T-minus 24 hours and counting…

Well, it’s the last push to get everything ready for Tian. Maids came yesterday. House got a good deep cleaning (not that it needed it). Luis will have the garage completed before we get back. We finished up most of the packing with, as planned, room to spare. The to-do list is getting shorter! Kerry was up REALLY late last night. At 11pm, she had “crazy” in her eyes!  I have to think it was after 2am when she came to bed. Heck, it could have been 4am because she barely moved this morning. But I do know this… Whatever she needed to do, she got done.

We arrive on Thursday. I saw Beijing’s forecast this morning for Thursday – Sunday. Highs in the 50’s, lows in the mid 30’s. Brrrr. Not exactly the weather I wanted while touring Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the Great Wall, but definitely better than 90’s. We travel again on the 4^th. The weather then warms and it should be beautiful in Zhengzhou and Guangzhou.

 

We got a group email last week with all the families replying with introductions, which was quite nice. I’m really looking forward to meeting the others in Beijing. Our new best friends will be the Goodman, Katris, Mayhorn, Vigil, Williamson, Griffiths, Lofton, Raymond and Smith Families. The Smith’s are bringing their 11 year old daughter, Hanna. Very cool that Hunter will have someone else there his own age. According to the travel packet, it appears we will be the first family to arrive.

And the hotels look to be fantastic. In Beijing, we will be staying at http://www.qianmenhotel.com/en/index.html , In Zhengzhou, we will be staying at http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/crowneplaza/hotels/us/en/zhengzhou/cgoch/hoteldetail/photos-tours and in Guangzhou, we will be staying at http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/canmc-china-hotel-a-marriott-hotel-guangzhou/ .

Today my thoughts are with my family and friends (really everyone) in the Northeast today. Hurricane Sandy put a beat down on NJ and NY. I hope everyone is safe, warm and dry. Also, I hope the storm did not affect anyone in our travel group. Our flights are the last thing any of us need to be worrying about.

And finally, We went to dinner with my Mom and Dad last night. Ole’ BillyBob saw Tia’s room for the first time. Wow.  He was completely overwhelmed. It was obvious that it finally became real to him. No longer just 6 years of talk.

Next time you hear from me, it will be from China. Google is unavailable there, so my beautiful sister-in-law, MaryAnn, is going to post for me. Thanks again for letting me share! And thank you so much in advance to MaryAnn, Marilyn and Jeff, Luis and Angie, Felix and Yvette, Kim and Williston for helping out while we are gone.
~DP

Lauren... Spelled like Ralph, but sounds like Sophia

Talk about down to the wire. Hooray! After weeks of hashing, we decided on a middle name.

 

 

Tian Lauren Phillips

 

Ha. Me likey. Got an message from Kerry around 1pm EST saying, "Hey, we got until 3:00pm to choose a name." I replied with a text "Tian Lauren, like Ralph Lauren, or Olivia. Tia Lauren sounds pretty cool. Off to grab lunch". I return to my office and see an email from Kerry to Sheri at CCAI. "Hi Sheri, yes we have!  I guess no further discussion was needed... I love it, we love it, she'll love it.

 

 

 

 

This Weekend - A DIY Blur. (and 9 days to China)

October 22, 2012

We got so much done this weekend, the time FLEW by! Hunter’s white entertainment / storage set was recycled into Tia’s room and looks great. 2 of the three against the wall, the 3^rd piece into the closet. Don’t feel bad for Hunter. He got a new ceiling fan and his 37” Flat screen mounted on the wall with a new, more preteen set up courtesy of IKEA. The DVD, VCR, Wii and PS3 all hooked up and he is ready to go. Check Hunter’s room off the list.

 

Tian got some toys! Kerry and Hunter spent Saturday afternoon buying stuff to fill Tian’s shelves and to take with us to China. I saw stacking blocks, a Pink Disney Castle, bottles and bibs (that Hunter picked out). It was a lot of time and effort. I know they really enjoyed it, because Hunter didn’t bitch once about it. Should have seen Kerry. She tore into that Disney Castle on a mission! Hunter helped finish it by adding the stickers. It’s safe to say… Tian’s room is basically done.

