Hi
Here is a link to the web site of another family we're traveling with, in case you want to check it out too:
http://thelockwoodhome.com
Saturday, August 4, 2007
day 8 - - a morning with the kids
Hi
Well, the women of the group decided to go shopping this morning before it got too hot. So, the two dads took care of Chloe, Clara ( daughter of another mom), Eli and Katie ( the two year old). Luckily, the experienced dad of Eli and Katie was there to handle most of the work. It worked out fine, and the women got some good clothes. They began to learn the fine art of negotiating with the shopkeepers.
Daddy and Chloe got some good bonding time.
The afternoon was an adventure into the big city of Hanoi. The three of us did some shopping on the streets. After an hour of sweating, we took a cab ride home.
The evening had a nice meal in the restaurant.
Chloe is now completely mobile. She crawls around a lot and is very happy. Restaurants are now more exciting because she wants to move around so much. More fun for Mommy and Daddy.
We really love our girl and look forward to seeing you.
Well, the women of the group decided to go shopping this morning before it got too hot. So, the two dads took care of Chloe, Clara ( daughter of another mom), Eli and Katie ( the two year old). Luckily, the experienced dad of Eli and Katie was there to handle most of the work. It worked out fine, and the women got some good clothes. They began to learn the fine art of negotiating with the shopkeepers.
Daddy and Chloe got some good bonding time.
The afternoon was an adventure into the big city of Hanoi. The three of us did some shopping on the streets. After an hour of sweating, we took a cab ride home.
The evening had a nice meal in the restaurant.
Chloe is now completely mobile. She crawls around a lot and is very happy. Restaurants are now more exciting because she wants to move around so much. More fun for Mommy and Daddy.
We really love our girl and look forward to seeing you.
Friday, August 3, 2007
day 7 - - keeping entertained
Hello,
Today was a good day. Chloe is getting us used to her eating, sleeping, and playing habits. After a great breakfest, we played in the room all morning. It is nice to play with her instead of distracting her so she won't be upset.
Lunch was with the families at a local restaurant.
The afternoons can get long for all of us, when there is no nap. Around 3 we went to the lobby to give all three of us some distraction. Chloe loves to climb on Mommy and Daddy! It makes sense that she gets bored with just the two of us in a room all day. She is used to alot of action and people around.
Evening was spent at a restaurant on the river. All of us enjoyed the warm evening.
Bath time, feeding,and bed followed and wrapped up around 8.
Today was a good day. Chloe is getting us used to her eating, sleeping, and playing habits. After a great breakfest, we played in the room all morning. It is nice to play with her instead of distracting her so she won't be upset.
Lunch was with the families at a local restaurant.
The afternoons can get long for all of us, when there is no nap. Around 3 we went to the lobby to give all three of us some distraction. Chloe loves to climb on Mommy and Daddy! It makes sense that she gets bored with just the two of us in a room all day. She is used to alot of action and people around.
Evening was spent at a restaurant on the river. All of us enjoyed the warm evening.
Bath time, feeding,and bed followed and wrapped up around 8.
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Day 6 - - busy travelers
Hello all,
What a busy day! We left for the airport at 11:30 AM. All families were ready for a day of traveling.
We arrived in Hanoi around 4 PM. Following advice given about takeoffs and landings, we had two bottles ready to be given to baby Chloe. She ate the first before we got on the plane, though. She was working on the second when we took off, and of course fell asleep soon after. She was out until we were at the gate in Hanoi. She is now referred to as the perfect traveler!
Hanoi is much different from DaNang. We got to see alot of the city on the ride to the hotel. This will be a nice place to stay for awhile.
The hotel is very big and fancy. We have alot of room for movement and keeping everyone happy. There are other adoptive families here, so this must be a popular place for waiting for Embassy appointments.
After arrival at the hotel, a hungry Chloe looked at the lobby with Daddy while Mommy had to do a half hour worth of paperwork for the appointment. We did not get to eat until 6, and by that time, we were in nitetime mode.
