Day 3 in Hanoi - A Shopping Adventure

Day 3 in Hanoi went very well. Chianna is having a good time with us and definitely getting used to us both. She is such a happy little girl and is constantly amazing us. We are in awe and totally in love, of course!

We have several days here while we wait for Chianna's passport to come through, so we are just planning on enjoying Chianna and Hanoi too. April 30th and May 1st are holidays here in Vietnam.

We went to breakfast at the hotel this morning with a great view of Hanoi at the 8th floor.





Chianna enjoys giving Daddy what's lef ton her plate when she's done eating. She always wants to make sure her plate is clean, but that doesn't mean that she has to eat it all.


After breakfast we headed out to the grocery market to get some supplies. It was a long walk around the lake. I am not sure how far it was, but I am guessing close to 2 miles. Chianna walked the whole way there, holding my hand (for balance and security, I think). On the way to the store we had passed by an ice cream shop, but she did not want to stop and sit down, she just kept walking right through and shook her head "no" when I pulled out the chair. I doubt she realized it was ice cream, she just didn't want to stop, she loves walking and is quick, often she runs too. She really does not let her cerebral palsy get in her way. We are so pleased about this. So, on we trudged to the store. We shopped in the market store where she got a new sippy cup that she absolutely loves. Its an orange bear with a straw. The bear head closes over the straw and has a neck strap so she can wear it.

Chianna just loves other kids, every time we pass by kids, she looks and smiles and is so interested in what they are doing. I just know that she is going to love playing with Dee Dee and all of our little friends. We can't wait!!!

The way home from the store was a bit of a stressful trek for us, not for Chianna though. We had a bunch of groceries, most fit in Myke's backpack and the rest he carried in a bag; it was heavy for him and hard on his back. After a couple blocks Chianna was getting very tired and wanted me to pick her up. Picking her up and walking in the 80+ degree heat and humidity is not easy. For some reason, she doesn't want daddy to carry her when we are walking. If he picks her up when playing that is ok, just not walking. We are not sure why. We just didn't prepare properly and left the hotel without the little card to give to a taxi driver, evidently you need that so that you don't go on the "scenic tour" of Hanoi. So I made it back, completely red faced and out of breath and mad at myself for being so out of shape. But, on the bright side, I am gettin strong fast! between all the lifting, palying, walking, running, crouching, bending. squating, lifting over the potty, I will be Super Mom in no time at all! Oh and not to mention the lightenting fast reflexes I have instantly developed!

Hoan Kiem Lake:









We spent the rest of the day in the room, resting and recuperating. Unfortunately, Daddy developed a headache, so he took a nap. Chianna did NOT take a nap, she just doesn't seem to want to nap. She was so exhausted after our trek and all the walking. She was quietly watching her DVDs and her eyes were so heavy, but she refused to lay down. At one point, I think she actually fell over, but hit her head on the headboard. Of course, if did not phase her, but I still felt the need to go check on her and then she sat up and did not fall back asleep. She does sleep through the night and usually for about 12 hours. I'm not sure.

She insisted on taking sippy cup bear with us to dinner. As we were getting ready to leave, I put my purse over my neck and shoulder, so she switches Mr. Bear to the same position. I thought that was hilarious. I asked her "Like Mommy?" and she nodded and smiled. So did I.

Chianna and I had a nice little dinner together at the hotel and we brought Daddy dinner in the room.