Wednesday, August 1
We are having a lot of problems getting connection today. Not sure if this will upload. We can’t get to any of the email servers yet today either. There have been a couple of power outages in Saigon today so not sure if that is what is causing the problems or not.
We are officially finished with our work in Saigon as of yesterday afternoon. We took the girls to Cho Ray Hospital for their official check up. This is the only hospital that is CDC approved so it is the hospital that the paperwork for the girls has to come from.
Both girls checked out ok. The doctor tried to examine Ilona twice because he wasn’t able to easily differentiate them. He said both of them were small but very strong. He told Al he had to come back to adopt twin boys so that he will not be outnumbered in the house.
None of the scales here are accurate, but Holly, if you are reading this, Maia weighed in at 11 lbs. Ilona at 14 lbs. At 8 months. They’ll be like newborns to you!
We received their Vietnamese passports yesterday so we are free to travel to Hanoi now. The pictures on their passports were taken when they first arrived at the orphanage and it is almost impossible to tell them apart. I think they looked a lot more identical when they were young before Maia decided she didn’t want to eat as much as her sister. Once Maia catches up to Ilona we think it will be hard to tell them apart again.
Unfortunately because of the time of year there are no hotels available in Hanoi, and the flights out are all pretty much booked. Otherwise, we could probably finish up in Vietnam 5 or 6 days early and leave at the end of this week or next Monday. Unfortunately because of the hotel and air situation we are staying here in Saigon until Sunday even though our official business is done now, just because we have a hotel room here and we don’t have reservations in Hanoi until Sunday. Sort of frustrating to know we could get through the process early and get home but are stuck here.
At this point I really just want to go home. I’ve had enough of Saigon and don’t really feel the need to be out in the heat battling the traffic and street vendors. Today we may just stay by the pool.
Plus, Maia is not liking her antibiotic too much and is sick to her stomach a lot so I don’t want to subject her to hours of heat.
Tomorrow, if Maia is feeling better, we will take a few hours and go on a cyclo tour of the temples in the area.
Both of the girls are doing well. Both slept around 9 hours last night, so we don’t have too many complaints! They have very good natures and are happy and charming. Their hair is starting to grow back. The orphanage cut their hair very short before we picked them up but it is growing now and sticking straight up in the back of their heads. Funny.
We are very lucky.
Hope to load some more pictures up later today if I can get connection.
Love Tina
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Sunday, July 29, 2007
misc pictures of Mekong Delta
1. Mekong Suicide Canoes
2. Mekong Boats
3. Ready for CIS interview
4. Mekong Boat
5. Carolyn and Ilona
6. Maia
7. Mekong Ferry
8. Ilona not liking the Delta (sideways, sorry)
9. Mekong Boat
Saturday, July 28, 2007
My New #1 Dumbest Thing I've Ever Done
Saturday July 28
Today we went on a trip to the Mekong Delta. We left at 8:00 am and got to the Delta around 10:30. We caught a ferry - loosely termed - to Unicorn Island in the Delta. It was actually a nice day for the trip. Not as hot as it had been with the sun in and out. We walked through a village and went to a native bee farm, had honey tea, saw some examples of native dance and tried some interesting local fruits. Dragon fruit was one, a couple of the others I couldn't begin to pronounce.
We then walked to the next step, which was the point of the title of my post.
Formerly, the dumbest thing I think I've ever done was llama trekking. Particulary paying some llama farmer $50 to walk his llama in the rain, getting peed on by said llama and had one's llama spit on Al (although I could sort of sympathize with the sentiment because the trekking thing was his idea). Today I topped it.
We walked out of the forest in the Mekong Delta and were told that we had to get into these very low dug out canoes to get back to our boat. Carolyn went first, with Ilona in a snuggli, and then her boat took off, without us. There went our daughter, in good hands of course, down this swampy river and disappearing into the overgrowth. Then I quick got into our canoe and plopped down hoping to catch up with Carolyn and Ilona. Al stepped in next with Maia strapped to him and almost overturned the entire boat. The thing tipped completely up - since he stepped on the edge instead of on the bottom - and we were at a 45% degree angle. I can't believe he didn't fall into the river with Maia strapped to him. What on earth were we thinking? The damn boat was like an inch over the water, Maia was holding onto Al for dear life, our boats were colliding with other boats in the delta and Maia was staring at me over Al's shoulder like she couldn't believe we had been so stupid. Plus, they told us to keep our fingers in the boat because of crocodiles. Was this a joke? You've got to be kidding me? We had two babies with us. Apparently the place used to swarm with them. Anyway, how does any of that add up to something one should be doing on a Saturday morning just a couple of days after picking up your new daughters? I think Maia and Ilona would be justified in saying that they wanted to go back to the orphanage. We made it back to this docking station in the middle of the delta where we had to jump up without overturning the canoe, Al with Maia strapped to him, so that we could catch our "ferry" back to our starting point. Not the smartest thing I've ever agreed to and I think definitely beating out llama trekking.
