Gotcha + 5 (& return flight details)

Visiting the Grand Palace was on the agenda for this morning and 3 tuk tuk’s was the preferred mode of transport.  We thought Nate wouldn't like it but actually he was so tired (and grumpy) that he actually fell asleep on us. This gives us hope that if he can sleep in the middle of Bangkok traffic then the plane may not be much of a hassle after all.  We walked around the temple with him stuck to me like a limpet.   He missed the first part of the tour but woke up in time to see the emerald Buddha.


We had a quiet afternoon, mainly as Nate was still a little tired (despite another nano nap) - again really dribbly today.  Also because I myself was a bit tearful today.  Im not entirely sure why, because besides being desperate to get home now, I have no real excuse as everything is going so well here.  Anyways I had a good cry and besides freaking everyone else out I feel much better and a wee bit more sane.  Maybe I have the equivalent of the baby blues.

Speaking of plane here are the details…..

Leave here 5 pm Saturday (9pm Adelaide time) arriving in Sydney.  We then board a Qantas domestic flight back to Adelaide which should get us home at about 10 am Sunday (Adelaide time).  The flight number for that will be QF 739 and it will be to the domestic terminal….I don’t spose there is any hope of the new airport being open…?

Isn't this the cutest face ever (we see this alot!!) and each time cant wait till he does it again....

Gotcha +4

After all of yesterday’s activity we decided to have a quiet day, nothing more eventful than a swim in the pool.  Mum & Dad got very adventurous and went out with a tuk tuk to visit some temples and wound up at the Royal Lapidary where they bought some nice ruby earrings for Mum and some Sapphire ones for their favourite daughter – aren’t I lucky!!!  Valesca and Phoebe are also being quite the travelers with some retail therapy at MBK and swimming being some easy ways to kill time….Bartering is no longer a problem it seems.

Nate is turning out to be quite the charmer, as he gets more and more confident each day. Also, there is nothing cuter than when he does his “wei” (interpretation = hands together (prayer style) and bowing ones head (used as a greeting and sign of respect).  It is actually one of his milestones that he achieved at about 15 months old.

Today was also pretty well the first day that he has regularly started to acknowledge being called Nate.  We have opted for the shortened version of Nathaniel at the moment as it seems to generate the easiest response.

We also found a food court under this hotel which serves cheap and yummy thai food, and also hands down the best waffles ever.  Now, I know that waffles aren’t authentic nor are they healthy, but it seems that I have lost some weight (I would say at least 5 kg so far) as my pants are all feeling a wee bit loose.  Maybe this is the diet I have been waiting for – the Nate diet.

I meant to mention earlier that we actually lucked out and have both a baby photo of Nate, and one also when he was 4 days old with his birthmother.  We have shed a few tears while looking at them as we can see the clear resemblance he has to her, and feel sad that she does not know what an amazing little person he is becoming.  We will keep the Thai red cross updated as much as possible so that maybe sometime she will enquire after him and know for sure that she made the right decision.

Gotcha +3

Im probably sounding a little boring now as things are still great - Nate has truly bonded with us both (Dadda is best for play, & Mum is best for food) - we went for a quick trip to Chatachuk Markets (acres and acres of market stalls selling everything including the kitchen sink).  We sat together in the park near the market as Nate consumed a huge amount of strawberries - our boy loves his fruit.

We are learning quickly what food Nate likes - everything; we are yet to find somwthing he wont eat.  No problems with the 'waste disposal' either which is a relief.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAKE !!!!!

Gotcha +2

Today Nate started with another bowl of a banana cereal and some watermelon in the restaurant.  He's so settled already.  He sat for ages in the pusher this morning while we ate.  Its also clear he loves to entertain.  There is always a salute and a smile from the door mean at the hotel everytime we come and go.  We then had a bit of a play and a bath. The bath went down much better today and it was actually enjoyable for him.  Smiles this time and no tears.

After lunch and midday nap we all decided to take a trip out to the oceanarium.  Nate was absolutely fascinated by all of the under water activity.  He loved looking at the fish and anything else that moved underwater.  It was a pretty amazing place, not unlike the oceanariums in Melbourne & Sydney - just bigger and underneath the shopping centre.  He was such a trooper and again really settled.  He is starting to get much more comfortable with the rest of the family which is really nice (Poppa is an early favourite).

