Hey ho, hey ho, its off to China we go!

Count down begins!

Finally our Dossier is on its way to Taiwan and by coincidence it is taking the same route to Taiwan (via Anchorage) that we took last year, although, unlike us, I doubt that it availed itself of the rest room facilities during the stop at Anchorage.

 

Photographic proof from Lulu's camera that we too stopped at Anchorage Airport!  I think her shot of the jewelery case with snow effect really captures the essence of the place.

 





 

Oh Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy, Update Day is Here!

I knew that in theory we were due for updated photos but I hadn't really dared to think about it too much because sometimes the updates can be late and then its just agony, so best to try not to start obsessing too early!  Of course that doesn't mean that the hope of an update wasn't always in the back of my mind but I just wasn't at the "my head will explode if updates don't arrive soon" point!   So it really was a surprise, not to mention total joy, to see these photos waiting in my Inbox.  Hooray, hooray for Update Day, love it so.

We got three photos and she is wearing an outfit we sent, which makes me ridiculously happy.  I had been making bets with myself over which outfit they would dress her in and I had my money on the right one!  Isn't she just the sweetest?

 

We also have a little video clip, it just so precious to have and it gives us such a wonderful glimpse of her personality while we wait so far away wondering what she is like and how she is doing.  Looks like "Amy Sparkles" is sparkly in name and nature!  We love you baby girl xxx

Well at least that's her name sorted!

I thought it would be nice to video Lulu and Beau with Ching-Lin's first care package before sending it on its way.  I really had no idea what they might say and to be honest Beau didn't have a lot to say on the matter beyond  joining in for the first two "Baby, Babies" of the "Baby, baby" song*.

Lulu on the other hand was full of lullabies and love for her sister and also announced to me what Ching-Lin's English name will be.  Judging from the name choice she came up with  it would appear Lulu feels her sister is destined to be

a) The next big Teen Pop Singing Sensation,

b) A Vegas Stripper

c) One of those "Little Ponies"

Or possibly

d) A woodland fairy friend of Tinkerbells.

Makes a mother proud! 

Since the big name announcement I have gently tired to insert a few of my own name choices into the running and whilst Lulu, fair minded as always, is most certainly open to a family vote on Ching-Lin's name so far it would seem that her own choice keeps coming out top.

Possibly sensing that her name choice is a little more "fashion forward" than her dear old Ma and Pa can cope with Lulu did make a very early amendment to her choice, declaring that Ching-Lin's new name will be Amy Sparkles.  I am forced to admit it does have a nice ring to it and in recent days in the hopes of gaining our votes it has been amended further to Amy Sparkles Rose.  At this point we are all referring to Ching-Lin as Amy Sparkles I fear if I don't come up with a name to challenge it soon she may well be Amy Sparkles for life! 

*All Original Lyrics & Music written and performed by Lulu

Just call me Mrs Worthington.

Lulu has yet to see a stage she doesn't think she should be on!  Here she is at the photography place waiting for Mummy to hurry up and choose which pics to buy.  You may notice she appears to be wearing a particularly huge pair of bloomers under her dress but I can assure you they are her shorts from her previous outfit.

The choreography and lyrics are entirely her own (Uncle Cris will be especially proud) and yes, she is available for weddings and bar mitzvahs.

Make that Express please!

At this point It feels like we're making at least twice daily visits to the Post Office to Express or Priority Mail paperwork to someone or other, to do something or other to it, so we can finally get it all sent to Taiwan.  Trust me trips to the Post Office are not easy with the Two Terrors along for the ride, it is not lost on me that if its this tricky with two what the heck would it be like with a third munchkin in tow, no matter how cute she is!

The worst was the two trips, yes TWO trips it took for me to get our first care package off to Taiwan but I'll save the pitiful details of that for another post. 

Luckily the thrill of these Post Office visits has not yet warn thin on Lulu and Beau, probably more of a testament to the less than exciting life we lead here in Darkest CT than the fun of the Post Offices!  To keep things "interesting" I switch up which location we visit.  On this trip we picked an in town office, which has the con of tricky parking but the plus of being stroller friendly (relatively) which means Beau is securely leashed seated leaving me with a free hand AND somewhere to put my bag and items for mailing.  As far as the kids are concerned the big draw of this Branch is the basket of free candy on the counter.  They also appreciate the handicap ramp aka The Stroller Race Circuit, you'd be amazed at the speeds we have clocked going down that thing and we haven't had a spin off or tire blow out yet, but give us time, give us time!

We are are such high volume customers they should really give us a discount but apparently my mailing colleagues are happy to take lollipops in lieu of a discount, personally I'd rather have the discount but I was out voted.