Anyway, Carolyn got the funniest picture of Ilona looking totally disenchanted with the whole thing. We'll try to get it loaded up tomorrow.
Love Tina
Today we went on a trip to the Mekong Delta. We left at 8:00 am and got to the Delta around 10:30. We caught a ferry - loosely termed - to Unicorn Island in the Delta. It was actually a nice day for the trip. Not as hot as it had been with the sun in and out. We walked through a village and went to a native bee farm, had honey tea, saw some examples of native dance and tried some interesting local fruits. Dragon fruit was one, a couple of the others I couldn't begin to pronounce.
We then walked to the next step, which was the point of the title of my post.
Formerly, the dumbest thing I think I've ever done was llama trekking. Particulary paying some llama farmer $50 to walk his llama in the rain, getting peed on by said llama and had one's llama spit on Al (although I could sort of sympathize with the sentiment because the trekking thing was his idea). Today I topped it.
We walked out of the forest in the Mekong Delta and were told that we had to get into these very low dug out canoes to get back to our boat. Carolyn went first, with Ilona in a snuggli, and then her boat took off, without us. There went our daughter, in good hands of course, down this swampy river and disappearing into the overgrowth. Then I quick got into our canoe and plopped down hoping to catch up with Carolyn and Ilona. Al stepped in next with Maia strapped to him and almost overturned the entire boat. The thing tipped completely up - since he stepped on the edge instead of on the bottom - and we were at a 45% degree angle. I can't believe he didn't fall into the river with Maia strapped to him. What on earth were we thinking? The damn boat was like an inch over the water, Maia was holding onto Al for dear life, our boats were colliding with other boats in the delta and Maia was staring at me over Al's shoulder like she couldn't believe we had been so stupid. Plus, they told us to keep our fingers in the boat because of crocodiles. Was this a joke? You've got to be kidding me? We had two babies with us. Apparently the place used to swarm with them. Anyway, how does any of that add up to something one should be doing on a Saturday morning just a couple of days after picking up your new daughters? I think Maia and Ilona would be justified in saying that they wanted to go back to the orphanage. We made it back to this docking station in the middle of the delta where we had to jump up without overturning the canoe, Al with Maia strapped to him, so that we could catch our "ferry" back to our starting point. Not the smartest thing I've ever agreed to and I think definitely beating out llama trekking.
Anyway, Carolyn got the funniest picture of Ilona looking totally disenchanted with the whole thing. We'll try to get it loaded up tomorrow.
Love Tina
Friday, July 27, 2007
Misc Pictures
1.
1. Ilona playing with Maia's feet
2. Ilona
3. Maia
4. Sisters (Ilona left, Maia right)
5. Sisters (Ilona left, Maia right)
6. Ilona Snuggling after swimming - sideways, sorry
7. Maia bundled after swimming
8. Ilona and Mom
9, Maia with Aunt Carolyn
10. Getting ready to swim
I have more pictures to load up but blogger won't let me so we'll just do these for now.
Also, Erin, I forgot to answer your guestion... we believe the girls are identical because they are mirror images, meaning one has a birthmark on the right and one on the left, one has a crinkle in the ear on the right, the other on the left. We'll see once we get home, though.
Love to all,
Tina
Misc Doings
Friday, July 27 4:00
Yesterday was an uneventful day. Some shopping, some swimming, some napping. The girls are sleeping between 8 - 10 hours each night, which is a dream. Maia is eating like a machine, Ilona not as much.
Today Carolyn and I ran a couple of errands while Al stayed home with the kids. Then we had our interview with Immigration, which we hope went well. We'll know later today whether they approved our immigration requests. Al will be leaving shortly to go pick up the girls Vietnamese passports so that we can take them up to Hanoi next.
I am making this a brief post because I know you really want to see pictures, which I will load up next.
Holly, thanks for you comment! You crying made me cry.
Erin, thanks for your comment too. I read it to Al so that he could appreciate how lucky we are. Glad your boys are doing ok now!
Love to all,
Tina
Yesterday was an uneventful day. Some shopping, some swimming, some napping. The girls are sleeping between 8 - 10 hours each night, which is a dream. Maia is eating like a machine, Ilona not as much.
