Thank you!!

Still feeling a bit overwhelmed from yesterday but feeling much better today....Thank you for all the good wishes and postive thoughts!!.. Matteo's medical report suggests that at 2.5 months his weight is in the 15 percentile....so he is small but all the other results seem to be in the normal ranges....should have the corrected medical tomorrow and have a doctor's appt. lined up for Tuesday morning....so feeling very good and yes looking forward to bringing him home.....

Matteo's medical arrives.....

Well this morning I finally got Matteo's medical....there was not a lot of information but enough.......I was told it was pretty normal even before I scoured the internet to understand it. Only after I understood all the bloodwork results did I too accept that all test results are in the normal range. Of course my doctor will have to confirm that too.... Matteo is very small though, his birth weight has been doubled but he is small.....also normal for children in orphanages ????......anyhow there is a small error on the medical that will have to be corrected before I meet with my doctor, hopefully early next week!.... I am still waiting on Matteo's dossier with all his other details etc..so the social worker home visit cannot be arranged just yet.

I felt exhausted, peaceful and also sad. I did get a bit of info. on Matteo's birth mother and found myself thinking about her all day. Don't know any more of her situation but am happy that I may have some information to be able to share with Matteo at some point when he is ready....and glad we will have a concrete link back to his birth family, though again don't know a lot yet or if there will be anything else shared. Anyhow felt sad for her decision and also immensely grateful for it too!! So right now am just feeling relieved that his medical was done (though I want him home now!!) and glad he is doing as well as he can be. My favourite line from his medical is

"Makes good eye contact, follows objects to all directions, responds to sounds, smiles, coo’s."
I really love that he "coos".....

Matteo is 3 months old today......!!

Well another month has gone by......Received my new passport today and tomorrow may get some news on the status of the medical and dossier, I hope!! There are some whispers that suggest travel may be in November, which is what I've been hoping; however, as we all know things are only final when they're final!!....for now I'm thinking of my boy so far away and wishing he was here already....Chuc Mung Sinh Nhat! Buon Compleanno! Happy Birthday Matteo!!!

Lots of Paperwork but still no medical ....

Well today there were a few adoption items...... I received a whole slew of paperwork to complete in anticipation that all will go well with the paperwork going on in Vietnam....will tackle those in the next few days...also today I had my last twinrex shot so that also was something to focus on...glad there is something to focus on as I'm starting to get nervous and antsy about the wait for the medical....anyhow in the meantime am also posting some of the photos on the Archway that is being constructed at the entranceway to Chinatown....it is amazing thus far and am looking forward to its completion!!

Dairy Queen Canada Miracle Treat Day August 12th

One thing's for sure, Dairy Queen loves kids and kids love DQ®. That's why all proceeds from every Blizzard® treat sold on Miracle Treat Day, August 12, 2010 will help sick and injured children in your local Children's Miracle Network Hospital.* Since 1984, DQ has raised over $81 million for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals.
In Ottawa the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Foundation (CHEO).
Thank you Marsha xoxox

A nibble of news on the medical and Matteo's room.....

Well just got a message that possibly Matteo's medical will be done this week, "maybe"....anyhow and then as I understand it, will still have to wait on a few other documents before the "official" acceptance which goes to the ministry....so the wait continues. In the interim, still trying to put finishing touches on the room, got the crib set up.......and have ordered the car seat too....so the major items are decided....here are a few photos of the almost finished room.... Each morning as I get up, I go into the room and visualize Matteo in his crib....feel very good doing that.....anyhow as you'll see I let my other boys, my cats in to investigate and they definitely approved of the room such that I think if I let them, they'd all jump into the bed and snuggle up....









'

Ministry of Children.... approved Home Study extension and Goodbye Giovanni...

....heard from TDH this morning that the Ministry of Children and Youth Services has approved the extension of my Homestudy until March 19, 2011 (six month extension)....so one more piece of paperwork to check off the list....however again hope that Matteo is home way before then!

Anyhow it has been a trying few days, not so much because of the wait on the medical and a few other work related stresses, but a dear friend of mine and the oldest friend of mine - we were child hood friends and grew up next door to each other - so have known each other all our lives....well her dad Giovanni passed away on Sunday morning after a brief but very serious illness... One day when I was visiting and just keeping vigil....he told Isa that he wanted to speak to me so I went to his side and held his hand and told him I was there and then he asked "your little boy, when will you bring him home?"...I was surprised and so was Isa....she had told her dad about Matteo and she had mentioned it to him in the days before but she wasn't sure how much he was hearing or understanding. When I received Matteo's referral Giovanni was in the hospital. When I told Isa about Matteo's referral, I told her I wished it was under different circumstances. She just reminded me that this was the circle of life, life and death, and was very happy for me. Anyhow Isa's dad told me, with some of the last bits of energy he had, that this was a good thing and that adopting Matteo was very good. He reminds me a lot of my dad and as I've lost my dad, for me it was as if it was my dad himself telling me this, so it meant a lot and especially that here he was so sick and felt that he wanted me to know this.

Even up to the end, he was telling people that he liked them, that he loved them, giving tidbits of advice to his children, thanking the nurses when he was given his pain medication etc. and thanking others who came to visit. He made sure that he did not leave any details and wish unstated. All those who could were able to say their goodbyes. It will be a hard few days ahead and then the loss will really set in after this week of our final goodbyes; however, I know that his children and all those who knew him will be blessed with knowing how much he cared for them and did for others and for those who could not speak for themselves..

.....yet of course for now these days and those ahead will be difficult and are definitely tinged with sadness.... Grazie Giovanni for your blessings for Matteo and my family. I know my parents are waiting for you in a better place where you and they are no longer suffering. Please know that your children will be cared for and loved by all those who cared for you..... Goodbye Giovanni.