It is about eight o'clock here and I'll be heading to the orphanage soon, but had some time to write and upload a few photos....the focus on this blog will be Vungtau1 and my first meeting with Matteo....what I wanted to record was when we arrived at the orphanage, there are 3 floors, main floor has the school for the older children, the second floor (where Matteo has lived) is the floor for babies and the third floor is the floor for the older children though I also saw some younger children there as there was an older little girl on the second floor where Matteo lived....when we approached the room, I saw one of the nannies, Nang (who I have many pictures of holding Matteo) was rushing him out of the room...it took a few moments for us to realize that he had thrown up just as we got there and Nang was whisking him away to bathe him and re-dress him...
...We were told we could go into the other room and there he was naked with water being poured over him....I thought symbolically this was so wonderful to see him as he would have been born without any clothes on...as it would have been had I birthed him myself....and of course crying...Nang quickly finished washing him as I ooed and awwed....and then as she dressed him she turned and gave him to me and this is that first photo I have of him nestling into my shoulder....so grateful that Lea was there to capture the moment of our first meeting....THANKYOU LEA!!..
....anyhow I know Matteo loves being held...all of the babies do and there are lots of babies there now so the nounous' hands are full...and we have had lovely coversations so far with him cooing and talking with me, and my singing to him, and giving him rasberry kisses on his cheek and his belly...he loves that and the nounous think that is special...as they were all called to see me do it and see Matteo's reaction...His Vietnamese name is Bao and I am using that interchangeably at the orphanage, with Matteo....
...but I am learning about him and he definitely is quite an active little boy and easy to love and care for (for now)....I know he is teething as the teething ring I brought with me has been a sure hit...and he is constantly using it....he also likes books, they are in very short supply fo the babies...but I had pulled out my little vietnames phrasebook as I was trying to talk with another little boy who hangs out with the babies..and Matteo wanted to grab it...maybe to put it in his mouth but he is curious about things...then again he also tried to grab my iphone....his legs are strong...he is already able to push himself around a bit in one of those walkers...he likes to snuggle into my shoulder and also sucks his thumb when he sleeps....I have fed him a few times, with guidance from the nounous on how he is used to it...and have let him fall asleep on my shoulder before putting him down..don't think the nounous think that is wise...but for now I am giving him as much attention as I can....unless I get another surprise today, I will not be able to take complete responsibility for him until after the G&R..
....so yesterday I went to the coop mart to get some bedding for him...they have provided a crib but without bedding so needed to get that and you will see the photos below if I manage to upload them...very inexpensive to shop here...got most of what you see without the toys of course for about $35.00...saw some great outfits for boys so will have to go back...prices $1.-$3 ...very helpful at the stores...then I went to buy a stroller...will be able to use it here mostly if we're out and about...hoping to head to the beach on Friday and on the weekend...Front beach is beautiful, one resort after another...so warm here so that is where we plan to spend our last few days before heading home....for now the plan is that on Wed. and Thursday we will be in HoChiMinh (Saigon) will stay overnight...I understand Stockwell Day (president of treasury board..is presently in Vietnam in Saigon...my sister forwarded me a morning post he made ....he is here to help develop trade between Viet nam and Canada...sosome important links continue to form between both countries...but I digress....anyhow will be spending my birthday in Saigon....Loan will arrange a medical appt. for Matteo...he has a small cough that I just want to check out so that he is free to travel comfortably and then we will go to apply for his Vietnamese passport and then on Thursday for his Canadian one...and then back here Thursday night..so it will be extra special to be in Saigon for my birthday....
Alright now for some pictures...will try to post explanations by each photo if I can but sometimes get muddled with that..but most of these first photos will show the BinhAn2, 4 residences, the street scences ad you approach the orphanage etc..I can walk to the orphanage from any of the BinhAns in about 10-15 minutes...so some photos of that and some photos of the orphanage and then of Matteo's crib in Vungtau....(will upload the crib photos in my next blog..)
BinhAn 4 Residence Apartments (not sure why it uploaded upside down but....)
BinhAn 2 residence..I'm at the BinhAn1 just across from the 2..
Street view as you are approaching the orphanage...
Some of the houses on the route are like these but some are in rougher shape...
Street view with your back to the Vungtau 1 Centre's sign
Centre for the Protection of Children Front Entrance
First floor at the orphanage, just behind the wall with the plants, is the school for the older children...
