Wednesday, October 31, 2007

A change in the weather!!

The Monsoons are back!!  We woke up to a rainy, breezy and much cooler day.  They are saying we are in for this type of weather for a few days...and then back to the heat.  But remember their cooler days are still in the 80's!!
I was reminded this morning to dress Evie a bit warmer. They are so funny about how to dress the babies because of weather...and i guess they think I still don't get it.  The theory is here that the babies are so used to it being hot that if they get cold they will get sick!!  Little do they know the Evie prefers the air conditioner on and to be naked. SHe can't stand to be hot. When she gets out of the tub, I wrap her in a towel and she can't wait for me to tak it off.  She has been known to cry because she is too hot!! 

Because of the rain...no walk today.  We decided it would be a good day to go out for a late lunch.  We took our friends to ASHIMA.  It is a hot pot resteraunt that I was taken to a month ago by the hotel manager.  The food was incredible.  It is cooked right at your table in a large steaming pot of broth.  Everyone enjoyed the meal and i was so glad since I had done the ordering.  We had three kinds of mushrooms, chicken, Kale, bean curds, noodles and some other kind of fried won tons.  They offered me pigeon but I said no...wasn't quite up for that adventure!! 
We are going to another very authentic Vietnamese resteraunt on Monday evening with the Manager. He checked in with me yesterday and invited us all to a new place. He said not too many tourists go there.....but it is a wonderful place for some very different food..he mentioned fried sparrow.  Again...don't think I will try that but it sounds fun.

Well...Happy Halloween to all of you!! We missed celebrating it this year but hopefully Evie won't mind.  I think she probably couldn't eat the candy any way...and I don't think i needed it either.

Sue and Evie
P.S. I think I added a picture to the album....but it is the same one most of you saw recently. 
Posted by Sue at 13:41:20 | Permanent Link | Comments (1) |

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

October 30th

Yeah for the Sox!!!!
I think there are about 4-6 people if not a few more who are celebrating the win!!  I know here at my hotel there are 5 New Englanders bragging about our team and two slightly dissapointed Rockies fans.   I am not sure what we are going to do with our mornings now. I guess while Evelyn sleeps I will go back to reading.  I have to slow down my reading a bit....not sure how much longer I will be here and I am now on the third book George brought me and only have two more left.  I also have some gossip magazines to read that were sent to me by Jeff and Muriel (the other family from Stow, MA that was here with me at the start). 

I hear you are all having a bit of a cold spell now.  What a nice change that will be for me when I return.  I am not sure that Evelyn will like it, but I am looking forward to putting away the same shorts I have been wearing since the summer began in Boston and putting on some jeans and fleece tops!  Today is a bit better here. There is slight breeze and the son doesn't feel so strong.  Apparently Oct. and Nov. are the best months for weather here.  It is also the wedding season in Hanoi!  WE have seen more than 10 wedding celebrations happening throughout the city in the past three days.  They have receptions at various restaraunts and convention halls in many of the neighborhoods near us.  Everyone dresses in traditional Vietnamese attire for the events and it is fun to see the dresses!  Again....we are so lucky to be able to  experience more and more of the typical life in Evelyn's birth country.  Although I will tell her a lot about her birth country and the experiences we had....I continue to tell her she won't be allowed on a motor bike without a helmet wearing spiked heels and riding side saddle.  I have to draw the line somewhere.

We are off for a little walk around the lake this afternoon and possible out to dinner with our friends. 
Evelyn continues to do well with her eating and is on a much better schedule with the sleeping.  We hope it continues to go uphill from here. 

Talk to you all again soon,
Sue and Evie
P.S Happy Halloween!!!
Posted by Sue at 05:16:07 | Permanent Link | Comments (2) |

Sunday, October 28, 2007

still hot and humid in Hanoi!

Hello...yes it is humid again here!  IN the 90's and not seeming to get any cooler.  The little breeze we had for a while is gone! I sure wish the NE fall weather would come here for a little relief.  WE took a little walk in the neighborhood on Friday and I had to change my clothes completely!  They were dripping with sweat!

