My View From Here

Four words...

I'm gonna get you!

And this is what I see.
Over and over again.

He could play baby chase for hours.

Soon little Manh will figure out he is supposed to run away.What a sad day that will be.

Do you remember the lovely couch shot from early this month when we visited with some Hai Duong sweeties? Here was the after shot that I forgot to update. And here? A new shot of Benjaminh developing his Bully skills while visiting with the same sweeties + a couple more early last week. I'm so proud...

And the get away car...We spent a special day with Benjaminh's first girlfriend, Auntie Kristen, who had a birthday that isn't quite a multiple of 10. How on earth did I leave after a whole weekend with NOT ONE SHOT of Auntie and the wee one together? Oops. Hopefully she can send me a shot to put right here ***

In the meantime I will include the very first shot of Ben and Kristen together, a self portrait taken on January 8th while I was loving on babies waiting for Canadian families.

I do have plenty of shots of Benjaminh developing a strong relationship with Kenzie, Kristen's neurotic dog. They were sharing toys. Sort of.

And finally nearly a week up at Auntie Kimley's lakeside home...and you guessed it...not a single photo to show for it.

I will do better
I will do better
I will do better

Home sleeping in our own beds tonight for the first time in a week and hoping for a repeat of last night when Ben went from 8pm until 6am with nary a peep from his playpen.

Home for a week or so with birthday parties, possible airport meetings, and specialist appointments.

Proof positive that the little guy is self feeding. These are Beech Nut Yogurt Puffs that were gifted from a lovely lady down the lake up north and I'm liking the ingredient list a whole lot...they have a no junk rule at Beech Nut which I am loving...and so is Ben.

The one where I don't say "Look! He can still wear his G+R outfit 6 months later.

"The nanny wants you to bring very beautiful clothes for Manh tomorrow. He must be very handsome for the ceremony. And he must be warm."

I can hear the translator like it was yesterday and I can see the nanny's approval in her smile as I dressed him the next morning. The heavy corduroy overalls were a bit big and I needed to adjust the straps to the very smallest setting. The shoes, a gift from a dear friend, were way too small and ended up staying in the bag. A wool hat that has since been lost, a knit jacket with a hood and a second fleece lined windproof jacket over top. It was a very chilly day. I was prepared.

Add 6 months...
and he is sporting shorts.
Then there was the famous "jailbird" outfit that the wee one wore all over Northern Vietnam. It was a lightweight knit but gave the appearance of warmth by virtue of built in feet and a hood. Not every day was cold and the Manh is a sweat machine but I wanted to please the Vietnamese grandmas on the street as much as possible so this sweet little lightweight one piece went everywhere even though it was far too big. The sleeves needed to be rolled and it bagged and sagged allowing for layering when necessary.

Here he is sporting the stripes at the Temple of Literature (about 6 months ago this very second in fact) layered up with his ceremony onesie, a sweater and pants underneath.
Add 6 months
remove the layers
and the crotch snaps won't close.
Time flies far too swiftly.
And he grows and grows and grows.

Cottage time and a whole lotta bugs...

At any given moment the screened in porch might look like this...so we were INSIDE the screen for most of the week.

A bit sunny but mostly a bit cloudy.
A bit warm but mostly a cool breeze.

So a whole lot of family cuddle time...A bit of post bath time prancing...Some relaxing with best friends...and a whole lot of reading...A busy week ahead with backyard parties, Hai Duong reunions and Auntie Kristen's birthday. I'm so very blessed that the little Manh is great in the car.

OUCH! and 6 months later...

6 months ago today I arrived in my son's birth country...
I had these inspired words to write (among many many others)
So there you have it. I'm here and Benjaminh is here and soon we meet.
Wow. Feels like yesterday and years ago at the very same time.

In new news...

Little Manh had a meningitis vaccine today.
Didn't really phase him, a tear or two and that was it.

But the MMR vaccine hurts.
I have no personal memory of this.
Benjaminh might.
He screamed.
He cried.
He sobbed.
He kept it up for a very long time...
A.VERY.LONG.TIME.
I finally gave him a bottle in the lobby of the clinic.
Mama was sad.

We did a bit of shopping by stroller and then he napped for over 2 hours.

In other Dr. News the little who isn't so little continues to sit pretty at the 100th percentile on the VN growth chart for weight against age, just riding along the top curve on the chart.13 months- 10.4kg or 23pounds

78cm or 30.7inches

Now, if only he would drink a liquid...
presently drinking thickened formula only
3- 6 oz bottles near typical meal times and one 3 or 4 oz bottle near bedtime
6 oz of formula to 4 (and a bit) tbsps of infant rice cereal

13 Months Old (post number 2 today)...

Less than one month ago, On June 9th, Benjaminh fed himself his very first Cheerio.
Mama danced like a loon in the local coffee joint.
Now he eats everything I give him.
Stuffs it in and keeps on going.
Last week smoked salmon at Auntie Liz's
This week Grandpa's chili with raspberries for dessert. And a rock.
Early in June Benjaminh decided to he wanted to become a walker...
A step here, a step there.
Then the stumbling drunk walk.
Then the zombie walk, arms out in front for balance.
One arm zombie style, one arm swinging.
Swing both baby.
Catch your balance, without falling.
Change direction
even turn around.
He became a full time walker at 12 months 2 1/2 weeks.

(watching his first July 1'st sparkler)

Even taking on some late night supervisory roles at the cottage only open to walkers.My little manh enjoyed playing with toys a lot this month...usually another child's choice was his choice one second earlier or one second later resulting in many episodes of pushing and pulling.
He was only the victim about half of the time.

Here he is parallel playing with his cousin M, for that second only...

In other news:

month 13 brought 3 new teeth for a grand total of 8, 4 on top and 4 on the bottom. This photo comes to you courtesy of teething week, when all 3 new teeth appeared at once...one I will not soon forget. Lots of dates with favourite Aunties. Canadian haircut # 3 where mama finally remembered the camera. Never ending puppy love,
or our very own "softy love" after wee guy's bedtime stuffie softy giraffe. And the squeezy face of joy.
So much joy.
And so much more.

The Beach...love it.
Home for 3 days and then back for more.

I'll write again later with a 13 month update using cottage pictures to demonstrate how he is changing every day.
Please time, stop...pretty please?