*6 Months Down

As of yesterday, April 1st, we have been DTV (dossier to Vietnam) 6 months. We've been in the adoption process for more than 11 months. Most people have babies in their arms by now. Or, I should at least by in my third trimester by now, but we likely many many more months to go before we'll get to hold our child. It's getting a little harder, but I am so thankful the Lord has made the wait bearable so far.

I heard through the grape vine that our agency received 3 referrals recently, but they all tested positive HIV. I know that is a reality, but it is truly a terrible one. They will be retested in a couple months, and if it is positive again, they are destined to grow and die in the orphanage system. I hurt for that child, an innocent baby who has a deadly disease and will likely be shunned and forgotten because of her parents actions.

It got us talking though, and we're realizing we know very little about how HIV can work in a newborn baby who gets it from his or her parents. If a newborn tests positive and then tests negative at 3 months, is she essentially a healthy baby with no risk of the virus remaining in her body? How does that original presence of the virus affect her?

Today we went to the zoo with our neighbors who are on spring break. I thought Koen would enjoy it more than he did. He is definitely wanting to do more things independently, and did not like having to be in his stroller, and would not cooperate well when out of his stroller. He enjoyed seeing some of the animals he could see well, but many were far away and not moving so I don't think he even saw them. We'll have to go back soon though, because I bought us a membership!Koen (in front) with his buddies