Straight from Shanghai to Manteca. Well, almost.

So, as far as the timeline for the whole surrogacy, I still have no earthly clue what's going on.  But I do know what's happening tomorrow: one of my IFs, J is coming here! To my house! To meet us all for the first time! :-o

J is arriving, literally nowish, at LAX, and touching American soil for the first time. And tomorrow morning, he'll rent a car, and he'll get the option of 2 equally uninspiring routes, I-5 or 99, that will bring him the 5-6 hours it takes to drive from LA to the quiet little nowhere of Manteca. :) At the very least, it's a straight shot. We are situated between I-5 and 99, so it's an easy, if boring, drive.

I had a minor freak-out the other night when I learned he was flying into LAX and not SFO, as I had originally been told. I definitely want to meet him, and would work to make it happen, regardless, I just feel bad that he's driving 6 hours just a few hours after a 13 hour flight. I imagine he's going to be exhausted, and my children are going to bowl him right over. We were originally supposed to have lunch, but I told him to rest, enjoy his morning, and just email me when he leaves LA. We'll plan on an early dinner, maybe.

I'm so excited, and nervous about so many things. First of all, I'm worried about the communication. When we spoke on the phone, I was able to understand him well, but he had an interpreter for what we had to say, and we've both been emailing in our native tongues and using the imperfect services of Google Translate. And now he's coming here on his own. So that's a little intimidating.

Secondly, how much time should we spend together? Should we show him around our little Podunk after dinner? What would he like to see? Should I offer to join him in San Francisco (where he's headed the next few days for sight-seeing) to show him around (I used to live there)? Are we going to smother the poor guy?

Also, should we get him a gift? I was originally feeling uncomfortable with the idea, because nothing felt right, and then I found a baby handprint kit yesterday while cleaning that we were given for our daughter and never used, and that just seemed a little perfect. Even though we saw a similar thing at WalMart earlier that day, and I didn't want to get that one, but this one seemed more meaningful, I guess. I don't know. So I was thinking that, and some homemade cookies (should I get the chance to make them) to last him the next few days. But, still, I don't know. Too much, too little?

And finally, will my children ever allow me to get this house clean enough for guests? Seriously! I am stealing a few moments to just sit down now, and these really are minutes I shouldn't be wasting.

I did, however, solve one issue that was literally stressing me out for weeks. I've decided to cook Garlic Chicken with vegetables and homemade bread for dinner. Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Brownies for dessert. :-D Bet you wish you were my IF. ;)