We got early dinner at the Siam Paragon shopping centre and even had a quick look at the Patpong Markets, (well Phoebe, Nate & I sat on a step eating watermelon while the others checked out some sights). Stocking up on the latest DVD’s was a must and we did pretty well there.  Our boy had a bit of a late night which meant he was a little difficult to get to sleep but otherwise all was well.
 

Gotcha +1

We are so happy happy happy this morning.  After going to bed at 7.30 pm Nate slept right through until 6.30 am.  He had a bit of a coughing fit at about 3 am but never woke up.  I don’t dare to think it will always be this way but I'm enjoying it for the moment.  I had a great sleep too, but Papa was a bit restless, listening for his noises.  We all shared the bed last night as it was our first together - we certainly wont be making it a habit as Nate is a wigglepot.

The travel party has again ventured out on their own.  Mum organized a trip out to the Rose Garden which does a pretty good cultural show.  I think its important that they get out and see the Bangkok we love.

After waking Nate had some Banana cereal and then a couple of bits of watermelon in the restaurant.  He sure is a wee little thing.  Clothes are 00 and fit pretty well.  He weighs just under 10 kg.

Mid morning he was doing so well, we went out for a walk amongst the masses.  We got very brave, changed him into his swimmers and we went down to the pool.  The good news is that he has no fear of water and in fact loves to splash.  He did hold onto me for dear life but was very happy.  He only got grumpy when it was time to go!  Most of the time we seem to carry him but he is now starting to enjoy walking and is also quite happy with the pusher.  Now while I am typing both of my boys are having naps but that will soon be coming to an end as it is medicine and afternoon snack time.  Nate seems to have a bit of a cold, and we also think he is teething as he is really dribbly.   The TRCCH had Nate on ventolin syrup every 4 hours.  We're reducing it now with a view to ceasing it completely.
 

GOTCHA DAY

Today was our most important day yet, but somehow also the most relaxed we have felt for a few days.  We had to meet Dr Sarre and convince her that we are more than ready to take over the care of our son.  Although she looks to be about 100 (Tony thinks she is Yoda incarnate) she is very sweet and it is more than obvious how much she cares for the kids there and sincerely hopes that they grow to be proud of who they are and where they came from.  The meeting went well (although we were almost 20 mins late due to traffic) and she gave us the all clear to take him home.  She asked us lots of questions and gave us lots of pointers on raising a Thai child.   Only problem now was that he wasn’t there as he was out having a haircut and  his Thai passport done.  So we had no choice but to leave for a few hours and do some last minute food shopping of snacks, soup and noodles.

We arrived back at the TRCCH at 1430 to have his medicine given to us, the clothes we had taken for him to wear rushed off and within about 2 minutes he was in our arms and ready to go.  No tears today at all which was really heartening.  The taxi ride back to the hotel was also no stress.  He was in quite a playful mood and not at all scared by the traffic.

Soon after arriving back at home base it was meet the family time; lots of tears from all.  He was quite fascinated by everyone and actually went to Valesca for a few minutes. It was quite an emotional time for all of us as the realization of our family becoming complete started to sink in.






We retreated back to our room for some quiet time and starting to get him settled. It wasn’t anywhere the nightmare I thought it would be as he was really good. He had some clear chicken broth followed by a whole tub of banana/corn yoghurt. He also tried 2 french fries from our room service meals. We opted not to do the pre bed bath and soon enough he was tuckered out and ready for sleep.

As for the rest of the travel party they have all become seasoned travelers and ventured out on their own to the Marble Temple and Dusit Zoo. I am so proud of them all as Bangkok is a big scary place to the unaccustomed – we are so glad that we came here last year as we feel quite relaxed here as if its home away from home.

As I write this it is so hard to capture how we feel.  We waited so long for this moment to come and it was everything we'd hoped it would be.  We both agreed that our family is complete now

 

Another good one

We had another great day visiting our little boy.  He was a bit tearful when we got there but he also cries when they come to take him away.  Tomorrow we meet with Dr Sarre in the morning and all going well should be able to take him away with us to begin his new life.  Just one small hiccup is that they haven't done his Thai passport yet so I hope that doesn't delay things.

Anyways I'm off to the pool - sorry for the short message but Ive only been swimming once since we got here and I'm getting desperate!!

Love to all......