Shopping for Xiao Qian!

Here's an interesting question...WHAT should I bring to China for our new teenaged daughter? Poppy and Willow came with the clothes on their little backs, so that was easy...bring EVERYTHING! Bottles, formula, diapers, clothing, baby carrier, etc, etc... I chose their little outfits with joyful and reckless abandon not giving a second thought as to whether they would "like" my choices for them! This time I am not sure what our Xiao Qian will have and what she will need for our time in China.

Our friends, the Fates, who adopted teenage sisters when we adopted Willow said that their girls just had the clothes they were wearing. Fortunately, Audrey came prepared with the basic essentials...jammies, underwear, socks, some basic clothing items, t-shirts, etc. Like many older adopted children, their girls wore their familiar clothing much of their first week together. Understandably, when EVERYTHING in your life has changed almost overnight, the familiar things become a great source of comfort. So with some advice from Audrey and another bloggy-friend, Lori, (who returned 3 months ago with her teen daughter) I set out for Target with my Annie, to begin buying a few things...

Just let me say that it is a strange experience to choose underwear for a 13 year old daughter whom you have never met... Hmmm... nothing TOO "out there" color-wise, but she IS a teen, so something other than basic white... hipsters, bikinis, briefs?? What does she wear now? Will these seem too uncomfortable? wild? boring? Oh dear... On to socks... : )

Target was pretty cleaned out in the robe and slipper department so we proceeded to Macy's where Annie found the perfect SUPER-soft bubble-gum pink robe ON SALE! We also found some pink slippers, cozy thermal style jammies and a cute scarf for her too. I carefully thought over each item...it was a fun project and provided me with a preliminary way of bonding with her from afar.

Last week I purchased a few tops for her. My goal was to choose stylish things and yet items that were "quietly stylish". I pictured her walking the halls in our local middle school here...being totally shell-shocked by the cultural changes in her life. She will undoubtedly feel like a fish out of water. As much as possible, I wanted to choose clothing that would help her feel that she blends in with the other kids her age... So, stylish enough to blend in, but not to stand out.

I am bringing her one pair of jeans... not sure of the size, just had to ballpark it.

Other purchases included a journal (thanks Audrey for that idea) where she can chronicle her experiences to look back on and hopefully share with us at some point when language becomes stronger. Some toiletries, face cream, chapstick, toothbrush, etc... all to go into a small make up bag of her very own. Annie picked out a big package of gel pens to take along too... we figure she can write or doodle in times of quiet or stress. I am also bringing her a mandarin copy of the biography "Joni" about Joni Ereackson-Tada. We will have a Mandarin-English Bible waiting for her here at home as well.

So much to think about.

I am grateful that my mind is becoming more and more filled with thoughts of her... Life is so busy with all of the other kids, and as with our other adoptions, (and MUCH earlier pregnancies...) it has all felt quite surreal up until now.

I am grateful for these concrete musings of my new, dear daughter. It feels like... well, a miracle.