concerns, lost/misplaced luggage rates, corner-cutting on staffing), airlines cite the rise in fuel costs for the need to start charging you more. It is estimated that this change will save/earn United over $100 million per year. "

"When it directly impacts your pocketbook, are you more conscious of how much you pack? The idea behind these additional fees is largely a textbook lesson in rational economic decision-making. Nevertheless, these two airlines with their completely different business models also have radically different reasons why they’re charging you for the handling of your suitcase. "

"United is banking less on deterring passengers from carrying a second suitcase (which it will undoubtedly do for some fliers, resulting in airline savings for luggage handling costs, fuel costs and improved lost/misplaced luggage rates) and more on the continued heavy packing habits of many Americans, earning an extra $50 for each round-trip purchased by 1 in 4 vacationers. For those who absolutely must have that second bag (heading to college, moving in general, Christmas gifts, whatever), a $25 fee is still likely to be cheaper than the shipping costs for a 50 lb suitcase."

This info came from nobudgettravel.wordpress.com

-:¦:- Stephe -:¦:-
http://www.giorgiadanette.blogspot.com

Packing

2008-01-22T05:16:00.000-08:00

This was a great post from an AP on one of my other yahoo groups. With her permission, I am posting to share with all of you. Thanks Jennifer!!

"Hello Thought I would throw a post out there since it has been pretty quiet. Since our first adoption back in 2003 our family, of 3 soon to be 4, has become avid travelers and CCO'ers. (We had our Luggage lost in Germany once and it was a painful experience.) I have tried Compression bags from EMS, rolling clothing, Packmates, Cubes and everything else I could find to fit our travel needs. This is what I have settled on- Food Saver Bags and Packmates. This is our process – Everyone picks out 3 Full outfits and 2 extra tops, depending on what our destination is. I create paper labels specifying the outfit and who it is for. I then place in the one outfit and a tag in a Food Bag, lock it in the vacuum machine, place a heavy book on top of the bag and the air is sucked out. I end up with a brick the size of an encyclopedia, flat on both sides. (The really stack in the suitcase nice). Then I use some Duck tape to fold down the ends. Note: the duck tape can be reused on your trip for emergencies! Then we do the washing, in our room, and jelling rolling to speed up the drying process. By the end of the trip we decide what articles of clothing will not go home with us to make room for the treasures we purchased at our destination. The cloths that come back are placed in the empty Packmates, we brought along, and toted home.

This may not be for everyone but it has gotten us through 4 countries and a half a dozen trips to Disney World and Disneyland. We plan to use it for China

Jennifer Moyher
LID 9/05

Food Saver bags – it is a machine that comes with bags that you can suck the air out of. It is really made for food but I only use mine for Pre-Travel packing. You can find them in Wal-Mart , Target or other retailers in the houses wares area by the crock pots and toasters. The reason I like this is because I get a uniform end result, it gets all of the air out and the seal lasts. I also like packmates but they can be lumpy and do not pack as well, in my opinion only. We do use pack mates for the trip back home since the Food bags are only good for one way. Once you break the seal they are done until you get home and use them again for packing extra socks and such. As for Heavy- weather you use the Food Bags or Pack mates it does not change the weight of your items. It only makes it condensed. I like to pull the scale out from its hiding place and weigh my stuff. If it is over the limit in one then I redistribute to the other. I would recommend you trying a Space Saver bag for your next trip and see how you like it before you buy more. Please remember that packing can be a very personal thing. You do what makes you comfortable.

All of my clothing go in the Food Bags, Liquids went in a the regulation zip lock baggie, and the non liquid pills I placed in my med bag next to my clothing, it is not a food bag or anything fancy just the bottle it came in. For as much as I have traveled I have not had one issue with meds. I normaly take asprin and the cold strips but not much more than that for dry meds.

Jennifer Moyher

-:¦:- Stephe -:¦:-
http://www.giorgiadanette.blogspot.com

Bad News

2008-01-21T05:41:00.000-08:00

To all travelers: Put all your valuables in your carry-on. Nothing is safe anymore!! You think your luggage is safe with fancy locks ?? WRONG!! This is going to make you nervous every time it's out of your sight and you won't even know if it's been opened until you look inside to see if anything is missing. So much for luggage locks....

Watch the video.

-:¦:- Stephe -:¦:-
http://www.giorgiadanette.blogspot.com

New Regs on Batteries

2008-01-09T06:56:00.001-08:00

"On January 1, new TSA regulations went into effect regarding spare lithium batteries. The short version: lithium batteries MUST be carried on; if spares are not in their original packaging, they must be isolated from metal objects and other batteries (easiest option: pack each individually in a plastic bag). Check out further information here and here."

Effective January 1, 2008, the following rules apply to the spare lithium batteries you carry with you in case the battery in a device runs low:

Spare batteries are the batteries you carry separately from the devices they power. When batteries are installed in a device, they are not considered spare batteries.

You may not pack a spare lithium battery in your checked baggage

You may bring spare lithium batteries with you in carry-on baggage – see our spare battery tips and how-to sections to find out how to pack spare batteries safely!

Even though we recommend carrying your devices with you in carry-on baggage as well, if you must bring one in checked baggage, you may check it with the batteries installed.

The following quantity limits apply to both your spare and installed batteries. The limits are expressed in grams of “equivalent lithium content.” 8 grams of equivalent lithium content is approximately 100 watt-hours. 25 grams is approximately 300 watt-hours:

Under the new rules, you can bring batteries with up to 8-gram equivalent lithium content. All lithium ion batteries in cell phones are below 8 gram equivalent lithium content. Nearly all laptop computers also are below this quantity threshold.

You can also bring up to two spare batteries with an aggregate equivalent lithium content of up to 25 grams, in addition to any batteries that fall below the 8-gram threshold. Examples of two types of lithium ion batteries with equivalent lithium content over 8 grams but below 25 are shown below.

For a lithium metal battery, whether installed in a device or carried as a spare, the limit on lithium content is 2 grams of lithium metal per battery.

Almost all consumer-type lithium metal batteries are below 2 grams of lithium metal. But if you are unsure, contact the manufacturer!

Examples of extended-life rechargeable lithium batteries (more than 8 but not more than 25 grams of equivalent lithium content):

-:¦:- Stephe -:¦:-
http://www.giorgiadanette.blogspot.com

Help Speed Up Airport Security

2007-12-20T09:51:00.000-08:00

Another cool post I found here. Here is the summary to it...

Help Speed Up Airport Security

1. Strip yourself of all offending bits of metal BEFORE going to the airport.
2. WEAR loafers.
3. Carry your laptop OUTSIDE your bag.
4. Put your keys, loose change, pens, eyeglass cases, watch, cell phone and belt IN your carry-on. (My tip: put them all in a clear plastic baggie like your toiletries.)

DO keep your boarding pass in hand.

DON’T tell a screener that you are about to miss your flight (it won’t win you any sympathy and could even arouse suspicion).

DON’T try to jam everything into one bin in a misguided effort to be helpful—it’s much harder to screen.

DO lay your bag on its side (the upright position is much harder to “read” and may trigger a rescreening).

DO put items through the X-ray machine only when you are ready to walk through the metal detector. This minimizes the time you’re separated from your belongings.

DON’T block traffic by repacking your belongings on the conveyor belt.

DO make sure that you have all items before you leave the checkpoint.

DON’T accuse screeners of theft: Once you’re certain an item is missing, speak to a supervisor.

Clothing and Accessories

DON’T wear clothing with metallic objects such as buckles.

DON’T wear lots of jewelry or hairpins that can’t be easily removed.

DO wear easily removable shoes.

Liquids

DO take the plastic bag holding liquids out of your carry-on before putting it through the X-ray machine. (remember the 3-3-1 rule)

DON’T say you “forgot” you have liquids in your bag.

DON’T tell screeners “it only comes in this size” or “it’s almost empty” when asked to surrender containers of liquid larger than three ounces.

DON’T tell them how much you spent on the toiletries—it won’t make any difference if they’re the wrong size.

Just a bit more

Know before you go: it’s YOUR responsibility to know the rules and typical procedures before you fly.

Avoid heels, boots, zippers, buckles, metal studs, underwire.

If you want to dress up in such things, fine — keep those clothes in your suitcase and change AFTER going through security.

If seemingly mundane clothing or shoes set off alarms, make a mental note and avoid wearing them on future travels.

+ Don’t forget to go through your purse for “liquids” like lipstick, lip balm or hand lotion.

Have suspicious things near the top of your bag or take them out completely and put them directly in the bin to allow immediate visual inspection (things TSA has regularly found suspicious in my bags include a pack of 4-AA batteries, my travel alarm clock, my travel mirror, my laptop lock, my empty water bottle, my thermos).

Do as many of these things as possible BEFORE entering the security line; if you’ve forgotten, do them while IN line rather than waiting till you’re at the front; always take off shoes and coats and have laptop ready 2-3 people before your turn.

After your screening, thank the security employees and wish them a nice day.

And thank this persons blog post...It was great.

-:¦:- Stephe -:¦:-
http://www.giorgiadanette.blogspot.com

20 Travel Gifts Under $20

2007-12-20T09:19:00.000-08:00

This is bits of a blog post I found here.

Your local dollar store, whatever it’s called in your location, is likely to have a couple things every traveler would appreciate. Look out for the following: sink stopper plugs, refillable travel-sized bottles (make sure they’re under 3.4 oz/100ml though in order to be carry-onable), safety pins, travel sewing kits, mini flashlight, retractable headphones, snack-size zip-top bags, velcro cable straps, plastic cable ties (for locking zippers), luggage straps, etc. The dollar store is a great place to start your shopping.

TSA locks are a travel must-have. I prefer the combi locks (pictured at right) to keyed (so as not to worry about having/losing keys). Radio Shack offers a set of two TSA combi locks for $4.

For a few bucks, you can head to your local art shop or bookstore and purchase a lined blank book to be used as a travel journal. Supplement with a nice pen and some scotch tape or photo corners for adding mementos along the way.

Nalgene water bottles start at $4.50 direct from the manufacturer, with free shipping. I picked up a similar unbreakable water bottle at Target for $1 a few years ago (they’re in the camping section).

MP3 players with USB flash drive functionality have drastically come down in price, and I can’t imagine traveling without mine. I found one here for $8, another for $11. You can probably find similar deals in electronics stores near your home.

Lands’ End’s travel section features two useful gifts under $10. First is a Security Travel Belt for $9.50 (I found one at Walgreen's for $3.99 and it's can be adjusted to a larger waist if needed). I’m not a money belt/pouch wearer myself, but many of my friends and family are. Second is an $8 Passport Holder, which is essential for protecting your documents from rain, butt sweat and the rough and tumble in your backpack or handbag.

For $11 at Overstock, I found this 1/2 L Stainless Steel Thermos. You may be able to find a cheaper one at a store like TJ Maxx and IKEA has a relatively cheap one too (but not online, unfortunately).

