Good Morning Vietnam - We're back!

It feels great to finally be here in Hanoi!  After a long trip, and don't be fooled by the smiling Emily... she was a little terror at some points on the flight and almost became that passenger that needs to be restrained.  Not sure why plane travel does this to her but some of the worst meltdowns I've seen.  We had a long layover in Hong Kong and of course she fell asleep then poor munchkin.  Daddy and Mummy used that time to go and get a nice little chair massage to try and loosen the knots and lower the stress level.

Yesterday we got our land legs back and just walked around Hoan Kiem Lake, which is a quick 10 mins from the hotel.  Two of the couples were already here so we had lunch together in a nice cafe looking out onto the lake, and then walked around to do a bit of shopping.  We then promptly got lost walking back to the hotel for a nap... I'm sure that won't be the first time!

Last night we went out for a tasty Chinese meal and then had everyone back to our room for a visit.  This morning we have a meeting with Mr. Dat and it looks like our orphanage visit will now be on Monday and I'm sure we'll find out when the Giving and Receiving will be held.  Jet Lag isn't too bad and other than feeling a little groggy at times, it's been fairly easy.  Emily just woke up but sleep till 0600 so I'm not complaining.  They have a big swimming pool here so later we will check that out as Emily is very excited about a swim!

The pictures below are slightly out of order, I've included photos of my formula lab and all the baby gear!  And I had to put Keela (my helper) and Chopper in, they are off at the kennel and creating their own version of havoc I'm sure!  There was recently a 1000 Year Celebration here so there are lots of displays and signs commemorating the event.  Walking around here feels so familiar again but we forgot how the air is thick with exhaust - and of course the amount of people who smoke (and in restaurants) takes a little getting used to.

Our Baby Sarah!

Here is our sweet Sarah!  The day our proposal came in we both waited to be home together to look at it.  Just like with Emily we could not believe our eyes when we saw this sweet girl looking back at us.  She has such a calm look about her.  At our next travel meeting we all showed each other our children -everyone so proud already!

Emily seems very excited about a baby sister!  A few times when we showed her Sarah's picture she said "Me?".  At 2 it was hard to know at first what she understood but lately she is very excited about baby - she thinks it will be great to share a bubble bath with "Baby arah"  (the s's are coming but it just sounds so cute without).  One of the first gifts we got reminded me that although they are not twins... doesn't mean we couldn't dress them alike!  Thanks Katie, this really showed Emily the difference between her and baby!

Travel Group Meeting

Here we are at one of our travel group meetings before we got our proposals, it was great to get to know everyone we would be in Hanoi with - after all our babies knew each other before we got together!  This will be our way of making sure they (and we) stay in each other's lives.

Little did we know that the next time we would meet we would be able to show each other pictures of our babies!  Emily had lots of fun meeting everyone and as usual ran around charming everyone.  She loved that Tammi has a bunny rabbit, first time meeting a cuddly bunny!

Here we go again!

Here we go again!  In June 2009 we started the adoption process for another baby!  We are having so much fun with Emily - she is the joy of our life.  I can only imagine that two kids would simply be twice the fun... and work...

In July 2010 we got a proposal for a beautiful baby girl named Le Yen Chi, born on June 12th in Bac Ninh, Vietnam.  For her Canadian name we have chosen Sarah Chi MacDonald.  This process has been much like Emily's, and will turn out to be about the same timeframe (17 months).  The final waiting period has been harder this time as we have been staring at this precious baby for a few months now, whereas with Emily - once we saw her sweet face - it was only about 7 weeks until she was in our arms.

We should be getting a Giving & Receiving date any day now... and then we swing into full travel mode head to Hanoi for a few weeks.  Emily is very excited about Baby Sarah, she seems the most excited that when we go on the plane she can bring her "back-pack" full of toys and stickers, oh and she thinks it's a fun idea that when Sarah comes home they can have a bubble bath together!  At 26 months it's hard to know just how much she understands, she is very good at new concepts so something is definitely brewing under the surface! 

Stay tuned...