Little Chicklet

Every day we think of our little chickie. We wonder what new things she's doing, who's holding her when she cries, what she likes and doesn't like, how often she smiles, where she sleeps, what her voice sounds like, what makes her giggle, and who she's becoming. Twelve hours and half a world away. But we're already just a little bit closer...

Here's some neat information: Ha Noi weather on October 19 2009 (the day on or before the day Tanje was found)

Temperature:

Mean Temperature 28 °C -

Max Temperature 32 °C 25 °C 33 °C (2002)

Min Temperature 24 °C 19 °C 17 °C (1999)

Cooling Degree Days 18

Growing Degree Days 33 (Base 50)

Moisture:

Dew Point 23 °C

Average Humidity 74

Maximum Humidity 94

Minimum Humidity 44

Precipitation:

Precipitation 0.0 cm - - ()

Sea Level Pressure:

Sea Level Pressure 1008.95 hPa

Wind:

Wind Speed 3 km/h ()

Max Wind Speed 15 km/h

Max Gust Speed -

Visibility 6.3 kilometers

Events

One Step Closer...

We had a very pleasant meeting with our Adoption Practitioner tonight. She helped us complete the acceptance of referral paperwork. Rick spent hours completing other paperwork tonight. What a papery week!

Wonder what Tanje's doing now? We're gladly spreading our good news, and still can't believe we've already seen her cute little face! One day less to wait!

Jump Around... Some More!

rgh! Today, I thought I'd better take another look at what I sent for immigration (and what I didn't), because it just felt suspiciously too easy. And right I was! &$^#% paperwork! What a genius am I to have discovered this surprising find! : )  Ouh! Filled out a bunch more forms, and photocopied tons more. Now we have to chase a notice of assessment (tied to last year's income tax return) for Rick. Doesn't really make sense: we're asking for a paper from the federal government to give back to the federal government. Ya'd think they know everything about us by now (and I've no doubt they do!). Viva bureaucracy - NOT! Is it just me who feels a little like I'm running in circles, chasing my tail? Woof! Good think it'll be all worth it in the end!

We'll meet with Valerie, our Adoption Practitioner, tomorrow. She's always so pleasant, and such a joy. We're so fortunate to have her 'on our case'! Also told my 2 VPs this week about our exciting news. They were so super in sharing our happiness! Yahoo!

Tanje's 8 months old by now, having achieved that milestone 4 days ago. She looks like a little character. Wonder what she's like, and what little things will make her unique. We have photos of her everywhere, and talk about her every day - her little ears must be ringing! I'm sure we'll have tons of fun together!

Heatwave!

Poor little Tanje must be roasting in this heat. Check out this website article: http://english.vietnamnet.vn/photogal/201006/Hanoians-prove-to-be-creative-in-fighting-heat-wave-917454/ Whew! Well, by next summer (OMG!!!), she'll be here (!!!still can't believe it!!!), and you can bet we'll do all we can to keep her cool and comfy!

We sent our immigration paperwork yesterday (hoop jumping hoop jumping) and chased Purolator for the package of info that was supposed to come to our door yesterday. Got a bit more information on Tanje, including a letter from the security guard who found her, as well as some scant medical information (healthy!).

Four less days to wait. Six months sure seems like a long time, and I feel so sad that Tanje Tiep is over there while we wait for the wheels of bureaucracy to grind forward (can'tcha just hear them creaking?). We'll get there, and meanwhile, we'll stay as busy as we can to help the time fly faster. Can't wait to see our little peanut in person!!!

A Huge Surprise! Unbelievably so!

After well over a year of hoop jumping, chasing changing government rules, paperwork and so on and so on, our file finally got to Vietnam 3 weeks ago. Phew! A couple of days later, we got a call telling us our little one would hail from Hai Duong orphanage, Hai Duong city, Hai Duong province, in northern Vietnam. Amazingly, she's almost directly south from where big sister Savannah lived. And only about 1000 km at that! So different a process from China's.

Today, we got a voicemail message from Children's Bridge (actually, it was from YESTERDAY, and we only picked it up today, both at home and at work - d'oh!). The message was tantalizing: "I have great news for you". Hmmmmm! could it be? no way, not possible, but yet.....  

I called immediately, and got a voicemail. Oh!  Left my pager number, and was driving from one hospital site to the other and the pager vibed. Hurried up, pulled over, and and and and and........YES!!!!! A referral! A little girl (Savannah got her wish - yay!), born in October 2009 (oh my! so young!), healthy (cool!) and not much more information.  Called Rick, caught him (he's working days, how will we wait that long to see the photos that are already burning up my email box?!?!?!?), I think the news blew him away. He told everybody at work, and I mean everybody, including a few whom he didn't tell but dropped some pretty huge hints, with his ear to ear smile (Joanne, Cindy). Guess he's pretty excited.

Drove home, asked Savannah again if she would prefer a brother or sister (same answer as always: "soeur" - no hesitation, no debate), checked the internet, didn't work! Luckily, Elaine was kind enough to download the pix to a jump drive which Rick picked up on the way home. It was a sight to see when he showed the photos to Savannah - she grinned ear to ear! And she's already warned us that she's not sharing the following: her 'tat' (security blanket), her bed, her high chair, her Maman and her Papa. What a girl!

So yes, we will be parents to a positively adorable little girl! Welcome dearest little Tanje Nguyen Thi Tiep LeBeau! Born October 19 2009, lives in Hai Duong, Viet Nam. CAN'T WAIT TO HOLD HER IN OUR ARMS! We'll travel in 5-6 months. Hurry hurry time, fly by!!! : )  We love you, Tanje!