Bay Area couple adopts baby in Vietnam

SAN RAFAEL, Calif. Nov. 20, 2007 (KGO) (KGO) -- This Thanksgiving week is extraordinarily special for one Bay Area couple. It involves a San Rafael woman, who was adopted as a baby in Vietnam, and is now returning to Vietnam to adopt her own daughter.

Tallia Hart and her fiancé, Mark Bodenhamer talked to ABC7 News just before they left for Hanoi, Vietnam to adopt a baby.

"It's really emotional, but it's very exciting," says Tallia.

The orphanage thinks their baby was born in July.

"Her name is Hien Thuy Nguyen and she was found in front of the orphanage in a flower garden," says Tallia.

This adoption has a deep significance for Tallia, who was born in Vietnam.

"I actually was abandoned, found in a rice field, and taken to an orphanage in Saigon. I was very malnourished and really underweight."

An American couple found out about her and adopted her, at six months old, knowing she might die. Her new parents already had one child and they added Tallia to their family.

Tallia got out before the chaotic baby-lifts of 1975, when hundreds of children were flown out under gunfire, as Saigon fell to the communists.

Tallia and Mark have the nursery ready for their new baby, whose Vietnamese name means "Gentle Water." Her American name is Lola Elizabeth. Tallia is the president and CEO of the San Rafael Chamber of Commerce. Mark does political consulting and advocacy for affordable housing.

Right now, though, they're just new parents-to-be. They are very nervous and excited and have put their jobs on hold for the trip, which required them to stay in Hanoi for nearly 3 weeks.

"I think it's the best gift that you can give anyone is opportunities that they wouldn't have," says Tallia.

Starting a new family means packing all the things Lola will need, for the trip home. They also have to figure out how to use the new car seat, once they're off the plane and heading for their new life as a family.

"It's something I always wanted to do and I'm just really excited that it's finally here, and it's finally that time," says Tallia.

Mark couldn't be happier.

"The circle really is coming complete now, where she got this opportunity. Like everyone, you want to pay it forward, and now, she gets the opportunity to do that. I get the opportunity to be there with her and we could do it together. "

We'll catch up with Tallia and Mark when they return from Vietnam with their new baby, Lola. They are keeping a web journal of their trip. If you'd like to read more about their journey click here.

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