My beautiful baby boy...in charcoal.This beautiful charcoal portrait hangs in my living room. It is framed in a 17x20 frame but is itself about 11 or 12 by 17. I had this portrait done in Hanoi for 30 bucks. In my opinion not one adoptive family traveling to Hanoi should miss this opportunity. Here's how you do it.

Take thousands of pictures of your baby (like I had to tell you that). Go down to the Hoan Kiem Lake area with your camera in hand (once again, obvious, I know). Now, across from the 5th floor Highlands coffee is a photo developing place. Take your memory card in there, develop your favourite picture for a Dong amount that equals pennies in Canada and then deliver it to the artist. In two days for 30 bucks you will be the owner of something this wonderful ($30/face in the portrait...so 2 kids $60...and the faces don't have to be in the same photo, he will put them all in the portrait from 3 different photos if kids are at home waiting...)

Here is the address
24 Hang Duong Street

Very busy street in the Old Quarter...any Taxi can find it for you.

I can't quite read the artist's name but the storefront is his so there wont be any confusion.

This is what I get to look at all day long...what a lucky momma I am.I often ask myself, what is it with this position? And what is it with the 12-18 month Roots outfit fitting an almost 9 month old?

How cute is a Benjaminh kiss???Here he is displaying one of his newest tricks. He has not yet discovered that he can get into this position by himself and I'm certainly not pointing it out any time soon. Today for the first time when I was holding his hands he took steps forward. He only discovered that he could move one foot while standing a couple of days ago so I consider this progress to be MUCH TOO FAST! Today was also the first time I could count to 5 while he stood unsupported holding on to his "Monkey Monkey" stuffed toy.

Tomorrow is a special day because we are off to visit Auntie Kristen! What fun! And we are going to eat out at a great Vietnamese Restaurant.
And have coffee with Supi.

Busy Busy Busy

Benjaminh's World after 1 month in Canada

Time moves swiftly

Hard to believe really.

We celebrated the "one month in Canada" marker by going for portraits yesterday. I get them back on the 10th of March...two months and 1 day after Benjaminh and I became a family. Time is moving so very swiftly right now and I want it to stop. (The time continuum is so strange. For Benjaminh and I it seems time is moving at the speed of light but I know anxiously waiting parents with baby girls in Benjaminh's orphanage and for them, waiting for their letters of invitation to travel, time must be moving like a snail. Possibly one that has had the misfortune of being run over by a truck.)


Benjaminh's World

Benjaminh continues to add to his food list...now enjoying carrots, sweet potatoes, zucchini and green beans...apples made only from Royal Gala apples (spits out Mac sauce...)...not really in to bananas or peaches or any kind of pablum except Vietnamese Rice Cereal by Nestle which is not readily available in our hometown. Hates squash. Hates squash so much that momma had the opportunity to catch a full bottle and a tablespoon of squash in her hands shortly after it was eaten. Motherhood and it's hidden joys.

We are doing cloth diapering part time now and I'm digging it for the most part. I'm not quite as fast with the prefolds (compared to disposable) and that has inherent danger associated with it. And the two lovely kissaluv diapers Benjaminh received at his pretravel shower??? He wears them EVERY DAY because they fit to 25 pounds...which is an average Vietnamese 18 month old according to my friends (or older) so I registered for size 1 (18-25 pounds). Ummmm...if they still fit when his Highness is 10 months old I'll be very very surprised. I'd love some size 2's but I'm cheap. I did order 4 more diaper covers this week, Bummies Brights, they have an extra leg gusset that I appreciate (well I appreciate that they leak less often).

Cloth diapering with prefolds rather than fitted cloth diapers creates a clothing problem for princes who are naturally 'ample" around the middle. Pants simply do not fit. I am favouring one piece "jumpers" for lack of a better word. Full length, no feet, long sleeved, does up the front in any fashion you'd like and has snaps in the crotch. Size 18 months believe it or not. Or 12-18 but not 12. 12 is too small. I picked up a jumper today at a big box store that will work as "play clothes" but it was most certainly meant to be pajamas.

The prince moved from a borrowed 22 pound infant seat into a borrowed 30 pound infant seat today. He seemed so much more comfortable. I'm expecting that on March 3rd, our next Dr. visit, pounds will have been added.

