Things I've learned about China and the process in general...

Most important thing! I can't stress this enough! LEARN THE LANGUAGE! All you need are key phrases to calm the child and to be able to ask them basic questions. This is so important. It will make the bonding and grieving go so much more smoothly. Go to my blog page, February 16th to read about this from first hand experience. Also, Google translator is a thing of beauty. It was and still is, what keeps us all communicating and Scarlett feeling secure and understood. People have been saying that Cantonese is a problem. Hit up your guide as soon as you touch ground and copy the phrases so you'll have them on hand.
Everyone said that stacking cups were a must bring . They weren't kidding. They keep her busy for hours!

Ziplock bags and lots of them. You can't have enough. Why? Because you will be giving them to other people too. You use them for poopy diapers (otherwise the ENTIRE ROOM smells until housekeeping comes), cereal from the breakfast buffet, snacks, misc things that break, etc...

Talk to your bio children about boundaries before you go. The children we bring home don't see us as a family. They see the other children in the family as simply other children that are via'ing for your attention and they see you as a protector when everything else they know goes away. Your children (already at home) need to know that the whole kissing and hugging thing will not come immediately and that they need to back off and let it come naturally. My 8 yr old daughter learned this the hard way and it was a rough first week. At the 3 week mark she was just starting to get kisses and hugs from Scarlett.

They will grieve. Hard. You need to have certain phrases memorized, in Chinese, that you can whisper to them. Don't kid yourself on this. It is imperative you know key phrases!!! I cannot emphasize this enough. I have spent so much time flipping through this book to find the proper phrase to use for her. Everything from "Are you hungry? I love you, Treasured baby, are you tired? It's okay, don't be scared, and so on... When she is scared and grieving at night, and I am sitting with her, holding her, I say over and over again that I love her and she is my "baow bay". It calms her down and she does listen. She needs those words so desperately. I highly recommend the book that is listed on my blog. I'm not selling them anymore, but you can google the book title and go to Amy's website. Order several and put them in different suitcases. I forgot mine but thankfully my mom had hers.

Bring tons of things to do while in the hotel room. You will spend a ton of time there and need distractions. You don't want them starting to think too much about what and why they are with you. That will happen at night. You can buy building blocks and a stroller at Walmart here, also Infant Motrin and Tylenol at the pharmacy, but playdoh and wonder markers and books and everything else... you have to bring.

Don't depend on your guide for anything except the basics. We have had two free days and have had to fill them ourselves with walks around the lake and lots of attention to us on the way. It is rather daunting being in a foreign country where everything is written in pinyin.

People will stop and stare at you and literally block your way. It's un-nerving. Be prepared.

Goldfish are an amazing bribery tool. She loved them. The lollipops she liked, but the goldfish she loves.

Upload a VPN so you can blog when they are napping and so you can Skype loved ones at home if they aren't coming with you. This was a lifesaver for me. I missed my husband so much while we were there.

Scarlett is 3 but she draws and plays like an 18 to 24 month old. She scribbles and throws things. Be prepared for that. When you are buying toys, buy for at least a year or two younger. You will be surprised. And don't overwhelm with toys. You'll want to, but don't. They aren't used to all the "things" and it will stress them out.

If it's during cold season, bring lots and lots of tights. That would be good to bring for the orphanage too. They don't make them here and when we went out yesterday with only long pants and socks, they rode up and her little legs froze. Forget the clothes police here, I was appalled at myself for letting her get so cold.

When you are traveling here, make sure you make double copies of everything and place them in separate clear envelopes (in separate carry-on bags). This way if you lose one you will have the other. This includes copies of your passport pictures and pictures of your visa page. Our agency told us 3 copies, we actually needed 4 of each. Thankfully we had the other envelope to pull from.

Forget Almond Roca. They sell that and Ferraro (whatever that chocolate candy is) at Walmart here. Go for body lotions and make-up, better brands. They can't get that here. And if they can in Beijing, it's double the price from here. Also, chocolates are okay, but again, go for more expensive brands. Nothing from Walmart as they can get it here. Unless they don't have a Walmart and then it is fine.

Squeaky shoes get them walking. Walmart has them for your initial day and then Emma's in Guangzhou has a huge selection.

Go to the Lucky store on the same street at 7-11 to have handmade tailored pajamas made. I paid $45 American for a beautiful, comfortable pair of Chinese pjs that are flattering enough to be able to wear out to dinner or an evening on the town. Remember to tell them you want cuffs on the arms and legs if you do. She doesn't just automatically do this.

Jordon is a doll. He will write your child's name in Pinyin, as well as their best friends. All you have to do is ask. And he has beautiful silk dresses and blankets for close to nothing.

Remember that you are in a foreign country with your child and that until the last day, you have absolutely NO documention stating that you are the rightful parent to the child. I almost learned this the hard way on one of our days out.

This is not a vacation so get over yourself, wishing you could have seen more sights and don't expect anything from your new child. It will be the hardest, most difficult thing you will ever do. Trust me. Your body, both physical and mental, will be tested to the limits. It will not go as you envisioned or dreamed.
But after getting onto a schedule once home, you will look at that sleeping child and the tears will flow because the love you feel is overwhelming.