Picking Up Passports and Our Weekend Adventure

We had a 2:00 p.m. appointment to pick up the girls’ Vietnamese passports to be immediately followed by a trip to the SOS clinic for their doctor’s appointments. We had to have the passports before we could go to the clinic.

We arrived at 1:45 and waited until 2:00 when lunch was over. Soon Hein (our new guide from the agency) went up and asked about the passports. They said yes they had it. “It” Hein asked. Yes they had one passport done. They saw that the birth date and all the identifying information was the same (except the names which is only 2 letters difference in the entire name) and just made one not thinking there could be twins. Hein convinced them to make the other passport while we waited. About 2:45, Hein took all of us over to the SOS clinic and Hein convinced them to see both girls even though we had only one passport. The clinic was great and took them both in for their scheduled appointments. P and Hein then dashed back to the immigration office to wait for the new passport. One gentleman kept going up to the desk and asking about his passport. Hein told P the clerk was getting upset and the more he asked, the longer he would have to wait. Sure enough, about 3:30 a clerk came running up to the desk with a shiny new, green Vietnamese passport in her hand. It was open and she was blowing on the ink to get it to dry. It was our second passport. As soon as the desk clerk got it, she asked P and Hein to come up and sign for the new passport. The impatient gentleman was still waiting and asking about his documents. I wonder how long he waited.

P and Hein sprinted back to the SOS clinic in time for P to sit through and help get Sophie examined. The clinic was great and the girls took P’s absence pretty well. Hein would pick up the health reports for us on Monday. The doctor told us they were in excellent health, although just a little under weight.

We just love Hein he is a soft spoken man who knows the adoption process like the back of his hand. He understands most all of our English and speaks better English than I do Vietnamese. He is defiantly a plus for this agency.

On Saturday, we had arranged to go to Ha Long Bay, which is on the coast north of Hanoi. We got up early to leave by 8:00. It was a 3 hour bus ride to the coast. On the way up we stopped at a store/work shop for handicapped individuals. The hand-stitched embroidered paintings and made beautiful silk clothing. After our break, we finished the ride to Ha Long Bay. We had lunch at a tourist restaurant. Sophie had had enough of traveling and was not a happy camper in the restaurant. We were seated in a large room with about 8 other tables. Another missed meal for P. After lunch, we checked into a 3 star hotel to rest before we took a tour of one of the islands in the bay. P said the 3 star rating was awarded by the Baghdad Gazette. The rooms were nice, with one peculiar feature. In the bedroom P and I shared with the girls, the wall separating us from another room did not go completely to the exterior wall. When you pulled our curtain back, you could see about a 4 inch gap, and the curtain in the other room. We later learned (through sound and smell) the room on the other side of our wall was the other room’s bathroom. As our neighbors were going through their evening and morning bathroom rituals, all we could do was laugh. What a story! We would not believe it unless we saw it.

After our nap, we went to the island that is the convention center and high end beach area. It had a dolphin show, a laser light show and beautiful beaches and gardens. Since it was after season (we did not know this) the laser show and dolphin shows were closed. We did get to walk on the beach and around the gardens. It was a little overcast and foggy, so it was too cold to get into the water, at least for us. We did see some Russian tourists in the water though. After the tour, we went back to the same restaurant for supper. I guess in response to Sophie’s hard morning, we had a private dining room.

On Sunday, we started the day with a cruise of Ha Long Bay. We arrived at the dock and saw cruise boats 3 deep at the pier. We boarded one and followed our tour guide as he crawled from the first boat to the second boat back. The girls were not excited about the climbing over the ship rails and hung on for dear life. Once we settled into our boat, the girls sat at the table with P. It took a good 15 minutes of pushing and maneuvering to get out of the pack of boats at the dock. It was like Hanoi traffic with fewer rules of the road. After we were under way the girls had a great time watching the hawks hunting for fish and the other boats. Our first stop was an island with a large cave. When we thought cave, we though cool temperature. Not this cave. The girls needed to be carried. They both wanted to be carried by P. He got his work out that day! By the time we finished the cave, he was exhausted and ready to sit on the boat with the girls. After the cave, we went to the floating houses of the fishermen in the Bay. They catch fish, squid, clams, shrimp, etc. and put them in live wells on their floating house boats. All you do is pick out what you want and they give it to you live. We did not buy anything special. For lunch on the boat, we had clams, shrimp, hard shell crab, fish (yes, the whole fish, head and all) rice and fruit for desert. The girls ate well, and snacked a lot as well.

