Precious Pandas 2006

2006-08-03T07:48:00.000-07:00

Hello and Welcome to our Precious Pandas Site. We hope that you browse through our links and find yourself at home. Join us all on our very important and personal journey to our Child that are waiting for us in China.

BLOGS

2006-07-07T09:06:00.000-07:00

BLOGS & WEBSITES

Evelyn & Jesus' Website for MEILI

Susan C.'s Blog

Kim R.'s Blog

Lucy's Blog for ALLY

Hope & Scott's Blog for IZABELLA

Christine's Blog for MARY ANNE

Stephe's Blog for GIORGIA DANETTE

Donna & Joe's Blog for LAUREN ELIZABETH

Susan & Riz's Website for SOPHIA JOY

Dana & Brian's Website for LILBIT (password: Lilbit)

Rhonda and Mike's Website for BABY GIBBS

Wanda & Geoff's Blog for LEXI

Jennifer & Rob's Blog for NORA

Jodi & Tom's Website

Dale Ann's Blog

Sara & Brian's Blog for MIA

Cindy's Blog

Melissa & Patrick's Website for LILY

Deb and Gerald's Website for CLAIRE MEI

Michelle & Dan's Website

Manette & Matthew's Website for CHYNNA

Alyson & Ford's Blog for ALYZABETH AN

Melissa & Robs's Website for MEILI GRACE

Lisa & Trevor's Website for REN

SWI GIFTS

2006-07-07T09:05:00.001-07:00

GIFT IDEAS FOR SWI's

This is part of a post from an fellow adopter 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 APC poster 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."

Yet another post from an APCer (I have shortened it a little)..."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:

Cd's of current popular (hip hop, popular, country, or classical)

NICE cosmetics

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.

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)."

RECIPES

2006-07-07T09:05:00.000-07:00

RECIPES

***Please note that you will have to stop the music on the bottom of the main Precious Panda DTC site so that it won't interfere with these videos***

2006-07-07T08:49:00.000-07:00

TRAVEL

**China**

China Map

China Provinces and Cities

The White Swan Hotel

Danny’s Bagels

**Vaccinations**

Recommended Vaccines for China Travel

**Language**

Mandarin Tools

**Currency**

Conversion Cheat Sheet

Travelers Currency Cheat Sheet

2006-07-07T08:48:00.000-07:00

SHOPPING

Click the link of any logo and get taken to the cafepress store. Other Pandas, please send in your cafepress designs and I will post them here! Also, see below for other Adoption/Asia shopping links.

(click on individual logo to go to that particular logo shop)

(Our DTC pins are in! Click on the logo pin above or here to purchase!)

List of Walmarts in China

__coming soon__

2006-07-07T08:40:00.000-07:00

POSTCARD SWAP

Coming Soon!

QUILT SWAP

2006-07-07T08:38:00.000-07:00

QUILT SWAP

Coming Soon!

REFERRAL

2006-07-07T08:33:00.000-07:00

REFERRAL QUILT

Coming Soon!

2006-07-07T08:32:00.000-07:00

Songs

PACKING LIST

2006-07-07T08:26:00.000-07:00

FAMILIES

2006-07-07T08:25:00.000-07:00

OUR FAMILIES

Coming Soon!

Resources

2006-07-07T07:11:00.000-07:00

aaa

2006-07-04T10:25:00.000-07:00

While Waiting of things you could do!

