Holiday Greetings and a few answers to questions I have been asked via this blog.

Just a picture to let you know how things are going in the Peacock household. Sadie is doing great and adjusting wonderfully. her first doctor's visit went well, proclaimed healthy and on track for her age. We have not found much she does not like to eat, but we knew that from Vietnam as well, she ate everything there!.

After being home almost a month, I have to say I do miss Vietnam. The only negative experience I can relate is the waiting we had courtesy of USCIS after our first meeting. Sounds like several families had to go through it, but from what I have read things are now moving along since the change in the US process over there. as for Vietnam itself, amazing place with amazing people. I really cannot wait to take Sadie back when she is older.

Some of the questions we have been asked. Adjustment on returning home. We were very lucky. Sadie slept through the night in Hanoi and after a few days to get over jetlag and time change she does so here as well. Goes to bed around 8 830ish plays a bit in the crib and then is out for the night. usually wakes between 630 and 7. So in that regard we are very lucky. As for attachment, she took to my wife almost immediately over there and me in a couple of days. She is very social and loves to meet new people and be the center of attention as long as she can see us. She has been around my mother and sister enough she is comfortable with them if we leave and comes to us when we get back. Deanna has gone back to work, so at the end of the day when she comes home Sadie is all about her mommy. Guess being with me all day will do that!

Food and new things. Our doctor kind of laughed after he told u try new things slowly. In Vietnam you almost use what is available to feed them if the will eat it. The congees and porridge they serve are great for breakfast for the little ones. Some have pork, shrimp or beef in them. Allergy worries, well seems seafood allergies are not as big of a deal in Vietnam as here, babies get fish sauce from a young age over there and yes Sadie loves the stuff as do I. we pulled out the list of things she had tried he just chuckled and said the big issue would be letting her adjust from fresh food she had over there to jarred stuff here. It cause a little rash on her cheeks at first but has cleared up and she just likes to eat.

Her vocabulary is progressing very well for an almost 9 month old. she is bright and alert as were most of the babies I saw being adopted from over there.

Our agency. We are very pleased with them. We knew when we signed on it would be a very long process as we started prior to the country re-opening. Our agency went slowly at every step but to me it was a good thing, we felt each step was followed throughly and completely which is what you want for an international adopton. Their in country staff was amazing every step of the way. They will cater to whatever you need if you are that type of person to help make your stay comfortable. That was not our style we were more go with the flow you guys pick stuff out and we will be ok on our own. Regardless of what type of person you are they are great. I know it is hard to admit if you are the former but alot of folks are and never traveling internationally can be quite a shock.(Note I would not consider Canada or the Caribbean international truly even though they are foreign countries. I have visited many many countries and covered 5 of the 7 continents and East Asia is more unique than anywhere I have been). Oh the in country staff. Great as I said. Since returning I have exchanged emails with some of them and would count a couple as friends at this point who I hope to stay in touch with. Our agency was very open and accessible the entire process, so we are pleased and if we do adopt again in the future we would use them.

Hmmm I am out of words for now so more later, Happy Holidays