Yesterday I got to do something I hadn't done for 7 wks. It is going to sound so ridiculous but it made my day.
Ever since arriving the only electrical thing that hasn't worked for me is my flat iron for my hair. I couldn't get it to work in any plug even with my adapter.  Yesterday the other family asked me if i had noticed that the plug by the desk in our room worked only if you turned things upside down.  I hadn't tried that yet.  So....when I did the flat iron worked! I was able to straighten my hair for the first time in 7wks and with all this humidity you can only imagine how full my thick, long hair has been.  It was such a treat to wear my hair down yesterday and have it look half way decent.  Of course after a couple of hours it was thick with humidity again...but for a short time it felt great!!

Eie is napping and I am watching the game. I was a little worried in the 7th inning, but we seem to have made a come back!  The rivalry between myself and the woman here from Colorado is quite fun....I am hoping to really gloat tomorrow!! 
Evie is sleeping a little better at night.  She eats a big bowl of cereal at 6:30 and then two bottles at 8 and 9 and then is good until 1:30 or 2:00.  THen back to sleep until 5:00.  It is nice to get at least 4hrs in a row of sleep.  She is also sitting up by herself now.  She topples over after a bit, but loves the chance to show off her new trick!!

Talk to you all again soon.....I tried to get this on the web last night but was having technical difficulty and then gave up to go to bed.
Sue and Evie

Posted by Sue at 04:38:55 | Permanent Link | Comments (2) |

Thursday, October 25, 2007

Thursday, October 25th

Hello,
The humdity seems to have returned to Hanoi!! It was so warm today. We had considered a walk around the lake in the center of hte city and maybe some shopping, but decided sitting by the pool was a cooler idea! 

Our day started out great!! First, the REd Sox got off to a fantastic start and then we received a package from George and the Evie FAn Club at his place of work.  It was amazing.  Evie got lots of new clothes and I was so excited to be able to dress her in something new.  AFter almost 2months in the same outfits we were getting a little bored.  And the outfits couldn't be any cuter!  Lots of pink, lots of flowers and lots of ruffles.  Oh yeah and a shirt that says she is a Princess!  She is sleeping in a new Winnie the Pooh outfit.  There was also a little yellow duck with bright orange hands and feet that she can chew.  She went to town on it all day...but prefers to chew the hat.

I tried to start her on fruit yesterday. It was a challenge, but I did find some banana and apple baby food without any sugar added. It was not easy to find the only two jars on the shelf. Everything is either a custard or a fruit gel. Very sweet and I didn't want to start her on that now.  It would make the switch at home to hard.  She didn't really like the fruit yesterday...in fact she spit it right out. I decided to mix it with her cereal and give it to her that way.  Today at lunch, she tolerated just the fruit and tonight she got more cereal with fruit mixed in.  We are making progress and hopefuly will sleep even better tonight. Lately I have been getting about a 4-5 hr sleep from her at the beginning of the night and then she is up every two hours.  It is at least a start.

Everyone continues to work on our case and I am hopeful that by NOv. 1st we will have some good news or at least be closer to an answer.
Talk to you all soon,
Sue
Posted by Sue at 14:41:41 | Permanent Link | Comments (2) |

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

We have reached a milestone here!

I am not sure if this is something to celebrate or not....but today is day 50 for us in Vietnam!!
I can't believe I have been here so long.  I had imagined a wonderful three wk trip to bring home my daughter.
I thought it would be fabulous, I imagined it would be educational, I wondered how we would get along.
I never imagined it would become home for such a long time!!

The people of Hanoi continue to be very kind.  Depite not having much, they are very happy! Much of life centers around family.  They are dedicated to each other and to providing the best that they can.  Children are very happy and very well cared for. I am so impressed by the school systems and how much emphasis is placed on learning. Children attend school from 9:00 - 4:30 or 5:00 Monday thru Friday and also most of the day on SAt.  English is taught to all students and it is fun to hear them practice it on us! 

So...if I had to be "stuck" some place for 50 days....I guess I am happy it is in such a wonderful place.  I will have so many stories to tell Evie as she grows up and so many memories to share with her about her birth country.  I know I can't replace this time so I continue to make the most of it for both of us.

We will keep you posted in the next few days.......I am hoping we will get good news soon!

Sue and Evie
Posted by Sue at 04:11:07 | Permanent Link | Comments (2) |

Monday, October 22, 2007

Monday, Oct. 22nd

Good morning everyone!!
Evie and I took last night off in our writing.....sorry!  She went to bed early and I wasn't far behind!
She is still not getting the hang of this night time sleeping....and so I try to go to sleep early in anticipation of getting up often through out the night.  I am sort of done trying to figure it out.  When we get back to the states she will be all mixed up anyway.....so I would just have to start over.  That is not to say that I wouldn't love for her to sleep more than 3hrs at a time,but I am not expecting it anymore.

