Somehow, that doesn’t sound quite as poetic as “brown paper packages tied up with string…” But, those are the parameters that we have to work with when it comes to sending care packages to our sweet Lil’ Cowgirl, so we make it work!

As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, we’re in for a loooong wait to bring our Lil’ CG home. We’ve probably got another year or so until we can go to Korea to bring her home and we’re really hoping she’ll be home before or around her second birthday. One of the things that the agencies in Korea and here in the US do to help parents cope with the wait is allow us to send care packages to our children throughout the wait.

While I’m sure the foster families and babies appreciate receiving the contents of the care packages, I’m fully convinced that the care packages are more beneficial to the parents sending them. In a small way, it helps us feel connected to our daughter…knowing that the things we choose and send to Korea will soon be in her hands gives us a tiny connection that we can build on once she comes home.

So far, we’ve sent over four care packages and as the title of this post tells you, each of those care packages has been limited to a gallon-sized plastic bag. And let me tell you, it is rather amazing what you can squeeze into those suckers! Care for a looksee?

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Here’s the first package we sent to Lil’ CG in January: Gap puffer vest, top and jeggings from Target, small blankie, Sassy phone toy, Sassy photo album, and a scarf and USB drive (to store any photos she may take of Lil’ CG) for Lil’ CG’s foster mom.

For her second care package, Lil’ CG received these goodies:

A recordable book that we read and recorded so Lil’ CG could hear our voices; That’s Not My Penguin (one of Lil’ CB’s favorite books from when he was a toddler); an infant toy we had actually sent over to Korea for Lil’ CB in a care package and came back with him; an outfit from Target, a hat from H&M, an outfit from Old Navy; and Centrum vitamins for Lil’ CG’s foster mom (we’ve been told that US multivitamins are highly sought after in Korea!)

Package number 3 was Lil’ CG’s birthday package!

This package included a stuffed lamb that Lil’ CB picked and that we hope will become Lil’ CG’s lovey, similar to Lil’ CB’s lovey story. I also included another of Lil’ CB’s old favorite board books, a DK Touch and Feel book about Baby Animals; a baby toy that used to be Lil’ CB’s (yes, we are already making good use of hand-me-downs! ); a pair of glittery shoes; a pair of strawberry sunglasses; an outfit from Old Navy; and two outfits from the Gap from my mom (who cannot get enough of buying her first granddaughter clothes!).

The last care package we sent was full of some goodies to get Lil’ CG ready for the warmer weather:

Another outfit from my mom; a small block/puzzle set; toothpaste and a toothbrush; a hat, shirt, and shorts from Target (to get Lil’ CG in florals and stripes, too!); some barrettes; a bath toy; and a romper from Old Navy.

We will likely never see Lil’ CG wear any of these clothes or play with any of these toys, but just knowing they are in her hands after being in our hands half a world away, makes us feel connected to our sweet little girl. It sounds so silly, but sometimes I even hope that our scents will travel with our care packages and that somehow, when she meets us, having opened these packages from us will ease her transition into our family…

And, can I get some props for my insane gallon-sized bag packing skillz?!