Today Carolyn and I ran a couple of errands while Al stayed home with the kids. Then we had our interview with Immigration, which we hope went well. We'll know later today whether they approved our immigration requests. Al will be leaving shortly to go pick up the girls Vietnamese passports so that we can take them up to Hanoi next.
I am making this a brief post because I know you really want to see pictures, which I will load up next.
Holly, thanks for you comment! You crying made me cry.
Erin, thanks for your comment too. I read it to Al so that he could appreciate how lucky we are. Glad your boys are doing ok now!
Love to all,
Tina
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Shopping, Meetings and International Health Care
Thursday July 26, 7:00 pm
Yesterday we all went to the shopping district on an outing. The girls did great their first time in the strollers. Mom, Dad and Carolyn were a little nervous because we had to cross many busy streets and in Vietnam the way you do this is step out in the middle of on coming traffic and the traffic will swerve around you. You must not stop or falter in the middle of the street because that changes your gait and therefore changes the timing of the oncoming vehicles that are trying to miss you. What a ridiculous system. You feel suicidal just stepping right off a perfectly safe curb into oncoming traffic of hundreds of cars and motorbikes. The system seems to work, though. I don't know how, but it does seem to work.
We went to a tailor that the agency had recommended where we bought lots of things. I bought au dai’s (tradition Vietnamese outfits) for the girls, two in each size, matching colors. 24 all together. They are truly gorgeous. I am also having Christening outfits made for them as well. We were going to do more shopping however the clouds were starting to boil over and we decided with Ms. Ilona still having an infection we didn’t want to risk the long walk back to the hotel in the rain. We’ll go back today to so Carolyn can do some more damage. I really was not planning on bringing back a lot of souvenirs or gifts because I knew I would have my hands full on the return trip, but I did want to get the girls beautiful outfits from their country that they should be able to wear until they are 12-14 years old.
Al and I had a meeting with the agency from 4-6 last night to review the paperwork we’ll be needing for the balance of our meetings. The Vietnamese portion of our adoption is complete. We received a stack of documents on each girl, including translated copies of their birth certificates, abandonment reports, hospital records, etc. We are lucky that of the families going through the process with us we were the ones that had a considerable amount of background on the girls and the circumstances of their birth and relinquishment. This will be a blessing for them when they are older.
We did have a bit of an incident last night. I will spare you the details but we did have to take Maia to the clinic late last night. This is an international clinic so supposed to provide good care. Let’s just say that after last night I continue to pray that we all remain in good health through the balance of the trip. Yikes. I was pretty unhappy with the treatments they were suggesting, was arguing with the pediatrician (who was on the phone) and finally won. Maia is fine, but not thanks to the ridiculous clinic. I was so glad to have Carolyn, who has been a nurse for 20+ years, by my side. Anyway, alls well that ends well.
Today will probably be a free day, but tomorrow Maia and Ilona’s Vietnamese passports should be ready. Then we will have an appointment with CIS, probably on Monday. Once we pass the CIS interview we will be allowed to schedule the remaining appointment in HCMC, a visit to the Cho Ray Hospital for the “official” medicals on both girls.
Oh, by the way, Maia does weigh 12 lbs, not the 16 lbs the home visit doctor told us. She is snarfing down cereal, doesn’t like formula, and I noticed today that her legs are getting chubby already. They were very thin when we picked her up.
Ilona, who probably weighs more like 16 lbs rather than the 19 lbs the doctor told us, is getting really strong. Yesterday she came very close to sitting up by herself and also to crawling.
It is amazing what just a couple days of attention can do for these guys.
I’ll send more updates later, and hopefully more pictures.
Also, still having trouble connecting to some outside internet services. We think it might be a hotel firewall issue. Most of the time we see “page not available” error messages and it often takes several attempts to send an email through. I hope all is well with everyone.
Love Tina
Yesterday we all went to the shopping district on an outing. The girls did great their first time in the strollers. Mom, Dad and Carolyn were a little nervous because we had to cross many busy streets and in Vietnam the way you do this is step out in the middle of on coming traffic and the traffic will swerve around you. You must not stop or falter in the middle of the street because that changes your gait and therefore changes the timing of the oncoming vehicles that are trying to miss you. What a ridiculous system. You feel suicidal just stepping right off a perfectly safe curb into oncoming traffic of hundreds of cars and motorbikes. The system seems to work, though. I don't know how, but it does seem to work.
