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....









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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.

Matteo is 2 months old today....

...no other news than this important detail!!

Here are the celebratory treats to celebrate Matteo's two month birthday......two sesame seed balls with lotus paste purchased at Kowloon market in Chinatown...I'm sure you can guess what our wish is....

More paperwork completed...

Just a small update, this week the extension letter on the homestudy was sent by the social worker after we had a telephone conference, so it turned into a bit of an update. I also signed the inital forms to accept Matteo's referral, which will be sent to Vietnam. Additionally have lined up doctors to explain the details of the medical once it comes in. You only need one doctor's involvement; however, one doctor is available now, and the other one August 3rd...as am trying to accommodate holidays...not mine, but theirs. Will have to have a doctor's consult before the official acceptance form is signed with the social worker and this will be sent to the Ministry of children....for that wonderful "Letter of No-objection"....and am also juggling my social worker's holidays too.....expect to receive some additional paperwork from the agency this week,...the crib will go up tomorrow and am working on getting the house baby ready too.........I know I've been told the waiting between referral and travel is even harder than the wait before; however, so far, I am enjoying this stage knowing there is a little boy waiting for me!!...I've been busy with end of term work, dealing with renovations, and paperwork for Matteo, so perhaps have not had a chance for the reality of the awful wait to set in...but for now am enjoying this stage.... the smile is still on my lips and my heart still feels lighter as I can now start to visualize a future with Matteo....