A Swiss Army Knife is always practical and useful on the road. The Bantam at $14.50 is the most stripped down version I’ve ever seen, but has the essentials for a traveler: knife blade and bottle/can opener. There’s also a screwdriver and wire stripper designed into the bottle/can opener, for your more MacGyver moments on the road . . .

For $17, USB Geek offers a pretty amazing looking universal plug adapter. (Remember, this makes it possible to plug in your electronic item but does not change current. If your appliance doesn’t run on dual current, you will also need a power converter.)

Starting at $20, LLBean offers travel toiletry kits. It’s not a romantic or exciting gift, but as a visiting friend said this weekend, “This is the most useful gift I’ve ever gotten.” I have to agree; I got mine years ago from a boyfriend, and while he’s no longer in the picture, I use the toiletry kit 20+ times per year. I think we both have the medium size.

Full blog post found here.

-:¦:- Stephe -:¦:-
http://www.giorgiadanette.blogspot.com

Packing Tips for the Traveler

2007-12-20T04:28:00.000-08:00

See full post here.

To Carry
A day bag with a handle is more practical than most purses. It will hold cosmetics, tissues, lip balm, aspirins, pen, map, mini-flashlight, and so on. Zippered compartments protect sunglasses and money. It can also be stashed inside your tote.

Avoid Wrinkles
Roll t-shirts, sweaters, and wrinkle-resistant pants to avoid hard creases or folds. Place these items around the perimeter of your bag.

Baggage Limitations
Be aware that tour companies (and different Countries) may impose stricter baggage limitations than the airlines. Ask in advance.

Bulk Up
Wear your bulky clothes and heaviest shoes on board the aircraft to maximize luggage space and minimize weight.

Collapsible Totes
Bring a collapsible tote. When not in use, it packs flat in your carry-on. Aboard planes and trains, use it for snacks, magazines and paperbacks, camera, folding umbrella, etc. When it's time to go home the tote also serves as an extra suitcase for gifts and souvenirs

Consolidate Toiletries
Men and women traveling together need to consolidate toiletries whenever possible. For example, 1 man's razor with separate blades and a small bottle of shaving oil will suit both parties.

Door Stoppers
Bring a door stopper with you for hotel stays. Some models even offer an alarm feature. Note: Some foreign hotels have doors that open the opposite direction so you may want to pack a motion alarm as well.

Dress Code
Because cruises often have dress code requirements, you may want to travel with a larger rolling suitcase to accommodate formal wear. Request a packing list from the cruise line in advance.

Extra Toothbrush
If you are going to be in an area where local water is a problem, bring an extra toothbrush. First thing in the morning, it's easy to forget and run your brush under the faucet - this way you can toss it and use the spare.

Fast Dry Underwear
Save luggage space and bring a few pairs of fast dry underwear that you can wash in your hotel sink and that will dry overnight.

Flashlights
Always have a small flashlight with you. You can use it to read menus in a dark restaurant or navigate in a dark hotel room.

Hangers
Folding or inflatable travel hangers can be useful in the event that you need to dry out laundry in your hotel room.

Hats are a Must
Don't forget to bring a hat! Choose a style that has a large brim, is preferably waterproof, offers some sort of ventilation and most of all, is packable.v

Heavy Items
Pack your heaviest items at the bottom of your bag, closest to the wheels. This will prevent heavier items from shifting and causing wrinkles.

Label Inside and Out
Make sure that your bags are labeled inside and out in case your outside tags are removed in transit.

Long Underwear
Pack a set of silk long underwear. It is lightweight, packs into a tiny space, insulates in cold weather, and doubles as pajamas.

Make Your Bag Stand Out
Make your black rolling luggage stand out on the carousel with brightly-colored luggage tags or stickers.

Manila Envelope
Pack a large manila envelope on the bottom of your suitcase. This can be used to either store miscellaneous papers such as tickets, postcards, receipts and guidebooks or even to mail them back home to save room in your case.

Mix and Match
Try to pack clothing that you can mix and match. Choose a neutral color as a base for slacks or skirts and add colorful pieces for variety.
Citron Black Silk Pants (Plus)
Jet Set Tunic
Three-Quarter Sleeve Blouse
Textured Silk Print Tank
Citron Tank (Plus)

Moleskin
Moleskin can be a life saver. Because you tend to walk more than usual as well as wear the same shoes over and over, blisters are almost inevitable. Be prepared by bring packets of moleskin with you and hopefully, you won't need it.

Old Clothing
Pack some old clothing that you can leave behind if necessary. That way, you will have more room for fun items on the return trip.

Pack Light
If you plan to travel by train, pack as lightly as possible. Because the train timetables are so reliable in Europe, they are often at the station for a very brief time. You will need to find your car and board yourself and your luggage as quickly as possible.
Fleece Travel Jacket
Magellan's Museum Jacket
Women's Washable Suede Shirt
Men's Washable Suede Shirt
Cotton Comfort Set

Pack Tight

When packing your suitcase, try to pack lightly but tightly. Under packing may cause items to shift in the extra space and therefore become wrinkled. Wrinkling will also occur if the case is packed too tightly.

Packing Organization
Pack items in bags or pouches inside your luggage. You can easily locate and unpack items and use them to get organized.
Mesh Cubes
Affinity 24" Frameless Expandable Rolling Upright
Small Packfolio
Large Packfolio

Multi-Purpose Tool
Be sure to pack some sort of compact multi-purpose tool that includes a screwdriver, scissors, tweezers, etc. Keep it with you at all times.

Packing Reflections
Take time as you unpack at home to reflect on which items you packed worked well for your trip and update your packing list accordingly. Examine your luggage closely and make necessary repairs now.

Packing Shoes
Shoes take up an incredible amount of space in your luggage. Fill the insides with items such as socks or belts.

Pill Cases
Compartmentalized, opaque pill holders (like our Vitamin/Pill Cases) are great for carrying small jewelry (earrings, necklaces). An added benefit is that they are very inconspicuous.

Protect Your Feet
Travelers tend to walk more than normal because it's the best way to see the sights. Pack new socks with well-cushioned soles rather than older socks that have become thinner with wear and the most comfortable, well-broken-in shoes you own no matter what they look like. Comfort comes first!

Protect Your Shoes
Protect your shoes and clothing by packing shoes in some sort of shoe bag. If they are special shoes you plan on wearing infrequently, such as evening shoes, pack the socks or stockings you plan to wear with them in the bag as well.

Quick Laundry
Bring a simple laundry kit with you so you can do quick washes in the hotel sink. A sink stopper, clothesline and packets of suds are very inexpensive compared to the cost of laundry services.
Flexo-line

Raincoats
Instead of an umbrella, pack a raincoat. It can double as a robe or a windbreaker and takes up less room. Women's Waterproof Rain Cape Unisex Waterproof Poncho

Scarves
Scarves can be the ultimate travel accessory as they take up virtually no room and can be so versatile. Use them to spruce up blazers or dresses, as belts and even as head coverings in mosques.

Sensible Shoes
Because of the movement of cruise ships, it is very easy to lose your balance. Bring rubber soled shoes for strolling around the decks and try to bring sturdier dress shoes if possible. Also bring good walking shoes for shore excursions.

Sewing Kits
Make sure you pack a sewing kit so you can make quick repairs on the fly. Safety pins and rubber bands can be very useful as well.

Shortwave Radios
If you are going to be traveling to a non-English speaking destination and must stay current on world news and events, bring a short-wave radio. These can help you tune into English broadcasts in either short-wave or AM/FM bands.
AM/FM Shortwave Emergency Radio with Mobile Phone Charger

Size Limitations
Find out what the luggage size limitations are for the airlines you are traveling on. Their carry-on allowances are becoming more restricted and you may find that the standard 22 inch suitcase is not allowable anymore.

Slippers
Bring a pair of inexpensive slippers, flip flops or shower shoes. They can be used in unsavory shower stalls, as slippers in your room or even on the beach.

Smooth Out Wrinkles
Bring a can of fabric relaxant to smooth out wrinkles in your clothing. It can also remove odors and static cling. Wrinkle-Free Fabric Relaxant (3 oz)

Spare Eyeglasses
If you depend on prescription eye wear, bring an extra pair of glasses, sunglasses or contact lenses. Pack them in a hard case or shoe so they don't become damaged in transit.
Quilted Dual Eyeglass Case

Stains
Bring a reliable, compact stain remover so you can be prepared for any situation. Make sure it can tackle a variety of fabrics and stains. Stain Eraser Janie Spot Cleaner

Swap Clothes
If you are traveling with a companion, pack at least one change of clothing in each others luggage. That way, if one person's luggage gets misplaced, a change of your own clothes will be available.

Tissue Paper
Placing tissue paper between folds in your clothing may eliminate wrinkles.

Toilet Kits
Use a toiletry bag designed for travel that has features such as mesh pockets so you can locate items easier and a hook to hang over doors.
Flat-Pack Organizer
Men's Grab & Go Toiletry Kit

Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is a necessity. Make sure you understand all the details of what it does and does not cover before you purchase a policy.

Zip-Top Bags
Pack a few plastic bags (preferably the zip-top kind) for storing damp items such as laundry that hasn't dried yet, washcloths and wet shoes.
Zip-Top Bag Set

This blog post was found on Moneymakingmamas.blogspot.org

-:¦:- Stephe -:¦:-
http://www.giorgiadanette.blogspot.com

Document Organizer by Stephe

2007-12-05T08:37:00.000-08:00

I just realized I had some duplicate info. Please let me know if I am missing anything or don't need some of this stuff.

In our files, you can find some quick pdfs to help you organize lots of contact info. : )

-:¦:- Stephe -:¦:-
http://www.giorgiadanette.blogspot.com

Laptop Travel Tips

2007-11-29T04:16:00.000-08:00

"With the holidays right around the corner, many of us will be packing our bags and bon voyaging to visit friends and family. If you are planning on packing your laptop, there are some precautions you should take to make sure your laptop is in tip top shape when it arrives at your destination.

Be sure to carry your laptop in a bag designed for laptop computers. If you accidentally drop your laptop while it is in a good carrying case, you have a good chance that it will not be damaged. Most laptop bags have extra padding for added protection.

Sometimes hotel rooms have devices like alarm clocks, hair driers and televisions containing magnets that can damage your data. Do not store memory sticks or zip disks near these devices for extended periods.

For more tips, just

Keep those holiday cocktails away from your laptop and try to avoid using small base glasses as they can easily tip over. Spilling liquid into a laptop can ruin it.

Avoid checking your laptop as luggage on an airline, bus, etc. Always carry-on your laptop to avoid damage and theft. Keep your laptop in hand at all times when in public areas. Be extra careful in busy locations like airports, where many laptop computers are stolen.

X-ray machines at the airports will not damage your computer or your media and files. However, many people have had their computers stolen as it comes out of the conveyer belt. Be sure not to leave your computer unattended.

Make sure you know the power type and the plug type requirements for the country you are traveling to. You will need to get the necessary adapters if you are going to be using your computer while plugged into a power source (other than battery power). "

This article found here.