Mobility wise the Manh is on the move. Mostly backwards. Gets stuck under the couch if I'm not watching. Sees something he likes, reaches for it, gets moving, moves away from it, screams, Boomer comes running to see why his Prince is screaming, crowds him, licks him, makes him scream louder, mommy sends Boomer to his bed, Boomer moves 2 feet away and lays down, innocently pretending that his bed resides 2 feet away, baby is repositioned near his toys, sitting up, reaches for his toy, gets one leg into crawling position, second leg becomes stuck under ample belly, topples onto face, screams, Boomer comes rushing over...repeat...The little Manh prefers to stand. He pulls himself up easily into a standing position holding on to momma's hands or her shirt if she is sitting on the floor but hasn't yet discovered that couches and dogs work as anchors as well (thankfully). Today he moved his right foot while standing and was quite thrilled at this development as it brought him closer to the dog's nostrils...his focus object of the moment. When standing holding a toy he will let go with both hands and has scary good balance for a beginner. My time of visiting with friends while my baby lays like a beached whale on his belly is coming quickly to an end so I'm fitting in as much visiting as possible!!!Sleep wise I'm rested. Less than 2 months in. I'm sleeping better than I was before I traveled for sure. Benjaminh sleeps in a sleep sac (Grobag) and that works perfectly for him. He thrashes about and rolls across his back from his right to his left side all night long so blankets were not working. We have two grobags, size 0-6 months and are in the market for 6-18 month gently used hand-me-downs if you have them. He sleeps through from 7 or 8 until 7 or 8 the next morning with one bottle at about 2am. This I'm loving. Quite often he wakes up to check if I'm there (3 or 4 times in the first part of each night) so having him in my bed is working for right now. He reaches over and plays with my hair or rubs my face (or clutches me by the nose and the ear, two fisting me into staying after he is asleep). He gets comfort from my singing (which is a miracle). Overall he is sleeping better than most babies do less than 2 months after joining their family...

Every day is a wonder.
I need to change the name of the blog....

Seriously...I can hardly stand it

Momma got the camera working!

Here I am meeting my very own Nana. She cried a bit...
It seems Pops was camera shy. My mommy is looking on the other memory card for a photo of us together. We were all sad that my cousins couldn't come with Uncle Sam and Auntie Janice because the babies would have ruled the whole TOWN then.I got this great shirt from my mommy's friend and her 3 lovely daughters. It is size 18 months! Wow, I bet they thought I would wait a bit before wearing it. Boomer loves it too!Last weekend I spent Family Day, an Ontario Holiday, with my mommy. We had a great time at the park (but a very short time cause I'm not in Vietnam anymore...brrrrr). This is me enjoying my very first ride in a swing. Boomer and I are learning to share. I thought he should share his collar. Look how cute I am...you would share with me, wouldn't you? He disagreed. I ended up letting him win, but only until I can get around...then I'm going to chase him down!I went to the lab for blood work this week...and last week. I'm sure mommy has let you in on all the dirty details. Some of you misunderstood though...the nice lady, Edna, trussed me up over and over again and made me really mad but she only tried for one vein...once. There was no other veins to try for and besides, mommy wouldn't have let her anyway. I did get two pricks in my thumb though. (And yes, the socks are size 12 months...but apparently I have size 18 month ankles...mommy is busy looking for socks that stay on but don't leave permanant scars) Mommy is tired of trying to shove me into that tiny little blue snowsuit (size 12 months...but whatever) so she bought me this fashionable ensemble. Fleecy and warm and just right for layering up in the car seat (she is catching on...it is size 18 months as well).
And boy am I cute...the ladies were commenting all over town today.Here is my less fashionable (and still plenty roomy) sledding attire. Think Michelin man not yet walking. So embarrassing. It was a bit blustery for outdoor photos though and my new friend Boomer tripped over the sled rope yesterday so he thinnks I'm going to run him down the whole time we are walking. Mommy says sledding photos will have to come AFTER Boomer is done threatening my life with his crazy fearful stupidity...in about 10 years.42 days ago...incredible really.

The next adoption...

I need to be more specific. Next time. When I make that all important statement in the home study...you know the one...A healthy infant, birth to 18 months, either gender. I need to add "WITH VEINS". No one told me. I didn't know "WITHOUT VEINS" existed or I would have been more specific. But seriously people, today I visited hell and I ain't going back so next time I'm asking for the venous variety.


