Tuesday, July 31, 2007
day 4 - - the new parents!
Hello all,
I am pleased to let you know that the new Schaefer family is safe and healthy! We left the hotel at 7 AM for a 2 hour drive to the orphanage. It is located in the more rural area. Saw many rice fields and people with water buffalo.
We pulled up to the orphanage around 9 and were greeted by 10 or so children ages 5 to 8. Very excited to see visitors. Chloe was brought out....with no tears. She looked exactly like all the pictures....we even have her red checkerboard scarf that is on her head in pictures on this blog.
We spent 20 minutes at the orphanage, then went to the government office for the ceremony. Very nice ceremony. Papers were signed, pictures taken, and speeches given.
We then went back to the orphanage and stayed there an hour while our escort went to get Chloe's VISA paperwork started. At this point of the day, Chloe is now legally ours!
Nice visit and we took around 30 pictures there alone. Chloe got to spend some last minute time with her caregivers.
She slept the whole ride back to the hotel. No tears, nothing!
Well, we knew that would not last long. In the room, she realized what happened and got a bit upset. It did not last that long. We risked going to the restaurant in the hotel, since the two of us did not eat much yet today. Chloe ate some cereal before we went. It was good that we did go, because she found all these new toys like spoons, straws, etc.
She is taking a nap now, which is nice for all of us.
You will be amazed how she is doing normal 8 month old things! The caregivers spent so much time with these children. They are really talented and caring. Her development seems to be right on target.
I am sure tomorrow there will be some smiles. But for now, we are happy she is holding on tight to us, and taking in all the love.
I am pleased to let you know that the new Schaefer family is safe and healthy! We left the hotel at 7 AM for a 2 hour drive to the orphanage. It is located in the more rural area. Saw many rice fields and people with water buffalo.
We pulled up to the orphanage around 9 and were greeted by 10 or so children ages 5 to 8. Very excited to see visitors. Chloe was brought out....with no tears. She looked exactly like all the pictures....we even have her red checkerboard scarf that is on her head in pictures on this blog.
We spent 20 minutes at the orphanage, then went to the government office for the ceremony. Very nice ceremony. Papers were signed, pictures taken, and speeches given.
We then went back to the orphanage and stayed there an hour while our escort went to get Chloe's VISA paperwork started. At this point of the day, Chloe is now legally ours!
Nice visit and we took around 30 pictures there alone. Chloe got to spend some last minute time with her caregivers.
She slept the whole ride back to the hotel. No tears, nothing!
Well, we knew that would not last long. In the room, she realized what happened and got a bit upset. It did not last that long. We risked going to the restaurant in the hotel, since the two of us did not eat much yet today. Chloe ate some cereal before we went. It was good that we did go, because she found all these new toys like spoons, straws, etc.
She is taking a nap now, which is nice for all of us.
You will be amazed how she is doing normal 8 month old things! The caregivers spent so much time with these children. They are really talented and caring. Her development seems to be right on target.
I am sure tomorrow there will be some smiles. But for now, we are happy she is holding on tight to us, and taking in all the love.
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Day 3 - - The excitement mounts
Hi
Well, it is now Monday morning. We slept later than yesterday, but it seems that we start thinking about our big day very early in the morning ( like 3 AM). At that point, we just try to sleep as much as possible until 6 AM.
Da Nang is very different from Saigon. Moutain ranges, big river, and we are pretty sure we saw the South China Sea. The motorbikes are still around...but not as many of them. We are still glad we let other people do the driving.
Last night when we arrived, we went to the orphanage for the other families. They just left for the receiving ceremony! Chloe's orphanage is an hour away from this city, so we did not visit last night. The orphanage we saw had many caring, smiling, friendly caregivers. All the children looked healthy. We also got a reality check for tomorrow. Babies cry alot when they are given to strangers. We are all prepared for the adjustment process, though.
We received pictures of Chloe this morning that were about two weeks old. The first picture had her STANDING , holding on to a crib. She is going to be pretty active around the hotel, I guess. She looks great, has alot of hair, and has that same peaceful look on her face like all the other pictures here.
We are taking it easy this morning and going out to look around.
Well, it is now Monday morning. We slept later than yesterday, but it seems that we start thinking about our big day very early in the morning ( like 3 AM). At that point, we just try to sleep as much as possible until 6 AM.
Da Nang is very different from Saigon. Moutain ranges, big river, and we are pretty sure we saw the South China Sea. The motorbikes are still around...but not as many of them. We are still glad we let other people do the driving.
Last night when we arrived, we went to the orphanage for the other families. They just left for the receiving ceremony! Chloe's orphanage is an hour away from this city, so we did not visit last night. The orphanage we saw had many caring, smiling, friendly caregivers. All the children looked healthy. We also got a reality check for tomorrow. Babies cry alot when they are given to strangers. We are all prepared for the adjustment process, though.
We received pictures of Chloe this morning that were about two weeks old. The first picture had her STANDING , holding on to a crib. She is going to be pretty active around the hotel, I guess. She looks great, has alot of hair, and has that same peaceful look on her face like all the other pictures here.
We are taking it easy this morning and going out to look around.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Day 2...Resting accomplished!
Hi
Well, we are much rested. Yesterday was a long day, since we had to stay up and keep busy to get our body on this time zone. We made it till 6 PM and slept straight through till 3 or 4 AM. We finally gave up trying to sleep around 5 AM. We were hearing some music/band practice outside in the city around 5 , but did not see anything. Around 6, it got really loud, so we went to the window. To our suprise there was a funeral procession going down the road! We quickly grabbed a camera and got the end of it on film. That was very different for a Sunday morning!
We are staying around the hotel until 2 PM. One of the families is going out sightseeing again.