This morning at breakfast, Evie was very interested in the banana I was eating.  I decided why not!! So I let her naw on the little piece i had left.  She loved it!!  She wouldn't stop licking it and nawing at it. I think she might be ready for some more food.  If we go to the grocery store this week I might pick up some little jars of baby fruit!  I figure it can't hurt...and hopefully it will help with the sleeping. 

The weather here conitnues to be hot, although not as humid and with more of a breeze.   WE took one of the new families on a walk around the lake yesterday.  I felt as if I was a tour guide for the local area.  I am thinking maybe I could start a little business for all the new adopting families arriving in Hanoi!!  It seems like it could be one way to make a little extra cash!   I might have to take a crash course in Vietnamese History in order to give a more elaborate tour, but for now it could be just the sights and local culture!!  I can introduce them to my neighbors here near the hotel. 

Well...hopefully this week will prove to be the magical one. I think all of the paper work we have been waiting to submit is completed and I am just waiting for the go ahead from the lawyer to submit everything to the Embassy.
I am expecting that should all happen by Wed. or Thursday and then we just wait again for the Embassy personell to make their decision.  Some of my family and friends continue to seek support from the local Senators offices and I will let you all know if it would be helpful for more people to call. For now I don't want to upset anyone and think it best if I keep it to a minimum.....but there may come a time when more noise is what I need!!

Thank you all again for keeping up with us on the blog and for your comments. I do get to read them, but can't respond to them.  If you want to email me separately you can at susan.wright1@verizon.net.
We would love to hear from you....although it seems to be becoming a full time job for me to answer everyones lettters and at the same time keep up with my case via email.

I can't wait to be able to talk to everyone in person again some day soon!
Sue
Posted by Sue at 04:22:35 | Permanent Link | Comments (2) |

Saturday, October 20, 2007

Sat. October 20th!

Wow!! I can't believe that Oct. is more than half over. I am tending to lose track of the days as one is blending into the next.  Without a schedule to adhere I am a bit scattered about time and dates!

Evie and I took a big walk in our neighborhood yesterday. One very kind older gentleman tried his best to converse with me in English. He offered me a seat with his family and tried to ask me questions.   I did my best to smile and answer him...but it wasn't always easy to understand his translation.  I didn't take his offer of the seat as they are very tiny stools on the sidewalk and I thought I might never get up from it.  His friends got a kick out of him talking to me.  Family is very important to the people of Vietnam and I know he was just happy to see a mother out with her daughter!  Everyone tells me how lucky Evleyn is to have found me....I tell them I am the lucky one.
I am beginning to feel like a local and have no problem taking these walks and mixing in with the neighbors.  I think they are getting use to seeing me every day.  I have even tempted fate and had two glasses of tap water!!

We have continued to enjoy the company of the two new families. Last night we joined them for a dinner out. Our first night out since George left. Evie slept through most of it as did the other two babies. It is incredible how well they do!
The other families learned last night that their Embassy interview can not be scheduled until Thurs. of next week. This will put them a week behind the schedule they were told.  It seems as if there are many more families here right now and that the Embassy has slowed down the process. I think they are trying to hassle everyone.  I sure hope they straighten out the system soon. I believe there will be some movement in my case early next week. All of the documents that are being prepared for my reply to the Embassy have finally been completed.  The lawyer should have a chance to review them over the weekend or on Monday and then hopefully submit something in writing.
I sure would be happy to have this all solved by the end of next week....but I am not getting my hopes up too quickly.

Well...Evie is napping and I am planning to join her. I was up late last night talking to a few friends on Skype!  What a great invention.  It is a  lifesaver for me!

Have a great weekend all!
Sue
Posted by Sue at 04:34:04 | Permanent Link | Comments (3) |

Thursday, October 18, 2007

answers to questions

Hi Everyone,
I got a package from my sister in law yesterday and in it was a letter from my nieces, nephews and other family members.
The niece and nephews asked a couple of questions...so I am going to answer them here:

I like Vietnam, but it is a little too hot!
I sleep in my bed in the hotel room.  I have a little sitting area with a tv, a bathroom and a kitchen. Evie sleeps in a little crib.
Her hair is still sticking up...but she did lose some.
Vietnam is also very interesting...lots to see, hear and taste. The food is great..although I miss some things from home.
I loved Gracies comment that her heart aches so much because she misses me, but thinking of Evie makes her heart happy.

