Phoebe tastes banana

| Hoa Doan

Phoebe is 6 months and 27 days today. She was 100% on breast milk until 6 months. I have fed her some cereals, and some mashed fruits which she doesn’t like much. Today when I was on a video call with Tim, my mom peeled a banana and Phoebe tried to bite some. She seems to enjoy it very much ?

Homestay opening

| Hoa Doan

We did it! Tim and I did a lot of shopping to finish the final touches, and we officially opened. There was a lot of hard work and planning, but we worked through everything and are very happy with how the place turned out. Dec 26, we welcomed our first guest from Russia.

Here are some of the photos from the outside:



Here are photos from the inside:

Bringing Phoebe Home

| Tim Warnock

After five days in the hospital, Hòa is recovering nicely and we brought Phoebe home for the very first time. We’re spending most of our sleepless nights staring at our beautiful baby girl.

Everyone in the hospital said Phoebe looks more like me than she looks like Hòa. I didn’t really think so until I saw her make this face:

It’s a girl!

| Tim Warnock

Phoebe Vi* Warnock

Born September 16 in Halong Bay, Vietnam at 8:55pm (9:55am EDT), 3.5 kg.

*pronounced “vee”; We originally named her Phoebe Victoria Warnock, but we found out that at least one part of her full name should be a Vietnamese name in order for Phoebe to gain citizenship in Vietnam (as well as her US citizenship). We chose “Vi” as her middle name. “Vi” doesn’t mean anything specific in Vietnamese, but to us it means “Victoria” 🙂

Back together in Halong Bay ?

| Hoa Doan

Tim got back last Monday after 3 months. We’ve had a longest time being apart and I’m glad he will be here with me waiting for the baby to come. Love you ?

The baby is now 3.2kg (7.3 pounds) at 38 weeks 4 days. She is kicking stronger these days ?. We can’t wait to see you soon baby girl ?.

We also took some photos together. So cheesy ?

Pregnancy ?- update

| Hoa Doan

Last week – July 30, I had a follow-up checkup with my doctor for my 33 week pregnant. So far, our baby is good (thanks universe ?), 2.15kg and here’s how she looks now:

I gained 7kg, mostly it’s on my belly. ? I already finished shopping and the only thing left for Tim to bring back from US is an electric breast pump ??

I just started having pregnancy massage weekly. It really helps relaxing my body. ??

6 more weeks to go…!!! ??????

Arizona trip

| Hoa Doan

We were supposed to go to Arizona to visit Tim’s grandma and mom last month. But my doctor advised me not to take long flights and I was really busy with the construction, I wasn’t able to join Tim.

Grandma is in the assisted living home due to her broken leg and dementia. It’s not easy dealing with all of these issues at the same time. Everyone tried to find a good place which is able to provide a good care for grandma. Tim and Michael are working together to fix grandma’s house and everyone hopes for her recovery and home coming soon. Get well soon grandma ? ?

Prenatal classes ?

| Hoa Doan

The hospital where I plan to give birth offers prenatal classes every Saturday morning. It is very helpful and informative. Last Saturday, I was taught how to take bath, give massage and clean for the baby. It is a lot to remember and Tim has a lot to catch up once he’s here ?

So far, I gained more or less 6kg and got some discomfort from the 3rd trimester pregnancy. I think I need more exercise like walking and some massage ?. 8 more weeks to go… ?

9 years

| Hoa Doan

So Facebook reminded me today that it’s 9 YEARS of friendship between me and Tim. It’s kinda funny how many things happened during this time and how miracle it was that we are now together despite the big distance and too little time we met before all of these things: flirting, serious dating, marriage, pregnant, building homestay together, and so much more… All of that is just within more or less 10 months. ??

31-week baby!

| Hoa Doan

I have another ultrasound session today. The baby is doing well so far and I’m praying everyday that she will be strong, healthy and smart, just like her parent ??…

Since I’m working at home for the homestay project, I have more time to learn about babies. Yet there’s so much to learn. I hope I will do well as a mother soon ???

Look at our baby at 31 week, weigh 1,658 gram (3.6 pounds). We ? you baby girl!

Back to work

| Hoa Doan

After 4 years of traveling, living places, learning languages, writing, dating ?, Tim is going back to work today.

Look how charming my husband is in his work outfit ?

Good luck hubby! ?

Preparation for our baby

| Hoa Doan

Oh I’m now at the 29-30 weeks. How time flies ?… I just started learning about baby and doing shopping. Look at these cute little pieces ???

I would need help from my friends to buy more other stuffs ?, I’m getting headaches just because I tried to learn about different kind of diapers. ?

Daddy to the rescue haha ?

Tim’s birthday ? ?

| Hoa Doan

Tim doesn’t like birthday celebrations, same as me ?. But this is the first birthday since we have been together so I decided to make a simple celebration for Tim.

To Tim: I love you and I always will ?… There are difficulties ahead of us but I’m excited to go through all of them with you. ??❤️

Tim’s first book

| Hoa Doan

I’m so proud of you hubby ??… After more than 2 years of working on this book, finally Soma Book I was published on Amazon. Congrats to you for this big day ???

May Update

| Tim Warnock

Next month I’ll be back in the US on some job interviews. Hopefully Hòa will be able to travel in June. The baby is getting bigger and bigger, and from I can tell she has her Mom’s lips and maybe Dad’s nose, but it’s hard to tell just yet 🙂

I’m going to miss the relaxing day-to-day in Ha Long, especially the constant supply of juice and tea from Hoa’s Mom. Even on days she can’t be here, she comes over early in the morning and makes us a bunch of juice and tea. We woke up to this one morning:

Bà bầu ơi

| Tim Warnock

“Vợ ơi,” I said to my Bà bầu.

“I’m bored Bà bầu,” we’re packing our lives, readying for a new life. There’s nothing fun to do today.

“Take your vitamins Bà bầu,” get lots of rest, and drink lots of water. I can’t wait till we are in our new life. I can hear it.

“Listen Bà bầu,” the wind whispers the soft secrets of our future. Listen, and you can hear it too. Dance, and the wind will dance with you.

“One day Bà bầu,” one day we will look back at quiet boring Manila with endless gratitude.

“Anh yêu em, Bà bầu,” let us never forget these beautiful boring moments.

Farewell party with my company

| Hoa Doan

More than 5 years working in the Philippines with a lot of tears, sweat, laughter and happiness, it’s time to say goodbye to my CleverAds Philippines family. All the good memories will stay in my heart ❤️

I’m glad that Tim finally met my team on my last day. Can’t wait to start the new chapter of our life in Halong ??