This is Ninh, the facilitator who works for our adoption agency in Hanoi. He has been incredibly helpful during the entire process, and is very, very patient with all of us high maintenance Americans. This was taken after the Giving and Receiving Ceremony outside of the Quang Nam provincial government office.
This was outside of the orphanage, and this little boy's name is also Tam. When I asked him how he was he said, "Fine, and you?" He was very charming and liked having his picture taken. We returned to Hanoi yesterday afternoon.......it was a very long day for everyone, but the babies all did very, very well. Tommy successfully completed his first flight!
It is nice to be back in Hanoi where we can settle in and unpack for the remainder of our trip. Earlier today Doug and the other dads went to the Vietnamese Immigration Police to apply for the baby passports. Tomorrow at 1:30 we have our first US Embassy appointment.
I will try to post a few pictures from the Giving and Receiving Ceremony that occurred on Tuesday, April 3. That is when the baby is officially adopted to us from the Vietnamese government. After spending about an hour at the Quang Nam Infant Welfare Center (Tommy's orphanage), we went with the baby, our facilitator, and the director of the orphanage to the Quang Nam provincial ministry building. The ceremony was brief, but very nice. Doug even got a little choked up while saying his thanks to the Vietnamese government for the opportunity to raise this child. Then, we signed a few more papers, and headed back to Danang.
Some of you may have seen in the pictures that Tommy was wearing a shirt at the orphanage that said "Baby Tom" and has some Bugs Bunny-like cartoon characters on it. It's hilarious and very fitting! We are keeping that outfit and the "spit cloth" they were using on him.
Will try to post more pictures and details later!
Tara, Doug, and Tommy
3 comments:
What a way to start the workday! I checked your blog soon after I got here and to see and read that Tommy is now a permanent member of your family. Gave me a lump in the throat and tears in the eyes. I know we only met once, but it seems so much more real that I actually "know" someone whose blog I read. The others are great to read too, but actually having met you & seeing you now get your son, makes it feel so much more of a reality that Kevin and I will be doing the same thing, in hopefuloly a year and a half or less. I swear of all the little boys I've seen from Vietnam, he is the cutest I have seen. I just love those chubby cheeks! Can't wait until we finally have a son and get to see his referral picture. How old is Tommy now?
Tara & Doug & Tommy, You are all off to a great start... and can you believe it actually all just goes UPHILL from here?! Batavia is waiting with open arms, friends. Have a great trip, and we'll see you in a couple of weeks!
Love, The Mixes
How wonderful!!! We were very excited to hear the great news and see the wonderful pictures!!!! As Kathryn writes...you also gave us joyful tears in our eyes!! Everyone looks so happy- Mommy, Daddy and Baby Tommy!!!!! And we are for you!! Love, Linda, Helga & Elmer
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