Announcements - Prepare and address your baby announcements!!
Blog - If you don't have one…get one! They are great and addictive! DONE!
Books - Read "Attaching in Adoption" by Deborah D. Gray.
Car - Get your car serviced BEFORE you go!!
Car Seat - Research and buy a car seat. Learn how to install it. Practice taking it in and out of your car. Have your workmanship inspected by a Certified Car Seat Safety Officer.
Care Package Part 1 - After The Call, mail your baby's Care Package to her!! Get Orphanage Address.
Care Package Part 2 - In the Care Package, include the Orphanage Questions in Chinese -- if you are fortunate, someone will take the time to write out the answers to the questions and give them to you when you receive your child. Later you can have the answers translated to learn about her healt, and for her Life Book.
Care Package Part 3 - Include a small photo album in the Care Package with photos of Mama, Grandma, Grandpa, Puppy, Home, Nursery, etc. Under each photo, cut out and paste the Chinese characters explaining the family relationship to your child. The staff at some SWIs will show these photos daily to your child the week before you arrive to help familiarize her with new faces & concepts!!
Care Package Part 4 - Prepare a Care Package (shoe box size plastic container) to send your child when the Referral arrives. Include gifts for your child and her caretakers, clothing, small toy(s), blankie, 2 disposable cameras (in case one breaks), and!!! camera instructions in Chinese.
Caregiver Questions - Prepare a list of questions for your child's caregiver or foster mom
China - Research childs province.
Clothes - wash all of babies clothes and bedding in Dreft.
Daycare - Find a day care provider(s) AND a backup provider!
Diaper Bag - Research, buy and fill your diaper bag(s)... (some recommend one for the car & one to carry) and a DAYCARE one.
Diapers - Stock up on diapers (size 3 or larger).
Documents - Citizenship (N-643 Citizenship on Behalf of Adopted Children)
Documents - Form SS-5 social security application (you'll need a SS# for your tax return.
Documents - Get the forms for re-adoption and/or name change if applicable in your state.
Documents - Get 3 years of W-2s, tax returns and employment letters ready -- you'll need these for the I-864 (Affidavit of Support) for your child's embassy appointment -- remember to get tax returns and the I-864 notarized. ( I believe this only applies when one parent doesn't travel - check with your agency!) DONE!
Documents - copies of tax returns just in case
Documents - Get China visa photos for me. DONE!
Documents - Get China visa photos for travel friend.
Documents - Copies of all Document disc or memory card. DONE!
Documents - Prepare or update your will.
Documents - Research all the different legal paperwork you need to revise for your new child and prepare it so all that's needed is to mail it in: new Will, Power of Attorney, insurance/ stocks/ bonds beneficiary changes, etc.
Documents - Research post-adoption tasks such as birth certificate, re-adoption, social security card, legal name change, child's new passport, proof of Citizenship. Start gathering the paperwork necessary. For USA residents, there is an international adoption Yahoo Group for each State which can be very helpful in traversing State Law intricacies. Ex: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/InternationalAdopt +official State 2 letter code, e.g.: for Texas: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/InternationalAdoptTX
DTC - Join a DTC group! DONE!
Embroider or cross-stitch the Red Thread legend.
Entertainment - Facts for Community Entertainment ( museum, zoo, library story times, etc)
Financials - Pay bills that may be due while you are away.
Financials - Review overall Finances and make a plan.
Financials - Save extra money in an emergency account for unexpected expenses once you are home.
Financials - Set up all your bills so they can be paid electronically. Plan to schedule bill payments in advance of your trip, or have someone else pay your bills while you are gone.
Financials - Start a college fund for your child.
Financials - life insurance policy-get or update. DONE!
Food - Make some freezer food for when you come home
Food - Visit an international grocery store! DONE!
Formula - Practice making formula (with hotpot if taking.)
Gifts - for persons who get mail and/or watch dog
Gifts - Purchase gifts for the child's foster mom, agency personnel (if applicable).
Gifts - Start purchasing gifts for the officials in CHINA (your agency should be able to give you a list of whom it will be)
Godparents - Decide on who will be godparents. DONE!
Guardians - Decide on child's guardians? DONE!
Health - Check on SARS worldwide CDC / WHO.
Health - Get CDC recommended immunizations! Hep A/B, DPT.
Health - Get in shape!! Lose 5,000 pounds!!
House - CLEAN.
House - Bake/Cook casseroles etc and freeze in size containers for your family per meal for when you get back from CHINA.
House - Childproof home.
House - Make arrangements for someone to stock the house with basic items (milk, bread, oj, etc.)
House – Make sure all doors are locked and curling iron unplugged.
House- Put a stop on your mail / arrange to have someone pick up mail.
House - Remodel your house, or re-landscape your yard!!!
Insurance - Double check with employer about adding child to insurance policy
Language - Learn Survival Chinese Phrases!!
Language - Order Translation Vocabulary Cards from ChinaConnection.
Medical Issues - Put together your own version of the Texas Medical Kit (no longer sold): useful medications for you and for baby.
Medical Issues - Read about medical issues which may affect children adopted from China. Dr Jane Aronson's website has much to read and print out for study.
Misc - Take a Chinese Cooking Class.
Misc - Walk around your neighborhood wearing a child carrier, with your dog in it for real-life experience (or 20 lbs of potatoes for a less alarming experience for your neighbors!) .
Money - Get money orders
Money – Start getting crisp $100 bills for fees.
