Hosts

Caleb and I hosted baby group for the first time. I only remembered to take my camera out at the end so I missed getting a photo of our packed living room which included eight babies!

Maria, Elliot and Caleb

Our international baby group: Jennifer & Dustin (Canada), Ang & Dylan (South Africa) and Susanne & Sigfreid (USA)

Caleb spent most of the time in his favourite chair where he even caught a nap

Carseat Chatter

Weekend in Hue

We had a great weekend visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Hue in Central Vietnam. We awoke early on Saturday to catch our one hour flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Hue. We were in our deluxe room at the Green Hotel by 9:30 am and off to check out the Citadel, the walled Imperial City, which included the emperor's residence, various temples and the Forbidden Purple City. We spent the day roaming the various Citadel enclosures and returning to our hotel just before a short rain shower. For dinner, we enjoyed a traditional seven course Hue meal complete with decorative green bean cakes for dessert. Too bad the green bean dessert did not taste as lovely as it looked. On our second day in Hue, we awoke early to join a tour by dragon boat down the Perfume River to see the pagodas and tombs. The $6 tour was scheduled for eight hours so we thought that when Caleb got tired, we could just hop in a taxi and go back to the hotel. Caleb was incredible - he slept on the boat on our way to the first pagoda and towards the end of the day, even with the hot weather, he was still happily enjoying all the attention from both fellow tourists and locals. One Vietnamese woman had him laughing hysterically - it was very cute! We made it through the entire tour and were dropped off at our hotel in time to enjoy a swim in the pool.

A family photo at the Imperial Enclosure in the Citadel. 

This chair must have strunk in the wash... seriously, look closely - there is a chair under there.

Caleb seemed to be enjoying the Citadel sights too.

A carrot and pineapple peacock stabbed with Hue style spring rolls for dinner - delicious!

On the bridge to Ming Mang's tomb.

At the tomb of Khai Dinh who ruled Vietnam from 1916-1925.

While Lori checked out the tomb of Tu Duc, Kevin enjoyed a Huda beer and Caleb enjoyed the breeze from the fan overhead.

Enjoying a swim at the Green Hotel pool.

For more pictures from our weekend in Hue, 

check out our Hue Photo Album.

More Mui Ne

Day 2 in Mui Ne included more swimming and lounging by the pool.

Lunch at Coco Beach before heading back to Ho Chi Minh City.

Selling fresh fruit along the beachfront.

They Call This Work...

While Kevin is in meetings in a small, poorly air-conditioned room at the Pandanus Resort, Mui Ne, Caleb and I have been enjoying time by the pool. 

After a swim, Caleb napped on a lounge chair by the pool.

One of the resort's lovely ponds.

3 Months Old Today

In celebration of Caleb's 3 month birthday, we invited Maria and Caleb's little friend, Elliot, over for lunch. The celebrations continued into the evening when Jeremy, Melanie and Kristi arrived back from Cambodia and we ended up at the Ben Thanh Night Market for dinner.

Elliot and Caleb hanging out

Caleb and Sophie

Caleb tried out his Bumbo chair today brought all the way from Canada by Gramma Jean

Flaming shrimp for dinner at Ben Thanh 

Baby Yoga

So where is my baby?... that's right, my mat is the one without a baby because Caleb was fast asleep in his carseat during baby yoga! He made it through one posture and said good night!

At the Swimming Hole

Caleb had his first swim this afternoon. Colleen, another Talisman wife, invited Caleb and I over to enjoy the pool - with the temperature up around +35 degrees Celsius it sounded like a perfect idea! After Caleb's waterbirth, I had expected him to love the water but he is still getting used to the idea. He started by only showing a general discomfort in the water but once he had enough he resorted to crying. When I took Caleb out of the pool, I wrapped him up in a towel and he fell fast asleep. Apparently, swimming was a rather tiring activity for him.

Caleb in his shades

Caleb's first swim

Shopping Paradise

Hoi An is one of my most favourite places. It has everything - culture, lovely people, great food, shopping, beach... what more could you ask for! The original plan was for Kevin and Jeremy to spend Saturday diving while the girls (and Caleb) would visit the tailors and get some clothes made. To the guys' disappointment, diving was cancelled due to weather so that meant everyone got to shop. Let's just say that we came away with quite a few purchases.  In fact, it took us most of Sunday to go around town collecting our orders.

The guys' favourite shopping event... the coffee breaks!

Sunday started with a walk along the beach -

Melanie and Jeremy with Kevin and Kristi way off in the distance.

Caleb and I - this photo was taken not too long after we were hit by a wave resulting in my entire side being soaked. An old lady walked by and said 'your baby has sand in his eyes'... nice parenting, Lori.

All shopped out and ready to head to the airport.

My Kevin Doll

My sisters and I used to fight over our one Ken doll for our many Barbies when we were kids. Little did we know there was a Kevin doll... available at the Ho Chi Minh Airport!

Now we just have to get my Kevin one of those flashy plether jackets!

Tricks

Check this out! It is kind of funny after our conversation this morning, Jo... didn't you say 'they just do things so quickly'!

The Marvins are in Town

Kristi, Melanie and Jeremy arrived in Ho Chi Minh last night from Hong Kong. Caleb was spoiled with more presents from Gramma Alvina including a beautiful race car play mat. Kristi also brought Caleb a pirate bike helmet so now we can use the bike carrier. 

After a relaxing morning and some trip planning, we met up with Kevin for lunch in District 1 and then enjoyed dessert at Fanny's Ice Cream (poor Kevin had to return to work). And now we are off for foot massages, manicures and pedicures! 

We are thinking about Aunty Jo-Ann often because we know how much she wants to be here hanging out with us. We will keep looking for you on Skype so all your sisters can say hi to you, Jeff and Anna!

Kristi and Caleb

Jeremy and Melanie with Caleb at Fanny's Ice Cream (with not much ice cream remaining on that plate)

Caleb cannot get enough of Melanie. They both enjoyed an afternoon nap!

Happy Hour

Katie, Shon and Melodie were fans of inexpensive Vietnamese beer so we enjoyed a rainy Saturday afternoon in Ho Chi Minh City's backpacker district having a few brews. Katie, Shon and Melodie left Sunday morning for Mui Ne and where ever else they end up in Vietnam over the next few weeks. They will be back to stay with us in about three weeks before heading off to Thailand for another month.

Dad and Caleb

Melodie, Shon, Katie, Caleb and Kevin

Baby with beer