Brad Erika and Thais Blog on RealTravel

Madison journal: Still waiting to go home

Mon, 04 Jun 2007 20:56:17 GMT

Here Thai and Erika sit, waiting to finally get home. On Sunday, May 27th, Brad/Erika/& Thai arrived in the United States! When we got to Milwaukee, we were greeted by family & friends (Audrey & Roger, Len & Paula, Helene & Alex, Jeff & Sue & Joshua & Lucas, Joe & Melissa). Paula had arranged an appointment with a Dr. from the UW so we stayed at Len & Paula's home until Tuesday's appointment. The Dr. thought Thai looked great! so she gave him several immunization shots, some blood work & antibiotics (for his rash). She asked that we stay for a couple days, so she could see his progress. ...

United States journal: Still waiting to go home

Mon, 04 Jun 2007 20:24:33 GMT

Erika & Thai wait in the hospital for the day that they can finallyt go home!

Hanoi journal: A day FULL of emotions

Fri, 25 May 2007 05:01:06 GMT

Hello!

Well yesterday we spent almost the entire day at the US Embassy hoping that we could persuade someone into doing the required paperwork so that we (Brad and I as well as our friends Chris and Jo) could leave on our prescheduled flights. The man that we talked to called to find out if our paperwork was approved. Once we found out that it was approved we asked him what else we needed to do. He let us have our second interview (you normally have to wait until you have your paperwork in hand and we didn't) and told us that he would do his best to get our papers processed, but he ...

Vietnam journal: Homeward Bound

Fri, 25 May 2007 04:35:40 GMT

Good News for once!

Hanoi journal: We want some answers

Wed, 23 May 2007 22:16:18 GMT

We had two appointments yesterday. One was just to simply pick up Thai's passport and the other one was our visit to the doctor (SOS clinic). All of the babies had to have a healthy baby checkup in order to get our next interview with the US Embassy. Thai did VERY well in his appointment. The nurse weighed him (fully clothed) at a bit over 11 pounds. We were VERY SURPRISED at how much he had gained. The doctor did some checking as well and found Thai to be very healthy - thank goodness!

Today, we are waiting to hear from the US Embassy as to when we can have our last interview ...

Vietnam journal: Waiting and more Waiting

Wed, 23 May 2007 21:56:43 GMT

We are trying to get some answers.

Hanoi journal: Questions, questions, and more questions

Fri, 18 May 2007 19:39:55 GMT

Hello!

Before I begin with what has been going on with us I just want to thank all of you who have placed comments on our blog and/or e-mailed us. It is so much fun to read your responses and it we feel so supported even though we are thousands of miles away from most of you. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

On Friday we had our first of 2 US Embassy appointments. All of the couples adopting were there so we were able to compare stories later. Our interview was very basic, but so many questions- "How much did you spend on the adoption, what do you do for a living, how much do ...

Vietnam journal: Embassy Visit

Fri, 18 May 2007 18:49:04 GMT

We had our first of two embassy visits.

Hanoi journal: It's official... We are LEGALLY parents!

Thu, 17 May 2007 08:49:36 GMT

Greetings everyone!

Thai is sleeping so I thought that I would take the opportunity to let you know what we have been up to. Tuesday Brad, Thai and I traveled to the province close to where Thai's orphanage is to have his Giving and Receiving Ceremony. All of the couples piled into a small coach type bus and traveled to the Pho Thro provence for our ceremony. Two of the couples hadn't gotten their children yet so we had to make a stop at an orphanage so that they could meet and pick up their children. It was really neat to see other families go through what we did just a week ago. ...

Vietnam journal: It's official, we are LEGALLY parents!

Thu, 17 May 2007 08:30:42 GMT

A very long day, but very worth it!

Hanoi journal: Will we loose Thai?

Mon, 14 May 2007 01:44:58 GMT

After picking up Thai in Ten bac, we traveled with our partner couple to get their adoptive daughter. After an hour drive & 30 minutes of getting their daughter, we were all in the van to leave. We began driving home & Thai's fever continued to rise. He became unconsolable. Dr. Hong called the emergency room & let them know we were coming. We had to stop to get dinner for everyone, so we drove to a different village to see a really neat restaurant. (WHAT!! ??) How could we eat & enjoy dinner with our son needing the emergency room? It was weird! We drove 20 kph over road construction to ...

Vietnam journal: the SOS hospital

Mon, 14 May 2007 01:05:02 GMT

Three days of hospital food, beds, and sleep (or lack there of), and we had reached out wits end!

Hanoi journal: Happy Mother's Day

Sun, 13 May 2007 19:31:24 GMT

Hello Everyone and Happy Mothers Day!

Sorry that you haven’t heard from us since we went to pick up Thai. We had a VERY LONG trip to go and get him. His orphanage was filled with many beautiful babies and I would’ve loved to bring a few of them home for some of my friends J (you know who you are). From the moment Thai was put into my arms I fell in love! He is so small- not even 10 lbs. so a lot of the clothes that I brought are too big- Oh well at least that’s still in style for boys. He has very long eyelashes and a smile that just melts your heart. When he was given to us he had a ...

Viet Tri journal: May 7

Sun, 06 May 2007 16:56:07 GMT

Brad and I had our last dinner as a "childless" couple last night. We received word yesterday (Sunday) that we can go and get our son today!!!!! We are both very excited to say the least. I don't know about Brad, but I didn't sleep very much last night and I was wide awake by 6AM. For those of you who know me well that is something to put down in the record books :). Anyhow, we were told that we would be picked up at our hotel by 12:00 noon today, but that our agency would call if the time of day got moved. It is about a three hour car ride to Thai's orphanage so I don't think that we ...

Hanoi journal: may 6

Sat, 05 May 2007 18:28:17 GMT

Hey Everyone!

Just thought I would write you a quick note. Brad and I arrived at our hotel around 11:30PM on Friday night. Once we got on the plane in Green Bay we literally ran to our next plane in O’Hare, but got on without any problems. The ride to Japan was long, but the food was good. I don’t think that either of you (Mom and Dad) would’ve liked the seats we had. They weren’t very big and for such a long ride they weren’t very comfortable either. Thank goodness I had an empty seat next to me so it wasn’t as bad as it could’ve been. Our seats on the plane ride from Japan to Hanoi we ...

Vietnam journal: May 6

Sat, 05 May 2007 18:20:15 GMT

Our first day coherent

Asia journal: Takeoff

Tue, 24 Apr 2007 18:06:33 GMT

Hello Everyone~ Brad and I will be taking off for our trip to Vietnam to pick up our son Thai very soon! We are scheduled to leave on May 3rd and it could be up to 4 weeks before we return as a family of 3. We were told today by our agency that things were delayed again, but Brad and I are going to leave as scheduled. We were assured that we could leave as scheduled and still pick up Thai on May 7th or 8th. The catch is.... we can't start any of our paperwork until the following week. This may extend our stay since we were told to plan on 2-3 weeks. Pray for our trip to be only two ...