-:¦:- Stephe -:¦:-
http://www.giorgiadanette.blogspot.com

New Item Banned on Airplanes

2007-11-19T07:15:00.001-08:00

Ok, this was on AOL news today! The latest item banned on flights is SnowGlobes!! Yes, you read correctly! No snow globes on planes! LOL

Power Monkey

2007-11-16T05:22:00.001-08:00

Never be caught without your Power Monkey!
The ingenious, pocket-sized Power Monkey charges all your portable electronics, including mobile phone, iPod, digital camera, MP3 player, PDA, Bluetooth headset and Blackberry® It has a huge power reserve (40 hours for iPods, 96 hours of standby time for mobile phones, 1600 pictures for digital cameras) and holds its charge for up to a year.(While the included iPod tip fits the iPhone, the Power Monkey does not deliver the correct charge.) Includes four adaptor plugs, a 110-240v. adaptor for recharging in 150 countries, connectors for most mobile phones, and a black travel pouch. (4 x 1½ x 1½")

You can find it here.

Quick Reference

2007-11-09T08:47:00.000-08:00

I ended up being the Secret Pal to one of my friends, Donna, and I thought for one of their gifts I would make them a copy of my quick reference book. I came up with this idea 1) because I'm just plain nuts 2) I thought it would be a great way to stuff lots of info in one spot that would be easy to access. I bought one of those business card holder and began filling it with lots of cool stuff I thought I would need. I LOVE mine and I think Donna loved hers too.

Since I don't have a photo of mine, I grabbed Donna's post from her blog to show you!

From Waiting for Lauren Elizabeth ...

Even with all these things, my VERY favorite item is this quick reference book chock full of all kinds of information we'll need in China.

When I first opened this I saw our address info, photo and an adorable little card that says "On our Way to Lauren Elizabeth." At that moment, it hit me...we ARE actually going to China and I got teary eyed. Sometimes I have those moments were it feels more real than other times and it just hits me. I think all you waiting mommas totally understand this and have your own "moments."

Inside this book, there is tons of information that we might need while in China like our pet-sitter, passport and agency info; symptoms and treatments for all sorts of conditions that we could encounter; medicine info, info on how to get medical treatment while there; info about the food, water, and making phone calls to the U.S., info on American friendly restaurants and shopping in Guangzhou, and more!

This reference book is SO thoughtful and SO very appreciated. It's just the right size to slip into our backback while in China so we have everything we need with us while we're on the go.

Go ahead and use this same idea and fill your book with lots of cool stuff that you think you might need!

-:¦:- Stephe -:¦:-
http://www.giorgiadanette.blogspot.com

Carry-On Caddy

2007-11-07T08:28:00.000-08:00

"Minimus.biz has some exciting news! The Carry-On Caddy™ was recently launched on our website! The Caddy was designed by Minimus Co-Founder Paul Shrater while he was going through an airport security checkpoint after the 3-1-1 rules for carry-on liquids and gels were put in place. He saw a need for a new product that would hold fliers' TSA-required quart-sized zippered bags.

The Carry-On Caddy™ is perfectly sized to fit one quart-sized zippered bag, secured by a velcroed tab, and clips to other carry-on luggage for easy access. Just slip the zippered bag in and out of the Caddy to breeze through airport security.

On a recent trip to San Francisco, I tried out the Caddy myself. The black bag conveniently clipped onto my other carry-on bag and easily held my practically-overflowing quart-sized zippered bag of my shampoo, makeup, and other liquids and gels.

I arrived at the airport in a frantic rush to get to the gate before the plane left. When I got to the security checkpoint, I was able to get in and out quickly as I didn't have to dig for my bag of liquids and gels (TSA requires that bags of liquids and gels be screened separately). I simply pulled the plastic bag out of the velcroed pouch and slipped it back in once it was cleared.

I give the Carry-On Caddy™ two thumbs up for practicality, ease, and I was still flying in style. Get your own Caddy for just $4.99 or order yours pre-packed with products for men, women, and organic lovers (in citrus and lavender options). "

Check them out at Minimus.

Challenge #3 - Stephe

2007-11-06T03:15:00.000-08:00

Finally, I've almost got my challenge posted. I was going to wait on the luggage but couldn't hold out and went shopping this weekend!Geez...Luggage is EXPENSIVE. I've always traveled with a 21" Carry on and a HUGE duffel on wheels. They were cheap and have lasted forever. So, what's with the whole "expensive" luggage? Sturdier? I guess if you traveled every week I would understand. For me, I just need the luggage to last for the China trip and don't want to invest that much money in it. I found the two pieces above at Walmart. The small 21" is a Protege, which I think is a Walmart brand. I liked it, so I got it. I already have a really old 21" but this one had more front pockets that made it easier for me to organize. I found an American Tourister at Walmart as well. It's a 25" one. It was $56.97. The 25" American Tourister at Kohls was $159.99. They looked almost EXACTLY the same. I know, I know, the one, same maker and size at kohls is probably a somewhat better quality and will last a lifetime but the one I got looks sturdy enough for my lifetime! lol. Only time will tell! My question to all of you...can I use a 25"??? For some reason I had thought that size was too big????

On to my fun travel stuff. I created a "FLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT BAG". I limited it to one medium bag and that's it. No more. I've packed it full and it will be in my backpack for the flight to China. I feel I won't need it for the flight home, I will have my hands full and I will replace it with...Giorgia's Flight Entertainment Bag!

(click on photos to enlarge)

I was planning on taking a fanny pack but I HATE the way they look! I was looking into some messenger bags but they were a little large. Hmmm...look what I found. Walmart again, in the travel section, a travel bag for $7.97. It can be a fanny pack or you can rework the straps and wear it like a messenger bag! It's perfect size for what I need to use it for and my camera fits in it too!

Walmart had this Travel Wallet on clearance for $3. You can actually wear it like a backpack but I have a feeling that is why it was clearance. Why would you want that important stuff on your back??? Anyway, rework the strings and again, it can be worn in messenger bag style. This will be great for my flight stuff: plane tickets, passport & ID.

I haven't made the photos below "pretty" yet. Anyway, here are 3 out of the four carriers that I am bringing. I stumbled upon 2 baby B'airs ($5 each) one is a toddler size and one is an infant size. I've heard that these are great for the plane ride home. I also got a Hip Hammock for $6. It's obvioiusly never been used. I like because you carry your little one on your hip with support and it's much easier on your back. It's great for some kids. The only carrier that I will purchase new is the "ultimate baby wrap". This is the one I really, really want. This I will purchase new because it's basically on fabric. Who knows how the stretch of the fabric will change over time...so, I want to be the first to use it!!! I look forward to see how well it works.

I have some other misc. stuff below.

Luggage and Travel items

Air Freshener (smoky rooms)
Alarm Watch (Alarm clock) Looking for clip on alarm!!!
Baby B'air(both infant & toddler size)
Baby Carrier (Hip Hammock)
Baby Carrier (intend to get ultimate wrap)
Bob Crawford's cards still have to get!
Book (of games for plane)
Bungee cords still have to get!
Calculator(clipon on backpack)
Candy necklaces/bracelets
Clothes pins, plastic
Conversion chart - U.S. to RMB
Drink Mixes / bottle water
Duct Tape (unique color)
Ear Plugs
Eye Cover
Flash light
Garbage Bags
Hand Fan
Heavy-duty poster tube for artwork
Luggage - Extra Bag (or buy there)
Luggage Keys (bring extra) still have to get!
Luggage Locks still have to get!
Luggage Straps
Mini Voice Recorder get a better one!
Money Belt/Holder
Nasal spray like Ocean
Neck Pillow - inflatable not sure about this?
Rubber Drain Plug
Sunglasses
Surgical Masks or Scarfs
Tissues
Toilet paper Xtra rolls of
Voltage Adaptor still have to get!
Woolite (to hand wash clothes)
Ziploc bags

ADDITIONAL ITEMS OR NOTES:
Clorox wipes
Phone
Phone charger
Night light (to test adapter and good to have)

I'm sure this list will be revised and I forgot a bunch of stuff!!!

-:¦:- Stephe -:¦:-
http://www.giorgiadanette.blogspot.com/

Challenge 3 - Wendy H.

2007-11-05T13:37:00.000-08:00

This is my packing from the first time I went to China. I dont have pics of what I have done this time but I can tell you that it will be very similar, with one exception. instead of two small carry-on suitcases, I will be taking one next-size up luggage in the same set. I have successfully packed everything Ineed for me and the 3 kids in there and it doesn't weigh much at all. So far, so good. Here are pics of my first trip to give you an idea.

Challenge 3 - Melissa

2007-11-05T06:42:00.001-08:00

I used this challenge to organize my carry on and I tried to buy a few things on the list. Overall I made some good progress. I took everything out of my diaper bag backpack from challenge # 1 and put in all into a "double cube". My thinking is when I get to China I will take everything out of the cube and fill up my diaper bag. The cube will be packed in one of the suitcases.

Melissa Backpack:

neck pillow, blanket, ear plugs, eye mask, toilet paper, tissue, hand sanitizer wipes, contact sol., contact case, eye glasses, lip balm, deodorant, moisturizer, compression socks, nasal spray, hairbrush, hair elastics and clip, toothbrush, toothpaste, tampons, water, drink mix, snacks, first aid kit (Tylenol, band aids), flashlight, calculator, pen, notebook, travel journal, book, Ipod, change of clothes.

Patrick Backpack: sunglasses, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, laptop, video camera, camera, laptop, neck pillow, blanket, documents, DVD's, IPOD, books, conversion chart, dictionary, batteries, phone, phone charger, duct tape, change of clothes.

Packed in Suitcases: alarm clock, voltage adaptor, laundry detergent, dish detergent, drain plugs, dryer sheets, duct tape, poster tube, luggage straps, Ziploc bags, bungee cords.

Patrick will have a money belt on and we will both have document pouches around our neck while we are boarding with our ID, tickets and passports.

So now I will go and read everyone's post and add and delete things from this list!

Rizzo List for Challange #3

2007-11-04T16:22:00.000-08:00

Sorry it has taken me so long to post this I hope it is not to late. I still have a few things to buy on this list but for the most part I have everything. Still waiting for the diaper bag and the baby carrier. I need to get to Office Depot for the poster tube. I have noticed that a lot of my stuff should be on other challenges but oh well.. I did not include the stuff I plan on putting in our carry on bags but I have made up ziplock bags for each of us that include everything to make the flight a little easier. Toothpaste, tooth brush, mouth was, gum, tissues, hand cream, nose spray, visine, deodorant, anti bacterial gel, ear plugs. I don't have the bags in front of me so I know I am forgetting something, but basically everything each of us would like to have on a long flight is in one ziplock bag for a qick trip to the bathroom to refresh. We will each have our own bag that we will carry in the backpack that we are responsible for (Riz computer backpack with electronics)(Sue diaper bag backpack with all paperwork, change of clothes for each of us and snacks)this way we don't have to figure out which bag the toiletries are in.... I labeled them with our name on them

The Diaper bag here is not the Diaper bag we will be taking to China but I added it to the picture just to show that we will be taking 4 bags total with us

All clothes are going in the 29" case.... Mine, His and Baby..( I hope I don't regret that LOL)
Rolling duffel will hold everything else...

