Sept. 23 New Pics

Hi everybody. Max has been with us for almost 2 months. I can't believe it because I feel like he has been with us forever. He is getting so big and he can crawl, stand while holding on to me hands, and he loves to throw and catch balls. He is such a joy and the bond we have created is amazing. I thank God everyday for him. Here are some new pictures. Enjoy.

Max at almost 7 months

I know it has been awhile since my last post, but living with Max has been a blast.


When izzat kid leavin'

Max Scratch Fever



Max and Aunt JuJu

Max at 6 month 2 days

These pictures are just too cute!

We're "home"... that word has a whole new meaning

Home is where the heart is... I'll go one better... home is where Max is. I don't think Joe or I ever truly believed we could have this much love and joy in our hearts but there it is - all splayed out there for all to see.

After 36+ hours of travel - including 4 flights - 5 cities - 1 poopy diaper - and less than 4 hrs of sleep for mama, we arrived home Thursday morning... very tired, hungry, stinky (both of us!) and cranky. I turned into a crazy woman at the American Airlines baggage claim office when they told me our luggage was lost. I'd just had enough and finally melted. My tears flowed freely and I didn't care who saw. I wanted my stuff - my baby's stuff - my Christmas gifts for friends and fam, and my clean underwear.. find it dammit!!! A day and a half later it was delivered by a very nice man who I thanked a million times over. All our 'stuff' was there and is now safe and secure, still sitting in the foyer :)

Max is adjusting amazingly well. He had days/nites confused for Thurs and Fri, but seemed to sleep a little longer last night. We started him on rice - that may have helped. He eats it right up and is also taking all his bottles. Joe said it looks like I'm spackling his face... yeh, kinda. I expect Max to be the chubby bubba we thought he was from those first photos. His smiles and giggles and screams are keeping Joe and I on our toes - we hate to put him down but he does love his exersaucer, aquarium bouncer and gymboree mat so, okay then, we let him play.

Luna has also adjusted very well - she whines when Max cries or when I burp him - she must think I'm hurting him. She's very excited to see him first thing in the morning, and the funniest thing is - she drools when we feed Max rice. Jealous maybe??

Joe is off til Weds so we've got lots of appts this week - cleaning lady, vet for Luna (shaving and bath and ears and toes, oh my!!), ped appt for Max, car seat installation... and of course, lots of playing and kisses and hugs.

Thanks to each and every one of you who has provided the love, encouragement, support, clothes, toys, cards, emails, and xoxoxo's to me and Joe and Max and Amy while on our journey. It was one wild ride - seriously wild - and I don't think I can ever, EVER put into words how much all of it means to me.

I get all choked up and overwhelmed thinking of the last 21 days - I still can't believe that I went to a country a kabillion miles away where I knew no one and came home three weeks later with the person I feel I've known all my life and who has every ounce of love I have to offer. God is great.

xotmp

Homecoming

At 11:23 AM on Thursday August 2ND, Tracy and Max landed in Atlanta. They are finally home and I got to hold my boy for the very first time. Oh, what a feeling! Both a little tired and cranky( who could blame them), we left the airport without her luggage. I guess you couldn't have two 24 hour plus plane flights with multiple layovers without losing your luggage on one of them. It would be a shame if we don't get them back, but the most precious cargo has arrived safe and sound. Tracy and Max are taking naps now. They need their sleep. The next post might be from Tracy herself. Thank you all for your prayers and support. Now the fun begins...

They're coming home!

I found out today that Max's visa was approved and they will be picking up his passport and visa on Wednesday afternoon their time and heading straight to the airport. Yahoo! They have a 7 PM flight. I think it will take about 36 hours. I will check and make sure on next post. I CAN'T WAIT!

Trip to Halong Bay

Tracy and Max are doing great. On Thursday Max took his passport picture and had his visa doctors checkup. Every thing went well and the tentative travel day is July 31(I'm keeping my fingers crossed). They went on their first overnight trip. Tracy, Amy and Max just got back from an overnight stay on a boat in Ha long Bay. Tracy said it was beautiful. They had a great nights sleep and the food was delicious. One drawback to the trip was a 3 hour non-a/c bus ride to and from the Bay. Tracy told me the roads are not like they are in the America. She also mentioned an incident about an old lady getting her foot run over by the bus they were on and the bus driver moving the woman out of the way to continue on their way...but I'll let Tracy explain that when she gets back. If you want to see where they went click on this link. Wikipdedia/Ha long Bay

Tracy and Max update

The S.O.S. clinic diagnosed Max with tonsillitis. He has been taking medicine. He had it while the videos were being recorded. I wouldn't be that happy with tonsillitis. Max has a great disposition. I was having trouble with the web cam's picture freezing on me, but the Geek Squad helped me fix it. I can't believe how wonderful it is to be able to talk to Tracy and see her and Max on the web cam. They are waiting to get Max's passport and then they will apply for his visa. The wait to get Max was bad, but the wait to get him home now that Tracy has him is excruciating. I just want to reach through the web cam and hug him. I'm trying to get some new pictures up. I might have a link to a website where they are published, so you can see them. I will update as soon as I can.

