Happy 1st Birthday!

It's been a long and busy day so will let the pictures speak for themselves! Off to see the ophthalmologist tomorrow and have to leave by 8am so better get some sleep. Found the quilt store this morning with mom and got a few things, and made our way back to pick up the ao dai this evening which was another adventure!

But the best part of the day was getting to celebrate our baby boy's first birthday. Loan and Thuy joined us at our hotel and brought a cake (and they came by motorcycle in 40 degree heat with the cake intact!) - they work with our adoption agency and are a big part of bringing Lucas into our family. Our new friends from Quebec joined us later on.

We had some fantastic snacks from the hotel restaurant, opened a few presents, ate cake and did the Toi Noi. This is a tradition where objects are placed around the child that represent future characteristics for the child, depending on which ones they pick. On Maiya's first birthday she picked money for wealth, a pen for being a writer, a textbook for being a scholar or teacher, a calculator for business, and a map for being a traveller. Lucas wouldn't touch the money but he did pick the pen, the book, a ball for being athletic, markers for being artistic and the map for travel, so he should be well rounded, even if he is not rich!

The pictures start with some of the first photos we ever received of Lucas to shots from early this morning and the party. It is incredible to think of the challenges our little warrior has overcome in his first year of life. But look at how far he has come in one week. So our birthday message to you, our "warrior and bringer of light" comes from one of my favourite books...."Oh the places you'll go" - and we can't wait to see them with you!