We are stuck at the Singapore level. The person who takes care of the adoption cases over there is new at her job... which explains why we still do not have a confirmation of citizenship. And without the confirmation, no passport. I am an absolute nerve wreck right now with each passing hour. I highly doubt I will be leaving on Saturday and I am starting to question Monday. We basically have 2 more hours today to receive the confirmation so I can fly out on Saturday. And tomorrow Friday, all offices close at noon in Singapore and HCMC.
I just want to go back home, is it so hard to understand???
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Hello from warm, sunny and humid HCMC
We were busy yesterday, touring around some more, laying by the pool which is BTW amazing, and going back to the Canadian consulate to make sure they had received a paper that needed to be faxed with Michael's signature on it to allow me to request a passport for Toan.
We treated ourselves to a nice americano coffee, in a coffee shop by the consulate. Expensive coffee, Starbucks like, but oh so good! Then we went to a propaganda shop called Dogma: very overpriced in my opinion. We finished our tour with Vietnam Quilt shop to look around.
This morning, we made our way to the Coopmart, a grocery store and I bought baby cereals for Toan, baby jars of fruit and some yogurt cause my lil Vietnamese prince loves to eat. I also got some inox chop sticks, more like a Korean style I guess.
We are planning on going back to the market later on today.
We treated ourselves to a nice americano coffee, in a coffee shop by the consulate. Expensive coffee, Starbucks like, but oh so good! Then we went to a propaganda shop called Dogma: very overpriced in my opinion. We finished our tour with Vietnam Quilt shop to look around.
This morning, we made our way to the Coopmart, a grocery store and I bought baby cereals for Toan, baby jars of fruit and some yogurt cause my lil Vietnamese prince loves to eat. I also got some inox chop sticks, more like a Korean style I guess.
We are planning on going back to the market later on today.
Monday, July 4, 2011
Canadian Consulate: check!
We had a very nice productive day. We went to the Canadian Consulate this morning to apply for Toan's passport, and if everything goes well, we will have it on Friday. After that, we went to the Notre-Dame Cathedral. I am not a believer for say, but it gave me some peace to go in there. We then went to a big flower market in District 3. My friend Claudia loves flowers and she even purchased some beautiful ones to decorate the apartment. After that, we went to Pho 24 and enjoyed a nice soup and spring rolls in a nice local atmosphere. Then we hit again the Ben Thanh market. So much to see and so much to smell! I was glad we were with a local person cause I can see you can easily pay too much when you are a tourist. However, the nice thing about it is that there is a section where the prices are fixed, so no bartering possible. I purchased quite a lot of stuff, including a nice traditional Vietnamese outfit for Toan.
After the market, we had an apointment with Dr. Jonathan who has been following Toan. So glad we went. Toan is seriously underweight and has been refusing milk for 3 days now. The dr's theory is that he was forced to drink for so long that he has a psychological issue with drinking. The thing that saves him is that at least he eats. However, he is incredibly constipated. So I left from there with a prescription of stool softener and a recommendation to lay off the formula. It will not make any difference anyway at this point. The main thing is to let him eat whatever he wants and try to keep the water down. He also made several recommendations for specialists when I get back to Canada. Lots of work ahead, but he is in good hands. He does not even fit in the curbs for weight. But you should see the lil boy move!!! Hard to keep up with him! So when we get home, olive oil in everything, 8% fat yogurt for the little prince, mashed potato with cream and so on. Everything mommy can't eat to stay somewhat healthy looking! Let's say Toan will not need to come to Weight Watchers every week with me!
Tomorrow, more shopping!
It is now pouring rain, Saigon style, and it feels good cause it got so hot!
