Okay, okay...so there is no George and their is no park but the three of us spent the afternoon by the lake. After C's afternoon nap, we decided to go out for a late lunch (you know it's amazing how your schedule is altered dramatically with the needs/wants/whims of a toddler). Ba was very happy to discover that C likes tuna (looks like I might finally be outnumbered in the 'what's for dinner' department...E's doing the happy Snoopy dance that he might actually be able to make his tuna casserole more often & have someone other than himself to eat it).
So, after lunch, we went to Fanny's Ice Cream. C wasn't exactly enthralled w/ the ice cream (more interested in the fun 'toys' that were decorative on the bowls - a tiny conical hat & something somewhat resembling a rooster). He did try the cone but refused to eat the ice cream in that toddler sort of way...a head shake side-to-side and puckered lips).
After Fanny's, we traveled to the market to pick up necessities for the "Di" man: mango juice, yoghurt, and snacks (gotta keep our guy in his routine after all)! C actually spent a few steps walking on the sidewalk (before Mama had to pick him up to avoid a big mud puddle). After crossing the street, C decided that Mama holding him was much better - able to see more scooters!
So, the most important news is that we now have C's passport. Apparently, the passport office in VN is open on Saturdays. That's how we spent our morning (well, part of it anyway...after Mama got to sleep in until 0830...yes, I've officially adjusted to VN time - I'm back on my normal sleep pattern of not waking up at 0'dark thirty...unless it's due to a crying toddler). The great thing about going on a Saturday is the lack of craziness or lines (well, guess there really aren't lines - see E's post earlier about the passport process).
E notes the irony of VN gov offices being open on Sat while the US consulate is closed Sat, Sun, and Monday (due to Veteran's Day). In a similar vein, our I-600 interview on Wed occured 45 minutes late as the US workers at the consulate did not return from their lunch breaks until 30 minutes after our interview was scheduled. Perhaps they were taking their siestas. Meanwhile the State Dept's traditional message to poor developing countries is that they need to work harder and stop asking for handouts. In fairness, the Dept of Homeland Security supposedly has one person in the entire country to handle all immigration paperwork and investigations. Given the difficulty of traveling in a timely manner, methinks that person does little investigating or he/she would get nothing done. I admit, however, that I've never thought, "Gee, the State Dept/INS needs to hire more people." If only we contracted this out to Halliburton...that assuredly would fix it!
Tonight, we made great strides in the bathing department. Of course, we only did a sponge bath (or something equivalent - a warm towel washing w/ the ritual lotion application) but after the sponge bath and brushing of Mama's teeth, I ran some warm water in the bathroom sink. C slowly opened up and began splashing one, then both hands in the water. I grabbed his comb & two spoons and C then started playing in the water. While his attention was diverted, I drew up a bath for myself, sat down, and invited him to stand w/ Ba on the outside of the tub and play w/ his "toys". Before you jump too far ahead, we aren't miracle workers. C was nowhere near getting into the tub, but he did play w/ his comb and spoons using both hands. We did pretty well, until C managed to throw his comb behind and one spoon under the tub. That pretty much signaled playtime being over.
Tomorrow, we are excited about going to the water puppet show. It's at 0930, so we're hopeful our little guy will enjoy the show before his midmorning nap.
So, after lunch, we went to Fanny's Ice Cream. C wasn't exactly enthralled w/ the ice cream (more interested in the fun 'toys' that were decorative on the bowls - a tiny conical hat & something somewhat resembling a rooster). He did try the cone but refused to eat the ice cream in that toddler sort of way...a head shake side-to-side and puckered lips).
After Fanny's, we traveled to the market to pick up necessities for the "Di" man: mango juice, yoghurt, and snacks (gotta keep our guy in his routine after all)! C actually spent a few steps walking on the sidewalk (before Mama had to pick him up to avoid a big mud puddle). After crossing the street, C decided that Mama holding him was much better - able to see more scooters!
So, the most important news is that we now have C's passport. Apparently, the passport office in VN is open on Saturdays. That's how we spent our morning (well, part of it anyway...after Mama got to sleep in until 0830...yes, I've officially adjusted to VN time - I'm back on my normal sleep pattern of not waking up at 0'dark thirty...unless it's due to a crying toddler). The great thing about going on a Saturday is the lack of craziness or lines (well, guess there really aren't lines - see E's post earlier about the passport process).
E notes the irony of VN gov offices being open on Sat while the US consulate is closed Sat, Sun, and Monday (due to Veteran's Day). In a similar vein, our I-600 interview on Wed occured 45 minutes late as the US workers at the consulate did not return from their lunch breaks until 30 minutes after our interview was scheduled. Perhaps they were taking their siestas. Meanwhile the State Dept's traditional message to poor developing countries is that they need to work harder and stop asking for handouts. In fairness, the Dept of Homeland Security supposedly has one person in the entire country to handle all immigration paperwork and investigations. Given the difficulty of traveling in a timely manner, methinks that person does little investigating or he/she would get nothing done. I admit, however, that I've never thought, "Gee, the State Dept/INS needs to hire more people." If only we contracted this out to Halliburton...that assuredly would fix it!
Tonight, we made great strides in the bathing department. Of course, we only did a sponge bath (or something equivalent - a warm towel washing w/ the ritual lotion application) but after the sponge bath and brushing of Mama's teeth, I ran some warm water in the bathroom sink. C slowly opened up and began splashing one, then both hands in the water. I grabbed his comb & two spoons and C then started playing in the water. While his attention was diverted, I drew up a bath for myself, sat down, and invited him to stand w/ Ba on the outside of the tub and play w/ his "toys". Before you jump too far ahead, we aren't miracle workers. C was nowhere near getting into the tub, but he did play w/ his comb and spoons using both hands. We did pretty well, until C managed to throw his comb behind and one spoon under the tub. That pretty much signaled playtime being over.
Tomorrow, we are excited about going to the water puppet show. It's at 0930, so we're hopeful our little guy will enjoy the show before his midmorning nap.
1 comment:
Martin and I are glad to hear that you have the passport! good luck with the medical visit. Love the pictures of C. and are looking forward to hearing that you are home. Have enjoyed the commentary on the sights / sounds of VN. Martin says he always slept on the flight back from SE Asia and felt pretty good when he landed in LA. hope you find the same is true for you. have a blessed day
JB
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