After the cruise, it was back on the bus for the drive back to Hanoi. On the way back we again stopped at a workshop/store run to support people with handicaps. Sophie and Lily both were very tired and fell asleep in the van. We hoped they would sleep, but as soon as we stopped they were awake and Sophie was not happy. P ended up sitting with the girls while I shopped. He was helped by a number of store employees who came to play with the babies. Eventually, Sophie calmed down and drank some juice. After we were again under way, the girls finished their naps. We arrived at our hotel at about 4:00 p.m. It was an interesting weekend.

October 20, 2007 We meet the girls!

Saturday morning we awoke early and packed our bags. Today we would travel to LaGi to meet our girls for the very first time! After packing our luggage, we headed down to breakfast. The hotel offers a variety of traditional Vietnamese dishes, congee, which is a rice porridge that the girls like to eat. I guess I will be learning how to make this. The hotel also had spring rolls, Pho, which I love, but it has been so hot that I have not had any yet. Fresh fruits and the best fresh squeezed orange juice I have ever had, even though they were green. We were packed and ready to go by 7:30. The bus was to arrive at the hotel at 8:30. T worked on some homework while we waited. The bus came and we headed down the busy streets of Saigon to the Agency’s office where we would meet all the staff and have our orientation meeting. Because of the traffic it took about an hour to travel across the streets of Saigon. At the office, which is located on what looks like a narrow alley we were greeted by all the wonderful staff. We were taken to the 3rd floor where we were served nice cold water and fruit. As the staff went over the paperwork and informed us of the days events T worked on homework. We were all done within an hour and off on the streets of Saigon to LaGi.

The trip would be 4 to 5 hours depending on the traffic. Even though we had left the city the roads to Binh Thuan are lined with homes and businesses. We stopped at a little restaurant to have lunch and use the western facilities. I had warned T that when we traveled out in the rural areas that we may have to use squatty toilets and that we would have to make sure we had TP just in case there was none. Everything on the trip was great.

Back on the road again Ms. H and Y chatted, the staff and I took a little nap while P and T watched the sights go by. It would be another 2 hours before we would be at the orphanage.

We entered the city of LaGi and headed down back roads to the orphanage. I could feel we were getting close. I wondered how the girls would react to see us for the first time. Had the nannies prepared them for our arrival? How much did they understand of what was going to happen in the next few days?

It was difficult to wake throughout the gates of the orphanage. I sat outside the gates holding M a short 6 months ago wondering what the children were like and if our child would come form this orphanage. As I walked through the gates it almost felt like a forbidden place for me, but this time I could walk through the gates to finally see and meet our girls. I slowly walked up the entry. There were 2 school age boys who met us at the gate. They were smiling and wanting to say hello in English. We were directed by the staff to go the left of the compound. We walked up 2 steps and stood at the entrance to a small room. Next to that room was another room that all the children were in. The staff wanted us to enter one at a time so we would not frighten the children. Ever so slowly we entered one by one. The children were all walking in a circle and singing a song something like ring around the rosey. Before we even entered the room X and H.A. started to cry. I could see the girls through the screen, and oh how beautiful they looked. We entered slowly and sat on the floor opposite form the girls. I did not want to approach them too soon. I offered the girls a toy tiger and their nanny encouraged Vy to come get it. She very quickly got up and grabbed it from my hand and returned quickly to her nanny. I did the same for Van but she would not move. I could see by the look on her face she was very worried. I pulled out the toy airplane from my bag. Vy again took advantage of this and grabbed the toy and returned to the nanny. Van sat still and just watched. I told Teddy it was time to work his charm and approach the girls slowly. He was able to do so without frightening them to much. I can only imagine how over whelming it was for them. I pulled out the suckers to share with all the children and nannies. Vy again was the first to grab and go, she was getting the hand of this side show. All the other children come one by one to collect their suckers. The older ones were very polite and crossed their arms and bowed as they accepted the suckers. I was so impressed.