After the market, we had an apointment with Dr. Jonathan who has been following Toan. So glad we went. Toan is seriously underweight and has been refusing milk for 3 days now. The dr's theory is that he was forced to drink for so long that he has a psychological issue with drinking. The thing that saves him is that at least he eats. However, he is incredibly constipated. So I left from there with a prescription of stool softener and a recommendation to lay off the formula. It will not make any difference anyway at this point. The main thing is to let him eat whatever he wants and try to keep the water down. He also made several recommendations for specialists when I get back to Canada. Lots of work ahead, but he is in good hands. He does not even fit in the curbs for weight. But you should see the lil boy move!!! Hard to keep up with him! So when we get home, olive oil in everything, 8% fat yogurt for the little prince, mashed potato with cream and so on. Everything mommy can't eat to stay somewhat healthy looking! Let's say Toan will not need to come to Weight Watchers every week with me!
Tomorrow, more shopping!
It is now pouring rain, Saigon style, and it feels good cause it got so hot!
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Vietnamese procedures completed
We went out with two representatives from the agency to the Vietnamese Foreign Affairs and also to apply for Toan's Vietnamese passport this morning. We will have the Vietnamese passport on Friday July 8.
After that, we went to the Ben Than Market. It was very crowded on a Saturday so we will have to go back on Monday. I ordered 2 Aodais for myself, made to fit, total: 65 USD!!! They will be perfect for formal functions. They will be delivered here at the hotel tomorrow. I bought a t-shirt for each kid and a funny one for hubby. Toan got very impatient so we had to leave quickly and go for lunch. We found a beautiful Vietnamese restaurant with a buffet|: we ate too much but it was great food! We just came back to the hotel just in time before a huge Vietnamese style downpour.
It is so good to get to see Saigon. Tomorrow, we will walk to the Reunification Palace and go see Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Post Office, if by any chance it is open on Sunday.
Once the rain stops, we will make our way to the zoo and the botanical garden.
Toan is unstoppable, he discovered the power outlets and we have to block them with luggage... a future electrician???
After that, we went to the Ben Than Market. It was very crowded on a Saturday so we will have to go back on Monday. I ordered 2 Aodais for myself, made to fit, total: 65 USD!!! They will be perfect for formal functions. They will be delivered here at the hotel tomorrow. I bought a t-shirt for each kid and a funny one for hubby. Toan got very impatient so we had to leave quickly and go for lunch. We found a beautiful Vietnamese restaurant with a buffet|: we ate too much but it was great food! We just came back to the hotel just in time before a huge Vietnamese style downpour.
It is so good to get to see Saigon. Tomorrow, we will walk to the Reunification Palace and go see Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Post Office, if by any chance it is open on Sunday.
Once the rain stops, we will make our way to the zoo and the botanical garden.
Toan is unstoppable, he discovered the power outlets and we have to block them with luggage... a future electrician???
Friday, July 1, 2011
My first encounter with my son, in images, for all of you dear readers.
June 23, 2011, Vung Tau, Vietnam, 11h15 am
Ceremony done!
I am happy to announce that the ceremony happened yesterday, like planned, at 14h30. Ceremony is a big word in this context. We thought there would have been a lot more into it. But it does not matter in the end, Aidan Toan is now Michael and I's son, forever. Toan was very oblivious to the whole thing, dressed like Tiger Woods, all clean and proper. The boat ride back was rough with a lot of rain. We experienced a typical HUGE downpour, Saigon way, when we got off the boat. Street water up to our ankles. And let's not get into the sewage system............... We got home drenched and found a note under our door this morning, kindly telling us that we should carry an umbrella at all times, and that if we get sick, to eat ginger and peppers. I am not used, and neither is Claudia, to being told what to do;)
We need to go to Vietnamese Foreign Affairs and to apply for the passports and theb Canadian citizenship. There is even a slight chance that we could fly out on Saturday, but I think it's a long shot. Anyhow, our flight back is scheduled for Monday July 11, and that is looking good for sure.
We need to go to Vietnamese Foreign Affairs and to apply for the passports and theb Canadian citizenship. There is even a slight chance that we could fly out on Saturday, but I think it's a long shot. Anyhow, our flight back is scheduled for Monday July 11, and that is looking good for sure.
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