Suitcases
29 inch suitcase
25 inch rolling duffel
Diaper bag Backpack
Computer Backpack
Luggage - Extra Bag (or buy there)
Luggage Keys
Luggage Locks

Money belt
Comfort Items
Luggage Straps
Neck Pillow
Eye Cover
Ear Plugs

Kitchen items
Tablecloth
Travel Coffee Press
Drink Mixes , coffee, sweetener
Rubber Gripper
Bottle Brush
Rubber Drain Plug
Plastic Fork/Knife/Spoon Combo thing
Thermos
Scotch Bright dry dish washing
Ziploc bags
Garbage Bags

Electronics
Phone
Phone charger
Voltage Adaptor
Alarm clock

I-Pod

Travel Speakers and Charger
Calculator with conversion cart taped to the back

Laptop computer and Cords

Digital Camera, extra SD cards, Charger, Card reader

Camcorder and charger

DVD's

Personal items
Sunglasses

Small Flash Light

Rain Ponchos
Book

Pen
Journal
Toilet paper
Antibacterial gel

Tissues

Hand Fan

Laundry items
Tide sink packs
Tide To go Stick
Wet ones/ Clorox wipes
Febrezze (smoky rooms)

Miscellaneous items
Uno Cards
Language Cards
First Aide Kit
Heavy-duty poster tube for artwork
Baby Carrier

Jen W finally gets to Challenge 3

2007-11-04T15:06:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone
Sorry that I am so late with my posting for the October Challenge, but I had another crazy month (and I procrastinated a bit). We decided to just use our some of our current luggage for the trip (so far anyway) I feel like at any moment I might just change my mind completely and go buy something that weighs less. The picture shows the bags…Currently the plan is: one 26” samsonite red suitcase, one 21” black with red Chaps bag and one little 18” carryon suitcase to carryon with us if needed. Plus I will have a backpack (that I will use once we get to China as the diaper-backpack) and Rich will have his favorite Olio computer laptop backpack with all of the electronic stuff in it. It helps me to think about what will go where on the trip over so that is the way I organized myself… Here is what I came up with ( It helps me know what I need to buy and what we have already too) Thanks Ladies! One big question… Which Baby Carrier to take? I have four (yes 4 ) different carriers…. Yes, I said 4. I had discipline to not buy too many clothes, but carriers, I couldn’t stop. An ergo ( got from Craigslist ( gently used), a Baby Bjorn, a mei tai ( handmade by some Mom’s here locally), and a hip sling-thing (also handmade and passed down from an FCC Mom) --- argh! I just don’t know which one(s) to bring… anyone have any suggestions on that?
Here's my sad little list:

Luggage Challenge
inflatable neck pillow
luggage straps
luggage locks
ear plugs
duct tape
gorilla pod ( I have had that on my wishlist for awhile now, hopefully Santa helps)
baby carrier (oh, lord... which one?)
packmates
compression bags
neck wallet
Rich's computer backpack (carryon)
laptop
extra laptop battery
camera
extra camer batteries
sunglasses
voice recorder
book
ipod
dvds
Jen's backpack carryon
tissues
toothbrush
toothpaste
face and hand moisturizer
burts bees lip stuff
lavendar spray
deodorant
mini makeup bag
antibacterial wipes
antibacterial gel
document binder
ipod
saline spray
gum
mints
travel journal
mini wallet
book
inflatable neck pillow
hat
hair bands & comb
LLBean Travel Slippers
actual small carryon luggage (17 inches suitcase not checked)
change of clothes for us
toiletry bags (minus razor and scissors)
battery charger
voltage adapter
not sure what else yet....

Thanks for giving me the courage to tackle this each month!

Challenge 3 - Jennifer K

2007-11-02T18:42:00.000-07:00

Here's my list (so far!):

Electronics
alarm clock
calculator (on office supply list)
flashlight
nightlight
voltage adaptor
spare batteries
Laundry
plastic hangers
woolite
rubber drain plug (on baby list)
Flight Comfort
ear plugs
eye mask
inflatable neck pillow (undecided, not sure we need this)
nasal spray (Ocean)
motion sickness bands
ginger gum
ginger candies
Dramamine
Airborne
Beverages
drink mixes for bottled water
coffee bags
Aveda tea (also a comfort item for me)
Entertainment
book
iPod
Stationery
Chinese language reference (bought from our agency, need to make cards)
currency conversion chart
time conversion chart
travel journal
Packing
bungee cords
cable ties
clear duct tape
garbage bags
heavy duty poster tube
luggage
extra bag
luggage locks
luggage straps
luggage tags
ziploc bags
packing cubes (still need to buy)
Baby
baby b'air
ergo baby carrier
Personal Care (carry on)
sunglasses
contact lens case
contact solution
glasses
eye drops
tissues
toothbrushes
toothpaste
moisturizer
lip balm
Evian spray
anti-bacterial wipes
alcohol swabs
travel deodorant (in case we get stuck overnight en route)
Personal care (checked)
dish soap (on baby list)
anti-bacterial hand soap
Comfort items
travel aromatherapy diffuser
light bulb diffuser
lavender essential oil

Travel Tips to Beijing

2007-11-02T05:33:00.000-07:00

I stumbled across this article while surfing by Arun Gupta. Read the entire article here , there are photos.

"Shopping is a LOT of fun in Beijing. There is a great variety of clothes, toys, gadgets, etc. at local shops. And no shopping is complete without bargaining and that too HARD bargaining. For example when shopping at touristy places, such as street-side shops near Great Wall, bargain HARD. The rule that I followed was to quote the price to 10% of the original. Here are some examples:

Tee-shirts quoted 1 for 130, paid RMB 3 for 50 RMB
Cashmere Scarf (can't be original ;) quoted 1 for 160 RMB, paid 5 for 80 RMB
Great Wall Memento quoted 350 RMB, paid 20 RMB
Refrigerator Magnet quoted 20 RMB, paid 5 RMB

Generally the shopkeepers will give a counter offer but be straight-faced and maintain your price. To keep it easy, just stick to your price and pretend walk away. In all the cases, I was approached with my quoted price :) "

Evelyn's Document Organizer

2007-10-31T17:43:00.000-07:00

Hi all!

Here is my list for the Document Organizer Challenge. As you'll see from the above photos, I've already been keeping my docs, in a vertical divider that I love. I also like the "Baby Briefcase" pictured on the right, which I think I posted on this blog before. I might get this one, for when we come back, to organize readoption papers etc.

DOCUMENTS TO TAKE TO CHINA

Travel Letter
Acceptance Letter
Passports
Passports copies 10-each
Chinese Visa
Brown Envelope
Passport Picture-1 each
Flight Tickets
Copy of Homestudy
Addendums if necessary
I-171H
Immunization Agreement
Dossier Copy
Drivers License copies 2-3 each
Health Insurance Info
Copies of everything in wallet
Phone Contact List
Translation Cards
Maps of Regions to visit
Hotel Information

Evelyn

Laundry Paper

2007-10-29T15:52:00.000-07:00

"A must for travelers, our dissolving Laundry Paper is perfect for washing socks, undies, swimwear, etc. and goes through airport security in your carry-on without a hitch. Plus, it's ultra-light so it won't weigh you down, and takes up virtually no space in your travel. Makes a great gift for frequent flyers, hikers and campers!Thirty single-use soap sheets come in a convenient, compact travel case -- just add water to dissolve into refreshing, ocean-scented suds. "

I found this here.

-:¦:- Stephe -:¦:-
http://www.giorgiadanette.blogspot.com

Quik Pod

2007-10-29T15:48:00.000-07:00

"The Quik Pod is a gadget that extends the reach of your arms and hands so you’re not restricted to taking awkward, super close-up photos of you and the strange “friend” you hazily woke up with at the hostel this morning. Sure, you’ll look like a goober using this thing, but face it: everyone knows you’re a tourist anyway (yes, unfortunately the Abercrombe + Fitch ring t-shirt and Boston Red Sox hat are dead giveaways). It’s less than $30 via the manufacturer’s website."I found it here.

-:¦:- Stephe -:¦:-

http://www.giorgiadanette.blogspot.com

Soap on Crack

2007-10-29T15:41:00.000-07:00

"I think we can all agree that finding a reliable meth dealer while on the road is difficult to say the least. This might be your opportunity to Say No to Drugs and get your morning buzz on the safe, Nancy Reagan-friendly way with Shower Shock Caffeine Soap Travel. ThinkGeek says: “It works. No, we’re not kidding and no you don’t eat it. The caffeine is absorbed through the skin…” If they said it, it must be true, right?"

I found this here.

-:¦:- Stephe -:¦:-

http://www.giorgiadanette.blogspot.com

Travel Adapter

2007-10-29T15:38:00.000-07:00

"The Only Travel Adapter You’ll Ever Need!

The 150-Country Auto-Detecting Travel Adapter And Converter. Not the catchiest product name, but we can’t all afford big budget marketing departments. Hammacher Schlemmer describes it as “the lightweight, compact device that automatically detects incoming voltage, converts it to 120-volt AC power, and provides plug adaptation for over 150 countries throughout Europe, Africa, Asia, the Americas and Caribbean, and Australia.” You’re out of luck in Antarctica I guess, but I don’t think they have electricity down there anyway. At least now you don’t have to carry around 150 adapters like you used to, right? Also: “The plug configures to fit a variety of international sockets, and it has a built-in USB port that allows you to leave chargers for cell phones, digital cameras, iPod®s, and other devices at home. The device allows simultaneous AC and USB connection to charge two devices at once.” Very cool.

-:¦:- Stephe -:¦:-
http://www.giorgiadanette.blogspot.com

Indestructible Travel Cases

2007-10-29T15:36:00.001-07:00

"Checking your crackberry or updating weekly travel expenses on your Treo while scuba diving is easier than ever before with the waterproof and crushproof Pelican Micro Case Series of cases. There’s even a purge valve to equalize the pressure!"
I found this here.

-:¦:- Stephe -:¦:-

http://www.giorgiadanette.blogspot.com

Gorillapod

2007-10-29T15:33:00.000-07:00

"The Gorillapod. Tripods are so last month. And who wants to actually hold their digital camera, like with their hands, when they can mount it virtually anywhere and to anything with this beast? "I found this here.

-:¦:- Stephe -:¦:-

http://www.giorgiadanette.blogspot.com

Travel Babyfood Dispensing Spoon

2007-10-29T09:52:00.001-07:00

I found this on a cool blog...

Squirt Babyfood Dispensing Spoon

"Wee Travel Car Seat and Baby Equipment Rentals (Toronto, Vancouver, Victoria) loves pretty much everything Boon…especially the new Squirt baby food dispensing spoon. The easy-to-fill bulb holds up to 3 ounces of baby food. Just give it a squeeze, and out comes just the right amount of food. Squirt comes with a protective cover to seal food in and keep the spoon clean between feedings. By combining the spoon and food container into one product, Squirt makes one-handed feeding a snap so you can nurse your latte with the other. $8 wherever Boon products are sold."

