Sabbatical/Leave date has been scheduled...

Very busy week to wrap up my final week of work before I leave for my second Sabbatical (2 mos. off), which is a benefit of my company I have been eligible for since January 2010. Of course, I was holding off to schedule this until I KNEW FOR SURE what dates I would need to head off to China. Once I got definite news of baby Danielle, I still had to wait to schedule the dates until we got travel approval. I've been coordinating my transition over the past couple of months, and now it's down the the last 5 days to make sure all the little things and all the details are fully documented in the transition plan.

I'm scheduled to go on a final 'biz trip' this week, but I'm hoping to reduce it to just a day trip to OR.

I'm very lucky to have the benefit of 'bonding leave' too, so I'll be out for approx 6 months total, so I can bond with my princess and also get all the daily schedule and details worked out for her care once I do go back to work.

Lots to consider, but I continue to feel that only once I have her home will I know exactly what to do and what will be best for her.

Hong Kong hotel booked!

After much debate, I decided to book my own hotel for the initial Hong Kong portion since we are going to arrive a couple of days prior to the 8th when the others are scheduled to get in...then we will meet up with the group separately. I really don't want to have to change hotels and the agency could not tell us yet, which hotels they are booking in HK, or the rest of the locations until Monday.

I got a travel book on HK to read up on a few of the areas. It looks like staying on Hong Kong Island, just across from the Wan Chai Ferry Port, next to the convention center is it! From all the reviews, it sounds like a wonderful hotel and location, so I'm very excited to stay there to be near many of the wonderful sights and sounds of the city. The only drawback could be the rennovations they are doing during that time, but so far it doesn't sound like it's affecting anyone's stay, so I'm willing to take that same chance... mainly because it's a Marriott Hotel and points will be helping to take the edge off the higher cost.

Got to love business travel to help build up points!!

I hope the weather is nice... it would be great to take in all the sights without an umbrella. April is supposed to be one of the best months to visit, so we may just luck out!

We leave for Nanchang on the 10th and that is when, finally, I will get to hold my precious Danielle Quin for the very first time.

Flight Tickets purchased, now just need hotels!

We got direct flights from SFO to Hong Kong, but now need to figure out the hotel situation. Since we're going a couple of days early, we would like to stay in a nice area of HK and hope to get to see and do a few cool things.

Suggestions anyone??

Travel Approval and Consulate Date Confirmed!

Tears of Joy this morning... got the note I've been waiting for from the agency that we can leave in the first option they gave us, so will get to meet and pick up Danielle in the early part of April meeting our group in Hong Kong by April 8th and leaving for Nancheng on the 10th to get her (2 weeks sooner than the second option) so am VERY excited today. We'll be making plans to be there a couple of days early so we can get acclimated and do a little sight-seeing.

It will be even more tough to concentrate now!
Thank you colleagues for being patient with me :)

Now on to getting flight arrangements made!!

Such awesome friends and family!

Thank you so much to my dear friend Cheryl for hosting a baby shower at her beautiful home and also so grateful for Julia who came up from SoCal and brought a box full of treasures that her 2 yr. old has outgrown or never used! So amazing!! And so awesome to have such great friends to join in the fun and give my sweet Danielle some really gorgeous and fun stuff for us all to enjoy!

Gramma made a gorgeous cake and everyone loved it... thanks Gramma!

She's being spoiled already!!

:)

Feeling VERY lucky on this St. Patricks Day!

So many good wishes and so many good friends and family with words of support! I can't stop staring at her darling picture and my eyes keep filling with tears every time I think of finally getting to see her in person.

I just can't wait to bring her home!!

More information to come and BFFs!

I got a short update today, but still no travel dates yet. I am on pins and needles as to when I will get to hold my little angel and cover her sweet cheeks in kisses.

I added a couple of other blogs I'm following of families we will meet in Nanchang, Jiangxi. They are Danielle's SWI BFF's :)

I also learned that the daughter of my BFF from college, Terri, is also from Jiangxi and she picked her up in Nanchang ~7 years ago. I couldn't recall which Province her Natalie was from. Then when we finally got a chance to catch up, I learned she is from the same area as Danielle! We will one day take them both back to visit. Amazing that after this many years of waiting, we will have one more thing in common as well as our beautiful daughters. Another 'coincidence' that follows the tale of the Red Thread...

So exciting!