4 blood labs in 2 weeks. Talk about abuse. Mommy abuse. They had me trekking that wee baby all over the place. It wasn't Benjaminh abuse (until today) because once they saw the true porkiness of his Highness, tied tight little tourniquets around his chubbliness, prodded his fat folds with their latex covered fingers they wouldn't touch him with a ten foot needle (or a tiny wee one either).


At lab number 1 today (which was in fact lab number 3...) the tech came right out and said "You need someone better than me. And you will need to pay through the nose for parking but she will be worth it." Then she gave me a hospital-ish address and sent me on my way to a lab that doesn't exactly specialize in pediatrics but has a great reputation with infants (well, their doctors anyways). Has a pediatrician right next door. Does this all the time. Do you see where this is going?


In we went, got our number, sat in a room devoid of babies, surrounded by early morning elderly patients, charmed the crowds, cooed, giggled and laughed out loud...until our turn came. She saw the requisition, asked "Adoption?" and said, "This is going to take a lot of blood. I hope your little man has great veins." I replied with you're our 4th lab...you were recommended." Her response...."uh oh".


She tried, really she did. Right arm, left arm, right foot, left foot. She never got out a needle until she had searched each and every limb v.e.r.y..c.a.r.e.f.u.l.l.y.. His little right foot won the lottery, he of course was less than pleased by this time as his limbs had been trussed up over and over and she had been poking and prodding for 10 or more minutes. My job? Hold him still. Hold the leg really still. Try not to cry and try not to faint (her suggestions...at this point I just wanted it over).


In went the needle, directly into the only faint little blue vein on the little prince's body (other than the one on the bride of his nose when he is screaming) and out D.R.I.P.P.E.D about 4 drops of blood...massage, holding the baby elevated, dancing a frigging 'blood dance' would not make that little vein flow. Benjaminh, my mild mannered little laid back prince was LIVID...turning bright red and screaming his head off and still the dripping continued. He does not have veins.


Since he was screaming and livid and we had already burst the eardrums of the waiting elderly patients she did a couple of thumb pricks, a whole lot of thumb rubbing and got just enough blood from his little body to complete a few of the "less blood required..." screenings.


The verdict...come back when he has been walking well for 2 months or so. She wants him to walk off some of the pudge. Then we will know for sure...whether he has veins...or not.


What he does have is tiny little red spots around his eyes and across the bridge of his nose. Burst capillaries. Look a bit like freckles but of a very angry variety. 45 minutes in hell and all it cost me was 9 bucks for parking.


And Star#bucks was out of Chai Tea...unbelievable.

Figuring it out...

Yesterday the little man didn't nap. At. All.

Today, napping all day long.

Fell asleep at 7:30, had 2 quick bottles during the night and woke up after 9am.
Please don't hate me.

Napped from before 11 until after 12 and then fell asleep again (in the car) at 1:30...

It is 2:30 and he is still sleeping.

Pray for me as we are heading out for a 2hour drive later on.
He sleeps in the car.
He may not sleep at the destination though.

The post where I blather on and on...

First of all, about those people who park so close to you that there is no way in H.E. double hockey sticks that you are going to get the baby seat in the door of the car. And even better, they see you coming and park their gi-normous SUV in the itty bitty spot anyway. When you mention nicely that it will now be impossible to get the baby car seat into the car they suggest that you have parked too close to the yellow line and perhaps you should pull the car part way out so you can get the baby in...HUH? Where am I putting the baby while I do this? On the fricken hood? I didn't go to Vietnam to choose a hood ornament. And then they walk away! Suggesting over their shoulder that I may want to try getting the carseat in through the doors on the other side.

Oh, and then I guess I will just climb over the gear shift, start my car, back out less than calmly so that I can RAM YOUR PURDY SUV on my way out of the parking lot???

Small town. So I didn't RAM her. But I wanted to so very badly. And I will see that SUV again. And I will park so close to her that she has to climb the mount Everest that is her front seat to get in and I will know if her funky green paint is spread over my door because I've never seen that paint colour anywhere else.

On a happier note I headed out to dinner last night with a group of ladies (and one little man of course...I think he is why they showed up) and had a great time. I am mostly keeping the little man to myself but at one point I did need the ladies room and they didn't even hurt each other fighting over who might have the rare privilege of holding him...instead I think they took turns. Proud that he didn't cry in my absence I informed them that rather than being a good sign this was a sign I'd be keeping him to myself longer... Here is a group shot.

The adoption wait would have sucked even more if not for these women.

