Today … for a brief period of time … I was a millionaire.  Then, we went to the market today and it all disappeared in the twinkle of Kelly’s eye!  Now, understand that $1 US dollar equals $16,000 Vietnamese dollars, so we were not really living the high life.  But, it was nice for a little while!

We found out this afternoon that our Giving and Receiving Ceremony will be tomorrow (Wednesday) at 7AM.  That said, it takes a little while to get there, so we have to leave the hotel at 5:30!  Don’t get me wrong … I’m excited to finally be recognized as Mia’s dad.  But, don’t they understand I’m just getting used to the local time?

Since it was a free day, we spent most of it at the market.  As we walked over, Kelly wanted me to take a picture of the dentist office across the street from the hotel to show her brother, Todd.  You probably can’t see it, but it offers teeth whitening in an hour.  I guess the Vietnamese need white teeth, too!

The market, while smelly in certain parts, does have a lot of neat stuff.  Here are just a bunch of colorful grains, etc.

The girls at the market just LOVE Mia.  They are always trying to make her smile, touch her, talk to her, etc.  You would think that Mia was different from them with the way they respond to her!  It’s not like there are a million other babies around that look Vietnamese.  But, they think she is cute and they all love her.

Kelly and I came back to the hotel at lunch to rest from our (Kelly’s) buying and after coming down to the lobby the lady that was with us gave Kelly a very pretty arrangement of flowers for her birthday yesterday.  It was a very nice gesture and well received.

In the lobby, Mia tried to act like a big girl!

Again … notice the dress.  I don’t want anyone coming back later and saying that I didn’t show today’s fashion!

Mia has been a little unhappy today.  We don’t know if she is missing home or is a little constipated, or what.  But, she has not been very happy.  She has regressed a little bit with me, not wanting to have ANYTHING to do with me.  I had to hold her for awhile while Kelly had to take a shower.  She was really pleased with that!

 Before we could head out the door, one of the maids had to take a few minutes to try and get Mia to smile.

Mia started to turn the corner at the market in the afternoon.  It all started when we put a Vietnamese hat on her and she looked so cute!

Then, in the market, Kelly was really getting her to smile and even laugh several times.  It is nice to see that personality coming out of our little bundle.

Kelly has become a master negotiator, even to the point of negotiating for the other peoples purchases.  She was telling the sales lady today, “No, no … too expensive!”  Most of the sales people go along and play the game happily.  However, one lady did not!  She actually got a little mad with me.  I’m not really sure why because all she had to do was say “no.”  But, we started to leave several times and I guess she didn’t appreciate it.

As we left to go home, I took a picture of the ladies on their way through one of the streets. 

Tonight we are going to dinner with a couple from Australia that come here on missions work.  They help educate hospital employees.  They are a very sweet couple and love children, so they have been nice to have around.  We will update everyone after the ceremony tomorrow morning!

Cameron