After struggling to get Lulu to eat, we tried a new bottle system, Nuk. We also changed formula from what she had been receiving at the orphanage to a high-end Vietnamese formula. Whatever the reason, she finally started drinking in earnest and was willing to hold her bottle and self-feed a bit. She would still benefit from a stronger appetite, but at least we're getting some liquids in her.
I filed the paperwork to apply for her Vietnamese passport this morning. She'll get it next Friday, and hopefully get a chance to use it very soon thereafter.
Unfortunately, we know she won't be able to make our original departure date of August 5th. She should be approved by our embassy to travel August 7th or 8th. We're on wait lists starting August 9th, but the outlook is not good before August 13th. Joni and I don't want both of us away from Gabe that long, so we have decided (absent a literal act of congress to clear our departure by August 5th) that Joni will return on our original flight, and I'll wait until Lulu is cleared to leave and then bring her home on the next available flight (likely August 13th). It's not the best of situations, but it appears to be a necessary choice. We miss Gabe so much, and we hear daily how much he misses us. We appreciate so much our families' commitment to care for him while we're on this trip, and we know he's in good hands. We also know there's no replacement for momma's reading of Curious George each night. We also have to think of Joni's law practice and what an additional week's delay could mean. I had already planned to be on leave from work through the rest of August, so this will simply mean I'll be spending more of that leave in Vietnam than at home.
Your prayers and positive thoughts continue to be appreciated. Joni and I would rather neither of us would have to make the 30+ hour trip home by ourselves (or with Lulu), but we've got to do what's best for both our children, and this appears to be it.
God bless all of you who are continuing to participate in this journey with us. Lulu's smiles and gaining strength are our daily reward, and we look forward to sharing that reward with each of you soon.
Take care,
Aaron, Joni, and Lulu
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3 comments:
We'll keep thinking positive thoughts and praying that you all get to come home together.
Hang in there!
I agree with Gale. Everything will work out. Our positive thoughts and prayers are with you. I can't wait to see ALL of you.
It sounds like you have made the best plan possible with the situation you are in. I am so glad that Lulu is eating better and gaining strength everyday. I can't imagine how happy she must be to have so much love and attention.
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