I Can't Stop Buying Things for Baby Bao When That Money Should Go Into His College Fund

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Does he really need hand embroidered pajamas with frogs on them? Or an ornate gold and red costume with furry sleeves and matching hat aka mini Last Emperor? (Actually yes to that one as I suspect that he will have several welcome home parties to attend). Lacquer paintings with boy on water buffalo, as this year is the year of the buffalo, and it is definitely our lucky Tet? And framed picture of Uncle Ho holding baby that looks exactly like you know who? Last night I left Bao here in room with Allen when I went off in search of diapers, meandering the winding streets of the old quarter. Returned with all these things (ok, except diapers). We just want him to know some of his heritage as we don't know when we can come back.

It is very exciting here right now with everyone getting ready for Tet. When you walk down the street you see old women burning paper on the sidewalk. Many Vietnamese follow ancestral worship, and they are burning fake money so that their ancestors will be wealthy in the next life. Thought we would only see one 4 foot tall Tet orange tree set in a large porcelain pot loaded precariously onto the back of a moto (as Allen says, what could possibly go wrong?) but we have seen many many more. Today we visited some friends. They told us that Bao was born in the year of the mouse, which means he is very talented. (Certainly not as in quiet as a mouse, as he is already demonstrated when fussy in taxi car stuck in pre-Tet traffic and so loud that taxi driver got out of car periodically to escape noise). Special calligraphers are drawing symbols and paintings for customers right now, each symbol is a word that the person can focus on in the coming year as a reminder of improvement similar to our New Year's resolutions. Our friends are having one made for Bao, and are going to give us some of his horoscope based on his date of birth. So yes it is very special for us to be returning to Vietnam and adopting our precious baby boy here. Definitely a Tet to remember.

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Photos

Bao with Buffalo
This Tet Marks the Year of the Buffalo

Offering Altar
At Hanoi Elegance 3

Bao in Front of Peach Tree
Lucky Tree for Tet

Kumquat Tree
Lucky Tree for Tet

Comments

[Jamie Pham]

You go ahead and spoil him
How can anyone resist? He is so adorable and deserve to be doted on. You are so lucky to be over there during Tet. I am dying to experience Tet in Vietnam on year but it will have to be a while longer yet. Enjoy being with Bao.