We went to a tailor that the agency had recommended where we bought lots of things. I bought au dai’s (tradition Vietnamese outfits) for the girls, two in each size, matching colors. 24 all together. They are truly gorgeous. I am also having Christening outfits made for them as well. We were going to do more shopping however the clouds were starting to boil over and we decided with Ms. Ilona still having an infection we didn’t want to risk the long walk back to the hotel in the rain. We’ll go back today to so Carolyn can do some more damage. I really was not planning on bringing back a lot of souvenirs or gifts because I knew I would have my hands full on the return trip, but I did want to get the girls beautiful outfits from their country that they should be able to wear until they are 12-14 years old.
Al and I had a meeting with the agency from 4-6 last night to review the paperwork we’ll be needing for the balance of our meetings. The Vietnamese portion of our adoption is complete. We received a stack of documents on each girl, including translated copies of their birth certificates, abandonment reports, hospital records, etc. We are lucky that of the families going through the process with us we were the ones that had a considerable amount of background on the girls and the circumstances of their birth and relinquishment. This will be a blessing for them when they are older.
We did have a bit of an incident last night. I will spare you the details but we did have to take Maia to the clinic late last night. This is an international clinic so supposed to provide good care. Let’s just say that after last night I continue to pray that we all remain in good health through the balance of the trip. Yikes. I was pretty unhappy with the treatments they were suggesting, was arguing with the pediatrician (who was on the phone) and finally won. Maia is fine, but not thanks to the ridiculous clinic. I was so glad to have Carolyn, who has been a nurse for 20+ years, by my side. Anyway, alls well that ends well.
Today will probably be a free day, but tomorrow Maia and Ilona’s Vietnamese passports should be ready. Then we will have an appointment with CIS, probably on Monday. Once we pass the CIS interview we will be allowed to schedule the remaining appointment in HCMC, a visit to the Cho Ray Hospital for the “official” medicals on both girls.
Oh, by the way, Maia does weigh 12 lbs, not the 16 lbs the home visit doctor told us. She is snarfing down cereal, doesn’t like formula, and I noticed today that her legs are getting chubby already. They were very thin when we picked her up.
Ilona, who probably weighs more like 16 lbs rather than the 19 lbs the doctor told us, is getting really strong. Yesterday she came very close to sitting up by herself and also to crawling.
It is amazing what just a couple days of attention can do for these guys.
I’ll send more updates later, and hopefully more pictures.
Also, still having trouble connecting to some outside internet services. We think it might be a hotel firewall issue. Most of the time we see “page not available” error messages and it often takes several attempts to send an email through. I hope all is well with everyone.
Love Tina
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Another Great Night, An Unexpected Guest, Maybe the Funniest Thing I've Ever Seen and Definitely The Sweetist Thing I've Ever Heard
Wednesday, July 25 6:00 am
We had another great night last night. Both girls are still asleep. Maia went to sleep around 8:00 pm and Ilona around 10:00 pm. Maia has slept straight through and we woke Ilona up once to give her medicine (she was very insulted but went right back to sleep).
Have I mentioned the restaurant here at the hotel, Ciao Cafe? The first couple of days we went there for breakfast where they gave us a pretty basic menu. I asked if they did room service and they said they did. I don't think they offer it up normally but they are very accomodating. I asked if they had a menu to give me and they found something and handed it to me. When I got a chance to look at it the menu was great, alot of variety.
The last few meals we've had brought in, just because Ilona was feeling sick and we were a little tired. The food is amazing. I had the best red curry I've ever had for breakfast yesterday and for dinner I had the best satay I ever had. Dinners for the three of us are costing around $9. I wish I could live in a place like this. Anyway, the people here in Vietnam are really great and love love love the babies. Last night our dinner delivery guy, who we had seen before, came rushing in the room with our dinners, quickly dumped them on the counter shouting "beebees? beebees?" All he wanted to do was see the girls. He plopped himself down on the blanket on the floor and proceeded to stay for quite some time to play with Maia and Ilona. "I love beebees!" It was a while before we decided to go ahead and eat even though he was still there admiring the girls. We weren't sure of the ettiquette never having had a delivery person come on in and stay.
*** Warning, Disgusting Material Below ***
Yesterday something really funny happened. I was working on loading the pictures up on the computer and Al was playing with the girls on the floor. He said he was going to change Ilona. Turns out, when he got into the diaper it was quite a messy one. I wasn't paying attention to what was going on until I heard an awful retching noise. I looked over my shoulder and Al was hunched over retching like a cat trying to get rid of a hair ball. I couldn't believe my eyes. He was like a cat with a hair ball. I jumped up and started laughing so hard my knees almost gave out. He kept dry heaving and dry heaving until he got over to the couch on his hands and knees and laid his head on the cushion like he was going to faint. I swear I never laughed so hard in my entire life. I am weeping with laughter just trying to write these words now. Can you believe it? I asked him what he expected, that his girls were so special that they were going to poop out flowers? I guess he is going to have to get over that pretty soon! Really! If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes I would never have believed it. Just thought I'd share.
