Here are some pictures of the doctor's visit -- I wrote about this in the previous post and it still stands out as one of the most gratitude provoking experiences I have ever had. The doctor visit itself was also interesting: I could not fully communicate with him and there was not much involved in the check up (Dr. Jimbo, we look forward to a check up with you when we get home!). But Lucy Linh thought it was quite fun sitting on the scale. The nurses were laughing because she was so big for the scale and they were used to much smaller babies who were not happy to be placed there. Lucy Linh thought it was quite fun!
The Giving & Receiving ceremony last Wednesday was interesting. We went to a government office where there are many things going on related to immigration and justice. We were told to dress nicely so we did and we stood out for sure. We went behind a glass petition area with the orphanage director and highest governemnet officical for adoption. I had to sign several papers and as I was signing one set Lucy Linh reached up and grasped the papers in a wad! They all got a little bent out of shape and helped me release her grip and asked that I pass her over to mom. Shew -- lighten up! Anyway, I signed, we were positioned for a picture and then we were done. She was "ours"! After we were done, Annie Allen looked at me and asked, "Was that it? Why did we have to get all dressed up?"
Thursday night one of Chase's friends that lives here had us out to her house for dinner. She had a traditional Vietnamese meal and it was so much fun to see how they live and to eat some safe "real" food. They have 2 boys so AA had some fun playing and we enjoyed ourselves a ton. It was so nice of her to have us!
Friday we went to Cu Chi Tunnels which was really fun and interesting. We got to explore and learn all about a 250 km network of tunnels that the Vitenamese army used during the war. Fascinating! Annie Allen and I (and LL) went down in one tunnel and it was crazy! So small and we were crawling on our hands and knees. The tunnels were purposely kept small so that the Vietnamese could get in and out yet too small for the American army. They had underground "hospital", kitchen, supply rooms, etc. We also saw all of the traps they made and we thought they were ingenious. It was an hour or so drive out and we some very rural parts of HCMC. Seeing the typical rice fields and the workers and a rubber tree farm was neat also. A few pictures...
Friday afternoon I went to get LL passport and that felt great. Another "step" in the process and the final step in the Vietnamese part of the adoption. Mom and Annie Allen (the social beings!) went to two Tet/Chinese New Year's parties. It is a really big deal here and they celebrate for 10 days. The city is being decorated and a whole street shut down to build (including brick walls and grass/flowered areas) a display. There are bright yellow flowers, lights and characters all over the place. The first party they had a Dragon Dance and mom says the longest buffet table she has ever seen. The second one was great fun becasue Annie Allen's number was called and she won first prize! She was very happy. I was so happy that she and mom were out having so much fun!
Saturday and Sunday we went to a downtown Saigon/HCMC for some good food, a little shopping and poking around and then some pool time after naps. Lucy Linh has been swimming and hanging out by the pool comes easily to her.
Monday we left HCMC to come to Hanoi for the rest of our time. Everyone did great on the flight and we saw some interesting parts of this city on our way from airport. We have not had a chance to explore yet but the initial feeling is very different from HCMC. More village feeling and there is a huge lake here. The same moped and traffic craziness exists for sure. Also the same constant background noise of honking horns! We are looking forward to getting out and checking some of it out today.
We had to come to Hanoi because this is where the US Embassy is located. I will go tomorrow for my Embassy interview and hopfully (if the interview goes well and the paperwork is processed
smoothly) get LL's visa by the end of the day Wednesday. I am really hopeful that this is smooth as I am ready for the real last step in this process. Our flight is scheduled for Thursday morning. I think we are all beginning to look forward to the comforts of home. Maybe not the jet lag but everything else! Annie Allen has watched more TV than normal and misses her friends but overall is doing great. She has been such a big girl. Mom has been a real trooper and is so very good with both AA and LL. She is so easy and calm with both of them and has been going with the flow of whatever needs to happen when. She has also been so tolerant of some very simple (if you even call it that) eating. It will be nice for both of us I am sure to have some good meals with vegetables and fruit.
Thank you all for staying in touch and I apologize that we have not been able to reply to all of the kind emails. Our internet access has been spotty but we are grateful for all of the love and support being sent our way. Thank you, Thank you!!!!!
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