Packing Logistics

Last night, I disassembled everything Christmas.  Memory-filled ornaments have been packed away until next year, and the brittle tree has been tossed unceremoniously outside to burn.  I paused a little longer over the pink Teddy Bear ornament marked Isabella 2010.  This was her first Christmas, and she was here in our hearts if not in our arms. 

A few things that pass as winter decor will survive until next month, like the garland on the banister...

...and this print that reminds us of Nana, who took the snowman theme to a heartwarming extreme for three months every winter.

Today's mission, should I choose to accept it:  repack. 

Oh yes, I need to repack.  Again.  Over the past week, I have cannibalized my bag.  After all, I cannot travel to Ethiopia without my two favorite pairs of jeans, but I cannot live without them in the meantime, either.  Then there's the socks. Who has so many that they can spare six pair indefinitely?

I also need to rethink the clothing situation for Isabella.  At six months old, she is now 26" long (50th pecentile for height), but still only 13 pounds - under the 5th percentil in weight; I continue to be impatient to bring her home, where we are in the best situation to help her.  Footed jammies will need to be 6-9 months to fit her in length, but 3-6 month dresses may still be okay if we get to travel soon.

Last but not least... the much-anticipated rocking chairs arrived last week.  Despite my best efforts, I was not that surprised to find that the H+W+L box measurements are 70", rather than the 62" allowed for standard checked luggage.  Initially, I was going to try to sneak them through, but because I am already planning on begging the ticket agent to waive the excess luggage fee on two tubs, getting two (even slightly) over-sized pieces through without fees may be asking too much. 

So: new plan.  I will embrace the over-sized-ness of the chairs, and package the two boxes as one piece of luggage, using a little creativity and a lot of packing tape.  Instead of two slightly oversized pieces, we will have one unquestionably oversized piece that is still within the total 115" H+W+L allowance for oversized luggage, and Grandma gave us the money to pay the fee for that (we love you, Grandma!).  This will take the oversized luggage issue off the table and give us an opportunity to take a fifth tub of other donations, assuming that the ticket agent succombs to our "please please please" line.  When subtle persuasion fails, I am not above unabashed begging!  Thanks to you, we have enough donations to fill a new tub, including more diapers, a few dozen plastic diaper covers, and more rice cereal.  It looks like the Walmart baby aisle exploded in our bedroom. 

Now if the phone would just RING with confirmation of an Embassy appointment...