On the flip side, when we were going to sleep last night Al said to me "I have a secret." I asked him what it was and he said "I can't wait to go to sleep so that I can wake up and play with the girls tomorrow." Isn't that sweet?
About the girls:
Maia is really funny. She never cries but does crack up alot. She is starting to eat alot of cereal. We think that the way the orphanage fed them, by adding cereal to the bottle and then propping the bottle has led to her being so small. She doesn't love the bottle and when she does have one she takes her time and likes a slow drip. The bottles the orphanage gave us had huge holes and even a much smaller hole seemed to choke her. She was probably just turning her head away from the bottle to keep from choking in the orphanage and thereby not getting enough food. She is making up for that now. The orphanage gave us a warning in the report telling us how difficult she was to feed and that we'd have to watch her. It was sort of disapproving. I had to laugh because it reminded me of how I found out my doctor had put a similar disapproving note in my file saying that I get mad if I am kept waiting at the doctors office. Ha Ha.
Ilona is a much better bottle eater but hasn't figured out the cereal thing yet. I think she liked having the cereal in the bottle because it was easier than having to figure out how to use her mouth. Last night she started to open up more to us. Al was holding her and I was playing with her and she started letting out huge belly laughs. We hadn't heard this from her yet but the orphanage had said that she had very large laughs. We got a taste of them last night.
Later today I'll load up some misc pictures that haven't gotten loaded up yet. We hope to hit the streets for some shopping today and maybe to the pool.
We probably won't have any official adoption meetings until Friday.
Love to all,
Tina
We had another great night last night. Both girls are still asleep. Maia went to sleep around 8:00 pm and Ilona around 10:00 pm. Maia has slept straight through and we woke Ilona up once to give her medicine (she was very insulted but went right back to sleep).
Have I mentioned the restaurant here at the hotel, Ciao Cafe? The first couple of days we went there for breakfast where they gave us a pretty basic menu. I asked if they did room service and they said they did. I don't think they offer it up normally but they are very accomodating. I asked if they had a menu to give me and they found something and handed it to me. When I got a chance to look at it the menu was great, alot of variety.
The last few meals we've had brought in, just because Ilona was feeling sick and we were a little tired. The food is amazing. I had the best red curry I've ever had for breakfast yesterday and for dinner I had the best satay I ever had. Dinners for the three of us are costing around $9. I wish I could live in a place like this. Anyway, the people here in Vietnam are really great and love love love the babies. Last night our dinner delivery guy, who we had seen before, came rushing in the room with our dinners, quickly dumped them on the counter shouting "beebees? beebees?" All he wanted to do was see the girls. He plopped himself down on the blanket on the floor and proceeded to stay for quite some time to play with Maia and Ilona. "I love beebees!" It was a while before we decided to go ahead and eat even though he was still there admiring the girls. We weren't sure of the ettiquette never having had a delivery person come on in and stay.
*** Warning, Disgusting Material Below ***
Yesterday something really funny happened. I was working on loading the pictures up on the computer and Al was playing with the girls on the floor. He said he was going to change Ilona. Turns out, when he got into the diaper it was quite a messy one. I wasn't paying attention to what was going on until I heard an awful retching noise. I looked over my shoulder and Al was hunched over retching like a cat trying to get rid of a hair ball. I couldn't believe my eyes. He was like a cat with a hair ball. I jumped up and started laughing so hard my knees almost gave out. He kept dry heaving and dry heaving until he got over to the couch on his hands and knees and laid his head on the cushion like he was going to faint. I swear I never laughed so hard in my entire life. I am weeping with laughter just trying to write these words now. Can you believe it? I asked him what he expected, that his girls were so special that they were going to poop out flowers? I guess he is going to have to get over that pretty soon! Really! If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes I would never have believed it. Just thought I'd share.
On the flip side, when we were going to sleep last night Al said to me "I have a secret." I asked him what it was and he said "I can't wait to go to sleep so that I can wake up and play with the girls tomorrow." Isn't that sweet?
About the girls:
Maia is really funny. She never cries but does crack up alot. She is starting to eat alot of cereal. We think that the way the orphanage fed them, by adding cereal to the bottle and then propping the bottle has led to her being so small. She doesn't love the bottle and when she does have one she takes her time and likes a slow drip. The bottles the orphanage gave us had huge holes and even a much smaller hole seemed to choke her. She was probably just turning her head away from the bottle to keep from choking in the orphanage and thereby not getting enough food. She is making up for that now. The orphanage gave us a warning in the report telling us how difficult she was to feed and that we'd have to watch her. It was sort of disapproving. I had to laugh because it reminded me of how I found out my doctor had put a similar disapproving note in my file saying that I get mad if I am kept waiting at the doctors office. Ha Ha.
