Okey dokey, so when last we blogged, I was exhausted and we went to bed early in Can Tho. We were up at 5 and downstairs by 6 for breakfast. Then we loaded onto the bus and went straight to the Center, where the nannies gave us the kiddos and a bottle. Back to the bus and a short trip into Vinh Long for the G&R. We went upstairs in a government building and sat in a conference room of sorts. The chairs were absolutely gorgeous - carved wood - but very uncomfortable! We were given bottled water and straws and then the ceremony started. There was a lot of speaking and translating going on, but from what I could gather we were meeting with the Director of the Center and two local justice officials. Everyone made speeches about the 'celebration' and asking that we educate and care for the children. We were also asked to promise that we would bring them back to Vietnam someday and that we would raise them to love their birth country. Then each family made a small statement about how thankful we were to have been approved for adoption and there was some signing of paperwork. Then it was picture time! Each family stood and had their picture taken with the local justice official as he handed us our approval paperwork, and then a second picture was taken with the Director of the Orphanage as he 'gave' us our children and we 'received' them. They really put an effort into creating a nice ceremonial memory for all of us. There was some hand shaking all around and then we went back to the bus for the trip to Ho Chi Minh City.
This was the part we were all a tad nervous about, but there was no screaming or crying or fussing of any type. And the kids did great too (ha ha). We stopped at that same beautiful rest area for lunch and it was the perfect way to cap the day. We made it back to HCMC around 3:00, ran to the Tax Center for more diapers and formula and essentials like cute pillows and Diet Pepsi (diapers, formula, pillow, 6 cans of pop, bag of M&Ms, Pringles, and 2 huge bottles of water = less than $15 U.S.), and then met the other families for a quick dinner. Believe it or not, Phoebe slept for 13 hours last night. She woke up twice for bottles and then went back to sleep. I think she was hoping we'd disappear if she slept long enough, but no such luck. So far, we've all been lucky and the kids are settling in. Stay tuned for the meltdown tomorrow :)
We applied for the kids' passports this morning and had their photos taken. This afternoon is the medical appointment and we'll be sticking close to the hotel tomorrow, waiting for our CIS interview. More later!
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2 comments:
Your schedule reminds me of when I went to China. Everything was planned, they told me when to wake up, piled in a bus, did paperwork, when to return to the hotel, and when you had a few moments to yourselves! I'm starting to remember! What a whirlwind!
Phoebe is getting cuter in every picture - that middle one she seems to be really giggling - I don't think she is wishing you would disappear - she looks very happy. Sounds like you are busy running all over. Can't wait to see all the pictures and hear the whole story. Keep up with the Pepsi and M&M's - to keep your strength up and keep you awake of course - it's a necessity.
We're all thinking of you every moment of every day and wondering what you are up to. Hugs and kisses from Mary and the SNB gang - except Bill - I don't thinkhe's the kissy kind of guy!
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