Its hotter than hell in this country.

Sorry I have not posted but it is very difficult to get connections here. I keep trying but sometimes it works, other times no luck so bare with me.

Isaac is doing great. He has really come around to us and is making good eye contact. He is cooing and laughing. When we first picked him up from the orphanage he held his arms and legs tight into his body in the fetal position and I was a little concerned about it. He would not let you pull his arms straight or open his hands. It was very sad. He is now playing patty-cake and kicking his legs. Its amazing what a little stimulation can do.

Here is the first picture that was taken of Isaac the moment I walked through the orphanage door. It's a little blurry since I was shaking like crazy. He is held by the head nounou.


Isaac laying on the orphanage floor. How perfect is he?
Isaac and mommy moments after meeting each other.

Although the orphanage was very clean is was a very sad sight. All the babies were either in hammocks or laying on straw mats in cribs. They just lay there. All their heads are flat from not being moved around. And they all smelled of pee. The diapers were rags tied around their waist with a piece of string. The good thing about it though (because I need to think of the good) was most of the children had families waiting for them or would soon be eligible for adoption. Just before we arrived the was a baby girl just 3 hours old abandoned at the orphanage. She must not have been more then 4lbs. Sooo tiny.

I will try to post again as soon as I can.

Gotcha Day!!

Hi to everyone from Vietnam! After a 34 hour journey we made it here safe and sound...although I don't think my butt cheeks will never recover. So sorry I haven't posted earlier. We arrive in Ho Chi Minh City yesterday (Thursday) at 10:30am (10:30 pm Wednesday for you folks) and got to the hotel by 2pm. The traffic is mental here. Thousand of people on motorcycles and they are everywhere. There are apparently no rules of the road in Vietnam. Anyway I tried to post yesterday by nana's laptop blew up so that was a no go and I was just too tired to go looking for an Internet cafe. I was in bed sound asleep by 6pm. Our guide from the adoption agency said that we wouldn't be getting the babies till Monday so I went to bed knowing that I had three whole days to rest up for the big day. Well at 7am this morning (Friday) she called us and said she would be picking us up in 1 hour to go get the babies. I thought I was going to be sick with excitement!!!!!!

It was a five hour drive from hell to Tra Vinh, the province where Isaac is from. We arrived at the orphanage and were allowed an fifteen minute visit with the babies before heading off the the Ministry of Justice to sign the paperwork. When I walked in the door of the orphanage Isaac's nounou was holding him and the was so little. I couldn't believe how tiny he was...and beautiful. He has the biggest black eyes that you could just fall into. The nounou gave him too me and I thought my knees were going to give out. He snuggled right into my neck, kind of like he was just waiting for the moment he could do that. It was a perfect moment.

Well I would love to go on and on but I am completely exhausted beyond belief so I will have to save the rest till tomorrow. I will do my best to add some pictures too...if I can figure it out on this computer.

Till then.....Kellie & Isaac

Well here I go!

Well I'm off to the other side of the world tomorrow. My bags are packed and I am ready to go and meet my new son. I'm feeling very jittery right now as I can't believe after all that we have worked for and been through for the adoption the time has finally come. In a couple of days time I will be in Vietnam WITH ISAAC. I do have to admit though that I am not looking forward to having to say good-bye to Mike, Cameron and Avery at the airport. My heart is breaking just thinking about it.
Thanks to everyone who has followed our journey thus far and for all the support you have given us. Please continue to keep Isaac, Nana and myself in your prayers for safe travels.
I will try to post as often as I can.

Funny man Cam!

The school had a Recognition Assembly today where they awarded students for things like honesty, integrity, stuff like that. Cameron was given two awards, one from his homeroom teacher and one from the french teacher, both for his sense of humour. Yes, HUMOUR. Both teachers said that everyday Cameron was sure to put a smile on their face and bring a laugh to the classroom. Cameron then got up in front of the whole school and told a joke.

What is a dogs favourite dessert?

Pupcakes.

Change of plans....again.

Well I am still here. Got a call yesterday afternoon saying that the paperwork has not been received so I could go ahead but wait about seven days in Vietnam till I can get Isaac or postpone the flight which is what I decided to do. We are now scheduled to leave December 18th, returning January 11. To be honest I feel much better about the new date. I was sooo stressed last week because of the missing documents that I couldn't even get excited about the trip. Now I don't need to worry about that and can focus on meeting my new son.

On another note..

We celebrated Christmas with my Mom and Grandma on the 7th. It was a lot of fun and the kids got spoiled.

Avery with her new dog Chestnut.

Mary, Fiona, Cameron and Avery.....cousins.

And then we had our Christmas on the 9th (since I was supposed to be leaving on the 11th)

Cam got a new snowboard. He was very excited. We went out that afternoon so he could try it out. It amazes me how kids can get on those things without any fear and just go. By his second run down the hill he had the thing figured out.

Avery got a very sweet new pair of cowboy boots, a hair streaking kit that turns your hair blue and pink and a remote control snake...yes you read right...a remote control snake.

We had a good time. It was kind of nice celebrating Christmas before Christmas and at least I was able to enjoy watching them open gifts since I am going to miss Santa.

Change of plans.

Well it looks like I jinxed myself and I spoke too soon. Our travel date has been changed (tentatively) to leave on December 11th and return on January 2nd. Yes I will be there for the holidays and yes I know it sucks. On the positive side, Mike and the kids don't return to work/school till Jan 7th so it give us almost a week together as a "family of five". It will give Mike and the kids time to get to know Isaac and for Issac and myself to get over jet lag before all the routines start up again.
On another note...The director of our adoption agency is in Vietnam as we speak and she saw Isaac yesterday. She says he is beautiful, healthy, bright and active which was wonderful news for us to hear. We can't wait to finally meet him!

WE GOT A TRAVEL DATE!!!!!!!!!!!

December 6th is the big day! We leave Toronto at 10:30pm, have a stop over in Alaska (how cool is that!) and Hong Kong. We will be returning on December 23rd just before midnight WITH ISAAC. Wooohooo!!!! We are so excited that Isaac's first Christmas will be with us. We have been blessed that things have gone so well for us with his adoption (Oh, I hope I didn't say that too soon). Please keep us in your prayers for safe travels.

Christmas is coming!

There was a Hometown Christmas downtown this past weekend and the kids got to meet the "real" Santa. There were also real reindeer, hay rides, carollers, lights and the best part of all (according to Cam)... free hot dogs.

AVERY IS 6 TODAY!!!!!!!

Free Glitter Graphics

We love you soooo much baby girl!

New pictures of Isaac!!!!

These pictures were taken yesterday, Nov 5/07.

The days are becoming harder and longer as we are still waiting for a travel date. We are still hoping to have him home for Christmas. Keep your fingers crossed for us.