Sunday, December 7, 2008

Our first day........

Today was the first day of something simply amazing. We were picked up at 8am, along with the two other Holt families. A 45 min drive through nuts crazy traffic we arrived in Binh Duong. We got out of the van and Tricia goes.... HANK THERE IS SOPHIE!! THERE SHE IS!!! Sitting on the bench with her foster mother. Wow, what a moment it was. We had to sit and listen to Mr. Binh from Holt for a bit (seemed like forever). We could see Sophie outside and it was so hard not to just drop everthing and go over to her.
She is very very shy and attached to her foster mother. Obviously she was very scared and out of her element. It was the most diffiuclt thing to see. Our hearts, while we know this is our daughter, hurt because we just wanted to hold her and kiss her.
We were able to spend about 45 mins with her. She LOVES to color and seems to be left handed. We are told she is NOT a fan of many toys that rattle or make noises. She is walking on her own, and seems to be very responsive when someone asks her questions. She can nod and shake her head.
Obviously scared, we were not able to hold her, which was hard but we totally understand and know that with time, she will begin to learn trust with us. The experience of being able to touch her, hold her hand, kiss her on the head seemed like a dream. This girl, who we only knew from pictures, is alive and has a personality. That is just amazing and it does seem like our dream has come true. We are very numb and it was hard to see Sophie leave, yes on a motor bike, with no helmet!! Its ok though that is the way they roll here in Viet Nam.
Tomorrow we check out of the hotel and leave at 6:45am, head back to the CWC to pick up our little princess. The Giving and Receiving ceremony is at 9:00am and will last about 20 mins. Just the legal paperwork and then lunch with Mr. Binh back at the CWC. Around noon we head off to the airport in Saigon and fly to Ha Noi which is about and 1hr and 1/2.
So our first day, while hard was simply amazing.



VVVROOM SEE YOU TOMORROW

Hi Mommy!

Hi Sophie I'm your Pop!


Drawing with Pop


WOW!!!! The moments that take your breath away




26 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow Sophie our first video of you.You are beautiful. Mom and Dad you look great next to your daughter. I am sure everyday with her will just get better and better. We love you and look forwar to many more pictures and videos of the three of you.

Love you
Grandma and Granddad

Valorie Leonard said...

Wow! You will be with her forever tomorrow. What a wonderful day!

Stevens Family said...

YAY!!! OMGness, she is just precious. Those first moments are priceless. Can't wait till tomorrow :)

J and J said...

I am so glad I checked your blog before going to bed. What an amazing day for all of you. Hoping you get some sleep tonight! She is just adorable!

Libby said...

Too freakin cool! She's yours! She's yours! You are her Mommy and Poppa! Congrats guys! You've made it!

Anonymous said...

An Awwww moment if their ever was one...u guys look wonderful...congragulations...
Aunt Sue

Cathy said...

Thank you for sharing! We are so happy for you! Tomorrow will be a wonderful day and we can't wait to get up and see the pics. Safe Travels to Hanoi. Love, T, C, and E

Anonymous said...

What a miracle!

I am speechless as to what I see in your pics and video.

I must contact the police regarding Sophie's lack of a helmet! Gads!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

XXXOOO

Jessica Alvarez said...

Yay! Congratulations on finally meeting Sophie! She's beautiful! I know how hard it is when your child doesn't want to be with you, but it really does get better. Good luck tomorrow! I can't wait to see more pictures!

Anonymous said...

I was so happy to see this when I came in to work this morning. How awesome! Congratulations! I can't to see more pics.
xoxo,
Sarah Schuh

Anonymous said...

Miracles do happen. She is beautiful.

Aunt Diehnee

Anonymous said...

WOW!!! What an amazing moment that must have been!!! Awesome, Congrats!!! -Jonathan and Kim

Cris, Larry and Eli Tuan said...

What a beautiful family! Can't wait to see more pictures.

Anonymous said...

Hank and Tricia, She is absolutely beautiful. I know you can't wait to hold her. We can't wait to see more pics and video. Enjoy Hanoi...it's a trip of a lifetime! Love, Cathy K.

LawMommy said...

Sophie is absolutely beautiful.

It is very hard, the first few days are very, very hard. It is SO worth it.

I recommend taking several changes of clothes with you for the airplane. Lana had (obviously) never been on an airplane before and her tummy was very upset - grab some airsick bags and make sure you have some changes of clothes (we went through 4 changes of clothes from Danang to Hanoi.)

Best of luck tomorrow.

Carol said...

Hank and Tricia,
It's wonderful to see you with your little Sophie! It's great you got to visit before the G&R, it will definitely help with the transition. Looking forward to your post tomorrow!!!
Carol

Anonymous said...

Hank and Tricia-
Thanks for sharing such a wonderful moment...
Looks like you both are "naturals' when it comes to being parents!
-Brian Roy

Anonymous said...

I just watched that video 10 times just to make sure it is really happening. And it is!!! Tricia and Hank, you are both going to be great parents and deserve all the happiness you will receive from Sophie.

BTW...I'm pretty sure I can find a helmet to fit her so she can ride on the back of my motorcyle :) Just kidding.

Love,
Uncle Larry

Anonymous said...

GOOD MORNING, SAIGON!

Rest assured that Sophie will settle in ........you both have to take her lead. She is the "boss" for a little while, unfortunately, but it will be OK....adjusting for everyone.

WENT TO TARGET AND GOT SOPHIE 2 GIHUGIC COLORING BOOKS AS WELL AS WASHABLE MARKERS AND CRAYONS, SO THEY WILL BE WAITING FOR HER WHEN YOU ARRIVE BACK AT 1058.

Today may be a bit rough, but your dream has come true and just go with the flow. Your love, patience and nurturing are all Sophie needs and wants.

Safe travels to Hanoi and kisses to Sophie.

XXXOOO

Eric, Joƫlle, Alex and Sophie said...

It is so amazing to see you with Sophie. It brings back memories of when we met Alex for the first time about 2.5 months ago. Enjoy your stay in Vietnam!

Cheers,

Anonymous said...

Tricia and Hank-
It was so surreal to see the video of you with your baby girl! After hearing you talking about her and seeing pictures, it was amazing to see you all together. Congratulations!!!!

Stephanie Mueller

Laura and Todd Provence said...

Congratulations! She is absolutely beautiful!!

Love,
Laura Gordon

Anonymous said...

What a great looking family! I am so happy for all of you! All that waiting is now in the past! Those pictures are awesome to see!

Anthony and Rebecca said...

Congratulations! This is the beginning of a wonderful journey! Thank you so much for sharing it with all of us! Sophie is such a cutie. We can't wait to see more pics of your happy family!

Max and Anne-Marie said...

What a truly WONDERFUL day! So happy to see that you are finally WITH YOUR DAUGHTER!!!

Anne-Marie

Anonymous said...

Wow, what a moment. I think I got chills just thinking about you both seeing her through the window but not being able to go right up to her. I can't wait to read more!

Amy