Where is our beautiful girl? (if you click on the image above - it'll be clearer).
She is in Ping Yuan County SWI. In the far north of the Guangdong Province. (which is the yellow province in the far south of China) The closest City is MeiZhou, which is 50kms South of Ping Yuan. I can't get the map to save clearly, its much easier to see, if you go straight to the Red Thread Maps Website.
Once we have Tiny home, I totally intend on getting on of the Lifebook Map kits. They look fantastic!
During our "journey"... which I like to refer to as "a friggin long wait", I read about a guy named Brian that offers services to find out more about your child's early years, including finding ads, photos, orphanage info etc. I checked out his site the other day, and found this page about Ping Yuan SWI. There's not alot of info, but the stats show why. Only 9 kids allocated since 2004. (make it 10 kids... coz we have Tiny now!) I can only imagine that the SWI is well off the beaten track, and highly doubt that we (or any other adopting family) will ever be visiting the SWI. Which leads me to my next topic...
Care package. I sent a care package last Friday. I forgot to take a photo of it.. sorry! But I sent one disposable camera (with flash), a "Who Loves Baby" baby album (complete with labels of chinese characters for Mama, Daddy, big sister, big brother and family), a baby mobile phone toy (that has lights and sound), a lovie (small satin/velour blankie), and a pack of caramel/choc lollies and a pack of marshmallows for the carers! I made labels with Tiny's photo and her name in chinese characters and stuck them to everything! I also made sure I stuck a label saying "Carer" on the lollies... it suddenly occured to me, they might think they're for Tiny?!!! I got the SWI address off the Blessed Kids website (fantastic site!), printed it off, stuck it to the post-pak along with another "Tiny" label. I put clear contact over the address and label, as my printer's ink runs, if it gets wet... I'm not leaving anything to chance!!! I also sent a letter (in chinese and English) thanking them for carer for our daughter, and asking if they could take photos in her surroundings and with her carers. I'm really really hoping to get those photos back - as I don't think I'll ever see her Orphanage surroundings, otherwise.
I don't think our Agency likes us sending gear (I didn't ask!)... but this is important to me. And I figure they dictate what we do with our files etc... but I want to send my daughter a gift ~ to let her know, we are thinking about her.
Thanks for all your "clothing" tips! I'd already figured, I'll take a couple of sz 6-12 months, a couple of our size 00s and a couple of our size 0s! I just want to meet her, so she can wear these beeeauticious clothes I have for her!!!
I'm still on Cloud 9. Not even immigration paperwork could put me off!!!
Once we have Tiny home, I totally intend on getting on of the Lifebook Map kits. They look fantastic!
During our "journey"... which I like to refer to as "a friggin long wait", I read about a guy named Brian that offers services to find out more about your child's early years, including finding ads, photos, orphanage info etc. I checked out his site the other day, and found this page about Ping Yuan SWI. There's not alot of info, but the stats show why. Only 9 kids allocated since 2004. (make it 10 kids... coz we have Tiny now!) I can only imagine that the SWI is well off the beaten track, and highly doubt that we (or any other adopting family) will ever be visiting the SWI. Which leads me to my next topic...
Care package. I sent a care package last Friday. I forgot to take a photo of it.. sorry! But I sent one disposable camera (with flash), a "Who Loves Baby" baby album (complete with labels of chinese characters for Mama, Daddy, big sister, big brother and family), a baby mobile phone toy (that has lights and sound), a lovie (small satin/velour blankie), and a pack of caramel/choc lollies and a pack of marshmallows for the carers! I made labels with Tiny's photo and her name in chinese characters and stuck them to everything! I also made sure I stuck a label saying "Carer" on the lollies... it suddenly occured to me, they might think they're for Tiny?!!! I got the SWI address off the Blessed Kids website (fantastic site!), printed it off, stuck it to the post-pak along with another "Tiny" label. I put clear contact over the address and label, as my printer's ink runs, if it gets wet... I'm not leaving anything to chance!!! I also sent a letter (in chinese and English) thanking them for carer for our daughter, and asking if they could take photos in her surroundings and with her carers. I'm really really hoping to get those photos back - as I don't think I'll ever see her Orphanage surroundings, otherwise.
I don't think our Agency likes us sending gear (I didn't ask!)... but this is important to me. And I figure they dictate what we do with our files etc... but I want to send my daughter a gift ~ to let her know, we are thinking about her.
Thanks for all your "clothing" tips! I'd already figured, I'll take a couple of sz 6-12 months, a couple of our size 00s and a couple of our size 0s! I just want to meet her, so she can wear these beeeauticious clothes I have for her!!!
I'm still on Cloud 9. Not even immigration paperwork could put me off!!!
10 comments:
Hey, I am from Guangdong, first congratulations on your adoption. Yeah, a baby girl from here. but I've never heard of Ping Yuan city of our Province. Qing Yuan I do think so.
I already requested my girl's finding ad. Not much on her city or SWI though :0( I did join the SWI Yahoo group though and have 'met' some wonderful people with the inside poop. If I persist (and I can be that way) I may get to go to Claire's SWI. Just this past year there were only 5 babies there at one point.
I plan on sending off a care package too...just haven't decided to do it myself or use a service. I really want as many pictures as I can get!
Isn't this just the greatest time? I'm floating around with you too.
I am sooo happy for you..
I bet there is sooo much to learn on where to go and get things and where to find out how to write the letters ...
I can't wait to follow you on your amazing journey..
Hugs..
I actually pulled out the "Who Loves Baby" book out of a drawer the other day....Thought I better get busy finding the pictures for it. I think I'll leave out all the dogs and cats....Don't want to freak anyone out! =)
We got a finding ad from our agency moments after I got (and signed for) Ellie. She kind of glanced (and mostly pulled) at the Who Loves You book in China but now that she has met the family she really likes it! So thrilled for you. Way to persist thru the friggin' long wait! =)
Just know that things can sometimes change! The Tongginator was baby #20ish to be adopted from the Tonggu SWI. Now there are just over 200 children internationally adopted through her orphanage.
We were not allowed to travel to Tonggu County, but others after us were allowed to do so. They took lots and lots and lots of pictures, then shared them with us on a photo CD. So stay active with your on-line group.
As to the "Who Love Baby" book... great idea! You may also want to consider creating a duplicate (same pics and all) to bring with you, just in case you don't get it back. Then Tiny will have something familiar in her hands. :)
Oh I will be picking your brains when you get your gifts etc so I have an idea as to what to send... I am SO excited for you all..
I LOVE your excitement! It's contagious. I can't believe you'll be there soon!
My daughter is from Guangdong Province also, but from the southwest (Maonan). When we first adopted her in 2003, there weren't all that many babies out of her orphanage. Over the years, things changed. Soon, the orphanage started allowing families to visit and we were able to get some pictures/video from the visits. Granted, they weren't taken when my daughter was there, but I still welcomed them. If there is not a Yahoo group for the families who adopted from that SWI, start one yourself. Later, more babies may be adopted out of that orphanage and you may become a wonderful resource to those families, and they might be a wonderful resource to you.
Your little one is precious, by the way. Can't wait to see pictures of her WITH you guys!!
We used Brian and got our daughter's finding ad and a DVD of her town she was from. Also a small town/SWI. And it's GREAT! So I would for sure order from him if he has information on your DD's area etc...
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