I spent the day out with the little guy today...trying to pass the time on a L..O...N...G...day during which Benjaminh decided not to nap. At All. For even 5 minutes. As part of our outing I went to a local-ish specialty children's shoe store to make an exchange. A lovely local adoptive family gifted Benjaminh with a pair of Robeez. He already had 2 pairs in that size so I went out with the intention of getting size 6-12 months. Ummm...baby has big feet. And he is going to be walking in no time. Once walking he really should be in a walking shoe rather than a slipper and besides that his 2 pair of 12-18 month slippers will fit for quite some time anyways. So, in the end J and her sweet girls K and T (who the sales lady could name, first and last name...and I was impressed) have in fact purchased most of Benjaminh's first pair of walking shoes. We have a store credit and once little man pulls himself up to a standing position the sales team wants to see him to do a sizing/fitting for some walking shoes. Shoe store lady, based on what she could see from his gross motor development, says by St. Patrick's Day. I'm hoping for Easter. We shall see.

I think these are so sweet...I think getting shoes onto Benjaminh's feet will be like dressing a monkey given his curled toes that resist uncurling at the best of times. I think these may be perfect. I'm off to the north lands this weekend to spend the long Family Day weekend with my parents. Family day is on Monday and is a new Ontario Statutory Holiday. It will be the first time all three grandsons are in the same place at the same time. All of the boys are under the age of 2 1/2. Should be interesting to say the least.

Nana and Pops have been busy this week finishing up the basement bedroom as 3 grandsons makes a 3 bedroom house a bit small. The unfinished basement room was fine for me over Christmas of course...the noise from above of the TV blaring or the rocking chair squeaking or the inhabitants talking was fine. If I was disturbed it was...move to the couch in the Rec room. Now though a sweet baby Grandson might be disturbed so putting in insulation and hanging a ceiling, painting and preparing has been a priority with the big weekend approaching. I'm glad I'll benefit but let's be honest, they didn't complete the work for me.

Next week I'm going to get the computer guy in to look at my machine and among other things figure out why I can't upload photos from my Camera right now. Perhaps then my posts will be more exciting. I'll leave you with a bit of a before and after series of shots.

I hate myself

For 3 years I've hated bloggers like me.
They come home.
Just when they have you hooked they stop.
Cold.
Posts are sporadic at best.
The best I can say is ...I'm sorry.
But don't hope for an instant improvement.
It isn't coming.I'm busy
staring at my sweet boy's face
and tickling his ribs to hear him giggle
and marveling at the neck he seems to be growing
and nibbling on that neck
and making him baby food
(if you visit you can have bananas, carrots or sweet potatoes,
all home made
or whatever you bring)
and taking him for long walks in the sunshine
and the rain
and the snow
and teaching him to love doggies gently
and dressing him in 14 outfits that fit yesterday
but are too small today
and feeding him very hot babas
and watching him play with his hair while he drinks
and, lately, cleaning the baba puke off the floor
and my shoulder
and the dog
and anywhere else it lands
and laying with him while he drifts (or thrashes) off to sleep
and then starting all over again the next day
and I'm loving every single solitary moment of it

Here are a few pictures to tide you over until next time...

Can't get enough baby kisses

Loving the dog, gently, sort of
Julia and Danny get married...his first party
It was late...He was jetlaged

Just before Owen got his hair pulled, the first time

Tet, an event with a shortage of photographers
Sweet baby boy

8 months old

The little prince is 8 months old and what a month he has had!

Just a few short days after he turned 7 months old I met my little man for the first time. It was a cool day by Vietnamese standards, jackets and long pants, as 4 families met in the hotel lobby to begin the 90 minute ride out to Hai Duong. So excited I was nearly bursting. Not teary, just reciting a silent mantra...finally...the day is finally here.

We came upon the orphanage quite suddenly, the gate hidden amongst rows of shops on a busy city street. It opened and in we went. 30 or 40 minutes of formalities later and the babies were brought to us. And again, the mantra, finally...the day is finally here.

Benjaminh was bigger than I expected when he entered the room (just moments after 2:45, January 8th, 2009- only the paparazzi would think to take a photo of the clock!). He came to me easily while cautiously watching his nanny. She clucked her tongue at him, making him smile, just a bit. Through a translator she told me he never goes easily to strangers, that he must know I'm his mother and that we were perfect for each other. I held him close in a small room filled with other families meeting their sweet daughters. Auntie Kristen played photographer, capturing each and every moment for us.