I decided, with a little encouragement from Y, that I should try to approach the girls. I wanted so to just run in and grab them up and give them a great big hug, but I knew this would not be good. I wanted to approach them on their terms not mine. I slowly moved forward and sat next to Vy. I could tell by the look on Van face that she was not ready at all for me to approach her. I slowly tried to encourage the girls to play but they were not interested so I just sat next to them and was able to touch Vy leg and back without to much resistance. I took a photo of Van and showed it to Vy. She was very interested in this. Hmmmm a photographer in the making just like mom? Before I knew it their nanny had gotten up and I saw my chance to sit in between the girls. My move was accepted they did not move away. I was able to touch Van ever so lightly and she also accepted my touch. Progress, one tiny step at a time. After an hour it was time for everyone to take a break. The girls Nanny had a bowl of soup for the girls and it was time for them to eat. The girls followed the nanny’s que and came over for their supper.

As we left the room the girls shook our hands to say good bye and then waived. We then headed off to board the bus. Now it was time to check into the resort.

We made it!

We are in HCMC! I just love being back in Vietnam! We are all very tired but trying to stay awake a few more hours.

"You have received the invitation to travel."

At 1:06 today we received an email for H the Program Director that we have received the invitation to travel. We do not have a G&R date but we are hoping it will be the week of the 22 Oct. We are hoping to leave a week early to spend time with the girls in hopes to make the transition smoother for them. Thank you to all that have been praying for our family.

Our paperwork is on a roll again.......

The notarized, certified, authenticated documents arrived in Minneapolis yesterday. The staff scanned them and emailed copies to the office in Vietnam with the originals to follow by DHL. I am hoping that this means things will start moving again and we will be able to travel soon.

Today I had an appointment to get all the travel meds ready. P, T and I will all take Malarone to prevent Malaria and we each get a Z pack incase we get travelers diarrhea. What fun! It is better to be prepared and much better than the illness. I also went over some medical issues of what ifs for the girls. I feel I am ready and armed with Motrin, Benadryl, Laxative, and Eczema creams. The only medical information I have on the girls is their height, weight, that they have very dry skin (probably Eczema) and cold feet.

We have asked the agency to give us extra time in country to spend with the girls. Typically the families arrive in country one or two days before the G&R date. They are given a day or so to meet their child. The G&R is usually the next day. These children have been much younger than our twins. We are asking the agency for something in writing stating we will be able to spend up to a week with the girls before we take custody. At this point the agency has not granted our request. We feel it is crucial to spend a few days with the girls in their environment before they are taken away from everything they have ever known. It is my understanding that they are very shy. Taking them out of their safe zone to fast could have long lasting negative effects; I would prefer to let them get to know us before they leave the orphanage.

Adventures in Vietnam

April 10, 2007
At 7:30 AM, we all loaded onto the van and headed north of the Ocean Star Resort.

We came to a place where a boat was being pulled in with the catch of the day and Mrs. Hanh asked the driver to pull over. I think she heard my sharp intake of breath, which usually signals a photo opportunity that I am missing. Of course, the entire country is a photo op waiting to happen.

We got out and climbed down to the beach, and K discovered wonderful sea shells.

We went over and examined the fish that had been caught that morning, took a few pictures, and then our entire party set to collecting sea shells for K. 4 CHSFS staffers, M, K and me (with very limited help from Miss M) combed the short beach and found wonderful shells. The colors are so different from those you find back home. The driver and staff probably thought we were nuts, but they cheerfully waded into the water and hunted for the very best shells for K. When we had collected a pile that was too big for us to carry, someone produced a bag and we took our treasures back to the bus. The driver wasn’t too thrilled to see the shells coming, but no one goes against Mrs. Hanh (or as we lovingly refer to her, the Admiral.)

We continued north and came to the fishing village. You round a bend and there before you is a bay with hundreds and hundreds of brightly colored fishing boats.

The van pulled over and we walked down to the beach, where fishermen and women were examining the catch and haggling over the prices. Children immediately came up to us with trays of things to sell. Woman came up and Mrs. Hanh started talking with them. She either knows everyone in Vietnam, or has that typical Vietnamese ease of talking to people she doesn’t know.

K was oblivious to all of this, she saw that there were more cool shells and set to work collecting those with two staffer’s always one step behind her. They are almost like a Secret Service detail for her, they never let her go too far away before one or both of them are with her.

I was busy snapping photos, everywhere you looked there were wonderful photos to be taken. I had my photos, K had her shells, Miss M had her bottle (which she kept dropping in the sand) and M had her wish for the day, which was to help create memories of Vietnam and especially her province for K. It was a great morning. But we weren’t done. M literally dragged me off the beach.