Just because.....then again Happy 2.5 birthday Matteo...

I love this photo...taken by a friend of mine.....thanks M....decided to consider it his two and a half year old photo even though it was taken a week ago. Happy Birthday Matteo...we had a so so day. Got called from daycare as he was sick, but at home, did well, though food intake was not his usual....other wise a nice surprise to be home with him on this special day.

First Cappuccino without the coffee....

....for Matteo, at our favourite coffee place celebrating mommy's birthday and Matteo's adoption.  My sister invited us to lunch and of course the cappuccinos afterwards were also quite a treat!

 

Celebrating 2nd year G&R Anniversary ...

on November 22 and mommy's birthday on November 24.  

Two years ago - me-va-con-trai-mother-and-son-mamma e figlio

 this is what we were doing....

Anniversary of when I met Matteo for the first time....

Two years ago I met my little boy!!  Reliving it here....tonight on our drive home I was telling Matteo about the importance of these days, travelling to Vietnam, meeting him, and becoming his mommy being the best birthday present I got.  He promptly told me that we should get cake and canles for my bitthday....and of course how could I say no....

Also happy Anniversary G and M on meeting your little one G. too!!  The lovely memories continue!!

Memories....two years ago...

This is what I was doing two years ago today!

Prayers needed for twin girls

Prayers are needed for the twin girls recently adopted from Vietnam and now home and admitted to hospital for full assessment. Both sisters are very sick; however, one is especially struggling. 

Any positive energy, prayers, thoughts that you can contribute would be appreciated!

The family will update their blog when they are able to. 

During this time when my own memories of Matteo's adoption resurface, it is especially heart wrenching to know what a difference a family's love can make to a child's life.  In my post yesterday I used the word "blossom"...and that is exactly how I feel, Matteo is opening up in so many ways and I know what his life could have been like left behind. 

I am thinking and praying for these little girls and hoping that they too "blossom" with the love of a family and with the medical care they need. 

Dear God please keep S and I in your safe and loving hands and fill them with the spirit of your healing grace and strength.

Follow-up Report #4

Tonight Matteo and I picked up the photos that will be sent as part of the package with his 4th follow-up report.  For those who adopt from Vietnam, you will be legally required to send 4 copies of a Report and at least 4 photos, twice a year for the first 3 years....so six reports in all. Only a couple of years ago it included, after these initial 6 reports, one report a year until the child turns 18.  They have changed that. I hope to still send a report once a year with updated photos if they want, even to the orphanage but will have to look into that and see if it is still possible. Anyhow Report #4, like the other reports is slightly late.  It was due on Oct. 22, a month before the G&R anniversary of Nov. 22.

Of course these days with all that is going on, it is still a focus of my attention to relive November 2010 when my life changed forever.  Actually I usually go back to July just before the referral came in, and then all the posts on the blog subsequent to that...(still working on getting that portion made into a book)....and then when I get to November and travel, and meeting Matteo and the G&R and remembering those days, always makes me cry. These days I have an even more heightened sensitivity to how precious time is and how fragile life can be. 

Matteo continues to blossom and change....yestereday we walked home from daycare holding hands...the first time to do this and will be the first of many walks back and forth to school.  Yesterday for the first time he also started peddling the tricycle at daycare. We have one at home and while we have gone on rides, Matteo has resisted even trying to turn those pedals..but yesterday when I arrived to pick him up, there he was walkign the tricycle and then peddling. His caregivers were also very happy as he was riding the tricycle which was something they usually see with the preschoolers not the senior toddlers.  I sense something has changed in Matteo in the last few weeks...we are having more conversations now...not full full sentences, but Matteo using vocabulary that I didn't even know he had. It is such a blessing to be part of so many of his firsts while also knowing that the environment where he spends his days has also contributed to his developing sense of self and curiosity. 

Anyhow the 22nd of November will be our 2nd anniversary of the G&R and we are still not sure what we'll do, (I teach that night so we'll celebrate the day after) but whatever it is, we'll be together and just celebrate that. Two days later it will be my birthday. November continues to be such a memorable month in my life and Matteo continues to be the best birthday present I ever got!!

2 sets of Twin girls....

One set of twin girls have arrived safe and sound in Canada and another family is just about to travel to pick up another pair..so very exciting.

I wish the family traveling a thousand good wishes and prayers as they travel to meet and adopt their girls. Unfortunately they do not have a family blog.

For the family who has just arrived, I also wish a thousand good wishes and prayers as they begin a new chapter in their lives and family All paperwork was processed in record speed so the family was able to come home a week earlier than expected.

Matteo and I hope to meet all of them at some point down the road.

Today is Remembrance day, a sad day and raining here in Ottawa, yet there is so much to be hopeful for. The spirit of giving, helping and sacrificing continues to pop up in all places and ways. Lots to remember today and to be thankful for this morning.

Twin girls officially adopted.....

....baby girls have been officially adopted and are beginning the process of bonding with their parents now....sweet girls...and yes very tiny....for those who are interested here is the family's blog where they will probably post photos soon.
 

Twin girls

Thinking and praying for two twin girls in Vietnam that are in fragile health. 

 The parents met them earlier today and are there to adopt them. Their G&R is scheduled for Nov. 5.  The mother just posted that they are very fragile and worries that they got there too late. 

 At the moment I'm feeling very frustrated and angry at the international adoption process and the incredible bureaucracy, papertrail, money, and too long time that it takes to allow children, especially fragile ones, to be adopted quickly.  In this case I understand many of the delays were on the Canadian side.

 Praying that for these little girls it isn't too late!