July 31, 2014

It has been an amazing journey getting my son. We were scheduled to arrive back in Ottawa on Sunday night July 27th. Due to electrical storms all of Air Canada flights from Toronto got cancelled or really delayed. My flight got cancelled. So Dave and I had to spend an hour on the phone with Air Canada to rebook our flights. Which the earliest flight was 11:00 am the next day. Then we had to stand in line at the Air Canada counter to get a hotel voucher which took 1  hour 15 minutes. By the time we finally got to the hotel it was 1:00. Just enough time to get a couple of hours sleep before heading back to the airport.

The trip from Toronto to Ottawa the next day was OK except we had to wait in another Air Canada check in line up for 45 minutes. I must say Teason so far is a very patient easy traveller. He was really quite happy through the whole 36 + hours of travelling.

We have now been home several days and I think Teason loves his new home, new toys, new clothes, new room and especially his new life.

I wanted to thank everyone for taking the time to follow our journey. I am so very blessed to have such awesome family and friends to share my experience.  Now comes all of the first time introductions when I first see everyone.

Sending out lots of love Les and Teason.

July 26, 2014

Last night in Vietnam. Had an Amazing time. Met some great people. We have a bond that will last forever. We shared with each other the joys of meeting our kids for the first time and getting to know them. We helped each other out and it was awesome. We got some last minute shopping in today and I even squeezed in some time for a massage. It was $210,000.00 Vietnamese Dongs for a one hour massage. That is the equivalent of $11.00 or $12.00 Canadian. I would go every day for that price. I must say I felt a little like a pretzel though. All relaxed for one more sleep before our very very long Sunday flying day.

July 25, 2014

Well our stay in Vietnam has been awesome. The food, the culture and the scenery is fantastic. But
I'm ready to come home. We were scheduled to come home on August 5th but my sons Vietnamese and temporary Canadian Passport came in early. We will be back in Ottawa on Sunday July 27th. I can't wait to introduce Teason (Nam) to everyone. He has already changed my life in such an awesome way.

July 24, 2014

We toured the Cu Chi Tunnels today.  It is what the Viet Cong used to live in under ground during the war. Very fascinating. The tunnels aren't really made for us super sized Westerners. We did go through one short tunnel thank God I didn't have to live in these tunnels. I would have to drop quite a few pounds and be a foot shorter to fit. We also saw a cricket farm and got to sample the crickets. Not really my thing but I tried them. This Country is beautiful and there is so much to see.

July 23, 2014

Things are going great here. Teason has had two swimming lessons and I have another two booked. Like I said before he is quite the little helper. I have him helping me with the dishes. He had two North American favourites today. KFC for lunch and Dairy Queen for dessert. He loves to eat but most of the time it is on his terms and his speed. He is a very slow eater. He is going to have to learn to speed it up. It is fun to let kids try things that you know they won't like. I tricked him into trying limes a few times at dinner tonight. We went to the zoo the other day and he loved feeding the goats. He wasn't sure about the Tiger.  We met up with a couple Robert and Vanessa and their daughter. Fantastic couple and they took us for our first Starbucks coffee it isn't Tim Hortons but we really don't have much choice. The other coffee shops I have seen here serve the coffee in bags???

He also had his first Doctors appointment today while in my care. The doctor said he is completely healthy. He is just a little under weight for his age. A few more KFC dinners and DQ desserts and he will be right up there with us Fat North Americans.  He has mastered the shower but still not really that happy about baths. Bed time is a breeze now. It takes 2-5 minutes of back rubs. Just like his Daddy. He loves it when he pints a new outfit on and I brush his hair. He stares at himself in the mirrrow and laughs and says WOW!  So awesome!  I can't describe the feeling.

July 20, 2014

It has already been one week since I met my son for the first time. I think we are doing great together.   He is learning what he has to do to wrap me around his little finger. I am also learning what I need to do to get him to do things. He is a great little helper and very organized. A little too organized. Haha. He is learning more and more English words everyday. I downloaded an a APP for kids to learn English/Vietnamese. It is really helpful. I get him to look at the picture and say it in Vietnamese then in English. He seems to be picking it up fast. He is also very styling.

We are heading out now to meet Anne Vaillancourt's (a friend who I used to work with) cousin who lives in Vietnam.   Him and his family are meeting us for dinner and then to take us shopping at the market. It is awesome to have such long distance connections.  What would we do without Face Book.

