Counting down...

In less than 48 hours, we will be on our way to China.  We got our itinerary today and found out that we will not be with any other families until we reach Guangzhou (after we have Jack).  There are no other babies from his orphanage being adopted at the same time.  I feel kind of sad about that, based on the relationships we formed with other families when we adopted Avery.  We shared a very special bond with those families, and our girls will forever be connected by a powerful, yet invisible force that we will never really comprehend.  We got to know Avery's crib mate, her first companion, with whom she spent every day and night until they were both adopted at the same time.  I frequently think about Regan, her crib mate, and thank her for keeping Avery company in what could have been a very lonely and uncertain time.  I am thankful that they had each other, and often tell Avery that I am sure they both cuddled and stole blankets from each other!  For a child that came to us with nothing, we cherished any tiny bit of her history or early relationships that we could hold onto.  For Jack, we will not have any of that.

We are preparing ourselves and Avery for a tough time on "Gotcha Day."  At 17 months old, Jack has probably made friends and formed relationships with his caregivers.  He probably understands the language and takes comfort in his surroundings...familiar smells, sights and sounds.  We are strangers to him.  We don't look familiar, smell familiar or sound familiar.  He is probably going to be scared, and we don't know yet what that is going to look like.  We told Avery he might cry and scream and try to run away from us.  He might kick or bite or spit.  Or, he might simply shut down.  In any case, he is OURS, and we are going to get through this initial transition as a team, as a family.  We are scared, and we don't expect this to be easy.  It is important for us to say, though, that we have NEVER doubted ourselves.  We NEVER considered not doing this.  Just like we knew Avery was our daughter from the minute we saw her, Jack is our son and we are welcoming him into this family with open arms and open hearts.

Our packing extravaganza has begun, and I feel like a mobile pharmacy!  I think we have every over-the-counter medicine known to man.  Gas, diarrhea, constipation, acid, teething, nausea, dehydration, headache, stomachache, fever, cough, cold, insomnia, allergy, itching, scabies, sunburn, diaper rash, dandruff....BRING IT ON!  We also packed some emergency snacks, in case we are too tired to leave our hotel room.  Avery's friends have made sure she will not be bored or hungry during the MANY hours of flight time...they have provided her with games, crafts, books and lots of snacks!  Thank you, to everyone who has supported us and cheered us along during this 6 year adventure.