A new video!

  A video arrived today!

She looks great!

A Special Visit

When the stars line up, it is incredible!

One of our friends from the group of families that we travelled with to adopt Natalie went to the social welfare center for other reasons but she was able to visit with our baby, take photos and video and give a full report.  It was so nice to hear that she is doing so well, she is strong and healthy. 

You are "Ours"

I finished her baby blanket

When the phone rings and it is the adoption agency.......you answer.  The call came at 8:30 this morning.

The adoption agency was calling to give us the good news.  That critical milestone letter, had been received.  Up to this point there has been no paperwork linking us with the baby.  Just a baby on the other side of the world, a baby that has been stealing all of our hearts inch by inch.  A baby that we knew a lot about, but had no rights or ties to.  Maybe she would be part of our family, maybe she would not.

All I remember is telling myself "breath, you are not breathing"  then a warm wash of relief flooded my body.

There is still a lot of work to do and a lot of waiting expected, each milestone will triumphant!

Happy 1/2 Birthday Beautful Girl!

Thinking a lot about our daughter-to-be on the other side of this big blue marble as she turns 6 months old today.  Our home is ready for two more little feet.  There is a big sister here that is bursting for word that the time has finally come and the wait is over.  Today we received 2 precious photos.  She looks strong and healthy- but rather serious! she now weighs 7kg; she is 68cm long.

6 months is an important age for babies in Vietnam waiting for their forever families.  It is after they turn 6 months that the Vietnam government can begin the adoption paperwork  There are many unknowns, this is a game of waiting patiently with little information available.  What we know is that the first step is for the Vietnamese government to send our adoption agency a letter with the baby's information asking if they have a family that would be a good match for this baby.  This first letter could come as soon as the baby is 6 months old, but we are waiting in a queue.  

Happy 1/2 birthday little Princess- your forever family is sending love.

The Announcement

                                  The Gender Reveal!

After more than a month of keeping the gender of the baby a complete secret, and making Steve and I keep the gender a completed secret, on July 27th, Natalie hosted a gender reveal party. The party location was Beckwith park, it was perfect: spray park, playground, picnic tables, facilities and enough space to host a crowd. Between the guests in person and FB live, we were delighted to share the reveal with about 100 people.  It was an exciting night for the three of us as we move closer and closer to welcoming our newest family member.

A count down timer kept the suspension high.  Everyone cast their vote for a boy or girl before the cake was cut.  The final voting was close.....39 votes for boy and 37 votes for girl.

The hostess- wearing her new "#1 sister" necklace

AFTER MUCH WAITING.....AND MUCH GUESSING......

IT'S A DAUGHTER!

We Caught the Moon!

On June 16th we got "the call".  It came through email telling use that there was a relinquished baby from Lang Son Province born March 6th, 2017.  Our adoption agency was working on obtaining and translating all of the documents but in the meantime they had a photo and medical report.  The question was whether or not we wanted to see it.....

There was only one answer........YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!

After a review of the paperwork by a doctor that specializes in reviewing these reports, our hopes had been answered.  The baby was a perfect match for our family.

Once we send the thumbs up to our adoption agency and they passed it along to officials in Vietnam.  While there are no guarantees until the adoption paperwork is signed, we are feeling positive and hopeful.

According to the international agreement on adoption, Vietnamese officials must wait for the next step until the baby is 6 months old.  At this time, the official paperwork will begin.

In the meantime, we wait patiently and carry on with this amazing life we have.

                                                                      Introducing:

                                           Ly Viet My

Born: March 6, 2017

Birth sign:  Pisces

Traits: Adapt well to circumstances, they are generous, amiable, positive natured, deep sense of kindness and compassion

Vietnamese Zodiac : Rooster

Traits: Attentive, Determined, Brave, Confident, Neat, Meticulous

                                           photo taken about about 1 month old

With love from your Big Sister

Part of our journey this time is not only to get us ready for a new family member, but also prepare Natalie.  She is excited and I know that she will be an amazing big sister. It won't be without it's tricky bits, but with her big heart I am excited for our new son or daughter to have Natalie as a big sister.

A while ago, I asked Natalie if she wanted to be the one to buy the baby a special teddy. She was so excited and started looking for the right one straight away.  She found this one, I think there is some extra love from Natalie in it.  She can't wait to give it to her little sister.

So..... people are asking.....WHEN WILL YOU GET A PROPOSAL?....DO YOU KNOW WHO YOU WILL ADOPT?......DO YOU KNOW IF IT WILL BE A SON OR DAUGHTER?....DO YOU KNOW HOW OLD HE OR SHE WILL BE?

The answers are....no,no,no and no... sigh....that is the nature of international adoption.

When our adoption agency locates a child that seems to be a match for our family, we can expect to receive a soft proposal, which will be a medical report and photo of the child and the question to us whether we would like to pursue adopting the child proposed.  We will review the information, send it to a pediatrician in Vancouver who specializes in reviewing proposals for a consult.  When a soft proposal is received, unless there is a good reason, adoptive parents accept the proposal.  Once we accept the soft proposal, the official paperwork is completed.  

We have not specifically requested a boy or a girl.  We have however requested a child that was relinquished not abandoned.  This means that we will know who the biological family is.  This is important as we have blended our family with Natalie's biological family.  They are very much our extended family.  We hope to have a similar relationship with the new family but will meet them where they are.  We have requested a child under 3 years old, the children are generally at least 1 year old so this means the child will be between 1 and 3 years old.

The waiting is hard enough for us, Natalie is taking it all in stride but I have heard a couple of her friends ask 'When will Natalie get a little brother or sister". 

We are so thankful to have so many people to share the excitement, share this journey and support us through.  It is such an exciting time, and even more special to have everyone stepping through it with us.