We had a good day....Evie's cough did not get worse. I think it is better
Well got to go and put the little one to bed.
xo
Sue and Evie
Posted by Sue at 14:38:25 | Permanent Link | Comments (1) |

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Wed, October 17th

Hi everyone,
Sorry we didn't write yesterday. It was a tough evening for me and i just didnt get around to it.  Evie woke up from her nap in the afternoon with a little cough and I started to get worried.  I then accidently closed a sliding bathroom door on her hand as she stuck it out just as i was closing it.  THen when I was trying to get her to sleep, the agency worker called because she was here and wanted to visit. SHe was supposed to arrive at 5:00 it was now  8:00.  I was in my p.j's, trying to eat dinner finally and now had a crying baby on my hands.  And although it is nice to have them visit me and help out......they are not my friends or family and I just couldn't do it.  I asked her to come back another day...and she understood.  IN fact, I saw her this afternoon and everything was fine.

So....since the evening was a disaster, I talked to Jo-ann on Skype and then curled up with a book at about 9:00!

Evie seems ok. The cough didn't get worse today.  She has no fever, is eating well, laughing and playing still...so I will watch her. If she is at all wheezy tomorrow or coughing we will take a trip to the INternational Clinic.  They are very nice there and I am sure will help me out. In the mean time, I have elevated on end of her crib, had her in the steamy bathroom again tonight before bed...and will keep an eye on her tonight. 
We had a great walk today around the Hoan Kiem Lake in the center of the City. The weather has changed a bit.  It is not so humid any more. It was approx. 80 degrees, breezy and sunny.  What a great day for a walk!  We had lunch out while walking and enjoyed some time by the pool later in the day.  We also spent some time with the two new families staying here. They have two new babies and are very nice.  It is a bit difficult to talk tell them my story without worrying them, but I keep saying they will be fine!  Their agency workers here have cautioned them that the time frame might be a bit longer than they were expecting...but that is all they have said. The families thought it was intersting that they seemed a bit nervous about the process.  I guess there are a few more families that have received denial notices and everyone is a bit nervous. 

WEll...I am on to answering emails and then going to bed soon.  The evening feedings were less last night, but if she is not feeling well I am worried it could be a long one.  THank you to everyone who is giving me advice on the sleeping habits of my baby. I am trying to keep her awake to eat a complete bottle now and trying to be more patient with her.  I think I might rush the late feedings because i just want to get back to sleep.

Hope the Sox do better tomorrow!!
SUe

Posted by Sue at 15:11:17 | Permanent Link | Comments (2) |

Monday, October 15, 2007

Another week begins

Well today we met two new families who have adopted babies.  They arrived on SAt and picked up the children at the orphanage on Sunday.  The babies are 7 months and 4 months.  We are really hoping that things go smoothly for them and I am cautious about telling them too much about my story. I don't want to worry them.  I sure hope that we get to leave before they do!! I don't think I can watch another person go back to the states before we do.

No new information today. The agency workers here called the people in Hue to get them to move a bit  quicker with the signing of documents. WE are waiting for the signatures befofe passing along the information to the lawyer and then the Embassy. They are hopeful we will have some progress by the end of the week and so am I!!

Thank you to everyone who has sent us messages and emails. It helps me to hear from everyone and to have a little touch of how things are going back at home.  WE continue to watch the ball games and are hopeful that the REd Sox won't bring in that horrible pitcher again....I am not even going to say his name.  Where is Paplebom?? Why didn't they bring him in to close the other night???  Well...maybe they won't need him tonight.  Let's hope for a high scoring game from our team!!

Evie is sleeping and did much better last night. I appreciate all the helpful hints about her midnight nonsense.  I fed her more cereal tonight an kept her awake to finish a complete bottle before putting her down at 8:00. Hopefully this will help and we will both get a little more sleep tonight.  I   had to take a nap with her this afternoon because my eyes would just not stay open any longer.
Tomorrow our plan is to go to the grocery store after watching the game.  With the amount of bottles she has been eating we are going through the formula at a much faster pace these days!    This will be our big trip out for the day unless the other families are interested in going out to dinner with us.
Talk to you all soon!
Sue
Posted by Sue at 14:47:34 | Permanent Link | Comments (3) |
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