Update Day!!

We received our update for Linh yesterday or maybe Tuesday (Obviously I have been a very poor blogger these days). I posted a couple of the pics (last 2). I didn't expect the update, but it is great to have more pics of Linh!
John has been claiming to see a smirk here and there from Linh but this morning at breakfast we both saw real, honest to goodness smiles! She even laughed. It was wonderful. Today is the third full day with us.

She has not been feeling well- we took her to the SOS clinic yesterday. Holt VN staff set up appointment and brought us there. She had a cold which we had been treating with meds from orphanage, but it turned into bronchitis. So now we have new meds which we started last night. She seems to be feeling better today which may be why we finally saw a smile. There are 3 other Holt families here. It is great to meet after communicating online for so long. We are going to get a group picture of the kids tomorrow morning.

We did go to Hoam Kiem Lake one day and to the prison aka Hanoi Hilton on Sunday. We hope to get out a bit more once Linh is a little better. The last 2 days we have really kept a low profile and spent lots of time around hotel. We are really adjusting to being parents. I have to say, by the end of the day, John and I are both exhausted. Last night we stayed up until 9pm. Woohoo!

We have gone to Al Fresco's 2 times - they have really good pizza which I keep bringing back to hotel- it is a great snack. Sunday we also went to Big C. It was overwhelming- so many people. I will try to be better about updating blog. Here are some pics- I know that's what everyone is looking for-

Its Wednesday

We went to apply for Linh's passport this morning. We are doing well. Trying to adjust to each other. Linh eats a lot and sleeps without any problem. She is wobbly walking but she seems to like it. I have some pics below- I know everyone has been waiting. Sorry it took me so long.

We are here!

We arrived in Hanoi last night. Today we met another Holt family at breakfast and then went to the Big C to do some shopping. We took it easy this afternoon and walked around a bit to familiarize ourselves with the city.
Tomorrow morning- we meet Linh!! I will do my best to post some pics.

We are going to Vietnam!!!!

We received the most wonderful phone call yesterday! We have approval to travel to Vietnam. We are going to meet Linh on 3/9/09!!!
We are still on cloud 9!

We have our flights booked, our hotel requests submitted, visa applications on their way, re- fingerpint appointments in process. This weekend I will work on a game plan for the next 2 weeks of what we need to complete.

We are going to have the best weekend knowing that we are only a couple of weeks away from meeting Linh.

And we received these photos of Linh that were taken just last week! Look at how she has grown!

Good news last week for Hanoi families!

Last week we found out another family will be traveling soon to meet their daughter. We are so excited for them! Congratulations!!
It is wonderful to know more children are being united with their forever families. It has been three weeks since Tet and already it is a good new year!

And we wait some more

Monday is Tet which means everyone in Vietnam will be celebrating the New Year with their families and friends for a couple of weeks. John and I had a pre Tet dinner last night at a wonderful Vietnamese restaurant. The food was delicious. The chef was born in Vietnam and studied in France so there is a French influence to the traditional Vietnamese food on the menu.

We have reached week 10 waiting for PC approval. Since there will be celebrations for the next couple of weeks in VN, we will not hear anything from Hanoi until after 2/9 when everyone goes back to work.

I guess I have a bit more time to finalize the list of clothes I will be packing.

Good news today for Hanoi families!

Today I found out that three families have received travel approval to leave for Hanoi to meet their children! Congratulations to all of you! February is right around the corner.

On another note, we finally finished Linh's room. There may be a few other decorations that I add, but for the most part, its ready.