Packing and repacking

When we were packing for China in 2005, the best advice I received was from my friend, Sarah H in Austin, Mom of 2 China girls. She said, "Pack very few outfits for yourself, only 4 or so. But pack every medication you can think of." And she was right!

It costs so little to do laundry in China, that it isn't worth taking a bunch of clothes. It is so much easier to send laundry out every day than it is to lug extra weight on the 3 flights to China, the 2 flights within China, and the 3 flights home. With that in mind, each of us will carry a backpack and pull a rolling, carry-on suitcase. Plus we will check two large bags with medication, toiletry refills, and shared items. Jon Wiley could have his own suitcase, as he is over 2 and thus has a ticketed seat on all the flights he takes with us. But really, who would carry it? I'll bring Mia's old toddler backpack (primary colors!), so he can carry a few things and not feel left out. And as a new 2 year old, I think he'll like the whole backpack idea. On the intra-China flights, there is almost no overhead storage, so we will check all the rollers and carry-on only the backpacks.

One issue that we didn't have last time is the great variation in autumn temperatures between the cities we are visiting. Beijing's climate is like Chicago, with a high tomorrow of 66 F. Chongqing's is like Dallas, with a high tomorrow of 80 F. Guangzhou's is like Orlando, with a high tomorrow of 91 F. It is particularly cold and windy on the Great Wall, but I'm sure we'll heat up once we get to climbing it. We'll be wearing lots of layers and bringing mittens and hats, which we can leave in Beijing if we want.

Warning: packing lists below. I know this is incredibly yawn-o-genic material for most of you, but internationally adopting families seek out packing lists like junkies seek out meth. So if it bores you, then click back to your email or something.

First up: Eiley's and Mia's list for their rolling carry-ons and backpacks. My list is nearly the same, plus I will have the 3 ring binder full of important documents. Devyn's carry-ons have fewer accessories (like no bra, duh), more spare outfits, and lots of room devoted to her favorite big, blue blankie. Scott will create his own list for himself, probably 18 minutes before we get in the car.

Backpack/duffel:
1 pair underwear
1 bra
1 t shirt
1 pair pants

small towel,bandanna, or handkerchief
thin jacket or hoodie
1 pair socks

ipod - if you want to bring it.

camera
small book
small video game or playing cards

1 qt. baggie with deodorant, toothpaste, sunscreen, shampoo, conditioner, lotion and purel

Klean Kanteen -- EMPTY
Ponytail holders
Dry snacks like granola bar or crackers or fruit leather
Small packet of kleenex
Your own personal advil bottle
travel journal and pen
A small pillow or blanket ONLY if you have room
Or a small llama (Readers, this will make sense if you know Mia).

DO NOT BRING YOUR PHONE OR YOUR COMPUTER (Mom will have hers.)
Eiley and I are still negotiating about her computer.




Rolling suit case
1 winter hat, 1 sun hat

15 pairs underwear

5 bras
2 nightgowns or pjs

2 pairs of jeans
2 pairs capris or yoga pants
2 pairs shorts
5 t-shirts -- 2 long sleeved and 3 short sleeved
1 hoodie or light jacket
1 sweatshirt
1 pair mittens or gloves

1 pair of COMFORTABLE tennis shoes

1 pair pool shoes or crocs.
2 swimsuits
baggie full of Kleenex

toothbrush
Brush
ponytail holders
nail clippers

pillowcase
small flashlight
cough drops
pill box -- I will fill it for you
Mia - Melatonin. You will be carrying this for the whole family
Eiley - Benadryl. You will be carrying this for the whole family.
Wear earrings and pack one other pair in case yours fall out.

NO EXPENSIVE JEWELRY. NO DRESS CLOTHES. NO DRINKS. NOTHING SO BIG OR HEAVY THAT YOU CAN'T CARRY OR PULL IT YOURSELF.



Next the blue, hardsided, checked suitcase, weighing in at 43.6 pounds

Medical
Allegra D
Levaquin
Avelox
Tums
Nasacort x 6
Patanase
DM syrup
Dimetapp syrup
Ibuprofen suspension
Albuterol inhaler
Primadophilus
Fish Oil
Probiotic

Non Medical
Easy ups x 72
Formula
Kleenex
3 shorts outfits, size 12 - 18 mos
2 winter outfits, size 18 - 24 mos
Hoodie 12 - 18 mos
Boys socks x 10
Jeans outfits, 12 - 18 mos x 4
swim trunks 12 - 18 mos
Tank tops, 12 - 18 mos x 2
Cars PJs
Hoodi 12 - 18 mos
Sippy cup x 3
Plastic storage cubes x 4
swim trunks, 18 mos
Rice U sweatshirt for JW
Coming Home Outfit, 18 - 24 mos
Sweat Pants/ Shirt outfit, 12 - 18 mos x 3
Swim Sandals, size 7 toddler
Sneakers, size 7 toddler
Blue Blankie
Baby toothbrush
Baby toothpaste
Small backpack for JW
Power converter/voltage adapter kit
Hinged chopsticks x 4
“Texan Baby” hat
Plastic spoons and forks
Method bamboo deodorizing ring
Rain poncho x 2
Blue rain jacket
Apricot baby oil
AA batteries and charger
Bubbles
Winter Gloves x 2 pairs
Lavender Baby Bath
Baby wipes



Finally, the black, checked suitcase, weighing in at 43.4 pounds

Medical
Acid Controller
Mucinex DM
Itchex Spray
Liquid Motrin
Pepto Bismol x 120
Baby Gas Drops x 2
Baby Shampoo
Iodine Solution x 2
Cough strips
Tussin
Kids’s Advil
Thermometer
NS 50mL bag x 4
Needles
Syringes
ASA
Decadron
Zofran
Phenergan
Phenergan Supp (1)
Gas X Tablets
Loperamide
Cough Drops
DM
Allegra
Sudafed
Blistex x 2
Visine
Afrin
Kids Pepto x 24
Toradol
Kanka solution
Dermabond x 2
IV tubing x 2
Epi vial
Steri Strips
Suture Removal Kit
Bacitracin
Lidocaine Jelly
Dramamine
Dimetapp
Nasal Bulb Syringe
Moleskin
IV Lidocaine
Ace Wrap
Nepafenac eye drops

Non Medical
Chex Mix
Fruit Snacks
Trail Mix
LIquid Dial x 2
Baby bottles x 3
Fruit Leather
Swim Diapers
Baby wipes x 2
Clorox wipes
Boy socks x 10
Travel Converter/Voltage Adapter x 3
Small Blue Blanket
Dial Bar Soap x 4
Umbrellas x 2
Apricot baby oil
Baby goggles
JW flip flops
JW hooded towel
Yellow sleeper
Blue sleeper x 2
DiDi Bib
Wall shirt for JW
12 - 18 mo swim trunks
Floaties
Slippers, toddler size 6
Orange baby hat
Hand sanitizer x 4
Scissors
JW Sunglasses
Baby boy shoes, toddler size 5
Hand Warmer
Room Deodorizer x 3
Sharpie
Rice Cereal
Pat the Bunny book
Art storage tubes x 2
Baggies - gallon and quart
Boots, toddler size 6
Shoes, toddler size 7
Insect repellent wipes, added 9-28-08 per Sarah H's suggestion