Danang & Ho Chi Minh

Kyle & me at Marble Mountain!

It's been a few days since I blogged... we are now in Ho Chi Minh City (aka Saigon). Kyle is doing much better now and is a part of the family. Devin & Kyle are sleeping now. We are taking it easy this afternoon... everyone needs a break. Since I last posted, Kyle is improving day by day and now reaches for me and doesn't want to let go or for me to put him down. He has figured out that if he cries... we will come and comfort him. He has experienced a lot of "firsts" these last few days and I think he is taking it quite well. First car ride, first airplane ride, first beach and pool experiences, climbing a mountain, shopping in crowded streets... He is taking it all in... Now, he pulls away from other stranger's touch but not ours. :) Devin LOVES being a big sister and wants to help hold him, feed him, change his diaper... They take a bath together and she loves holding him. She is doing awesome on this trip and loves Vietnam. However, she is getting tired of people touching her and told me in Hoi An that all the touching was starting to scare her. On the whole, she loves Vietnamese people and goes up and talks to them - doesn't know they can't understand her... they are thrilled that she is talking to them. We like to think of her as our local celebrity. As for Kyle, many people asked me what his Vietnamese name is... each name has a meaning here. Of course, depending how I pronounce it... I have gotten the meanings victory, win and green... but I think it means green.

This Vietnamese lady was enamored with Devin & picked her a flower.

Devin at Marble Mountain- she was a trooper and climbed it by herself!

Us & the Hull family at Marble Mountain--- they adopted too and are a lot of fun.
The above pictures are for Krista... a giant centipede... about 8" long--- just for perspective... that is him on the sidewalk in front of Jack & Devin!!!

Marble Mountain

After our G & R- we took it easy for the rest of the day to bond with Kyle. On Tuesday, we went to Marble Mountain with another family. It was a climb... hot & humid... but worth it. Put Kyle in the Bjorn and off we go.... he did great. Marble Mountain is both beautiful and historic architecture. At the bottom, we shopped a little and go bombarded with sellers. "You buy from me... she expensive .. I give you good deal!" Of course lots of statues and marble items for sale.

Family photo on Marble Mountain
More of Marble Mountain above & below.. The lower picture is in a cave... I thought it looked like God was looking down on them. :)

Statues, marble figures for sale at bottom of mountain

The next day, we took in easy in the morning and hung out by the pool (awesome- right on the beach).. Sandy Beach Resort was very tranquil and beautiful and we stayed in these cute little bungalows. Jack took care of Kyle and I swam with Devin in the ocean (China Sea) and in the pool. It was her birthday and the resort left a cake in her room and we bought her some ice cream. That afternoon, we went to Hoi An for shopping. It was very cool... great shops and Jack & I bought some handmade shoes and purses... they made them to order and brought them to our resort on their mopeds. The people and service here is amazing... Americans could learn a little from them about customer service. Sometimes even a little overwhelming. Hoi An is a smaller, more rural town and many people asked me about Kyle... don't understand what adoption means. Too hard to explain... wanted to know how much I paid for him.

Yesterday was spent traveling mostly. Flew back to Ho Chi Minh City. Long day for the kids and Jack did not eat enough- as we were busy in/out of airports. By dinner time, it was too late and Jack got very sick last night from not eating enough. He is not diabetic... but definately has issues with low blood sugar and has to eat a lot & frequently. Just snacks do not cut it. By the time we went to dinner- he felt very sick and had to run out of the restaurant. Me & the kids came back later...he was yackin' big time and it scared Devin. She was so sweet...patting him and trying to give him so water. He is doing better today and eating better.

We are staying at the Duxton in downtown Saigon. Very busy area--- lots of mopeds and traffic... kinda daunting to cross the street. I just picked out a Vietnamese person, walked right next to them--- they probably thought I was weird. Had to go to store for new baby bottles & nipples last night by myself b/c Kyle does not like the ones I brought. The lady at the store was standing over my shoulder watching me like a hawk for 15 minutes (I did not know what I was doing and trying to figure out what kind to buy). I kept turning to her, looking at her and smiling... no reaction. :) Love the coffee... its like Starbucks x 100... I'm going to be eating coffee grounds in the grocery store when I get back b/c of the addiction!

Kyle had his medical exam this morning (required for adoption) and visa photo taken. He is 17lbs (with clothes on), head ~43cm, length ~72 cm. Got his shot records too. Did I mention that changing his diaper is like trying to change a diaper on a wild cat?! He DOES NOT like his diaper changed and can flip himself over in all directions and scream bloody murder. Very difficult task and I'm an experienced mother! When they were trying to weigh him and measure him it was the same thing... the nurse was laughing... I'm like" Tell me about it... try to change a poopy diaper on this kid without it flying everywhere!"

For lunch, we went to Pho 24.. a Vietnamese chain restaurant.. had pho (pronounced "fa"- very yummy soup) and spring rolls- even Devin liked it. We are taking it easy for the rest of the day and tomorrow morning. Kyle smiled for the first time yesterday and is cruising all over the room and pulling up on everything. He seems very happy now and no more tears. :)