Car Seat Organizer

CARSEAT ORGANIZER - It has a deep cargo bin for toys and lots of pockets for smaller things, too. It also has insulated drink holders and the entire cargo area is waterproof – just in case. Travel-Pal fits between two child car seats and it’s big enough to hold everything for both children. Travel-Pal is the best way to keep your backseat tidy, toys within reach and everyone happy.

Travel Pal CAR SEAT ORGANIZER $13.99

You can find it here.

Travel Cord Organizer

Tech Storage from Bed, Bath and Beyond

Travel Cord and Charger Storage Bag

When you're on the go, this bag is perfect for your surge protector plus electrical gadgets. No more worrying whether there will be enough outlets at the hotel. Storage bag is made especially for traveling with your surge protector. It holds a standard (8" - 10") power strip in the spine and unzips completely so it can be laid flat. The built-in hanger provides for easy out-of-the-way storing, while the seven pockets can hold cords, cables and devices such as cell phones, iPods™, etc. There's even pocket window labels for easy item identification and small zipped compartments for memory cards, jump drives and smaller items. Measures 19 1/2" L x 11 3/4" W when opened; 8" L x 11 3/4" W when closed. Surge protector and gadgets not included.

Travel Cord Organizer

Personal Media Travel Pouch

Cord Keeper

Bloggers I've Met

Kim & Ron home with Madeline
Live Near Me

Lisa home with Mia (Private)
Live Near Me

Donna & Joe in Arizona waiting for Lauren Elizabeth
Same Agency, Events: East Coast Girls Philly Fun & Florida Fling

Evelyn & Jesus in Florida waiting for Mei-Li
Sister Agency, Events: Florida Fling & Boston Scrapping Pandas

Karen in Georgia waiting for Kaelie
Sister Agency, Events: Florida Fling & Boston Scrapping Pandas

Susan & Riz in Florida home with Sophia
Events: East Coast Girls Philly Fun & Florida Fling

Sheryl, Mark & gang in New Jersey home with Lia (Private)
Events: East Coast Girls Philly Fun, Florida Fling & Lia's 3rd Birthday Party

Maggie, Billy & gang waiting for Olivia
Events: Lia's 3rd Birthday Party

Hope in Kentucky home with Izabella
Events: East Coast Girls Philly Fun

Melissa, Patrick and the boys in Mass. waiting for Lily
Events: East Coast Girls Philly Fun & Florida Fling & Boston Scrapping Pandas

Kathy & Eric in New Hampshire waiting for Emma
Events: East Coast Girls Philly Fun & Florida Fling & Boston Scrapping Pandas

Wanda in Georgia waiting for Lexi
Events: East Coast Girls Philly Fun

Sharon in Florida waiting for MaryAlice
Events: Florida Fling & Boston Scrapping Pandas

Amy in Maine home with Vivi

Cindy in New Hampshire waiting for her little one
Events: Boston Scrapping Pandas

Deb G waiting for her little one
Events: Boston Scrapping Pandas

Sherri in Maryland home with her two beautiful girls

Sherry, Dave & Jake in Pennsylvania home with Rachel
Events: 2008 Moon Festival

Why China?

Health
Chinese orphans have a reputation of being among the healthiest in the world. There are fewer problems with alcohol and other drugs in China than in many other parts of the world. I like the idea that the birth mother of our daughter very likely did not drink.

Gender
China is probably the only country where you can actually request a specific gender.

Certainty vs. Risk
Adoptions in the US always involve risks of the birth family creating problems for the adoptive family. In Chinese Adoptions, Once approved for adoption, they almost always go through. It may take longer, it may cost more money, but it will happen. I choose a closed adoption.

The need is so great
I have heard that there are somewhere between 30 and 60 couples in the US waiting to adopt each healthy Caucasian infant that becomes available. These US children will, without question, have the chance to be raised in loving homes. In other countries this is not the case. Thousands of perfectly healthy children will live their lives in orphanages which are only able to provide the minimal needs for these kids. If I am going to adopt, I would really rather help out a child that will not otherwise get help.

