new photo

This picture was from Trey's baptism last weekend. I brought the ao dia back from Hanoi.

He isn't looking very smiley in this photo, but he mostly is a happy boy. He is walking full force as of about a week ago. Cutting 8 teeth right now so not at his best!

To the beach

Trey and I spent a fun filled week at the beach in Florida earlier this month. I was pretty sure from our few days at Bamboo Village that the boy liked the water, but here he was a total fish! One day with cousin Stevie and he decided he didn't need or want the cool turtle floaty that Grandma had bought him, he could swim on his own. He spent most waking hours either swimming with the cousins, playing on the beach or totally entertaining the family. If Trey would clap, everyone would clap. If he shook his head, everyone shook their head. We had an absolute blast. The re-entry to real life, not as fun. I was thinking I might have to hire Nick and Emily to come over daily and play! Trey went through serious withdrawals.

Now we are back in the groove and getting ready for the warmer weather - it has to come at sometime. Trey is still mostly great about being in the stroller, he obviously knows I am a much happier person if I get a few runs in! He is enjoying the swing at the park and playing with his friends. Let me tell you, life is good!

Hope the same for you!

Trey update

Hi all -

I have heard from a lot of friends that they really want to keep up on Trey's progress. So what the heck, I will give it a shot!

Trey is doing pretty great. He is crawling like a champ and eating his body weight at every meal. Favorite foods at the moment are corn, ham and bananas. He also has decided that he LOVES cookies - he must have learned that at daycare!

Speaking of daycare, it is wonderful. He has some great friends there. He is happy when I drop him off and happy when I pick him up. He spends most of his day beating up on his cousin. Tommy will be bigger than Trey so don't worry, he will get his!

We had a really nice Easter. It was our first true holiday at home and I was pretty overwhelmed by the emotions of it. I think I doubted that this would ever really happen, now that it has it is better than I imagined.

We head to the beach to spend time with Trey's Grandparents and a few aunts, uncles and cousins for a week. I cannot wait to escape this fun MN winter and play with the boy! I am sure I will have some good storys when I get back!

That is all for now.....happy spring!

me and my buddies!

Home Sweet Home!

We made it back to MN safe and sound last Friday night. The two of us were greeted by a bunch of wonderful friends at the aiport. It was better than I could have ever imagined.

So now we are getting settled. Trying to help Trey learn how to sleep in a room all alone. After 11+ months of always having others around this is no small feat. But we are both working hard at it! We have been seeing some friends and getting out as much as you can when the windchill is -500. Ok, that may be an exaggeration but it sure feels like it.

I have a few favorite moments since I have returned home. One is introducing my niece's little boy to Trey. They are 2 months apart and we live just across the alley from each other. We are convinced that these two are going to own the alley! I popped over there tonight to let the boys play for a few minutes before bedtime. What a wonderful treat. Another is that my parents just couldnt stand it and hopped a flight home from Florida to meet Trey (thier 15th grandchild).

I am humbled by the love and generosity of my family and friends throughout this journey. It has continued as I have returned and I have been brought to tears on many occassions (i am not one to cry a lot!).

So thank you once again. Trey and I are starting a new life here in MN. I am so in love with him. I have no doubt that he will be loved and spoiled - by me and many, many others!

Cindy and Trey

Goodbye Vietnam

After all this time in Vietnam it is finally time to head home. When I left MN 7 weeks ago I never imagined the journey I was starting - the things I would do and see, the people I would meet or the roller coaster of emotions I would feel. I think back to the first day at the care center and meeting Trey for that first time, it feels like a lifetime ago. In some ways it was.

There is a lot I will miss. The people I have been with during this journey are amazing. You just cannot go through what we did together and not feel a very special bond. I will miss some of the little gestures here like always handing things over with 2 hands. I have loved walking the streets. I love my runs in front of Uncle Ho's mausoleum. The food of course and getting to know the most unusual country I have ever been to.

There are other things I definitely will not miss....horns honking, woman tugging at Trey, haggling on prices, government ridiculousness and scooters on the sidewalks!

If you take away the stress of the past few weeks it has been wonderful. I have seen a lot and been to many different parts of Vietnam. It has been a great chance to get to know my son's birth country.

Now it is time to start the next chapter. I am so excited to introduce Trey to my family and friends. I have been blessed with such wonderful people in my life, these past few months (well, years) have proven that over and over.

Trey and I took a cyclo ride home tonight and loved it! That is a great way to get around town. Plus it bodes well for Trey in a burley next summer! The other picture is just Trey hanging out playing while I pack. He has no idea what he is in for when he gets home!

So thanks for following along on my journey. I have loved all the responses and emails I have received, thank you so much!

All the best,
Cindy and Trey

Coming home!

It finally happened! Today we got our I600 approval that will allow Trey and I to finally to come home. We have our visa interview tomorrow morning. Unfortunately flights have us not leaving until Friday, arriving at home Saturday morning. It is a really long flight plan as we have a 12 hour layover in LA, but it gets us home!

I will write more later. Thank you for all of your prayers and support, it made a tough situation that much easier.

Cindy