We told them to be careful because yesterday the lady adopting got hit by a motorbike! She is fine except for a big bruise on her elbow. The other family is also staying in. They have a 2 year old daughter along and she is down for a nap until 1 PM. Previews of our life in two days.
Not much else. Arrive in Da Nang tonight. Getting Chloe on Tuesday. Leaving for Hanoi on Thursday.
Well, we are much rested. Yesterday was a long day, since we had to stay up and keep busy to get our body on this time zone. We made it till 6 PM and slept straight through till 3 or 4 AM. We finally gave up trying to sleep around 5 AM. We were hearing some music/band practice outside in the city around 5 , but did not see anything. Around 6, it got really loud, so we went to the window. To our suprise there was a funeral procession going down the road! We quickly grabbed a camera and got the end of it on film. That was very different for a Sunday morning!
We are staying around the hotel until 2 PM. One of the families is going out sightseeing again.
We told them to be careful because yesterday the lady adopting got hit by a motorbike! She is fine except for a big bruise on her elbow. The other family is also staying in. They have a 2 year old daughter along and she is down for a nap until 1 PM. Previews of our life in two days.
Not much else. Arrive in Da Nang tonight. Getting Chloe on Tuesday. Leaving for Hanoi on Thursday.
Smooth trip.....different world!
Hello all,
Sarah and I arrived safely in Saigon. The plane ride to Tapei was good....and the extra flight to Saigon was worry free.
We definitely realized that we were somewhere else when we got in our taxi ride to the hotel. Very exciting! We saw pictures of the traffic and heard much about it. But one really has to experience it!! As many motorbikes as you can think of sharing one road!
We are doing pretty well staying awake. Arrived 9:30 this morning and we completely lost Friday due to time changes.
We went out in the city with one of the other two families adopting with us this week. Good expericence! Very exciting to see such a different culture. Spent some time in a pagoda! Spent some time in the rain! Now are going to spend some time resting. We leave for DaNang at 2 PM tomorrow.
Sarah and I arrived safely in Saigon. The plane ride to Tapei was good....and the extra flight to Saigon was worry free.
We definitely realized that we were somewhere else when we got in our taxi ride to the hotel. Very exciting! We saw pictures of the traffic and heard much about it. But one really has to experience it!! As many motorbikes as you can think of sharing one road!
We are doing pretty well staying awake. Arrived 9:30 this morning and we completely lost Friday due to time changes.
We went out in the city with one of the other two families adopting with us this week. Good expericence! Very exciting to see such a different culture. Spent some time in a pagoda! Spent some time in the rain! Now are going to spend some time resting. We leave for DaNang at 2 PM tomorrow.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Getting ready in one week
Well, it is pretty interesting getting ready for this trip in one week. Good thing we got paperwork to San Francisco last Friday because our VISA did not arrive until today. Even the agency was concerned about getting it in time.
We have had very few hours to do things other than trip stuff since last Thursday. Chloe's bag has more in it than our sutcase which includes both of our stuff. Then again, 100 diapers and enough baby stuff for two weeks will take up a lot of space.
We receive information about the trip each day...and still we don't know everything. At this point the only thing we know for sure is that we will arrive in Saigon on July 28, leave for Danang on the 29, have our receiving ceremony on the 31. Chloe's orphanage is an hour and a half away from Danang, and it sounds like we will visit the orphanage.
That is all we know about the trip so far. We are scheduled to leave Hanoi on August 11. However, if Chloe's VISA is not done on the 10th, we may have to stay a couple days later.
This will be our last update until arrival in Saigon. We arrive at 9 AM.
We have had very few hours to do things other than trip stuff since last Thursday. Chloe's bag has more in it than our sutcase which includes both of our stuff. Then again, 100 diapers and enough baby stuff for two weeks will take up a lot of space.
We receive information about the trip each day...and still we don't know everything. At this point the only thing we know for sure is that we will arrive in Saigon on July 28, leave for Danang on the 29, have our receiving ceremony on the 31. Chloe's orphanage is an hour and a half away from Danang, and it sounds like we will visit the orphanage.
That is all we know about the trip so far. We are scheduled to leave Hanoi on August 11. However, if Chloe's VISA is not done on the 10th, we may have to stay a couple days later.
This will be our last update until arrival in Saigon. We arrive at 9 AM.
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Travel date set!
Hello everyone!
I am happy to tell you that we got our travel day to receive Chloe into our family! The receiving day is July 31. So, working backwards, we need to arrive in Saigon on July 28. We have only one week to prepare...but that is fine with us. We were told to expect two weeks, but I don't think that either Sarah or I could wait two weeks. Needless to say, we are pretty excited.
Our travels will take us from south Vietnam (Saigon) to middle Vietnam (where Chloe's orphanage is) and then up to the north (Hanoi) where we will leave. We are scheduled to leave Hanoi on August 11, but that day could change.
All of our hotels will have computers available. So, please join us on our journey. We will update as much as we can. Of course, with a new baby, time to write may be limited. :)
Continue to pray for us....all three of us!
I am happy to tell you that we got our travel day to receive Chloe into our family! The receiving day is July 31. So, working backwards, we need to arrive in Saigon on July 28. We have only one week to prepare...but that is fine with us. We were told to expect two weeks, but I don't think that either Sarah or I could wait two weeks. Needless to say, we are pretty excited.
Our travels will take us from south Vietnam (Saigon) to middle Vietnam (where Chloe's orphanage is) and then up to the north (Hanoi) where we will leave. We are scheduled to leave Hanoi on August 11, but that day could change.
All of our hotels will have computers available. So, please join us on our journey. We will update as much as we can. Of course, with a new baby, time to write may be limited. :)
Continue to pray for us....all three of us!
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