Blogus Interruptus!

Wow, time flies! Sorry for the continuity break. My only real opportunity to write is while Ryan sleeps.. and then I am usually sleeping too! ;o) So let me bring you up to date:

Thursday, October 23rd
Today was the Giving & Receiving ceremony where I officially and legally assumed responsibility for Ryan. When the other families and my sister, mom and I arrived at POJ (Department of Justice) the orphanage director, caregivers and kids were already there. When Ryan saw me he came right over to be picked up. He sat in my lap though the official signing of paperwork (I'm learning to do everything with one hand!). The official at the POJ has a huge ledger with the names of the children to be adopted and a passport sized photo and next to that is the adopting parents information. Once you verify the info is correct (mine needed a little tweaking (a digit off on zip code, misspelled middle name) I signed the book and then the official said a few words in Vietnamese. Hang translated for me, we posed for pictures and once each family had completed this process the ceremony was complete. We filled out the passport applications for the children and then piled back into our van. Fortunately Ryan was as content as a clam. Gianna and Jada shed many tears on the ride to the hotel. It turns out Jada had a fever and wasn't feeling very well (she's fine now!)

Back at the hotel... sorry folks.. bloggus interruptus.. the sleeping prince is awake.. more later.
Okay... where was I... Back at the hotel we decided to spend some time in Dan & Barb's room to ease the separation of the kids. I had some yellow happy face balloons which we blew up and I can't describe the glee on Ryan's face as he batted them from one person to another. He made sure to include everyone in his play which is very sweet. Lots and lots of smiles. After a little while we slipped out and headed to our own room to get Ryan settled in.

At bed time he wanted no parts of the crib, that just wasn't gonna happen. So that night we shared a very cozy single bed. The next day I asked them to bring the second single bed back and we pushed them together so we could both get a good night sleep going forward. :o) So far so good. Not sure about the shiny new crib waiting for hime at home but I'll cross that bridge when I get to it!.

Friday, October 24^th

Today is my brother's birthday!, Happy Birthday Bro!

This afternoon Dan, Joe, Hang and I piled into a cab and went to apply for the kids Vietnamese passports. This was the first time I was going to have to leave Ryan and I was very concerned about how he would react. Fortunately (???) Mr. Potato Head makes an excellent substitute for me (hmmm, not sure how I feel about that.. but I'll get over it!) Grand mom and Aunt Diane kept him entertained plugging in nose, arms, ears, etc.

The passport office was tucked back off the street, down a wide alley, through a courtyard and up steps to the second floor. The office looks much like a DMV or other government office with rows of seating and officials processing paperwork behind a counter with a glass partition. One by one Hang called us up individually to present out passport so the official could compare the passport photo to the person applying.

Once we got back to the hotel I was very happy to hear Ryan was well entertained, but his smile and reaching arms were a priceless reward.

Saturday, October 25^th

We got an early start and decided to walk to the Old Quarter. The shops in the Old Quarter are grouped by similar items, i.e. silk street, baby street, fashion street. My mom was interested in seeing silk street. Saturday was probably not the best day to go. Everyone parks their motorbikes on the sidewalks usually leaving a narrow path for pedestrians. Navigating with a stroller was a challenge. Saturday is also prime time for the persistent street vendors selling everything from cigarette lighters to bananas and everything in between. We took refuge from the hustle and bustle (emphasis on hustle) in a nice air conditioned restaurant for some lunch and a break.

We found silk street and shopped a little more and then it started to rain so we decided to catch a cab back to the hotel. By then we all needed a shower and a nap!

Sunday, October 26^th

Sorry, I'll try to fill in alter... I have no idea what we did on Sunday... ;o)

Monday, October 27^th

The whole gang (minus my mom who opted to enjoy the peace, quiet, and air conditioned comfort of the hotel room) trekked to the Old Quarter for some special outfits for the kids. Maria and Barb got cute little au dai's for their girls. I got Ryan a couple of traditional Vietnamese outfits that will be great for pictures. Diane Ryan and I fell behind because we stopped to take some pictures and decided to grab a cab back to the hotel. It was a good thing we did because my mother handed me the phone as we walked into the room.. Hang was looking for us because we had to go pick up the children's passports. Luckily everyone got back on time and Joe, Dan, Hang and I took a cab and picked up the children's passports.

This afternoon we had an appointment at the SOS clinic for a very basic physical for the children. Ryan now weighs 25.5 pounds and is in good health.

Back at the hotel, we got a call from Guest Relations saying they had a surprise for my mom. (when you check in they need to see all passports and they noticed it was her birthday) They brought up a beautiful bouquet of pink roses and a birthday card. What a nice surprise!

Tonight we decided to go someplace other than the hotel restaurants for dinner to celebrate my mother's birthday. Joe and Maria told us about a place called Al Fresca's that has good ribs and beer but no White Zinfandel ;o( We got a sampler platter with ribs, chicken satay, beef kabobs, potato skins, sausages, shrimp, and I forget what else. I ordered fried rice for Ryan that was served in an egg “basket” I thin he enjoyed eating the basket more than the rice. Actually he really enjoyed both. It was quite a feast! Mom had a nice glass of red wine and Diane tried Tiger beer (I didn't hear any complaints).

Ryan was having a great time. He was fascinated watching all the activity in the restaurant and frequently reached over to me with a big smile for a hug and a kiss (that has White Zin beat a hundred thousand ways!). Walking back to the hotel with Ryan in the stroller he smiled waved to shop keepers sitting on the stoop of their shops saying “Bye.” He's quite a charmer that boy of mine! :o)

Tuesday, October 28th

We watched most of the Phillies game in Dan & Barb's room, but it got to be a bit overwhelming for Gianna so we came back to our room in time to see the Ray's tie it up in the 6^th and the rain delay. Ryan has been proudly wearing his Phillies shirt and cap. One of the other families staying at the hotel adopting through a different orphanage is from Tampa, so there has been some low key, good natured kidding about the series.

This afternoon we hope to do some sightseeing. I managed to get Ryan to take a nap (no small feat). I think I have it figures out now though.... tantrum, then stroller ride til he falls asleep, then transfer him into bed.. okay, I can do this!