Newspaper - Track down and purchase copies of local and national newspapers published on your child's birthday.
Nursery - finishing touches.
Nursery - Order furniture & paint your child's nursery. DONE!
Parenting - Complete Parent Education Points for your agency. (if applicable) DONE!
Parenting - Practice with kids about the ages you requested. That includes feeding, paying changing, bathing. Your friends will enjoy the help
Parenting - Take Parenting course ...not a newborn course! Check with your local hospital. DONE!
Parenting - Take a seminar in Adoptive Parenting.
Pediatrician - Doctors Visits out of the way, dentist, primary health care person and eye doctor.
Pediatrician - Find a pediatrician experienced in international adoption whom you feel comfortable with. Ask for recommended prescriptions for meds to take with you. Print out this list of Pediatrician Questions & China medical info:
Pediatrician - Get antibiotics from Pediatrician.
Pediatrician - Interview a pediatrician
Pediatrician - Schedule the pediatrician appt for your child a few days after you return.
Pet - Interview and sign up with a pet-sitter or kennel for your four-legged critters while you are in China.
Pet - Make arrangements for someone to watch Pirate.
Pet - Vet Visits out of the way for his annual visit
Phone - Get country calling code for China and USA.
Photo - Cameras & Video – Stock up on batteries, Memory, Tapes, Converter
Photo - Videotape messages about your wait that you can give to your child when she reaches her 18th birthday. (Talk about all of your hopes and dreams and the process of waiting.)
Photo - Videotape messages from your immediate family members about the joy of waiting for your child to arrive.
Post Office - Notify post office to hold mail
Postcard - Participate in a Postcard Exchange.
Quilt - Participate in a 100 Good Wishes Quilt and get movin'.
Read - slews of adoption books — you won't have time after you come home with your baby!!!!
Referral - Keep track of the latest Referral Statistics!!
Referral - Make a list for referral questions
Referral Call - Print out questions for The Referral Call and post them by all of your phones: home, work, cell. Practice reading them out loud! Remember, your mind will be whirling and your hands shaking... and this special piece of paper will become a cherished page in your child's baby book!
Registry - Register at Babies R Us, Target, Walmart or wherever strikes your fancy. DONE!
Resources - Library for Parenting Resources. DONE!
Resources - Read up on Frugal Living.
Safety/First Aid - Enroll in Red Cross First Aid & CPR training. DONE!
Scrapbook/Lifebook - Create a Lifebook for your child-to-be.
Scrapbook/Lifebook - get a bin for all the little items that you want to save. Receipts, poems, thoughts, etc that your child may enjoy looking trough later. DONE!
Scrapbook/Lifebook - Start a journal and write in it frequently.
Scrapbook/Lifebook - Join a yahoo lifebook group. DONE!
Shopping - If on a budget (and who is not) start shopping sales. DOING!
Shopping - research items in your province to look for ahead of time
Shopping - Make a list of items you would like to get your child for future important dates. (birthday, graduation, marriage, etc.)
Shopping - Make a list of persons you want to shop for in CHINA.
Shopping - Sew a fleece blankie for your baby. DONE!
Shopping - Shop. Print out our handy shopping list then hit the mall or logon and order online.
Shopping - Smock or buy an extra-special garment for your baby's Passport photos and the Red Couch photo op!!
Showers - Cyber Shower - Join our Cyber Shower. DONE!
Stroller (BIG) - Find the perfect model of Stroller for YOU. Remember you can buy Strollers for unbelievably cheap prices in China... DONE!
Stroller (UMBRELLA) - Find the perfect model of Stroller for YOU. Remember you can buy Strollers for unbelievably cheap prices in China...
Subscriptions - subscribe to adoption/parenting magazines.
Support Groups - Find new mom groups
Support Groups - Join Families with Children from China - local FCC that have singles.
Thank you - Get all those addresses too!
Thank you - Get all those thank you notes ready.
Thank you - buy lots and lots of Thank you cards.
Travel - Confirm Travel Arrangements
Travel - Register for out of country www.usembassy.state.gov - print contact info
Travel/Airline - Call airline to request special meals and infant meal on return
Travel/Converter - Purchase power converter for trip
Travel/Financials - Contact Credit Card Companies before leaving and advise them of trip dates to CHINA so credit card is not locked.
Travel/Luggage - make a list. IN PROGRESS!
Travel/Luggage - you think this list of things to do is nuts, you should see the outta control spread sheets that I have for a packing list. So step 2 - figure out what 50% of all the crap is NOT going!!! Yeah right! Work a third job to pay for the luggage fines seems more reasonable!
Travel/Luggage - Make sure you have the right luggage for the trip. Check zippers, locks & wheels for functionality. Buy or borrow luggage you don't have. The CarryOnOnly & ChinaTravel Yahoo Groups have wonderful travel & luggage advice.
Travel/Packing - Eliminate unnecessary items in suitcase!
Travel/Packing - Pretend pack…NOW take out ½ the clothes…
Travel/Packing - Purchase Packmates to smush clothing and diapers and allow you to pack more in less space. QVC.com is rumored to have the best prices -- use the Search feature.
Travel/Packing - Start Packing: Make a list of what to take with you, keeping in mind the expected seasonal temps and weather. Obtain any necessary clothing and special supplies such as medications. The Yahoo travel groups have great lists! Sheri's Packlist
Travel/Shoes - Purchase walking shoes for trip – and BREAK THEM IN!!
Videos - Purchase travel videos about your child's birth country, and view them when you're feeling low.
Videos - Try to find popular children's videos from your child's birth country. If you live in a big city, find a radio/TV station that broadcasts in her native language. The sounds of her former homeland can be comforting.
Voice Recorder for trip Also buy voice recorder with LOTS of memory