Early yesterday (Tuesday) morning we arrived in Tra Vinh. Once at the orphanage, we met the director and then we walked towards the building where the children live. We had to pass by other buildings where many elderly and physically challenged people live. It was very sad to see. At the end of the row of buildings there is a brand new building, recently built by TDH. A portion of our adoption fees paid to TDH, goes towards the construction and maintenance of such buildings. The 12 children are housed here and upon entering we were met by an adorable 18 month old boy who is the oldest child of the orphanage, soon to be adopted by a family from Montreal. The other children were all lying in their hammocks.
Our guide from TDH asked if we were able to find our child, based on the photographs we had. We found Jack, who looked absolutely bewildered and a little afraid. We picked him up and found him to be very "wobbly". None of the children are able to sit up by themselves or take any weight on their feet. Although they are well fed, they have nothing to play with and nothing to stimulate them. Jack is very much an "observer". He watched us and all the others with a very intense look on his face. After playing for a while, he did start to kick and punch and pull Taylor's beard - having never seen a person looking quite like him (!) By the end of the visit, he did start to "coo" and make some sounds. By the end of the day, we almost got a smile. He has at least two teeth and is bigger than we thought he would be. Hopefully he will not forget us and will be pleased to see us again on Friday.
11 comments:
I'm delighted to hear that you finally got to meet baby Jack! Taylor had mentioned that his beard was quite a focus during his earlier visits to Asia. How wonderful that you've shared your first lullaby. I'm sure much more music and harmony is yet to come. I'm keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers.
- Valerie
People have been asking after you all day. The latest people to send their love are Carole & Brian and Joyce (David's mum).
It's wonderful to know that you have now met Jack. Our thoughts are with you as you travel back to him.
God bless
Love D&Bxx
Lovely to hear all is going to plan and you both finally have got to meet baby Jack, he looks adorable. Our love and thoughts are with you xx
We are so very happy for you. To finally hold Jack in your arms must have been thrilling. We think of you often and look forward to every new message that you send. I picked up the first messages while in Winnipeg so I had to share them with everyone there. You were in the prayers of 300+ on several occasions.
You are always in our prayers.
Love - Josie &Bill
Hi Taylor & Vanessa,
We are glad to hear that everything is going well. Glad you have met Jack and have had some time with him. Hope all goes well on Friday.
How much do you think he weighs???
I can't begin to express the joy I feel as I read your comments - how wonderful to finally see Jack. Our love and thoughts are with you all - have a great ceremony today.
Faith & David
I can't begin to express the joy I feel as I read your comments - how wonderful to finally see Jack. Our love and thoughts are with you all - have a great ceremony today.
Faith & David
We shall be thinking of you at the Receiving Ceremony and praying for all of you as Jack joins the family.
Safe journeys there and back
God bless
B&Dxx
with sams help we have just found all of your info.so excited to be grand parents to jack.we all hope fridays ceremony goes well.god bless you . E & R .Mum & Dad England.
Hi Vanessa and Taylor, So pleased that after such a tough and long journey you have finally been able to see Jack and that he will soon be with you for good on Friday. Wishing you a safe journey to Tra vinh and back to Saigon.
Best wishes Sam-England
Lovely to hear you have finally met Jack - and thanks for doing this blog as we are all on the edge of our seats on the other side of the world here. From what you said about Jack's observantness I'm sure it will take him very little time to figure out that you belong to him. Good luck with the rest of it!
love,
Tom
Vanessa and Taylor
I am thrilled that you have met Jack and he is now in your arms. It sounds like your trip has gone well so far. I hope that the rest of the process is smooth and timely.I look forward to hearing from you when you return.
Best Wishes Peggy Frankel
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