-:¦:- Stephe -:¦:-

http://www.giorgiadanette.blogspot.com

Hand Sanitizer

2007-10-25T06:58:00.000-07:00

I saw this post by the RQ on China Adopt Talk and this was her great info on Hand Sanitizer. Please see her blog for more IA Talk.

"I’ve seen so many people not using these things correctly that I thought it deserved a blog post. When in China we will all be using these after using a public bathroom, as many bathrooms do not have sinks, and even if they do there will likely not be any soap. Also, many restaurants do not have sinks or soap available, and after a day of sightseeing or even sitting in a Civil Affairs office, I think hand sanitizer is better than nothing at all before you begin eating. (And, as has been pointed out in the comments, even if you wash your hands, the water is likely not clean so you’ll still want to use hand sanitizer even if you do have an opportunity to wash the grime off of your hands.)

Here is what I’ve been told about hand sanitizers:

They need at least 15 seconds of being “wet” on your hands. Wipe and rub back and forth for 15 seconds.

The evaporation process is an important part of the process, don’t wipe dry, let it evaporate. The wet part of the process breaks down cell walls, the evaporation process dehydrates the cell and kills the organism. If you wipe dry you don’t complete the process. You should spend another 10 to 15 seconds holding your hands out and letting it all evaporate.

Children do not have to consume very much of it in order to get serious alcohol poisoning. Keep it away from kids when not being used, and carefully supervise when it is being used. If you suspect your child has ingested hand sanitizer and is acting strange, get medical help immediately.

There are some things that hand sanitizer will not kill, including at least one fairly common bug that causes diarrhea. (C. difficile) Something about it being a spore and not a virus or germ. If you can’t wash your hands after a BM diaper then you may want to do a combination of wiping them well with a wipe and following up with sanitizer AND keeping your hands away from your mouth and your child’s mouth (and your child’s hands if they put their hands in their mouth).

Soap and water are said to be much better than hand sanitizer at removing germs and viruses and spores from your hands. If you have access to soap and clean water, use it. Only use hand sanitizer when it is the only option.

And finally, I used the GermX wipes on the plane as I figured that would be easier to get through security since it doesn’t have to be declared as a liquid. I really liked them and I’ve continued to keep them in the diaper bag to wipe down shopping carts and public highchairs. Also, when there is actual dirt on hands I use the wipes instead of the gel.
But, again, the biggest thing that I see people doing that drives me crazy, is wiping off their hands after using the gel or liquid sanitizers. I’m told that it is the evaporation process that actually kills most of the germs, let it evaporate!"

-:¦:- Stephe -:¦:-

http://www.giorgiadanette.blogspot.com

Health Insurance for your baby

2007-10-24T13:06:00.000-07:00

I found this info on the web...

"Check with your benefits department to find out their requirements for adding your child to your insurance coverage. Be sure you understand the rules. If there is any doubt on your part, ask them again. Write up a memo of your discussion and review it with the benefits department to be sure you understand everything completely. Get any necessary documents in advance of your trip. See if they will accept a fax from China in the unlikely event you are delayed. If this sounds nit-picking, it is. However, it is too easy to misunderstand and suddenly end up with no coverage at all. You might also have someone in the benefits department who is simply misinformed about the law, so it is useful to be prepared.

The Federal law states that in most instances your child is covered from the moment you receive her. My benefits department was totally unaware of both the federal law and a 13 year old Illinois law that prohibited discrimination against adopted children in health coverage. They tried to refuse coverage. I had to give them copies of both laws before they would believe me. The Illinois law is Public Act 82-626. The Federal law is United States Public Law 103-66 (the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993, pages 107 stat. 374 through 107 stat. 375). Most other states have similar laws. The reference librarian can help you find them. (Yes, state and federal statutes are in your local library.) If your benefits department gives you any lip, contact Adoptive Families of America (link soon) for more information. Also, contact your state insurance department. They just LOVE handling this one. " - Marie L. Bartlett-Sloan

-:¦:- Stephe -:¦:-

http://www.giorgiadanette.blogspot.com

Luggage and Packing

2007-10-24T13:01:00.000-07:00

"Pack light. Pack tight. Leave no empty spaces. Use hard sided luggage with good locks. Luggage takes quite a beating on a trip like this. Cloth bags are more likely to split zippers, or get slashed.
Start your packing plan early. You'll be astonished how time disappears once you get your referral. Set aside a place at home to collect stuff for the trip -- shampoo and toothpaste samples, power converters, ziplocks, etc. Put your packing list there, and make a note every time you think of something.

On the first trip we used:
two hard sided suitcases with end wheels (10" deep x 30" long x 20" high)
one very large duffel bag
two large carry on bags
one camera bag
one video camera bag
one luggage cart
one elastic luggage cord
two fanny packs

On the second trip we used:
two hard sided suitcases with end wheels (10" deep x 30" long x 20" high)
two carry on backpacks which fit under the airline seat
one camera bag
one video camera bag
two fanny packs
(We also purchased a small suitcase on wheels at the White Swan for extra souvenirs.)

Others brought more but smaller pieces. Any luggage you check should be lockable. You can get tiny little padlocks for zippered duffels, good enough to keep them from unzipping by accident. We could have gotten by with 1 carryon bag. Plan on 1 bag for baby's stuff, 1 bag for each adult. Though you will be using up some consumables like diapers and formula, you will be filling up that same volume with souvenirs, books, postcards, etc.
Don't bring a purse! Bring fanny packs so you can keep your hands free for the baby. But don't put valuables in the fanny pack! Use it for extra film, Kleenex, etc. while keeping the valuables in your money pouch or hotel safe.
Be sure your luggage locks work. Bring extra luggage keys.

Be sure you check with your airline well in advance for any luggage restrictions, and check again 2 weeks out from your trip in case regulations have changed. If possible, it is a good idea to take a sample piece of carry on luggage to the airport and see if it really does fit your airline's requirements.

BE SURE the weaker member of the couple can lift each individual piece of luggage by themselves. BE SURE to take all your luggage on a "test drive" at home before committing yourself. Both of you must be able to schlep your luggage all by yourself over cracked sidewalks, while mom carries baby in the snugli. Don't buy new luggage. Use what you have and borrow from friends, who will have the thrill of looking at foreign luggage stickers all over their bags when you return them.

Since most luggage looks alike, I got some colored tape (like electrical tape) and put green and orange stripes the length of each piece. I used the same color pattern on each piece. If the tape wouldn't stick to the canvas of a duffel, I wrapped the handles. I even taped our carry on luggage, which was never checked. Bumper stickers would work too. ("See Rock City!") We had no trouble spotting our luggage fast as it came out on the conveyor and there was no chance someone else could mistake it for theirs.

Use sturdy luggage tags, and be sure to put your name and BUSINESS address both INSIDE and OUTSIDE your luggage, including the phone number of a contact at home. I taped our luggage tags firmly to our bags, making sure the address showed, in case the tag strap broke, which it did.

We did a full pack of all our luggage 1 week in advance of our departure for our first trip, and I am sure glad we did. I had set one bedroom aside as a staging area weeks before but even so, it took me almost a full day to get it all organized and packed. This was much longer than I had anticipated. Packing a week out also gave us enough time to remember what we forgot, redistribute the weight, rethink our logistics, and most importantly, get a good night's sleep the night before we left.

When you pack your luggage, try to do it on the first floor of your home, rather than wrestle a full suitcase down the stairs. This is no time to throw your back.

Should you pack each person's stuff in their own individual bags, or spread things out so that if one bag is lost, one person won't be left naked? We did one bag per person on the first trip, but carried a one day supply of essentials in the carryons. We spread things out across the luggage on the second trip and I could not find anything for the entire trip. By the time we returned, I had pretty much repacked to one person per bag. This one is up to you.

DO NOT pack your documents. Put them in the carryon. "

- Marie L. Bartlett-Sloan

http://www.bartlett-sloan.net/triplist.html#weather

-:¦:- Stephe -:¦:-

http://www.giorgiadanette.blogspot.com

Bandannas

2007-10-24T13:00:00.001-07:00

"Bandannas have a multitude of uses ---- dribble wipes, sweat bands, bald spot protectors, baby shade, baby toy, replacement luggage handle, fashion statement, etc." -Marie L. Bartlett-Sloan

-:¦:- Stephe -:¦:-

http://www.giorgiadanette.blogspot.com

Souvenirs & Shopping

2007-10-24T12:56:00.001-07:00

"Practice this phrase -- BOO YOW! Say it firmly. It means "do not want" (Literally bu=negative yao=want) You will need to say it often at the tourist attractions. That said, if you see something you like, buy it because you will not see it again on your trip, you won't find it cheaper in the US, and you will not be able to go back again and get it later." - Marie L. Bartlett-Sloan

-:¦:- Stephe -:¦:-

http://www.giorgiadanette.blogspot.com

Clothing Police

2007-10-24T12:53:00.000-07:00

"If you are receiving an infant or small toddler, you will meet them. They are the little old ladies who come up to you on the street, curious about your child. They will pull back the blanket and peer at her face. They will zip up zippers, rewrap scarves, pull up socks, pull down pants legs, and generally cluck and fuss about. Please be sure to put socks and shoes on your child even if it is 100 degrees. Keep a hat on her head. And above all, smile and be grateful for their attention. It is kind and sincere. I was fussed over by 3 little old ladies at the Temple of the Jade Buddha in Shanghai. You would have thought we were their own daughter and granddaughter, they were so pleased and happy. Our translator said they kept saying "Lucky baby!" and "Happy mother!" I could only smile broadly and say "shay shay" (thank you) a lot. It is one of my fondest memories of China. " -Marie L. Bartlett-Sloan

-:¦:- Stephe -:¦:-
http://www.giorgiadanette.blogspot.com

Weather in China?

2007-10-24T12:52:00.000-07:00

Found this link...go check the weather in China!

http://www.weather.com/weather/int/countries.html

-:¦:- Stephe -:¦:-

http://www.giorgiadanette.blogspot.com

Lightweight Luggage

2007-10-19T07:54:00.000-07:00

The Traveler’s Club 3-Piece Lightweight Frameless Luggage Set, Black features: Made of 600 denier polyester, Frameless construction makes it lightweight and easy to store, 24″ rolling vertical and 20″ rolling carry-on feature inline skate wheels and locking telescopic handles, 15″ tote features an adjustable shoulder strap, 24″ vertical measures 15″ x 8″ x 24″, 20″ rolling carry-on measures 12.5″ x 7″ x 20″, 15″ tote measures 15″ x 6.5″ x 11″. It says the shipping weight for all three pieces is a total of 16.1 lbs so they are pretty light. I might go check out. Remember, these are very inexpensive, but like I said, I just need them for ONE trip! :) Note: I also really like those straps that are attached. If your zipper were to break, the straps would still sort of hold the bag together. Find them here and here.

***UPDATE***

I went and checked these out. I have since decided to not get them. They are everything I want except for ONE thing...the don't open all the way. I'm soooo sad. I HAVE to have a suitcase that I can lay open on the bed. It would drive me crazy if I didn't!!! Very, very sad.