Note: This does NOT mean that I am some kind of saint whose mission is to help the unfortunate children of the world. I want a child. This is one way for my dream to come true. The fact that it also provides some help where help is badly needed is a plus, but it is not the REASON I am adopting from China. I feel I am the lucky one in this process. I get to have the family I want.

Respect
China has a unique and remarkable history. China was a civilized country long before European countries could be called civilized. The China of today is rich in interesting and varied cultures. I feel this is a background which I can easily help my daughter be proud of.

Support
There are many thousands of Chinese children who have been adopted into US families. The parents of these children are organized and offer newsletters, playgroups, camps, classes, and all kinds of special events. I feel it will be very helpful to my daughter’s self-esteem to know others with a similar background and to have opportunities to learn something about Chinese culture. This kind of support was a VERY big factor in my decision.

Resource Links

Asia for kids
http://afk.com/

Blessed Kids
http://blessedkids.com/

CDC
http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/regionEastAsia.aspx

Celebrate Adoption
http://www.celebrateadoption.com/

China Connection
http://www.chinaconnectiononline.com/

China the Beautiful
http://www.chinapage.com/main2.html

FCC
http://www.fwcc.org/

Lotus Tours
http://www.lotustours.net/index.shtml

Maps of China
http://www.maps-of-china.com/

Orphan Doctor
http://www.orphandoctor.com/

Sherry Mama
http://www.sherrymama.com/

The Beijing Guide
http://www.thebeijingguide.com/

Finding Ads

Asia Threads
Blessed Kids
Brian Stuy
China Babies
Shanghai Abandonment Ads

Asian/Adoption Related Books

Children
Dragon Dance a Chinese New Year by Joan, Holub & Benrei Huang
We See the Moon By Carrie Kitze
The White Swan Express: by Jean Davies Okimoto, Elaine M. Aoki, and Meilo So
When You Were Born in China by Sarah Dorow
Dim Sum, Bagels, and Grits by Myra Alperson
I Don't Have Your Eyes by Carrie Kitze
At Home In This World by Jean McLeod
I Love You Like Crazy Cakes by Rose Lewis
Shaoey and Dot by MaryBeth and Steven Curtis Chapman
It's Okay to Be Different by Todd Parr
Hanna's Butterfly by Marie Vinje and Gail L. Suess
Kids Like Me in China by Ying Ying Fry
Love Is A Family by Roma Downey
Why an I different by Norma Simon
Filling in the Blanks: A guided look at growing up adopted by Susan Gabel
Moonbeams Dumplings & Dragon Boats
Little Miss Ladybug and Her Magical Red Thread @ www.ladybugproductions.ca
Mommy Far, Mommy Near by Carol Antoinette Peacock
Why am I different? by Norma Simon
Mama, If you had a Wish by Jeanne Modesitt
Child of the Owl by Lawrence Yep.

Adult
The Lost Daughters of China by Karin Evans
20 Things Adopted kids Wish Their Adoptive Parents Knew by Sherrie Eldridge
Chinese in America by Iris Chang (recently deceased).
Attaching in Adoption by Deborah Gray
The Family of Adoption by Joyce Maguire Pavao
The Good Luck Life, which is about Chinese traditions in America.
The Language of Blood by Jane Jeong Trenka
The Mommy Book by Todd Parr books
The Exact Same Moon by Jeanne Marie Laskas
Wanting a Daughter, Needing a Son by Kay Johnson
Cross-Cultural Adoption: How to Answer Questions From Family, Friends and Community." by Amy Coughlin and Caryn Abramowitz
The Joy of getting along with the Chinese by Fred Schneiter
Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China by Jung Chang
China Wakes by Kurstoff and Wudunn
Sounds of the River by Da Chen
The Moon Lady by Amy Tan
China, the dream of man? written by Tore Zetterholm,Bo Gartze
Adoption Blues

Digital Scrapbooking of Nursery

I know you all are probably sick of seeing Giorgia's Nursery...but I just so love it. Anyway, My newest obscession is Digital Scrapbooking!! Since Giorgi isn't home yet...what can I scrap about? Well, I am working on her lifebook but I still don't have a lot of needed info yet. So, I am doing some pages for her baby book! It takes me forever to put a layout together. (and I mean forever!) So, I hope with lots of practice, I'll get quicker! :)

Video Library

Book Library

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