More Eila time...

We realized that we were so busy trying to keep the baby happy and get through the viral illness that we haven't been out to see the city much. So today we are heading out to see Uncle Ho's (Ho Chi Minh) Mausoleum and do a little sight seeing with Eila. We'll post later. For now, here are a few more shots of this cute kid in the hotel room.

The learning curve...

Sorry for the delay in posting. Our cute little baby, perfect as she is, has been teaching us a little about what it really means to be parents. After trying very hard not to be worry warts, we (really, I) couldn't help thinking of all of the bad things that can happen to unvaccinated babies. Eila had a fever last night and didn't sleep more than a wink (and we didn't either), so I broke down and took her to the international clinic this morning. Of course, they felt she just has a cold (so do I), but I guess the reassurance helps and mostly I just wanted know how much she weighs now so I can plot her and dose medications if I need to. She is a little tike, but growing just fine and she is on the US CDC growth chart (the small side, but a respectable percentile)- so it makes the pediatrician side of me very happy. We are having fun and despite her little illness, she is still amazingly sweet and playful! We are off for our first interview today to start the application for her visa home. Hope everyone is well out there! We'll write before long I promise. I know everyone really just wants pictures anyway- right.

The gifts are on their way!

Laura and Kirsten- your gifts have been given to the staff and should be on their way to your cute little ones! I did see Laura's package at the orphanage yesterday- so hopefully pictures in her cute new clothes will arrive in your inbox soon. I wanted you both to know its better than you can imagine ...and will be just around the corner for you both!

We got Eila!

Yesterday was the big day- we got Eila! She is beautiful and what seems to be absolutely the ideal baby. She is good natured (didn't cry once on the 4 hour drive home), she laughs, plays, poops and eats just like a baby should. We took her out for a walk around the Hoan Kiem Lake with us then to a restaurant for dinner where she slept while we ate. We love her. I have to admit that there was a moment when we did experience the reality of having a baby for at least a half hour from 4-4:30pm yesterday with uncontrolled screaming for no apparent reason. So, we are learning. We got up at 4am today probably more because we were ready to play with her than that she was getting us up- she coughed once and squirmed- so we picked her up- and she smiled at us. We have had a good first day and night with 7 straight hours of sleep with her in a crib. Wow! I hope this continues. We cannot wait to get home and introduce her to everyone!

Setting the scene

We arrived in Hanoi yesterday morning! 24 hours traveling but the transition has been pretty easy so far. We met the three families that arrived 10 days ahead of us that are awaiting travel home with their sons- all the boys are good natured, strong, healthy and absolutely beautiful. We are unpacked and settled in at the Hong Ngoc 1 Hotel in the Old Quarter of the City. It rained this morning while we ate breakfast and then we took a stroll around the Hoan Kim Lake as the sun came up and watched a little Tai Chi, a few badmitton games, bought a kilo of passion fruits for a dollar and took some photos. We are on our way to the museum of Ethnology to learn more about the Nung people and maybe buy a special outfit for her Giving and Receiving Ceremony. Eila is of Nung origin - a minority tribal group that lives in the mountains of Northeastern Vietnam.

Sneaking a peek...

and sending a Happy Birthday to her Grandfather!

Twinkle toes

Eila Lien Hua Patel born April 5, 2007 and her cute little toes will be coming home soon! We are on our way to Hanoi this week so stay tuned for much more excitement early next week. We may be kissing on our cute little baby by August 27 if all goes as planned. We hope to be back in Maryland by mid-September to celebrate!