-:¦:- Stephe -:¦:-
http://www.giorgiadanette.blogspot.com

Luggage Sets

2007-10-19T07:25:00.001-07:00

Here is a link with lots of luggage choices. I love this new silver luggage! So pretty! I bought my set years ago and I love it. It has held up very well. It is lightweight and has tons of space inside. My set is made by Jaguar but the exact set is no longer available. However, there are some very pretty new choices. The main thing is to start off with as lightweight a bag as possible.

When you go into the site, and find the set you want, then click on the image and it wll enlarge. From there click on the third option to see more views and you will be able to see inside the suitcase. Look for one that has a lot of open space so you can fit as much in there as possible!

JC Penney

The Mad Hunt

2007-10-19T06:22:00.000-07:00

In Keeping with this months theme I have been on a mad hunt for new luggage. Everything we have is either WAY to big or Way to small so I am looking for the JUST right suitcase. That sounded like the Three little bears LOL... Anyway I have looked on-line and in every store around here. I am more confused now then ever LOL... I of course want something light weight, durable and attractive would be a plus. So, I found these little GEMS what do ya think? Can't you just see Riz pulling these through the Beijing airport LOL... Really I am looking for any advice about what to buy... HELP!!!!!!!

Staying Healthy When You Fly

2007-10-18T10:04:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone-
Here are some things you can do to keep from catching a nasty cold or virus while flying. The key to staying healthy during your trip is to support your immune system before you fly. 50% of the air on an aircraft is recycled and the dry atmosphere makes a great haven for any viruses. I used to ALWAYS get sick from flying but since I have started following these tips, I have done much better!

Hydrate Your Body!: Drink a lot of water prior to travelling and on the plane. Start about two weeks before travelling and really hydrate your body. Then on the plane, sip water every few minutes.; Carry Ocean Nasal Spray on the plane and use it often. This will keep your nasal passages moist, which will drive away the bad bugs!; Take Moisture Eye drops on board with you as well. Put the drops in your eyes often to keep them moist.; Moisturize your face. Use a calming lotion that has very little or no scent. Remember that scents travel through a closed in space very quickly and can be very unpleasant to others. What you think smells great may make someone else sick in confined spaces.; Finally, use lip balm thorughout the flight. The moister you are, the better your chances are of keeping germs away.
Take a Multi-Vitamin: Start adding a good multi-vitamin to your body now. This will help boost your immune system ahead of time. My favorite thing is Pure Himilayan Goji Juice. It is full of anti-oxidants and is really good for you. You can find it online or perhaps in your local health food store.
Move Around Often: Get up and walk, stretch, and exercise your arms and legs! This is most important! Gotta keep circulation at it's best!
Shower: Once you arrive to your hotel, take a hot shower. Wash off all the germs that you encountered during travel. Try and allow the steam to remove any germs by inhaling it under a towel.
WARNING: If you are in Mainland China for your first shower, DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT let any drops of water get into your mouth when showering. Keep a dry towel nearby and use it immediately if water happens to get in your mouth. Also, keep clean bottled water nearby the shower in case you have to rinse your mouth. The bugs you will get if you let the water enter your body will make the airplane bugs seem like a walk in the park! If water does get in your body, and you feel the first twinge of a stomach bug, down a Cipro antibiotic immediately. Then take one more dose of the Cipro at the suggested time on the prescription and you should be fine.

Scanner Bag

2007-10-10T06:55:00.001-07:00

Easier Airport Security with the Scanner Bag

"GadgetDuck's Scanner Bag attaches to my carry-on and looks like a luggage tag (which it is). Just before I get to the T.S.A. security area, I unfold the expandable Scanner Bag. Then I dump in all the things -- keys, change, cell phone, PDA -- I normally throw into the gray plastic bin that travels down the belt of the security scanner. The zippered pouch holds everything until my carry-on gets to the other end of the belt. I opted for the $13.85 version, the cheapest of the three models. "

-:¦:- Stephe -:¦:-

http://www.giorgiadanette.blogspot.com

Deceptively Delicious

2007-10-09T12:58:00.000-07:00

On Mondays, I love to watch Oprah because she always features the amazing Dr. Mehmet Oz. This man is a genious! Well, she also featured another genius who turned out to be non-other than Jerry Seinfeld's wife, Jessica. Jessica had a terrible time trying to get her little children to eat well and she felt like a failure because she could not get them to touch veggies. This is exactly how I feel with Kate. Claire is a great eater but she is beginning to take clues from Kate and is refusing more and more things. I have been desperately seeking info on how to get my kids to eat better...and thank God for Oprah who featured Jessica on yesterday's show! The show was so compelling that I took the girls and went straight to Barnes & Noble to buy Jessica's book called Deceptively Delicious. I recommend this book to all mommies! I can't wait to try all of the recipes. I will let you know how they do. Maybe you can pull the episode up on YouTube and watch for yourself or go to Oprah.com and read about it!

Get your gear cards

2007-10-09T03:10:00.000-07:00

I saw these in this week's "Clever Parents" e-newsletter. They are called "Get Your Gear Cards" and they have versions for baby, toddler, preschooler, etc. They also have some specialized for different sports. The idea is that you hang the card on your bag and use it to check off everything you need to bring. The cards are 4x6 and they are in a plastic pouch that you can write on with a dry erase marker.

We're big fans of the laminated checklist at our house, but these are so much cuter.

Jennifer

Great Finds at Walmart

2007-10-07T05:29:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I went to Walmart to get a couple of things and ended up wandering around some because it was raining outside. In the fabric softener area, I found a small box with 3 small spray bottles of Febreze. These would be great for freshening up your suitcase and your room while travelling. So, I am going to pack one, and give one to my friend who is going.

In the baby aisle I saw a beautiful chocolate and peacock colored diaper bag in the messenger style. It had circles on it and I adore anything with circles or dots! Plus it hung comfortably over my shoulder and back and it had these two hooks so it can be attached to a stroller. The best thing was the price...only $19.98!! So, I picked it up and in the cart it went.

I had been contemplating which bag I would travel with to China. I wanted my flight stuff, my file folder, and the baby stuff to all go in there and this bag would do that very well. On the trip over I will put my travel documents, my flight care ziploc bag, my wallet, my iPod, my travel socks, and some snacks in there. Coming back, I will take out a few of those things and add baby stuff for the flights home.

So, I finally found my bag for China! I brought it home and it inspired me to do a test-run for packing. So far, all of my stuff, Kate & Claire's clothes and the baby's things fit into one medium sized rolling suitcase. The bag is a bit heavy so I will have to check that and let you all know. I will post pics of my bag at some point, too!

More Packing Tips

2007-10-06T15:33:00.000-07:00

I found this on my favorite travel agency that specializes in China & Adoption Travel. Click below for a few more tips about packing for China. This website has a ton of good info!

Lotus Tours

Letter to Orphanage plus Important Notes for You All!

2007-10-05T06:54:00.000-07:00

Letter to Orphanage

February 4, 2002

Dear _____________ Social Welfare Institute Director,

Please accept these gifts for the children. I hope they will enjoy them and get a lot of use out of them. The chocolates are for the orphanage caretakers. I am so excited to travel to China and meet you. I cannot wait to meet my daughter.

I have enclosed a small photo album that you can share with the baby. I am also sending a camera and several rolls of film. The film is labeled with the baby’s name. Would you kindly take pictures of the baby, her friends, the caretakers, and your town? Also, if you have the opportunity, can you please take a picture of where the baby was found? These pictures would be priceless keepsakes for her as she grows up. I will appreciate anything and everything that you can do.

I have also enclosed a letter for Kate’s main caretakers. Can you please write down the answers to these questions? These little things will be very helpful to me as the baby adjusts to her new family. You can enclose the letter, the film, and any other important things in the plastic bag I put in the box. Everything is labeled with her Chinese name and her American name. Please return the little doll that I am sending to her that has her American name on it, as it is meant to pick up the scent of her surroundings in China and may make the long trip home a little easier.

With much love, I thank you very graciously for taking such good care of Kate. I will send you more photos throughout the years so you will always remember us.

Sincerely,

Wendy L. Harrison

NOTES: I had a friend translate this letter to Mandarin. I went to Wal-Mart and bought a bunch of coloring books, crayons, markers, art supplies, etc... on sale. Don't forget to include items for the big children as well. Our clothes are not used in the orphanages and just sit in their original box in a storage room in the orphanage. They buy clothes that are the same and they buy them in bulk, so don't waste your money on clothes for the orphanage! They love pencils, and art things and that kind of stuff!

Then, I sent the letter inside the box with the camera and all of the goodies to the orphanage. I sent the box with the U.S. Postal Service for 5-7 day delivery. It was about $90.00 but it was a pretty big box. I addressed it in English and the box arrived perfectly. I, however, did not know that it arrived until I was actually in China and asked the caretaker. She said that they got everything just fine. They also took pictures for me and gave me some of their own that they had of Kate. They brought back the little doll that I asked for and they gave me a pair of socks that Kate has on when she was found. They indeed took excellent care of my baby and the main nanny and I continue to keep in touch. I have all of the letters to her translated to Mandarin and then when she writes back and I have those translated as well. She is very special to us.

More Travel Tips

2007-10-05T06:44:00.000-07:00

Before You Leave
-Make sure you have all your paperwork in order.
-Call your credit card companies and notify them of your itinerary.
-Use a travel wallet for easy access to your tickets, passport, and money.
-Leave a copy of your entire documentation packet with a reliable source at home.
-Wash and prepare baby clothes and bedding for when you return from China.
-Start drinking extra water about 2 weeks prior to your flight day.
-Get to bed early all week before you leave.

Flights
-Wear comfortable clothes!
-Get up, move around and stretch your legs at least once per hour.
-Wear shoes that are a little loose in case your feet swell, which they will do unless you drink lots of water and wear flight socks, available at http://www.travelsmith.com/.
-Keep your skin, eyes and lips well hydrated throughout the flight.
-Try and get as much sleep as you can.
-Don't overeat on the plane.
-Keep your seatbelt fastened whenever you are in your seat.

In China
-Whenever you are in China and getting on a flight, you must fill out these little white cards before you get in the Customs lines. Also, have your passport ready to show and your airline ticket while in the airports.
-The air pollution is quite heavy and if you have asthma, take your inhaler with you.
-Always, always take kleenex, or some sort of paper with you when out of your hotel room. You will need it if you have to use a bathroom outside of your hotel room.
-Be prepared to squat! You will build up your squatter's muscles in your legs faster than you ever thought possible! Don't worry, it gets much easier after a couple of days!
-Whenever possible, let the hotels or little shops outside of the big hotels do your laundry for you. You will be very happy you did. They do great laundry in China! None of my stuff shrunk either.
-Get your hair washed, get a body massage, and get a foot massage! They cost about $5.00 for an hour! You won't find these great rates in the big hotels though. Ask your guides for recommendations!

