440 days

For 220 days sweet Manh lived at Hai Duong Social Protection Centre.He was loved. He was doted over by his very protective nanny. While Manh's nanny had 3 babies that she cared for little Manh was considered sickly. He was carried constantly. He was difficult to feed so the nanny held him vertically as she fed him 1 or 2 ounces every hour. He only liked his bottle piping hot. He only drank his formula if she added sugar. He liked it when he liked it and she ran to fetch it on demand.

When I met Manh's sweet nanny she wanted me to know he was not a well baby. That he was on meds and needed to see a doctor. She wanted me to know that I should feed him small amounts often, especially at night. That I should dress him in very warm clothes and should make sure the layers of warm clothes were very handsome for the adoption ceremony. That he sleeps on his back and needs warm blankets. She wanted me to know how I should click my tongue to make him smile. I watched how Manh leaned his forehead against hers and held her face. I saw how he wrapped his little arm around her neck while he stood on her hand.For 220 days they were together.
They were a pair.

Then came mama.
On day one he wore very warm and very handsome clothes for the Giving and Receiving Ceremony. Manh's nanny was pleased. He was sweet and calm and smiled often on that very first day. His chest rattled like that of an old and very sick man so we went to the doctor on the way home from the passport office. He ate all day long that first day and in the early days thereafter, usually while I was standing up. Small amounts. Very hot. Very thick. From a bottle with a gigantic hole . And he continued to eat all night long. Manh was happiest sleeping on his back wrapped tight in a fleecy blanket.On about day twelve and nearly every day since then the little guy drifted off to sleep with his forehead touching mine as he held my face with his pudgy little hands. I love that I have a picture of my little Manh doing just that at the airport shortly after we landed in Canada.I never could make the clicking noise quite right but I now know all of his most ticklish spots and can make him giggle like a maniac. He continues to be sweet and easy going with a ready smile. My boy loves his dog (and really loves other peoples cats and horses). Loves his trucks, especially the ones that make a lot of noise. Loves his noodles. My sweet Manh lives with abandon, loving to swing and learning to run and climb, jump and swim while at the same time approaching new experiences with a side of caution. He isn't always gentle. I now know that the chest rattle on day one probably wasn't bronchitis but was more likely related to the little guy's swallowing delay and his habit of aspirating fluids into his lungs. We continue to see doctors and feeding specialists and drink barium shakes to get to the bottom of it...

It isn't always roses but he is so sweet. And 220 days later we are a pair.