~More Preparations~

Ava's room is not completely done, but ready enough for Ava to come any time :).  We just have a few minor projects to finish up.  Matt is making shelves for her closet and I'm working on fun a coat rack.  Other than that we just need some things to help fill up her room.  I love the way it turned out.  Sometimes Matt, Jack, and I will just go and sit in her room and talk about what Ava might be doing and imagine what life will be like once she's home. 

 
My amazing sisters have offered to throw us a shower for Ava.  We are so grateful!!  Children require a lot of stuff!  Matt and I had a blast registering for items at Target.  Since Ava is a little older, we were able to register for things that we'll hopefully use for at least a few years (rice cooker, travel DVD player, a buggy for our bikes for Ava to ride along with us).  We weren't able to find everything we wanted at Target so a few items are on Amazon.com.  It was so fun to see Matt having a blast registering for gifts for Ava :)  He is already such a good daddy. 

We've also been busy child proofing our house.  Trying to notice any breakables that may be within her reach.  I'm sure we are missing some!!  We've registered for baby gates, outlet plugs, and door knob covers. We are definitely going to be starting out running because our baby girl is already walking!!

We have decided on a daycare center.  We visited several, but ultimately felt most comfortable with Children's Heaven.  It is a large center with several locations in Omaha, all run by a Spanish family.  They do have curriculum that they try to cover during the day including Spanish, colors, sign language, numbers, etc.  But they also are not so strict to their schedule that they don't allow kids to be kids.  We know that Ava will be somewhat behind, but believe she will catch up quickly in her new environment.  What she will really need in the beginning is a sense of security and love in an environment where she can learn to socialize and be with other kids her age.  We want her to have time to enjoy being a child, she has already had to "grow up" too fast given her circumstances.  

Matt and I met with our pediatrician, Dr. Dawson, a couple of weeks ago.  We felt this was so important given her history.  We wanted a pediatrician who would be comfortable with an international child and some of the unique medical challenges that may occur.  The pediatrician we met with knows and works along with Dr. Kolb- the physician who reviewed Ava's medical records initially and has strong ties to Holt.  We felt very comfortable with Dr. Dawson and are very relieved to have that step taken care of. 

Just this last week, I finally got in the mail Ava's baby book or life book!!  I am so excited about this.  I looked for a long time to find one that I liked that also works for adoption.  It's crazy how few options there are.  But the one that I ended up getting is beautiful with extra pages for international adoption.  I'm so excited to get started on this!!

Other than that, I've started putting things aside for our trip to China: gifts for government officials, Ava's first baby doll, small toys.  We've also been downloading apps on the ipad and iphone, hoping they will entertain Ava on our long flight home :).  It looks like Matt is going to have the opportunity to fly to Shanghai a week early for work.  We are so excited for this opportunity for Matt!!  He talks with his colleagues in Shanghai on a regular basis, so it will be great for him to be able to meet them and do some training.  Just don't know how he is going to be in the same city as Ava for a week and not go search for her!!  Then my mom and I will fly out together to meet him.  SO EXCITED!!

Ava, we are BEYOND ready for you!!  All the preparations matter very little.  We just can't wait to have you home!!  Love you little girl :)