Feeling better, some special plans and a few breakthroughs for my children

Well I'm feeling better about the phone loss but so grateful that I have most of the most important photos, those taken at the orphanage, though I know my sister took lots too….but it is what is most valuable on the phone, those photos and yes would have loved to have the puppet show too ( I was thinking at the show that this was probably the last cultural event we would be taking part in on this trip though who knows), but so far no action on the phone (so no photos) though I have disabled it and/or Find my Phone has been processed but cannot activate until someone tries to connect the phone to the internet?

Anyhow this morning awoke feeling vulnerable and was going to change our plan to go to Ben Thanh market one more time (we may go again) and was nervous but realized I needed to get back on the horse again so to speak!….So we went and found most of what we were looking for…we stayed mostly in the "set price" area and know a few of the spots we like…it is a vibrant market but it is the aggressiveness of some of the sellers that can be overwhelming for sure…we brought the stroller and snacks and did fine…were only there for about 90 minutes but both Matteo and Malia did well….anyhow afterwards we came home for lunch and a nap for Malia and a snuggle for me and Matteo …..I was going to sleep myself with Malia as last night after her yesterday's nap night terror, I decided to not transfer into her bed but let her sleep in the big bed…there were no night terrors but gosh does she move so much….and of course I didn't sleep well.  For her nap again she was in the big bed and boy did she move.  When she woke up at the bottom of the bed I explained or tried to explain how she moves all over while she sleeps and I'm worried she might fall off the bed this is why I need her to sleep in the crib…I pointed to the floor and the crib and she seemed to get it but also nodded her head no but smiled too….In the last few days I asked Matteo to at times play in the crib so he climbs in and she follows him, so she has been getting more comfortable in it…after her nap today again she went in to play and look at the stuffies and doll that are usually in there…she climbs in and out…she was proud of the fact that she could climb into her crib at the orphanage though I'm not sure she was also climbing out…but here as the crib is flush with the bed and the side is down she can go in and out so if she is feeling trapped somehow she knows she can climb out….

…in the afternoon we went to the pool and Malia knew exactly what her bathing suit meant….this time I also brought the floaties and without asking her twice she raised her hands and let me put it on her….I really hope I, or someone is able to take some photos of her in the pool, as I'd like these special photo memories too….she really does enjoy the pool and when we went into the baby pool and she could walk around and touch the bottom I could see she was thrilled….she wanted to stay longer but the water was cooler today and I could see she was shivering…but a good third time at the pool and second day of getting into the water with me and Matteo…..for Matteo we finally spoke to this lovely young man who we have seen around the pool giving lessons to the children and discovered, happily, that he speaks English…so we asked if he had time to give some lessons to Matteo…he said yes but his schedule is busy…so he might have some time tomorrow but we are firmly booked on Saturday morning….Matteo was thrilled... so a good day so far with some breakthroughs of trust for Malia and some special planning for Matteo.

…we also found out the the Minion movie is coming to the Somerset HCMC…they have movie nights for children and this is the movie that Matteo and I wanted to go to before we came to Vietnam, but couldn't find the time….so on Friday he will go to a conference room here that turns into a movie theatre for children with popcorn and (noise)….I'll have Malia in the stroller and she how she fares with it…otherwise we will stroll in the lobby area…..so another fun activity mostly for Matteo….

…anyhow the biggest breakthrough came at bedtime for Malia (and maybe a little for Matteo too)…. as we were getting ready for our sleep routine….has she ever picked up on this quick….(by the way she is now able to point to her nose and mouth when I ask where these are!!!)….anyhow I explained to her that after she falls asleep I will transfer her into the crib because I don't want her to fall out….I've been telling her that every evening though not sure she understood before tonight….so I told her it would be better if she just got into the crib to sleep ….she did not nod "no" but instead started to climb…I reassured her I would sleep by the crib so if she wakes up I would be there and she is safe…I grabbed the big pillow where she sometimes is propped to drink her milk and she got into her crib willingly…drank her milk, then played a bit with the animal stuffies and the doll…I pretended to give each kisses and she followed suit and even did some hugging…she has not been very warm to the doll or the stuffies but I think that is because I could not see any of these at all at her orphanage…but she kept taking them out, putting them in, changing the pillow around, I lay on the bed outside the crib and sang the usual songs I sing…Matteo came to lie down with us (he has not wanted to try to sleep in the same room as he doesn't like her crying and/or screaming….(it has been loud at times)…it took a bit longer for her to fall asleep only really because I moved up her bedtime by half an hour, but it was great for her to play around and get comfortable etc….she finally fell asleep and when I turned back to Matteo, my other little one had fallen asleep too….so mommy had a bit of extra down time tonight…

….the only not so good thing about today was finding out that the Canadian consulate has not heard from Singapore yet on the passport..once they hear from Singapore it will take two working days to get the passport….so it seems that we will not get the Canadian one this week….we knew it was a long shot as the average these days is about 7 working days…we applied last Thursday…so???  for now will add a couple of photos I took with my phone booth photo app. on my computer.  The siblings continue to struggle, mostly Matteo with his relationship with his sister but there are moments like this after dinner tonight where they were mostly together, not playing together, but at least sharing the markers and some space.