Ilona is a much better bottle eater but hasn't figured out the cereal thing yet. I think she liked having the cereal in the bottle because it was easier than having to figure out how to use her mouth. Last night she started to open up more to us. Al was holding her and I was playing with her and she started letting out huge belly laughs. We hadn't heard this from her yet but the orphanage had said that she had very large laughs. We got a taste of them last night.
Later today I'll load up some misc pictures that haven't gotten loaded up yet. We hope to hit the streets for some shopping today and maybe to the pool.
We probably won't have any official adoption meetings until Friday.
Love to all,
Tina
Tuesday 7/24
Today was a lazy day. We really just hung around the apartment all day getting to know each other and catching up on our sleep. Ilona, too, has been sick so we started her on antibiotics this afternoon. Hopefully she'll start feeling better soon and won't pass her cooties on to the rest of the family.
We hope to do some shopping tomorrow and also maybe hit the pool.
The girls are a delight. Maia does not cry, she giggles. Ilona will sometimes yell at us but only if we aren't getting her. Ilona seems to have a little more difficulty sleeping. I think the poor little girl might be having some nightmares. I am sure it is a confusing and scary time for them, losing everything they've known and being handed over to strangers who look different, sound different, smell different. They are doing great with the transition.
Plus, on the most amazing side, so far there have been almost no signs of attachment issues. The girls make incredible eye contact with us and follow our voices around the room. They are doing really well.
More tomorrow, or later today if anything of interest happens.
Sorry no more pictures yet today. We'll take some and post either later today or tomorrow.
Love Tina
We hope to do some shopping tomorrow and also maybe hit the pool.
The girls are a delight. Maia does not cry, she giggles. Ilona will sometimes yell at us but only if we aren't getting her. Ilona seems to have a little more difficulty sleeping. I think the poor little girl might be having some nightmares. I am sure it is a confusing and scary time for them, losing everything they've known and being handed over to strangers who look different, sound different, smell different. They are doing great with the transition.
Plus, on the most amazing side, so far there have been almost no signs of attachment issues. The girls make incredible eye contact with us and follow our voices around the room. They are doing really well.
More tomorrow, or later today if anything of interest happens.
Sorry no more pictures yet today. We'll take some and post either later today or tomorrow.
Love Tina
Monday, July 23, 2007
Here They Are! Pictures from Yesterday. Finally!
Here you go, folks. These are some pictures from yesterday. I figured out how to get them loaded but not in the correct order, but I am sure that doesn't matter. Here is the key:
1. Maia
2. Ilona
3. The New Family
4. Ilona with Mom
5. Maia with Dad
6. The New Family
7. The New Family
8. Ilona with Mom
9. Maia with Dad
10. Maia with Dad
11. New Family with Orphanage Nannies
12. New Family
13. Nervous expected parents at the hotel prior to going to orphanages
14. Mom with Ilona
15. Mom with Ilona
16. Dad with Maia
17. Very Happy Family
I'm SO sorry!
Tuesday 7/24 5:30 am
Guys, I've tried three times to load images up from yesterday and am having alot of connection issues. I know you don't want words but pictures and I am working on it. In the meantime I am going to give you words, just so that you know that everything is ok on this end!
To The Orphanage
We left to go to the orphanage around 9:00 am Monday and got there about an hour later. The inside of the orphanage was really pretty. Stone walls, palm trees, gardens. This particular orphanage is supposed to be one of the nicest and I can see why. We were greeted by a very smiling happy grandma type woman who was so excited to see us. She brought us into a lobby and we were served tea. Then a group of nannies brought the babies in. Jayden, the son of another couple, came in first immediately followed by Ilona. I recognized her immediately! She had a new cute outfit and matching hat. I reached up to take her and she went to me right away. No crying. Then in came Maia. She had a similar new outfit and went right to Al. She couldn't take her eyes off of him - just laid in his arms and reached her hands out to touch his face.
The nannies were all smiling but you could tell they were sad as well to be losing the girls. They called Ilona "Cuci" her knickname which means flower. They called Maia "Teeny" because she absolutely the teeny tiniest little girl you’ve ever seen. I was surprised to hear her nickname because as some of you know (right Mel?) Teeny is also a knickname of mine.
