Travel confirmed for Nov. 17....18 days to go...

Well got a note from the agency tonight that I am booked to leave on the 17th with another family!! G&R may be on the 19th, but more likely the 22, or 23rd......so what wonderful news to get on Matteo's 5th month birthday!!....While I was hoping to leave on the 12th and get there sooner than later, I am glad to be having company for the trip!! and of course still hoping that before my birthday on the 24th, Matteo will officially be my son!! So can now begin a countdown...

Chúc mừng sinh nhật 5 tháng! Happy 5 month birthday Matteo! (photos added)

Xác ướp sẽ được có sớm! Mummy will be there soon!!!

Yêu các bạn rất nhiều. Love you lots!!

xoxoxoxoxoxo

Another hurdle jumped....

Well my social worker left not too long ago and I signed the official acceptance form that she also signed for the Ministry of Children...she will add some comments and send it off as soon as possible....so am about to have some more champagne!!....

Even more photos....

Well today I checked my email and though I was not expecting anything, I was once again happily surprised with photos that were taken yesterday....6 new photos, 2 of Matteo alone on the play mat, 3 of Matteo being held by another oh so cute little boy, and then one with his caregiver holding him...still don't know her name but hope to learn it soon!... Started my lists and am checking them twice, yesterday I checked on the final travel shots I'll need, and today established a file at Blue Cross for Matteo's medical while we're in Vietnam....tomorrow I'll have the final social worker appt. and then on the weekend will take a look at all the other things I need to do and make a firm decision about travel....it is looking like Nov. 12 but am still trying to see if I can go even earlier....but not sure I can....so for now the emotions are still all over the place but there is definite excitement too.....

No need for words...just an image....

...but I'll add a few words anyhow....this morning to my wonderful surprise I received an email with Matteo's dossier documents letting me know that he is free to become my little boy legally.....a whirlwind of emotions....social worker appt. is scheduled for Friday and have been tentatively told I can travel as soon as I get this paperwork in....so will sort out how quickly I can organize myself!!....so tonight after work felt that popping the spumante now was the right thing to do to mark this momentous occasion. Receiving the dossier is a major hurdle that has cleared the way to my little boy......

Thanksgiving.....

My mother passed away five years ago in the days before thanksgiving so since that time this holiday had become one that we didn't always look forward to. However this year while it is still bitter, it has now also become sweeter because of a little boy waiting in a far away place with many family members and friends who are also anxiously waiting. As I already posted earlier this week I received 18 new photos from another parent (Thank you again Lea) and tonight from Helene at TDH I received 7 more photos of Matteo that somehow were never given to me. These were taken on August 17 at his medical. So now I have photos of Matteo at 3 weeks, 2.5 months, and 4 months. This is great and something to be so very thankful for as I know Matteo will value these quite a bit. The same nounou is in the recent 4 month photos and the 2.5 month photos, so I will definitely have to find out who she is as she seems to be his primary caregiver.

I am hoping to hear something more concrete this week about what stage the investigation is at and travel timelines, etc......

....For now there is so much to be grateful for and to look forward to as I still continue to get ready for motherhood. Today I picked up a few items that will be needed: a stroller from my sister Maria that she used for my niece Lucia; a neighbour gave me a rocking swing she had used for her child; and another friend's cousin will be giving me the playpen she used for her child.

Additionally I wanted to post some photos of some extra special surprise gifts that have been given to Matteo.

A handmade quilt from Ariella. She told me she chose special colours that are meaningful in the Asian culture. I will have to try to get more information on that. She is very specialized with textiles so this is so very special.



A first photo album from Dominique which came in the mail and was such a surprise. I now have lots of photos to start organizing....



...and finally a bilingual fridge toy, a special frame, a fleece blanket wrap around for the carriage, a dragonfly mobile and paperweight, a small elephant baby rattle and a first lion bank with Matteo's name engraved, and not to mention 4 lovely board books all from Marsha and Julianna...."Goodnight Moon," "The Runaway Rabbit" "Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes, " and "You are my I love you." Of course I also want to thank Soloman, a little boy that lives near Marsha, who wanted to gift to Matteo two dvds, Baby Bach and Baby Mozart from Baby Einstein's Musical Adventures that he said he is done using....so that was sweet!...





Therefore there is much to be grateful for and I am especially grateful for family and friends who help make the waiting bearable ...

So I do hope everyone has had a good holiday weekend and that our agency director (who should be back from Vietnam) has brought with her many referrals and travel dates for all the waiting parents...!!

Ottawa Chinatown archway unveiled!

and it is magnificent....!!

More Photos of Matteo and no ability to focus on work....

Well finally a bit of news...got an email today with 18 new photos of Matteo, taken I believe on Monday October 4...and sent today. And as you can imagine all I keep doing is looking at them and not concentrating on my marking....so exciting....especially to see him holding the toy I sent, (see cropped photo below) makes it all the more real!. Apparently there were photos taken of Matteo at his medical on August 17 that were never sent to me. Lea was with Dorinda on Monday heading to Vung Tau and she said Dorinda tried to resend them...but did not get them yet. Dorinda is now either back in HCMC or already on her way back to Canada....so got that bit of news....will write if and when I hear more....for now just feeling so blessed....today is the anniversary of my mom's death, so getting Matteo's photos today has made a sad day into a day of joy. Matteo and my mom share the same birthday month, Matteo May 30, my mom May 24....so have from the start felt a special connection and getting the photos today affirms it again.....anyhow I will now see if I can get some work done...but I doubt it!! Had to share...