 

The look of disappointment. "The door is warped! I'm taking this back!

And pieces are missing!"

 

On to the garage! This will be the death of me. A deadline has been set by my beautiful wife. We are having a few friends and family over on Sunday at 4pm for an “Off to Get Tian” cookout. In her defense, a deadline needed to be set. I know that, but… So, with one more coat of primer and the wall and closet will be ready to paint. We decided on the same color for the walls and ceiling. Thank you Luis. I believed you had a conversation with her about 86ing that ‘Dozen Roses’ ceiling color idea. He also got the paddle fan up, closet door installed, A/C Vent installed and now just waiting on us to paint. Kerry stained the floor boards on Sunday. She’ll get to the door frames today or tomorrow, so I need to get the paint done soon so Luis can install everything else. So close to getting it all done. I promise the next picture you see of the garage, it will be completed.

 

 

 

Thank you to Angie, Brooke and Bella for all the beautiful clothes. Dresses, onesies, rompers, shirts and shorts. So cute. Got them all washes and folded last night. Winnie and Dex enjoy the fresh, warm temporary bedding as I folded. Those little garments are tough to fold and where do I put them? What Pile?! Boys are so much easier. We are very thankful for the gifts. I can't wait to get the "I was worth the wait” onesy I ordered online.

 

We received our US Consulate confirmation today; and our in-China flights and last night in Beijing hotel booked. Our Final Travel Conference call is penciled in for Thursday and we requested the Final Report on Tian. We haven’t received anything on her since July. She was only 16.4lbs at 14 months. A normal weight for that age is 22lbs. Curious to see where she is now at a year and a half.

If you need me this week, I’ll be in the garage… Painting.

Travel Plans! Only Two More Weeks To Go!

October 16, 2012 - A beautiful little 18 month old is about to turn our lives upside down. I’m amazed how relaxed I am about all of this. I’m very excited, but no anxiety or nervousness. My guess is it’s probably a combination having wanted this  2nd child so badly, having a great parenting experience with Hunter and Kerry is so organized and on top of things.

 

We are still trying to figure out the best middle name for Tia and need to make a decision soon. It’s so very hard. The golfer in me still loves her original name, Ping, but that’s probably not going to happen. I’ve come up with Tian Michele and Tian Olivia as my final two. Kerry offered Isabella, which is a beautiful name, but none of us look Spanish, right? The discussion will continue...

 

Only 2 more weeks until we head to Beijing.  I can't wait to see her. Our Visas are in process and expected back on the 18^th. We found our best deal to fly in / out of Beijing from West Palm Beach. Once we reach Beijing, we will spend 2 days touring  the city and shaking the jetlag, then head to Zhengzhou on the 4th. GOTCHA DAY is November 5th! Let the bonding begin! Our US Consulate appointment is on the 15th in Guangzhou. Back to Beijing on the 16th and then home on the 17th! Whoo! 16 days in China. Now I need to start thinking about what to pack. It's going to be cool. Highs in the lower 70's. Regardless, I'm planning to travel very light so I have room for all the stuff Kerry is going to ask me to carry home. hehe.

 

 

 

We got quite a lot accomplished this weekend. I can check the play set off the to-do list. Second floor stained, handles and stones painted and a few small repairs. Everything is safe and secure. I will be adding her seat swing this week. Tian’s room is basically done. Hooray! After we got the P.I.A. entertainment armoire out of the room! OMG! Ask me about that effort one day. Got the wallpaper border up and hung a pair of curtain rods. Hunter did a great job helping. Other than a hook in the ceiling for a crib canopy and installing a new ceiling fan with custom pink chandelier Kerry found, I’m done in there and she’s going to handle the final decorations.

