I have the opportunity to send a little package to Meg and her nou nou (nanny).
I am not sure really what I should send that is practical and that will make her comfortable, etc.
Is a Kooshies wipeable photo album with her families photos in it a little too old of a gift for a 3 month old, maybe her nou nou would hold her and leaf through it with her?
I was thinking of sending an ultra soft plush pink blankie for her to lie on. I know it is hot over there but still, maybe it would be comfy to lay on her crib under her, etc.
At Vung Tau 2 I am not sure if the babies are in the institutional metal cribs that I could send a little crib pully toy for her - anyone know?
I would love other suggestions. If I send her pj's would she get to wear them or would they just go into circulation with all the other orphanage clothing? What would you send for a little girl you already love but can't hold for another 2.5 months?
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12 comments:
I sent an album and a soft blanket. Clothes just make the rounds, or else it becomes difficult to keep them straight. She is probably too little for a stuffed animal, but still maybe.
There are baby blankets that are similar to taggies blankets that hold parents scent. I have no idea the name of them, but I would consider something like that. They are small like the taggies, so it would be easy to send.
The blanket is a great idea. What I'd highly recommend is sleeping with it until you're ready to send it and then put it into a ziploc bag before mailing. Baby's sense of smell is really acute and I've heard it can help with the transition when you first meet her. How neat that you're getting something ready to send to your DAUGHTER!
I think she is a little too young for a photo album but a soft toy would be great-they may not understand that it is meant to tie on a crib, though. How about one of those small blanket toys? They come in lambs, ducks, bears....they have the heads attached to a satin-rimmed blanket. Bella is completely attached to hers-some even have rattles in them. I would have one of the kids sleep with it so their smell is on it and then stick it in a zip-lock baggie:)
If the orphanage is fighting scabies I wouldn't send anything plush. What about a set of infant rings that snap together or a rattle? A little mirror toy that can hang in the crib so she can peek at herself.
Hmmm...I'm going to think on it.
Hi Leslie and Shaune,
If there is scabies present would there be items that would not be appropriate? Others might know who have been there. I really like the idea of a photo book and a blanket / knitted stuffed animal as something that she will feel safe with even when she is sleeping.
Paula
Paula
The thing I would most like to send would be a blanket that you had washed and then slept with so that is had your family scent on it. It would give her a chance to get to know that scent before she meets you. As for the picture album, you could send one... although I might think she's a bit young now, it will still be a few months until you travel...
jules
I think a photo album with photos from home is a WONDERFUL idea - and it would (even though she will not understand) be such a 'real' introduction of who her family is. Even when Noah was in the NNICU, the nurses all gave the suggestion to post photos of family members in his isolette.
I had heard of someone sending a 'disposable video camera', similar to that of a disposable camera but a video format. Possibly her nou nou can capture some video of your baby for you. Though, you may want to check if you can get it back, even if it is not until you travel. Wouldn't that be cool to have a little video memory of lil' Meg for future??? Check on Angel's blog, she did this with Kaiya? She got the camera in the states at one of the dept stores (but I can't remember where).
Hey Leslie,
What about sending a teething ring made by your family. Some bead stores carry beads designed for children made of non toxic paints and big enough that choking would not occur. You could personalize it with her name or initials, or pick birthstone colours of each family member, etc. All family members can be involved in making this special gift to send to their newest member.
Congratulations on your referral! She is a beautiful little girl. Our daughter is also from Vung Tau II. The cribs were the stainless steel version with a thin bamboo mat in them. Most of the babies were wearing diaper shirts, most didn't have diapers on. Scabies were a HUGE issue when we travelled in 2007, and we had to deal with ongoing effects from them afterwards. Because of this, I wouldn't recommend blankets/sleepers/soft toys or books, as wonderful as they would be. Perhaps a plastic toy to hang on her crib would be easily cleaned and would maybe not be as likely to get lost in the shuffle. I know administration has changed since we travelled, so perhaps this would no longer be the case? The good news is that the babies were clearly loved, which was the most important thing! Hope the time goes quickly until you are able to travel to meet her.
Janice
Meg is gorgeous. I just saw the picture post and I thought "you have to be kidding me, she is absolutely PERFECT" so beautiful and she looks so alert and smart.
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No matter what you send, she will love it. And believe me, with all the children in the orphanage if she is too young for it another child will benefit.
How about one of those recorable greeting cards so she can hear your voice.
Les, what about a bead bracelet that they could put on her ankle or something with the name "meg" on it? Ones like they had many years ago. Or maybe a cheap version she could wear from walmart around her ankle.
picture wise for sure send her a picture!! How better to get to recognize your faces than something that she can have in her crib to look at everyday. maybe a picture in a keychain that they can hang on the side of her crib? yo can get the larger type at walmart!!
just an idea or two!! Good luck!
Send tons of kisses in that package too!!
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