We have him

I received a call from Tracy at 8:30 AM Atlanta time telling me that she had Max in her arms at the hotel. Martin, Tracy's World Child guide in Vietnam, told Tracy that she could visit Max at his orphanage because it has been 4 days since the originally scheduled G & R ceremony. When Tracy Arrived at the orphanage, she was told the G & R would also be that day. A few hours later and Tracy was back at the hotel with Max. She said the G & R ceremony was very quick and easy. I was able to call Tracy and speak with her and see a webcam picture of her and Max. I am having trouble keeping the webcam stream going for more than 10 seconds, but it doesn't matter because I was able to stare at the image of Tracy holding a sleeping Max. I have to say he is the most beautiful boy I've ever seen...all prejudice aside. Tracy has some videos and pictures of Max that I will be uploading very soon. By the way...Tracy is feeling much better. You will be hearing from me soon.

Waiting...Waiting...Waiting

It is 8:51 on Wednesday night. I received a call at 1:00 am from Tracy telling me the G & R ceremony was once again put off another day. Tracy is still feeling under the weather and I don't know if the extended wait is helping her or not. I know I'm getting anxious. I don't think I will relax until I know Max is in Tracy's arms. We are having some Yahoo Messenger problems and I hate the information blackout. If all goes as planned than Max should be in her arms in a few hours. I'll keep you all informed.

Arriving in Vietnam

After a 30 hour trip on Thursday and Friday, Tracy and Amy arrived in Hanoi at midnight on Friday. I was told it was easier than they expected. They shopped and caught up on their rest until they heard from W.C. The Melia worked out some bugs with Yahoo I.M. so we are able to talk computer to computer for free. It's pretty cool. We can also see each other with our web cams. We expected to have the G & R ceremony today(Monday), but it was put off until Wednesday. It might be for the best because Tracy came down with a bug or food poisoning. I hope she feels better. Let's keep her and Amy in our prayers. I will continue to update everyone when i hear more.

Max's Room

We spent a couple of weeks...with a wedding in between...trying to finish Max's room. We are 95% there. Just some more decorations on the walls and some more toys and it will be ready for our boy.

Me and my traveling buddy Amy, et al

Today Joe and I have been bustin' ass getting Max's room together (pictures up on the blog in a day or two). I feel like we're 'almost' there - just a few odds and ends to buy and final touches to the room, and then..... July 12th will be here... YIPE!!!

Here's a picture of my sister, Amy, who will be traveling with me. We're at my niece's wedding - which, btw, we had an AMAZING time at - danced, ate, LAUGHED, and got to see most of my family. Some of my other beautiful nieces and my handsome nephew are in the pic as well.

Enjoy!

The Date Has Been Set

On our way to Virginia to attend our nieces wedding this past weekend, we were emailed our date for the Giving and Receiving Ceremony. We were ecstatic. We were finally getting Max on July 9th. July 9th?...whoa...wait...what was that date? July 9th?, not the beginning of August like we thought. After the initial elation we realized how much work we need to finish before Tracy left for Vietnam. My first thought was to turn around and go back home and finish getting ready, but thank God for Tracy's clear thinking. We would need this time of fun and family. Tracy and I had the best time at Teresa and Spencer's wedding. After we returned, the short time frame and long list to complete was making us swoon. Tracy asked God to help and like so many other times in our life he answered. Soon after we heard that the date was moved to July 16th. That gives us a little more time than and we are not wasting any of it. That brings everything up to date so far. I will keep everyone posted on Tracy's progress in Vietnam.

New Pictures of Max from Jenny's VietNam trip

These picture were taken by Jenny in VietNam. Max is 4 months and a couple of days old. I can't wait to get my hands on those chubby checks.

Some newer pictures of Max

Max's Inaugural blog

Hello everybody. Welcome to Max's blog. We will post all the information we have about Max, Tracy's VietNam trip, and anything else that comes to mind. We would love to hear any comments or questions and we are blessed to share this happy time with you.