Medical exam and a weeks reflection

Evan has such emotional eyes... the asian eyes with dark colors add so many emotions and added expressions... sad is much sader and happy is much more happy. I think one of the most beautiful things in Vietnam are the facial lines of the people - and evan's face is a wonderful glimpse of the beauty we see all around us each day. It is one of the things I will miss when we come back to the states.


Here's what they call DRAGON FRUIT... bright, dark pink with "tintickles" on the outside, but much like a Kewi on the inside, but much more mild and consistent... we've had them most mornings here:)

Evan is definitely warming up to Eric... here he sits on my lap and enjoys some lunch time with daddy.
We are a family who LOVE back rubs... Evan fits into the family just fine. Here is kim giving him a full body message. One of the areas of healing that many orphans go through is called "attaching and bonding" - emotionally clinging to a caregiver - which does not happen when orphaned at an early age. One way to do that is through meaningful touch. Also, smells can be used to build bonding in a family. We all use a certian kind of lotion each day... and kims uses here with Evan. BTW, for other adopting families, if you haven't read any of Gregory Keck's books, they are incredibly helpful. "Parenting the Hurt Child" is a very basis book about the needs of orphans who are placed in adoptive families.

Kayla and Evan enjoying some giggle time in bed:)

We had our medical exam for Evan's visa today. He is doing very well, despite a little constipation. So for our first doctor's appointment together, Evan weighs in at 17.6 lbs and 29 1/2 inches tall. He is tiny, but healthy. We are working on beefing him up. So far he will eat cheerios, yogurt and baby cereal. He takes his bottles very well.

Here's a pic from our medical exam today:)

Evan in true Vietnam garb:)

I fed Evan some tradition Asian food--- rice. I thought he would naturally enjoy it - he's Vietnamese. He did chew on it for about 20 seconds, then he spit it all out and then laughed:)

Kayla has been a big blessing. here's another pic of them out by the pool.
Water puppets in Hanoi - a $3/ticket, and worth it! I wish I could get a video somewhere with English subtitles. Its an art form from the 11th century!. The stage floor is water, about 2 1/1 feet deep, and the puppets are about 12-18 inches tall, connected to a long pole that is actually under the water. The men and women who guide the puppets are behind the stage, invisible to the watching crowd. There are also fireworks in the show too!

After little over a week, we have watched him grow from a timid little guy to an active, gabbering. laughing boy. He loves to put up his hands when he wants to be held. Needless to say, he has stolen our hearts.