The wee one squawked a tiny little squawk and the nanny FLED from the room returning in 2 minutes with a tiny little bottle, about 2 ounces of thick formula mixture and a nipple with a 4 mm hole. He guzzled it down while I heard about his eating habits...one ounce per hour. Every hour. Around the clock. Sweet Benjaminh was apparently weak and sickly with a terrible sucking reflex. I felt the ominous rattle in his chest. It worried me while at the same time he was cooing and LEAPING about on my lap. 19 or so pounds of 7 month old leaping on your lap does not make you thing weak...sickly...poor sucking reflex.

I held him, and stared at him and sat in such a way he could easily see his beloved nanny and simply I stared at his beautiful face. The time seemed so short but it must have been an hour or so because he made a tiny little squawk and off his nanny sprinted...for his next serving of piping hot formula goo...

I carried him about for an hour or so as we went on a guided tour of the baby rooms (guided by Loan, a darling junior nanny of about 9 years old)...so many baby rooms and so many sweet little babies. I saw Benjaminh's room and toured about getting photos for the 6 families waiting to travel and I was struck by the beauty of that place. Certainly it was sparse and poor by Canadian standards. The walls were bare concrete and the rooms were crowded. It was chilly. It was damp. But I was struck by the gentle loving care I saw everywhere I looked. Nannies held babies, fed babies, cleaned and changed babies, rocked them in hammocks and cradles. Lovingly, talking to them, clucking their tongues to grab a wee smile, eagerly showing them off to us. Hovering over the littlest, the sickest, the babies needing the most loving care.

And then suddenly it was time to go. And I went willingly. Knowing that sweet Benjamin would be safe in the loving arms of his nanny for one more night. That after 7 months they needed time to say good-bye. He would be fed on the hour. Every hour. I figured he should enjoy that attention for one more night because hourly feedings were about to become a thing of the past...

The next day he greeted me dressed for warmth in hooded sweaters and layer upon layer upon layer.

Nearly a month later and sweet Benjaminh is not always a patient boy. He still likes his formula piping hot at the exact moment he wants his formula and not a moment later. Sometimes I move slowly (on purpose) and get to hear him speak baby Vietnamese. I'm sure his nanny didn't teach him THOSE words. When I make bottles they contain 6 or 8 ounces and most of the time he finishes them. He drinks using a standard fast flow nipple and he can suck but he does in fact have a bit of sucking problem, he is tongue tied...and that will eventually be repaired. The little dude is eating and enjoying some solid foods now, rice pablum, bananas, sweet potatoes and when necessary, prunes. The chest rattle (bronchitis) is gone and at nearly 21 pounds he is not sickly or weak.

The little prince is really quite an easy little guy. Happy almost all of the time, smiling and cooing and babbling away. He has come to prefer his momma and loves to be held, loves rubbing his face against mine, holding tight to my ears so I can't escape the open mouth kisses all over my face (though I wouldn't try to get away anyways!). Loves, loves, loves his pup Boomer who also enjoys the two fisted face hold and endures the sloppy kisses with a wag of a tail.

When Benjaminh is angry (hungry or strapped in to a car seat or simply tired of the current toy or game or song) his cry is not at all offensive but rather sweet and young sounding...sounds a bit like a newborn in some ways. The tired little man likes a little cuddle and a minute or two of back patting and he is off to slumber land. Often startling himself awake during the night a bit more cuddling and patting and he is easily calmed. He is developing a reasonable sleeping, eating, playing routine and momma even gets to sleep and eat and play enough to keep momma very happy.

A month of firsts...first diaper, first toys, first paparazzi, first van ride, first soft mattress, first bath, first exposure to sunlight and rain and wind, first regular bottle nipple, first time sitting unattended, first face plant, first restaurant, first busy street, first waitress whisking him away, first time rolling back to front, first highchair,first solids, first spoon, first stroller and first straps,first time sucking his fingers as well as mine, first 4 piece string quartet, first fancy dining experience, first boat ride,first birthday party invite, first airport, first customs and wand search, first flight, first bassinet, first airport greeting party, first snowsuit, first carseat, first pet, first crib and playpen, first extreme cold alert, first dog walk, first bedroom, first hand knit blankie,first doctor's appointment, first mall walk, first Canadian haircut, first lunch date, first wedding, first needles, first time licking a dog (and being licked by a dog)first momma photo shoot and second and third and so on and so on and so on and so on...