Wendy's Packing List & Luggage Guide

2007-10-05T06:36:00.000-07:00

I posted last week or so about my carry-on bags weighing 44 lbs. each and I was mistaken. I reviewed my list from when I went to China for the first time to get Kate in 2002 and our suitcases only weighed 29 lbs each. This did not include the shoulder bag, just the carry-on, fully packed. Please look carefully at my packing list as I give dimensions, weights, things I needed, things I didn't end up using, and everything in between. There is a lot of helpful info spelled out there if you need it!
Wendy's Packing List & Luggage Guide

Air Fresheners

2007-10-05T06:22:00.000-07:00

For those of you who want to take air fresheners, I have a recommendation for keeping lugagge light and fresh scented. Get a quart size ziploc bag and put in a few dryer sheets, such as Bounce or Downey. You can toss them in your suicase to freshen up everything and even rub them on your sheets in the hotel. They are easy to pack and take up minimal space and weight!

Click on this link to see more uses for Bounce!

Baby B'Air Safety Vest

2007-10-05T04:13:00.000-07:00

How It's Used
"Baby B'Air is worn by the infant like a vest. It is placed over the child's head, and secured by adjustable straps on both sides under the baby's arms. The third strap comes from behind, between the baby's legs, and buckles to the front with another adjustable strap. The excess straps Velcro neatly to the vest so that there are no loose straps.

The Baby B'Air can be worn as any other garment would since it is constructed of 100% cotton and comfortable to wear. After take-off, the parent feeds their seat belt through the loop on the back of the Baby B'Air, refastens the seat belt and tightens the seat belt. Your infant can now be held, fed and even changed while both parent and child remain securely fastened in their seat. The parent can read, eat or even nap knowing their baby cannot fall or pull from their loving arms.

Sizing Information
Size Fits Neck Opening
Small Infant/Newborn Has a neck opening of 16"
Large Toddler Has a neck opening of 19"

Note: Neck opening is not adjustable. Choose smallest size that child's head fits through neck opening without body slipping through. Sizes fit child up to 40 lbs. The FAA requires children over 2 to have their own seat.

Small - Infant/Newborn
Fits most children up to 6 months. Neck opening is not adjustable. SMALL fits child up to 40 lbs with head measuring less than 16 inches around.

Large - Toddler
Fits most children from 6 months to 2 years. Neck opening is not adjustable. LARGE fits child up to 40 lbs with head measuring from 16 to 20 inches around. "

-:¦:- Stephe -:¦:-
http://www.giorgiadanette.blogspot.com

Tide Travel Packs

2007-10-04T15:44:00.001-07:00

I found these at Wal-Mart yesterday and thought they would be a great size to take to China.

You can also find them here.

Top Ten Baggage Tips

2007-10-03T06:16:00.000-07:00

TOP TEN BAGGAGE TIPS
- Dr. Todd Curtis, AirSafe.com Foundation

The following advice should help you avoid many of the common problems that passengers have with carry-on or checked luggage.

1. TRAVEL WITH ONLY CARRY-ON LUGGAGE
By using only carry-on luggage, you do not risk having checked luggage lost or stolen.

List of Baggage Resources - http://www.airsafe.com/issues/baggage.htm

2. DO NOT PUT HEAVY ITEMS IN THE OVERHEAD STORAGE BINS.
While the weight limit for carry-on items is generally about 40 lbs. (18.2 kg.), even a much lighter bag may cause severe injury if it falls out of the bin.

Head Injury Risk from Overhead Luggage - http://www.airsafe.com/journal/issue13.htm

3. PUT YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION INSIDE AND OUTSIDE EVERY BAG.
Put your name and contact address on the outside of every bag. Also, put the same information plus a copy of your itinerary inside every bag. This will make it easier for the airline to reunite you if you are separated from your luggage. You should also do this with your carry-on luggage in case you are forced to check that bag at the last minute.

4. CUSTOMIZE THE LOOK OF YOUR BAG TO MAKE IT EASY TO IDENTIFY.
Because there may be many bags with a similar design on a flight, customize the bag to make it easy to spot on a baggage carousel. This will also help prevent another passenger from taking your bag by mistake.

5. KEEP VALUABLE ITEMS WITH YOU.
Do not back voluble items in checked luggage. Money, laptop computers, electronic files, and other items of high importance should be kept in a carry-on bag, preferably one that is small enough to stow under a seat. The airline may insist on checking larger carry-on bags if the overhead bins become filled.

6. MAKE SURE THAT THE AIRLINE TAG ON YOUR CHECKED LUGGAGE IS FOR THE CORRECT DESTINATION.
Every piece of checked luggage should have a three-letter airport identifier that should match your destination airport. If you are unsure of the three-letter code, ask the ticket agent or skycap.

7. MAKE SURE THAT YOU KEEP THE STUB FROM YOUR CHECKED LUGGAGE.
This stub is a critical document that will be needed if your luggage is lost by the airline or if you are trying to prove that you own a piece of luggage.

8. IMMEDIATELY REPORT THE LOSS OF CHECKED LUGGAGE.
If your checked bag does not arrive at your destination, immediately report this problem to the baggage agent on duty or to any other available representative from your airline.

9. PREPARE TO DEAL WITH A LOST BAG.
Pack so that you can continue your trip with the loss on one of your bags. Distribute key items like business suits or underwear so that you can carry on with your business until you either get the bag back or replace the lost articles. If you are carrying essential items or information for a business meeting, either carry a backup set of information or have that backup information sent ahead of time.

10. DON'T PACK HAZARDOUS GOODS.
There are quite a number of items or materials, some of them not so obvious, that may pose a risk if taken on an aircraft.

Things you should not bring on board - http://www.airsafe.com/danger.htm

RELATED INFORMATION
Complain about your airline - http://www.airsafe.com/complain/complain.htm
Airlines without fatalities - http://www.airsafe.com/complain/complain.htm

Dr. Todd Curtis is the director of the AirSafe.com Foundation and the creator of AirSafe.com. For more airline safety information, visit the site at www.airsafe.com.

TOP TEN AIRLINE SAFETY TIPS

2007-10-03T06:14:00.000-07:00

TOP TEN AIRLINE SAFETY TIPS
- Dr. Todd Curtis, AirSafe.com Foundation

1. FLY ON NONSTOP ROUTINGS
Most accidents occur during the takeoff, climb, descent, and landing phase of flight so flying nonstop would reduce exposure to these most accident prone phases of flight.

2. CHOOSE LARGER AIRCRAFT
Currently, aircraft with more than 30 passenger seats were all designed and certified under the strictest regulations. Also, in the unlikely event of a serious accident, larger aircraft provide a better opportunity for passenger survival.
Fatalities by aircraft model - http://www.airsafe.com/events/models/rate_mod.htm

3. PAY ATTENTION TO THE PREFLIGHT BRIEFING
Although the information seems repetitious, the locations of the closest emergency exits may be different depending on the aircraft that you fly on and seat you are in.

4. KEEP HEAVY OBJECTS OUT OF OVERHEAD STORAGE
Overhead storage bins may not be able to hold very heavy objects during turbulence, so if you or another passenger have trouble lifting an article into the bin, have it stored elsewhere.

Top 10 Baggage Tips - http://www.airsafe.com/issues/baggage/bag_tips.htm
Carry on baggage advice - http://www.airsafe.com/issues/baggage/carryon.htm

5. KEEP YOUR SEAT BELT FASTENED WHILE SEATED
Keeping the belt on when you are seated provides that extra protection you might need if the plane hits unexpected turbulence.
Turbulence risks - http://www.airsafe.com/cabin/turb.htm

6. LISTEN TO THE FLIGHT ATTENDANTS
The primary reason flight attendants are on an aircraft is for safety, so if one of them asks you to do something like fasten your seat belts, do it first and ask questions later.

7. DO NOT BRING ANY HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
There are rather long lists of hazardous materials that are not allowed, but common sense should tell you that you shouldn't bring gasoline, corrosives, poisonous gases, and other such items on the aircraft unless they were allowed by the airline and shipped in a proper container.

Things you should not bring on board - http://www.airsafe.com/danger.htm

8. LET THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT POUR YOUR HOT DRINK
Flight attendants are trained to handle hot drinks like coffee or tea in a crowded aisle on a moving aircraft, so allow them to pour the drink and hand it too you.

9. DON'T DRINK TOO MUCH ALCOHOL
The atmosphere in an airliner cabin is pressurized to about the same altitude as Denver, so any alcohol you consume will affect you more strongly than at sea level. Moderation is a good policy at any altitude.

Air rage information - http://www.airsafe.com/issues/rage.htm

10. KEEP YOUR WITS ABOUT YOU
In the unlikely event that you are involved in an emergency situation such as a precautionary emergency evacuation, follow the directions of the flight attendants and flight crew and exit the aircraft as quickly as possible.

RELATED INFORMATION
Complain about your airline - http://www.airsafe.com/complain/complain.htm
Airlines without fatalities - http://www.airsafe.com/complain/complain.htm

Dr. Todd Curtis is the director of the AirSafe.com Foundation and the creator of AirSafe.com. For more airline safety information, visit the site at www.airsafe.com.
++++++++++

Jen W's slackin'

2007-10-01T19:10:00.000-07:00

Sorry guys, I am sorry to report that I have had a really crazy month with work travel and vacation and don't have anything to add this month to the challenge. I started on a list (thanks to all of you) but it's really not worthy. I am so thankful to have you guys though... you are motivating me to do it... even if it is a week or so late! I hope to go shopping later this week for my mini list of stuff, but I still holding out to buy any clothes.
Thank you all and here's hoping we get into DECEMBER LIDs this month!

Challenge #2 - Stephe

2007-10-01T06:03:00.000-07:00

Feeding, Diapering & Clothing

Dish Detergent (to wash nipples, bottles and everything)
Baby Food (waiting til referral)
Bibs (2 washable & lots of disposable)
Bottle liners (100 just to be safe) still need to buy
Bottles - Playtex disposables (xtra one) first one in Diaper Backpack challenge
Burp Clothes - Cloth diapers (1) ? Don't know if I need so bringing only 1
Measuring cup (formula - Metric & US) Still looking for metric one.
Nipple brush (if non disposable) to wash bottles and nipples.
Nipples (a handful of different ones) Just ones that came with bottles
Rubber Bands (super tiny ones) to prefill formula liners
Rubbermaid container/shoebox (washbin) not shown.
Sippy Cup (1 or 2) bring one buy more

Baby wipes refill pack (200)
Blow up Bath tub (do I need this? Still undecided)
Diaper Disposal Sacks Refills (100pk)
Diaper Rash Cream/Ointment Butt Paste (still need to buy)
Diapers (8-10 day worth) xtra
Plastic Gloves (dozen incase of Giardisis-sp)
Plastic pants (2)
Swim diaper (if hotel has a pool)

Hat (1 or 2)
Jacket (1 type depending on season)
Onesies (3 sets of different sizes)
Outfit NEW (to replace gotcha outfit)
Outfits (3 can buy lots there)
Shoes (2 - or buy there)
Sleepers (6-7)
Socks (8-10)
Sweater (4 Hotels AC is cold) probably end up donating some
Swimsuit (2 - if Hotel has a pool)

Just some of the clothing. I'm not going to bring much. I have a bunch of new 6-9 stuff that if it doesn't fit, I plan to give to the SWI. It's mostly sleepers. I plan on buying clothes there but want comfy sleepers in case I can't buy clothes for a few days! I might bring one pair of shoes. I plan on lots of socks and onsies. Although, do babies at this age typically wear onsies under everything or is it just when they are teeny?

