New Pics and Updates

Thanks for all the nice comments and emails! We love reading them.

I just posted some pics from the ceremony day and in the process of adding some we took today. They officially smell like baby lotion now after their baths.

We have our first visa interview appointment on Friday, so that has been our good news. I actually thought with Memorial Day this week that we wouldn't be able to get in, but we did. I went to apply for passports this morning which was a pretty funny experience. A lot of stares, which I am ok with. But the pointing and talking and staring all at once was pretty funny. Then, I go up to the window where everyone is crowding around trying to get their number processed when all of a sudden some kind of argument broke out between a guy behind me and the lady behind the window. I am in the middle, but taller than him so he is basically yelling at my neck. I almost decided to move, but then didn't want to lose my place, so I held strong. We can pick up the passports next week.

Wit will post in a little bit about his funny experiences during his visit to the province a little bit later.

We did venture out tonight and actually went to a restaurant. No problems other than the waitresses kept whisking them away from sight. Literally, they were serving other people while holding them. It was pretty funny.

More soon!

We have 2 babies!!

That's right, Monday afternoon, we had our ceremony. Three long hours in a hot room with 2 babes to manage was definitely an interesting experience, to say the least! I'll post more about it when I have time.

We had one minor setback, but doesn't seem to be severe. Wit had to fly back to Hanoi today to go sign the books. They didn't like the Power of Attorney we had done and it was just easier to have Wit fly back. I am definitely thankful!

We had a good first night, despite getting back at 10:30pm. I think I slept less than everyone. Audrey is a dreamer and she flails. She kept whacking Quynh and waking her up, so I had to separate them from the same crib. So, Audrey slept in my bed. Not sure what we are going to do tonight since Wit will be here.

Quynh is the mover and shaker. She is scooting across the room. She so wants to crawl, but can't quite figure it out. Audrey likes to sleep. She throws her arms back and spreads her legs and is out cold. Neither one are eating very much at all, but that is expected. I will post some pics soon.

New Pics

We visited the orphanage again yesterday. This time the girls were brought out to us, which was much cooler and gave us a little more room. We got to hang out for about 1.5 hours which was fun. They seem to be doing well. We managed to get a few smiles, but mostly stares and curious looks. I have posted the pics, so take a look.

Wit leaves today to head back to Hong Kong, so I will be flying solo until Friday. Neither one of us are thrilled about it, but because we have to fly back to the States before entering HK, we think it will be better if he is with me during that portion of the trip. Plus, he hasn't been back to the States in a year, so it is time!

Good & Not so Good

Not so good is no news on the ceremony. Now, we wait for Monday.

Good is that we are going back out to the orphanage tomorrow to spend some more time with the girls. We are up early to hopefully avoid some of the heat, so I will post more pics when we return.

No one said this was going to be easy.

Still Waiting

We are still waiting for our ceremony. We found out yesterday that their are 6 families with another agency (same province) who have been waiting for 10 days for their day. We are trying to get grouped with them, but who knows if that will happen or if it is even possible. Will keep trying.

Bittersweet

We woke up this morning thinking today was the day and today became the day...sort of. We saw our baby girls for the first time and got to hold and cuddle and snuggle and coo and kiss and everything else, but it seems that the suspense hasn't ended. Our ceremony wasn't today. We are hopeful for tomorrow. While being a very disappointing day from not reaching a conclusion, we did get to finally meet our two girls. And, they were everything we wanted and MORE!

The orphanage is situated about 2.5 hours outside of Hanoi in an agricultural community. When we arrived, the front of the orphanage was a "smoke salon" where people can come and get their hair washed/cut, smoke cigs, and get coffee. The orphanage is for disabled people as well. The front was ran by deaf girls. It was great fun for me to sign mine and Wit's name to them and meet them through signing. They very much enjoyed feeling a part of "our" world. In the rear is a dorm room sized building that contained 20-25 babies all <6 months old. It was both a wonderful sight and a sad sight, which left us fixed with many different emotions. The caretakers truly loved each child. They were wonderfully loving and provided the best care they can for all the babies. It was HOT. Let me say that again. It was HOT in the room. Luckily, the babies weren't bundled up, but in tees and pants, no socks and no hats. They were sweating. The caretakers were fanning away to keep them cool, flies away and beetles the size of my fist fell from the ceiling!!

Being at the orphanage brought a HUGE mix of emotions. We were terribly thrilled, but also saddened given that these babies were in need. It was way too quiet to be among 25 babies, there were no cries for 1.5 hours. The caretakers were 4 of the most caring, loving women I could have ever hoped for. At one point, she asked for Quynh back because she was hating to see her taken away from her. This made me happy. I totally respect her feelings and am very thankful for them. Our babies were well cared for.

We are hopeful for tomorrow. Not worried about it happening, just wondering when it will finally happen!

I am posting some pics in the Photo Album soon. Click on the link on the right hand side. It is password protected. If I haven't given you the password, give me a shout and I will send it, just don't want to share with the "entire" world.

More soon. B&W

Hello Hanoi!

We've both arrived and just had a short meeting with our agency's facilitator. We don't know for certain what time our ceremony will be, but we do know for certain that we get to see our girls tomorrow!! We are making a trip to the orphanage tomorrow around noon and hopefully will have our ceremony that afternoon, otherwise on Thursday.

I will post pictures when we return.

We had a great Vietnamese dinner tonight. Mai, if you are reading, we went to the same outdoor place you and I went to, and surprisingly I remembered all the yummy things you ordered. Tomorrow is definitely pho.

Have a good night/day.

Packing Frenzy!

Well, I have entered the packing frenzy! I leave tomorrow morning at 9am and will be in Hanoi at 10am (Hanoi time), Wit arrives at 4pm. I have all day Tuesday to get a stroller, formula, and whatever else I need before our ceremony on Wednesday.

I CAN'T BELIEVE IT IS FINALLY HERE!!! (well, I can, but I can't believe it is for real this time)

As the plan stands now, Wit will be doing a back and forth exercise from HK to Hanoi and then we are off to the States to get US passports to enter HK and see both families, who are very excited as well.

Next post will be from VN.

No More Delays!!

Our ceremony has been confirmed for the 23rd!!! Finally, I feel comfortable saying that we don't expect any more delays. Now, we have to get ready...again!

Can't wait to update you from Vietnam!