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Just before leaving the orphanage for the last time, we got some shots with Dr. Quy, the director at Cau Giay, in her office. |
Watching her during the cab ride to the hotel she seemed fascinated by all the movement, the cars, bicycles and scooters;
It is mid afternoon. It is warm but pleasant. It's been about 40 hours of continuous travel since we left Hillsboro. We are back at the Somerset Grand Hotel "185 stylish units in the heart of Hanoi's prime business metropolis on Hai Ba Trung Street". On the way to the orphanage to pick up Emily, I couldn't help but contemplate all of the changes she was about to go through. Considering her life to this point:
- Born 14 October 2001 in Hanoi
- Abandoned 14 November in Hanoi
- Moved to the Cau Giay orphanage (Center For Malnourished And Orphaned Children) as a ward of the State
- We entered her life on March 11, 2002 and then left after only a few days
- She remained at the orphanage, waiting.
- We returned on May 7 and take her with us. The transfer took less than 15 minutes.
She was facing a life with little hope and fewer options. By bringing Emily into our family, we will present her with the best of everything we can. She will have a loving home, friends and family; she will have excellent medical care; she will have education and the opportunities it affords; and most of all, she will have choices. She will have pink outfits. She will have a better haircut. She will have a dog to lick her face.
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Just before leaving the orphanage for the last time, we got some shots with Dr. Quy, the director at Cau Giay, in her office. |
Watching her during the cab ride to the hotel she seemed fascinated by all the movement, the cars, bicycles and scooters;
Ridin' |
out the window. |
Drivin' |
Hangin' Out |
Makin' Faces |
The sounds, the sights and the smells of the city. She came from a rather drab environment to one filled with new sounds, new smells and new sights. Her crib is full of colors, her "bouncer" is alive with toys to grab and touch and taste and hear. She came from an environment where one person took care of eight babies to an environment where two people take care of one. I wonder if all this is too much stimulation at once? |
Nice crib from the Hotel
Helping Mom in the Kitchen (those are mom's shoes)
She likes these toys |
They have interesting textures and colors |
Emily also likes this blanket |
It also has many colors and textures |
Later that evening, after her first feeding with us, Emily seemed a bit uncomfortable and uneasy. Perhaps this is due to the sudden change in environment, perhaps she is not feeling well (she does have a runny nose and some irritation in her left eye). She began to settle down at about 7:00. |
Dinner with Dad |
A nap with Mom |