For me, I'm putty toys in a misc category and baby care stuff will be in with baby toiletries.

-:¦:- Stephe -:¦:-
http://www.giorgiadanette.blogspot.com

Challenge #2 - Jennifer K

2007-09-30T17:16:00.000-07:00

This was a really hard challenge for me - I didn't know anything about most of this stuff. Please let me know what I've missed or if you have any other comments about the list - Thanks!!

Feeding:
- antibacterial dish soap
- sink stopper
- Rubbermaid container for wash bin
- nipple brush
- tongs for swishing nipples in hot water
- bibs (2 - 1 in backpack)
- disposable bibs
- 2 8-oz Playtex drop in nursers
- 6-8 Playtex fast flow silicone nipples
- 120-150 Playtex drop in liners
- snack bowls w/lids
- spoons and forks
- teething feeder (I got the Sassy one because it had a cover)
- extra mesh bags for teething feeder
- formula bags -or- twist ties for drop in liners -or- powdered formula dispenser
- thermos (in backpack)
- cheerios *buy later*
- rice cereal *buy later*
- goldfish *buy later*
- biscuits *buy later*
- powdered electrolyte *buy later*
- formula (n/a - agency provides first bag, we'll buy more in China and transition to US formula at home)
- Rubbermaid canister for formula (I've heard that Chinese formula comes in bags and gets all over the place unless you transfer to another container)
- scoop for formula do I need this?
- funnel for formula do I need this?
- plastic measuring cup *still need*
- pacifiers (4 - 2 in backpack)
- sippy cup do I need this? won't she be taking a bottle?
- 3 burp cloths
Bathing/Diapering:
- Huggies size 3 diapers - enough for a few days, buy more in China does this seem like the right size? may buy some size 2 when we know her size
- Huggies Natural Care wipes (5 - 40 ct soft packs)
- swim diapers
- diaper disposal bags
- Aveeno diaper rash cream
- California Baby baby wash
- California Baby baby lotion
- Burt's Bees Baby Bee apricot massage oil
- changing pad (in backpack)
- disposable changing pads
- disposable wash cloths
- baby comb and hairbrush
- baby nail clippers
- baby nail scissors
- baby toothbrush
Clothing
- hat (in backpack)
- 1 pair shoes (probably white tennies - to keep baby safe from the clothing police until we can go shopping)
- swimsuit
- 5 sleepers *still need*
- 5 outfits
- 1 sweater
- 1 hooded jacket
- 5-10 pair socks *still need*
Toys
- stacking cups
- Baby Einstein Mirror Me board book
- Snuggle Puppy board book
- soft photo album w/family photos
- lovey (in backpack)
- inflatable safari roller
- Taggies bucket buddies
- Haba rattle
- plastic keys
- beach ball
Misc
- anti-bacterial wipes
- table cloth for floor play *still need*
- outlet covers
- night light

It was probably smart to do this before the luggage challenge -- I've learned something about the size of bags I'll be needing! Wendy, any suggestions for how I can pare back??

- Jennifer K

Angela's list for Challenge #2 (baby clothing, feeding and diapering)

2007-09-30T15:20:00.000-07:00

So here are my lists and pictures for this month's challenge ~ its still a work in progress!! Sorry the pictures are so dark! The clothes I have listed are all ~ 6-12 months, so may need to buy different sizes depending on her age/size at referral, but its a start!

Baby care & diapering:

- Huggies baby wash/shampoo
- Aveeno baby lotion
- Aveeno baby soothing bath treatment (2 packs)
- baby powder (in backpack)
- diaper rash cream (in backpack)
- Box disposable facecloths
- 3 baby facecloths
- hooded towel (I know ~ not a necessity but cute “photo op”!)
- baby q-tips (12)
- baby comb
- baby nail brush
- baby nail clippers
- baby toothbrush/paste
- change pad – reusable & disposable (8)
- wipes - travel pack & 4 packs of 40
- diapers Huggies size 3
- Huggies night-time diapers (for flight) **have to buy these in US**
- rubber diaper cover (1)
- 3 swim diapers *if hotel has a pool*
- diaper disposal bags

Feeding:

- 3 Playtex (8 oz) bottles (one in backpack)
- 1 Playtex (4 oz) bottle
- 100 8 oz liners (50 drop-ins & box of roll-ups)
- a few 4 oz liners
- nipples * 2 high flow (2 extra in backpack),2 medium flow, 2 natural action
- twisties (to pre-fill liners with formula)
- nipple brush (small)
- antibacterial dish soap **don’t have yet**
- container for washing bottles (pack with food on the way over)
- thermos (in backpack)
- formula (buy closer to trip)
- rice cereal (buy closer to trip)
- formula divider (in backpack)
- snack container (in backpack)
- cheerios/mum mums/gerber puffs/gold fish crackers (buy closer to trip)
- sippy cup
- soother/holder/clip (in backpack)
- 1 box disposable bibs
- bibs * 2 plastic & 2 cloth bibs
- disposable placemats
- disposable spoons
- travel utensils (in backpack)
- plastic bowls with lids

Toys:

- teething toy (sassy fish)
- toy keys
- doll
- taggie blankie
- stacking toys
- blow-up ball
- small board book (baby Einstein)
- “Who loves baby?” photo album
- flannel-backed plastic tablecloth (for playing on the floor)

Clothes for Ella:

- outfits see below
- 2 blankets (one light, one dark for stroller)
- bathing suit (if hotel room has a pool)
- sunglasses
- sun hat
- hair accessories elastics/clips (if she has hair!)
- 5 or 6 pjs (have 4)
- 5 onesies (for layering) *need to buy 3 more plain 6-12 month onesies*
- 6-8 pairs of socks
- 4 or 5 pairs of tights
- coat
- extra sweater

6-12 month denim ladybug dress / onesie /sweater / white tights / denim hat
6-12 month ladybug jeans / red onesie / white socks
6-12 month pink ladybug dress / pink tights
6-12 month ladybug sweater
6-12 month red shoes

6-12 month panda denim jeans/turquoise top/panda socks
6-12 month denim dress/pink t-neck onesie/cardigan sweater/fushia tights
6-12 month panda top
6-12 month pink ruffle pants
6-12 month pink flowered shoes

6-12 month barnyard cutie pants & onesie & socks
6-12 month red pants
6-12 month red onesie/denim dress/tights

6-12 month Gap denim dress/onesie
6-12 month PJs
6-12 month bathing suit
coat

Wendy's Packing Challenge

2007-09-30T12:13:00.001-07:00

I am not officially taking part in this challenge only because I haven't thought about actual packing yet. Since I have been twice, I pretty much know what I will pack and I tend to pack light, from experience! I will probably pack right before travel. But I do want to post photos of my luggage the first time I went to get Kate in China. Above, I have mine and my brother's suitcase and carry-ons. We were in China for 26 days because we travelled a week ahead to sightsee. You can see that we went Carry-On only and I actually still had things that I never once used, like duct tape, dress pants, and a few other things. Nowadays, you really cannot go Carry -On only because many off the airlines have strict regulations for carry-on sizes and weights! Whatever the restrictions are in USA, you can bet they will be stricter in China. Everything is smaller there, the planes, the seats, the limits. But the fines are big, so be careful when packing!

My biggest tip to all of you is that now in the year 2007-2008, you can buy just about anything you need in China so don't overpack. You will be glad when you are pulling a much more efficient and lightweight load, including a baby! ! LOL I would be happy to answer any questions if you want/need advice!

Laundry Sheets

2007-09-29T16:18:00.001-07:00

I'd been planning on bringing some Woolite in a little bottle, but then I stumbled across these
I found them at http://www.wishingfish.com/ - which also has paper shampoo and shaving paper. The laundry paper is out of stock, but they told me that they expect to have more in 1-2 weeks.

Jennifer K

Global Bag Tags

2007-09-26T17:41:00.001-07:00

The last post had me thinking about luggage tags (it's time I grew up and stopped using the free ones from work and trade shows). While looking online, I came across these:

They are a little spendy, but they allow you to track your luggage online. Sort of cool, although not as pretty as I'd hoped. For more info, go to GlobalBagTag.com.

Victorinox also makes a similar tag:

You can read about this one here.

~Jennifer K

Ladybug Tag

2007-09-26T12:41:00.001-07:00

Our Critter Luggage Tag is available in a cat, dog, frog or ladybug character. They're a fun and whimsical way to identify your luggage, backpack, tote, laptop case or diaper bag. • Soft leather-like construction
• Clear window on back to view identification
• Buckled leather strap

Find it here.

-:¦:- Stephe -:¦:- http://www.giorgiadanette.blogspot.com

Double-Sided Divided Pill Box

2007-09-26T12:36:00.001-07:00

"Our Clear Double-Sided Divided Pill Box hinges open to reveal three small, two medium, and one large compartment. Its large capacity is ideal for taking a supply of medication and vitamins, cotton swabs, hair elastics, and a pair of earrings. It can also serve as a mini sewing kit. It's great for work and travel. "

Find it here.

-:¦:- Stephe -:¦:- http://www.giorgiadanette.blogspot.com

Clear Mesh Packing Bags

2007-09-26T10:37:00.000-07:00

Clear Mesh Packing Bags Set of 4

Description
"Travel packing is now a dream with the help of packing bags!

The Packing Bags by Lewis N. Clark are made up of diamond-weave ripstop nylon that is expertly designed for optimum organization and spill-free travel packing. This set of 4 packing bags are leak resistant, wipe clean and are ideal for packing wet items and those prone to spills.

The clear design make it easier for you to identify the contents. This bag keeps your items neat and easy to access. Each bag comes equipped with a convenient carry clip.

Check out our entire line of Packing Cubes and other travel packing bags.

Features:
Made up of diamond-weave ripstop nylon
Clear design for easy identification of contents
Optimizes organization and leak free packing
Leak resistant and easy to clean
Corded double zipper for easy access to items "

Sizes:
Extra Large: 10"tall x 14"wide
Large: 8"tall x 9 1/2"wide
Medium: 6"tall x 8"wide
Small: 4"tall x 4"wide

-:¦:- Stephe -:¦:-

http://www.giorgiadanette.blogspot.com

Traveler's Cord and Charger Storage

2007-09-26T09:13:00.000-07:00

Traveler's Cord and Charger Storage

by Kangaroom Storage
$30
"Which is worse: leaving a charging cord at home or at the hotel? Or figuring out how to plug 4 cords into one hotel outlet? Now you can just unzip, insert one plug, and you’re set. Includes 6 pockets and room for a surge protector with up to 8 outlets."

-:¦:- Stephe -:¦:-

http://www.giorgiadanette.blogspot.com