July 19, 2014

Today we didn't have anything planned.  We just relaxed most of the day.  Dave and I took Teason in his stroller that we bought for a walk around the hotel.  Some of the sites are really quite unbelievable.  From very poor to very rich all living on the same streets.  It is very bizarre.  Some of the buildings here have beautiful architecture and then you have a shack right beside them.  Will post some pictures soon but they aren't off the camera yet.  Tomorrow we have another day of not much planned.  The Typhoon that is hitting China is causing us some high winds and heavy rains.  It isn't too bad but hard to plan outings when the weather is so unpredictable. 

July 18, 2014

Did the tour of the Mekong Delta. It was awesome. Really saw a lot of the remote country side.  I even tried some Snake Wine.  Yes SNAKE.  I hate snakes but had to conquer my fear.  I really only tried a drop and I still hate them....

July 16, 2014

Today we are taking care of some paperwork for the temporary Canadian Passport and the Canadian Citizenship. Things are going so well. Teason is a little comedian and constantly tries to make us laugh. He is an excellent little sleeper too. He doesn't like afternoon naps but he has been sleeping for  11 hours now. No pull-up and no accidents. I love watching him sleep.  Very long process to upload pictures to this blog. Much easier on Face Book sorry to those of you out there that don't have FB but I think I may have to only us it for pictures.  Maybe something wrong with our Internet?

July 15, 2014

I am officially and legally a Father to Teason Robert Nam Stewart. The pictures will start following in the coming posts.

July 14, 2014

We survived our first overnight. I can just lie there and watch him sleep. Today was a busy day we had to go back to the orphanage and meet the Director to show our appreciation. Then they had a luncheon for us. From there we went to get pictures taken of the kids for Vietnamese Passport, Canadian Temporary Passport and Canadian Citizenship. We then ventured out on these crazy streets to go and buy long pants. In order for Dave and I to get into the building for the Giving and Receiving ceremony we need pants!

At the orphanage we met a man from the USA that had been working here for years as a physiotherapist.  He said that Nam (Teason).was like the ambassador of the orphanage. At only three he helped all of the other kids and was always very interested in learning all new things. He said he was going to be very successful in life. He also gave him a watch. He said that when they first met he was fascinated with his watch. It sounds like my son was a very liked kid in the orphanage. All of the Nannies said similar things about him.

We had better luck at the pool today. He would go in the wadding pool and splash around with the other kids. He preferred holding my hand but sometimes forgot and would walk around by himself.
He has great facial expressions and loves to joke around and make us laugh. I also figured out the shower. You get him in and out quick and very little hot water. He still doesn't like it but 100% better than trying to bath him.  

Tomorrow is the ceremony after which I think I have the green light to post pictures.

July 13, 2014

Well today is the day I have waited 6 years for. I am going to meet my son in person for the first time.    We were told we couldn't take hime home because the Director of the orphanage wasn't there. It was just for a visit. Well we went to the orphanage and the waterworks began. I don't think I could even see him my eyes were so welled up. Dave got it all on film but I'm pretty sure he was just as teary eyed. We hugged and it was love at first sight. Then the greatest news ever. They said do you want to take him with you today. Um yah of course. So they packed him up a little nap sack and I left with him. I HAVE A SON. We'll not officially because the ceremony isn't until Tuesday but he is in my care. The instructions from the orphanage were easy. He was their favorite, he eats anything, no allergies, he sleeps well and is very smart. I think I lucked out. He is the most adorable.

He only knows a few English words but important ones.  He says Wow!  No No No! He also says up!  
He isn't a big fan of water and would only sit on the side of the pool with his legs in. Bath time was a nightmare he wouldn't go in the tub. I find out later they only every get cold showers. I thought a nice warm bath would be a good idea apparently not.  He didn't nap the first day I had him but slept from 9 pm to 7 am and he is fully toilet trained even overnight.

Still not supposed to post pictures until after the ceremony.  It has been rescheduled for Tuesday.

July 3, 2014

Celebrated my 43rd Birthday knowing that in just one week I would be leaving for the biggest trip of my life to finally pick up my son Teason Robert Nam Stewart. 

Teason is my grandfathers name on my Mom's side.  I never met him as he died when my mom was just a young teenager.

Robert is my fathers name as well as my middle name.

Nam is my son's Vietnamese name.