One nanny in particular was really crying a lot to see the girls go and I felt really bad for her. The work with the children so closely and get so attached. We are lucky the girls were in such a loving environment.
We then went out onto a covered porch and walked down the porch to another room where there were loads of fresh flowers under a statue of Ho Chi Minh and a banner. We were served more tea, signed a book and gave a gift of a huge suitcase full of toys to the orphanage director and assistant directors. They took lots of pictures of us for their records and then we were loaded back in the van to come back to the hotel for a few hours before our Giving and Receiving Ceremony.
Giving and Receiving Ceremony
We left the hotel to go to the official building for adoption ceremonies. We signed a number of papers around a big conference table, took pictures under Vietnamese banners with the officials and that was that. As far at the Vietnamese Government is concerned the girls are now ours.
Vietnamese Immigration Application
Al left with the other fathers to go to the Vietnamese Immigration Office while Carolyn and I stayed home with the girls. They were really happy and content on a blanky on the floor. They may be just stunned and confused but it really seems that they are pretty relaxed and interested in all of the doings.
Doctors Visit
Around 8:00 pm we had a hotel visit from the agency doctor who came to check the girls out for us. Ilona had just wakened from a nap and Maia was still sleeping. Ilona was weighed in at 19 lbs. We do not believe the accuracy of the scale as it involved Al standing on it with and without a baby and the needle was bouncing around. Ilona has a cold, which we noticed right away, so we are giving her OTC meds and watching her. She was not digging the exam and gave Al stink eye that he wasn’t rescuing her. We woke Maia up for her exam. She weighed in at 16 lbs which we know is not accurate. We think she is much closer to 12 pounds. She is so teeny tiny that she is still in 0-3 month clothes. Ilona is in 3-6 month. Maia was a good girl through the whole thing and both girls were declared in good health.
We fed the babies after the doctor left, giving them formula, yogurt and cereal. They had never been fed with a spoon before (the orphanage put everything into a bottle and then propped the bottles) so we are still learning how to work our mouths. But some made it down the hatch.
The girls went to bed at 10:30 pm and are still asleep now at 6:45 am. We can’t believe our luck with the sleep and are not counting on it continuing but are hoping for it. In the orphanage the girls were up at 9:00 pm, midnight and 3:00 am. We like our schedule better. Although I still have not slept more than three hours a night for some reason. The girls are still sleeping now and I’ve been up since 3:00 am.
Here’s what we know about the girls so far:
Ilona
- is very watchful and alert
- lets you know pretty fiercely if she doesn’t like something
- is said by the orphanage to have a huge belly laugh
- is said by the orphanage to be a very laid back baby
- is a good eater
Maia
- laughs an awful lot
- is very very teeny
- almost never cries
- is very content and curious
Both girls are rocking back and forth trying to crawl. Neither can situp on their own although Ilona is farther along than Maia. Neither have any sign of teeth yet. We estimate their development at around 6 months, instead of their 8 month chronological age, however we think they will catch back up quickly. There is absolutely no sign of any attachment issues. I can hardly believe it. Their eye contact is so great, and they are already bonding with us if you can believe it.
Both girls think their Dad is a total crack up. Ilona just stares at him until she can’t help but smile, Maia giggles and cracks up hysterically as soon as he starts talking with her.
That is the long and long of our day yesterday.
I think we are very lucky.
Pictures coming as soon as I can!
Love Tina
Guys, I've tried three times to load images up from yesterday and am having alot of connection issues. I know you don't want words but pictures and I am working on it. In the meantime I am going to give you words, just so that you know that everything is ok on this end!
To The Orphanage
We left to go to the orphanage around 9:00 am Monday and got there about an hour later. The inside of the orphanage was really pretty. Stone walls, palm trees, gardens. This particular orphanage is supposed to be one of the nicest and I can see why. We were greeted by a very smiling happy grandma type woman who was so excited to see us. She brought us into a lobby and we were served tea. Then a group of nannies brought the babies in. Jayden, the son of another couple, came in first immediately followed by Ilona. I recognized her immediately! She had a new cute outfit and matching hat. I reached up to take her and she went to me right away. No crying. Then in came Maia. She had a similar new outfit and went right to Al. She couldn't take her eyes off of him - just laid in his arms and reached her hands out to touch his face.
The nannies were all smiling but you could tell they were sad as well to be losing the girls. They called Ilona "Cuci" her knickname which means flower. They called Maia "Teeny" because she absolutely the teeny tiniest little girl you’ve ever seen. I was surprised to hear her nickname because as some of you know (right Mel?) Teeny is also a knickname of mine.
One nanny in particular was really crying a lot to see the girls go and I felt really bad for her. The work with the children so closely and get so attached. We are lucky the girls were in such a loving environment.
