Questions, questions, and more questions

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 you make combined in a year..."  We passed everything with one exception.  Our home study report didn't have a response to one of the questions.  So, I e-mailed our agency and they added it in.  Now everything should be complete as far as that goes.  Our paperwork then gets transferred to Ho Chi Minh City to get the approval.  Once that has been done we get a phone call for our next interview.  This is the call that basically tells us that we can pack our bags and go home :)!  If everything runs smoothly (I'm not sure that will happen given our past few weeks) we should be able to be home sometime around the 28th of May.

Thai seems to be doing well.  I had a lot of fun playing with him yesterday.  We sat on the bed for a while just looking at eachother and smiling.  At one point I kissed his ear and he let out his first laugh- it was awesome!  It's amazing how the little things can make you so happy.  As far as Thai's health goes, things seem to be improving.  Last night we were a bit concerned with a rash that he had all down his back, legs, some of his belly, and face.  Brad and I think that we figured out what happened though.  Instead of paying for laundry to be done Brad has been doing it in our hotel room (that's the Randall in him:))  Well yesterday was the first day that Thai worn one of Daddy's washed outfits and used one of the burp clothes too.  So, we think that the soap in the clothing made him break out in a rash.  We covered him with hydrocortisone cream and he looks A TON better, and is a lot happier as well.  Oh, the things you learn as first time parents.

Last night all of the adoptive couples went to see the Thang Long Water Puppet Show.  It was very cute, but Thai didn't make it through the entire show.  He seemed very uncomfortable (now we know why- his rash) so Brad  took him out.  The rest of the babies did ok, but the couple who brought there two little boys enjoyed it the most.  Brad and I bought a DVD of the performance so that Thai can watch it when he is a bit older.  Other than that we haven't had a chance to do any of the other touristy things- a baby doesn't let you.  We may try and visit Ho Chi Minh's museum today with another couple, but we will have to see how the babies feel about that :). 

Well, Thai is calling so I will sign off for now.  Thank you again for all of your thoughts and prayers.  We will hopefully be home soon!

Love- Erika (Brad and Thai too)