[nattyloo]

Hi all!

I was wondering if you could give me some ideas of things to send in a care package to our daughter. I thought an audio tape of our voices, a disposible camera, some clothes and small toys. I don't know yet how large a package the agency allows but I am assuming it will be small as they go with families who are visiting or picking up.

Any other ideas?

[joublin]

I sent down one of those soft photo "who loves baby" books with our pictures in it. I also found some toys made by Sassy that held a photo and some spanish/english toys and sent those.

I sent the bottles that I wanted my daughter to use with a few different size nipples.

I also sent a soft blanket and bought a duplicate. That way, even if I don't get it back, it will hopefully be something familiar to her at home.

[lyssie]

My agency suggest to make sure it fit in a gallon-sized ziploc bag. I was surprised what fit in there! I think you have some great ideas! I also laminated some photos of our family here at home. I had wanted one of those cheap little flip photo books you get that you can slide photos into. Our oldest Bio daughter used one of those in her first year because our extended family is all spread out. I think it helped her know who they were when she saw them. I think the blanket is a great idea too...especially in duplicate, then there is no breakdown when it is lost.
One of my bio daughters drew pictures and wrote a little note. I don't know if there are others at home but, I found they got really excited about chosing things for their little sister! It seemed to help them bond with her even before she is here.

[GuatabeeAMum]

We did the photo books and duplicate blankets as well. We also found that if you use a Food saver Vac you can bag the clothes you want to send individually and when the air is compressed out you can get a lot more things into the ziploc gallon bag than you could otherwise. We also vacced a stuffed toy and a medium stuffed toy when compressed really shrinks nicely. We did two stuffed toys (kept one sent one so that they would have familiar toys as well as the blanket to maybe make the transition a little easier when they come home)..Have fun shopping....so far for me shopping for presents has been the only fun part of the waiting process

[kacmom1]

I sent stuffed animals, a photo album, fun colorful toys that make noise . Maybe you could send a Build a Bear with a recording in it...you can record your voice for the bear, fun colorful toys that make noise, maybe some new clothing.... My son brought home most of the toys and clothing that I sent to him. Just yesterday he brought me the stuffed bear that I sent him at Christmas and said "you sent this to me in Guatemala, right mommy?" So cute! And it's still special to him!

Whatever you chose will be perfect! Oh, and don't forget to send disposable cameras for the foster mom to take pictures for you!

[widgit]

DH & I slept with the stuffed toy for a week before mailing it. Scent is important too.

We sent a tape recording of our voices and included a mini tape player and extra batteries

We also sent a letter in Spanish to the foster family thanking them, telling about ourselves, and asking that they take photos of their family (if willing) as well as photos of Dominic. The photos of the foster family holding Dominic are incredibly precious.

[Mandy4President]

okay, most people got my ideas already. I think that something with your voice is important. And I think the build-a-bear is a great idea because it is something convenient for the fmom to play. She doesn't have to get the tape recorder out and go through all that (not that it's not a great idea, just that the quick push of the bear paw might get played a little more). Both would be great. I credit the build-a-bear for Addy seeming to recognize my name when I called down there last. I also sent a blanket but like an idiot didn't but a duplicate. Hopefully they send it back! I think the disposable camera is great too. I sent down a three pack and asked her to take lots of pictures of her family with Addy too. My facilitator is supposed to be picking one of the cameras up next week so I thought I could put some of those pictures in an album for her fmom when we pick her up. Lets see....can you find any little toys to send? Addyson loved those older telephones that have the dial and you can pull them and they have little eyes that move? Know what I'm talking about? The phone is usually white and the receiver is usually red. Anyways, target has them and Addy loved that. I can't think of anything else. Sending a package is so exciting!