We then went out onto a covered porch and walked down the porch to another room where there were loads of fresh flowers under a statue of Ho Chi Minh and a banner. We were served more tea, signed a book and gave a gift of a huge suitcase full of toys to the orphanage director and assistant directors. They took lots of pictures of us for their records and then we were loaded back in the van to come back to the hotel for a few hours before our Giving and Receiving Ceremony.
Giving and Receiving Ceremony
We left the hotel to go to the official building for adoption ceremonies. We signed a number of papers around a big conference table, took pictures under Vietnamese banners with the officials and that was that. As far at the Vietnamese Government is concerned the girls are now ours.
Vietnamese Immigration Application
Al left with the other fathers to go to the Vietnamese Immigration Office while Carolyn and I stayed home with the girls. They were really happy and content on a blanky on the floor. They may be just stunned and confused but it really seems that they are pretty relaxed and interested in all of the doings.
Doctors Visit
Around 8:00 pm we had a hotel visit from the agency doctor who came to check the girls out for us. Ilona had just wakened from a nap and Maia was still sleeping. Ilona was weighed in at 19 lbs. We do not believe the accuracy of the scale as it involved Al standing on it with and without a baby and the needle was bouncing around. Ilona has a cold, which we noticed right away, so we are giving her OTC meds and watching her. She was not digging the exam and gave Al stink eye that he wasn’t rescuing her. We woke Maia up for her exam. She weighed in at 16 lbs which we know is not accurate. We think she is much closer to 12 pounds. She is so teeny tiny that she is still in 0-3 month clothes. Ilona is in 3-6 month. Maia was a good girl through the whole thing and both girls were declared in good health.
We fed the babies after the doctor left, giving them formula, yogurt and cereal. They had never been fed with a spoon before (the orphanage put everything into a bottle and then propped the bottles) so we are still learning how to work our mouths. But some made it down the hatch.
The girls went to bed at 10:30 pm and are still asleep now at 6:45 am. We can’t believe our luck with the sleep and are not counting on it continuing but are hoping for it. In the orphanage the girls were up at 9:00 pm, midnight and 3:00 am. We like our schedule better. Although I still have not slept more than three hours a night for some reason. The girls are still sleeping now and I’ve been up since 3:00 am.
Here’s what we know about the girls so far:
Ilona
- is very watchful and alert
- lets you know pretty fiercely if she doesn’t like something
- is said by the orphanage to have a huge belly laugh
- is said by the orphanage to be a very laid back baby
- is a good eater
Maia
- laughs an awful lot
- is very very teeny
- almost never cries
- is very content and curious
Both girls are rocking back and forth trying to crawl. Neither can situp on their own although Ilona is farther along than Maia. Neither have any sign of teeth yet. We estimate their development at around 6 months, instead of their 8 month chronological age, however we think they will catch back up quickly. There is absolutely no sign of any attachment issues. I can hardly believe it. Their eye contact is so great, and they are already bonding with us if you can believe it.
Both girls think their Dad is a total crack up. Ilona just stares at him until she can’t help but smile, Maia giggles and cracks up hysterically as soon as he starts talking with her.
That is the long and long of our day yesterday.
I think we are very lucky.
Pictures coming as soon as I can!
Love Tina
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Dancing Butterflies
Those of you at work will recognize this title. I now totally get it. Al and I went to bed around 1:00 am with a wakeup call set for 5:00 am. I woke up with dancing butterflies around 3:30 am. Maybe my body is trying to get me used to less sleep.
Anyway, today is the day. We still have some things to do to get ready for the girls (mostly paperwork) and will leave the hotel around 8:00 am to go pick them up.
I think these darn dancing butterflies are going to be with me for a couple more hours yet.
I will update you with pictures just as soon as I can.
Love Tina
Anyway, today is the day. We still have some things to do to get ready for the girls (mostly paperwork) and will leave the hotel around 8:00 am to go pick them up.
I think these darn dancing butterflies are going to be with me for a couple more hours yet.
I will update you with pictures just as soon as I can.
Love Tina
More Pictures from the Trip and Sunday
2. Korean Airlines 747
3. Korean Airlines lunch
4. Carolyn and Tina at the Ciao Cafe
Pictures from Sunday 7/22/07
1. Opera House
2. Sleeping Vendor
3. Street Vendors
4. Notre Dame Cathedral
5. View from hotel balcony
6. City Hall and Garden
2. Sleeping Vendor
3. Street Vendors
4. Notre Dame Cathedral
5. View from hotel balcony
6. City Hall and Garden
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