We have been informed that the Embassy is backlogged with paperwork. Our appointment is on Monday, and we have to wait for processing until we leave. They said not to be suprised if it takes a week. So, that would mean that our arrival in the States on the 11th might not happen. We will give you further updates on this next week, but for now, we are going into relax mode and enjoy the country of Vietnam.
Chloe is all smiles now! Be prepared to have your hearts melt. She has a large assortment of faces, smiles, sounds, and actions that will steal your heart.
Still eating great and sleeping 10-12 hours at night.
Chloe say hi to all of you and look forward to meeting you !
We miss you all.
What a busy day! We left for the airport at 11:30 AM. All families were ready for a day of traveling.
We arrived in Hanoi around 4 PM. Following advice given about takeoffs and landings, we had two bottles ready to be given to baby Chloe. She ate the first before we got on the plane, though. She was working on the second when we took off, and of course fell asleep soon after. She was out until we were at the gate in Hanoi. She is now referred to as the perfect traveler!
Hanoi is much different from DaNang. We got to see alot of the city on the ride to the hotel. This will be a nice place to stay for awhile.
The hotel is very big and fancy. We have alot of room for movement and keeping everyone happy. There are other adoptive families here, so this must be a popular place for waiting for Embassy appointments.
After arrival at the hotel, a hungry Chloe looked at the lobby with Daddy while Mommy had to do a half hour worth of paperwork for the appointment. We did not get to eat until 6, and by that time, we were in nitetime mode.
We have been informed that the Embassy is backlogged with paperwork. Our appointment is on Monday, and we have to wait for processing until we leave. They said not to be suprised if it takes a week. So, that would mean that our arrival in the States on the 11th might not happen. We will give you further updates on this next week, but for now, we are going into relax mode and enjoy the country of Vietnam.
Chloe is all smiles now! Be prepared to have your hearts melt. She has a large assortment of faces, smiles, sounds, and actions that will steal your heart.
Still eating great and sleeping 10-12 hours at night.
Chloe say hi to all of you and look forward to meeting you !
We miss you all.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
day 5 - - the first 24 hours
Hello,
First of all, we would like to thank all of you who have followed us so far. The pictures were taken by one of the other families with us. Thanks to them, and their thoughtfulness.
Chloe had a nice evening with the other family ( as did Mom and Dad). She went to sleep at 7 PM, got some formula at 4 AM, and finally woke up at 6 or 7. She is eating well, and sleeping great.
Her schedule is off, though, so we are having some problems with naptime this afternoon.
We all went for lunch at a restaurant on the river. It is cooler today.
Tomorrow, we leave for Hanoi at 11:30 AM. This is our final destination, because it is where the U.S. Embassy is. Everything is on schedule for now.
We made it through the first 24 hours, which they say are the hardest. A few smiles today, more vocal, and atttaching nicely. In fact, she likes close contact all the time. She holds on tight most times. Oh, and she got her first bath today! I guess with a busy day like this, she would be a little grumpy in the afternoon.
First of all, we would like to thank all of you who have followed us so far. The pictures were taken by one of the other families with us. Thanks to them, and their thoughtfulness.
Chloe had a nice evening with the other family ( as did Mom and Dad). She went to sleep at 7 PM, got some formula at 4 AM, and finally woke up at 6 or 7. She is eating well, and sleeping great.
Her schedule is off, though, so we are having some problems with naptime this afternoon.
We all went for lunch at a restaurant on the river. It is cooler today.
Tomorrow, we leave for Hanoi at 11:30 AM. This is our final destination, because it is where the U.S. Embassy is. Everything is on schedule for now.
We made it through the first 24 hours, which they say are the hardest. A few smiles today, more vocal, and atttaching nicely. In fact, she likes close contact all the time. She holds on tight most times. Oh, and she got her first bath today! I guess with a busy day like this, she would be a little grumpy in the afternoon.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)