 

 

My favorite part of the weekend was sitting with Kerry in Tia’s (almost finished) room last night. Done for the day, Hunter was finally asleep, glass of wine in hand, relaxing in the glider, Tian’s pink purse nightlight on and looking at (and laughing at) all the air bubbles we missed in the wallpaper border. We chatted about everything from the room’s configuration to medications we need to bring with us on the trip. There were a few moments of silence sprinkled in as we enjoyed the room we worked so hard to make perfect.

 

 

   

LUIS! YOU ARE THE MAN! Amazing what this fella has done to transform our garage into a living space. The walls were sanded this weekend. The only thing Luis has left is installing an A/C vent, a closet door, floor boards and a ceiling fan. I’ll be able to handle the rest. I think I’ll be painting next week! I’m not that excited about the paint. Kerry has a vision for the room! Tuscany! Know what that means for me? Ugh. “Why honey, why? Are you SURE you want use a faux paint technique in there?” If I can’t talk her out of this, my time involved on this job just doubled.





Hunter is doing great. Got his mid-semester grades. 3 A’s, 2 B+’s. So no complaints from us. And his Flag Football team won their first playoff game last night. Hunter made some great flag pulls. They play again Saturday. He's the handsome one there bottom right. I couldn't be more proud of this kid. He's really coming into his own.

He hasn't really shared alot about Tia. He did say that he's happy that he will get less attention from us with Tia around. Huh? Meaning: Mom and Dad will stop riding his ass! I think he's going to be a great big brother. I see how he treats Brooke and Bella. You can't fool me with your 5th Grade coolness Hunter.  You softy.

Travel Plans! Almost!

Woot - Woot! Kerry got an email from Hannah at CCAI regarding our travel plans to China. That came really quickly. Knowing CCAI was closed this week, we weren’t expecting this news. We are only a few weeks away! She gave us Travel Option 1 and Travel Option 2. Option 1 we leave on October 31^st and return around November 16 -17. Option 2 is only a week later, but then the return is near Thanksgiving. I replied back to Hannah. Option 1 it is!

Unfortunately offices are closed in China, so we won’t get our confirmation to make our actual travel arrangements until after October 9^th.  From what Kerry hinted, we would fly to Detroit, enjoy a short layover, then 13 hours to Beijing. Also, since we leave on the 31^st, I’ve got to do something special for Hunter since he’s going to miss “trick-or-treating” on Halloween. It’s one of his / our favorite holidays, so I hope I can come up with something good.

 

On a work related note, sadly this forces me to miss a trade show in NY. I was hoping to fit the Show in somehow and not cause any havoc here. Joy and I hashed it out in front of the calendar this morning. Doug kind of knew it was possible that this trip would conflict with NY. I feel bad since we'll be short staffed and the show schedule is picking up for everyone. Poor Dana is now forced to cover the last 2 days for me. NY City isn’t a bad place to go considering, but I promise I’ll make it up to him. And thanks Doug, Joy and Federico for being so supportive. Kerry and I appreciate it very much.

The garage is coming along. I need to change the name we call that room. Luis is doing a great job. Wall is 85% up with insulation and electrical outlets. He should be finished with that and the closet within 2 weeks. We have a beautiful pullout couch with chaise and 12x15 rug ready to go. Big Paddle fan, flat screen and A/C to be installed. This will be a fun, safe room for all of us to play in.

 

The paint in Tia’s Room is almost done. I need to touch a couple spots, but the floorboards, trim and door was finished last night. Are you impressed with the vertical stripes? Kerry, at times, does not make my life easy. Tomorrow night Hunter and I are going to break down the bed and put the crib together. And if it ever stops raining, I can finish staining the play set and check that off my list.

 

Kerry’s in Atlanta again this week, so it will be a busy bachelor week for Hunter and I. Besides prepping for Tia, I see some flag football games, lots junk food and playing Mindcraft in our future. And I can't post without a photo of Tia!

And Hunter! The Big Brother!

Love to all!
DP