Stewart very important.  My Father was the only boy in his family so the only Stewart. He had me and my two brothers. Three Stewarts to carry on the name. Well it looks like Little Teason will have to carry on the Stewart name.

July 10 - July 12, 2014

Left Ottawa at 9:30 pm arrived in Toronto 10:30pm

Left Toronto at 1:45 am arrived in Hong Kong at 4:40 am (16+ hour flight and 12 hour time change)

Left Hong Kong at 8:45 am arrived in Ho Chi Minh City at 11:30 am  (1 hour time change from HK)

Arrived at hotel after being picked up at Airport by Loan (my agencies rep) and her husband.

Dave and I are confused over the day night and to eat breakfast or supper.

Going to try and get some sleep and figure it out. Neither of us slept too much on the plane rides.

July 10, 2014

Went to work like any other day except it is my last day until April 2015!  My brother Rick dropped my brother Dave and I off at the airport at 7:30. It would be the start of a very long plane ride.

July 9, 2014

Here I am sitting 24 hours before I leave for Vietnam.  Wow!  One more day of work then I'm off for 10 months.  I cannot wait to finally meet my son.  My brother and I leave Ottawa on July 10th at 9:30pm.  It is going to be a long, long, long flight but the reward at the end is going to be unbelievable. 

June 30, 2014

Well it has been a busy day.  I booked my flights, requested hotel reservations, got Health insurance for my SON, submitted all the paperwork at work to be off for parental leave, got my VISA at the Vietnamese Embassy in Ottawa.  Departing from Ottawa on July 10th...  Holy Cow it is happening.  

June 27, 2014

After hearing through a friend that she had a friend travelling to Vietnam in a few weeks and that a single male was also going with her at the same time.  Could this be me?  Haven't heard from my agency yet!!!

Later that same day after a frantic voice mail and email.  My Giving and Receiving Ceremony is scheduled for July 14, 2014.  WHAT!  I have just a few weeks left before I become a Dad!

May 28, 2014

It is official.  I have officially been approved and the DA has issued the Article 16.  So much to do...

May 21, 2014

The Department of Adoption has approved me!  Just waiting on the official Article 16.  Still not a done deal but closer....

March 10, 2014

Got an Email today from TDH.  The Police Investigation is officially done and a 30 day waiting period starts when the dossier goes from the Department of Justice in HCMC to the Department of Adoption.  A little closer...

February 22, 2014

Many more follow ups with my agency.  Many unanswered.  Trying to get things expedited by my own Province is a night mare.  Then I got the email with more pictures and a video.  He looks so sad in these pictures.  He needs out of the orphanage and to his forever home and family.  You can hear the lady in the background asking him if he isn't feeling well and if he has a fever.  This is breaking my heart to see him just waiting getting more and more under-developed.  But all I can do is wait.  This whole adoption process is completely out of my control.  For those of you that know me I'm a bit of a control freak.  This is not good for a person like me.

October 17, 2013

Between those first photos and now I frantically updated medical, fingerprints, police records check, home study, Ministry of Ontario approval etc. etc.  For those of you that have adopted or known people who have adopted it seems like it is always a hurry up and wait.  I lost count of how many updates I had over the years. 

Well today I got more pictures and videos of my son.  He is so handsome and smart.  I can't wait to make it official.  It will be quite a while before that happens though...

June 18, 2013 later that day

I received his medical report.  I opened it while holding my breath not sure what I might read.  Mild anaemia.  So he has had a poor diet I can live with that.  Then the big one Acute Upper Respiratory Tract Infection.  I was like OMG what is that.  I immediately Googled it of course.  The non medical term for this is "common cold".  Well I was elated.  Then came the next email.  It had the first video of my son and several picture.  I immediately fell in love with him.  I told my Agency this is it.  Let's do this!

June 18, 2013

I received my first hint that there may be a referral for me.  My agency said "I have a possible proposal for you."  They provided some basic information and asked if I wanted to see his medical and photos/videos.

My answer was pretty clear "Hell yah!"

October 7, 2012

My son was found by a security guard working at the Western Bus Station, Ho Chi Minh City.  He was wearing a yellow T-shirt, white shorts, and a brown jacket, he also had a hat.  There was also a bag with one more set of clothes and a towel. 

This information I would not find out for another 18 months.

June 9, 2011

My Son was born in Vietnam somewhere but I wouldn't find out about this for many months/years.