Balloons, Explosions & Energy

Hello to all friends and family back home. Sorry no pictures today, Andrew was a handful and a half today. I think because of all of the protein and vitamins he has been receiving from his Mama and Papa his was like a freight train today. Just couldn't keep still, even when we fed him. Robert kept him occupied for a while with a balloon that he blew up. Andrew was playing catch with Daddy and then he thought it was funny to hold the balloon in his mouth by the knot. He was giggling and cooing the whole time he was playing with it.



A funny thing happened this morning when we were feeding him his cottage cheese and apple and peach baby food. Andrew was sitting in his yellow chair facing us as we fed him and as I placed the spoonful in his mouth he sneezed and a explosion of baby food splattered ALL OVER Robert and I. Yes we were christened by our Prince Andrew and now we are OFFICIAL parents. Robert and I just looked at each other in amazement and how far the food splattered and laughed. Too Funny! That's one for the books.

Andrew was also speaking more today. He was babbling at everything today. I forgot to mention that on Friday Alla was showing Andrew our family album and showing him our picture teaching him to say Mama & Papa. Well Andrew surprised us all and said "Papa" on Friday and ever since. Todays new word was "Bye" instead of paka (russian for bye). We've been showing him flash cards of animals and different obects and working with his language skills. He is starting to really speak more often now and mimic both Robert and I. Even if I make certain sounds to get his attention or different sounds to identify that I'm about to tickle him he is repeating what I do and that sounds I make. I forgot to mention that yesterday was the first day that he answered and turned his head to me when I called him Andrew. He usually only answered by Andrushka (what they call him at the orphanage) but yesterday I said Andrew to get his attention and he turn his head and looked at me like "you called"?? We weren't sure if he got a nap today because he was so rammy and a bit cranky towards the end of the day.



We went shopping today for new shoes and some other clothes for Andrew. As if you didn't notice, Andrew has been wearing pink sandles, which is all the orphanage has in his size. One of the other adoptive American mothers helped us size his foot to be we think a 4 toddler. Looks right but we'll see how they fit tomorrow. Since he is also getting to be so active we will probably get him a toddler walking car or some type of walking toy to help improve him walking. The pavement and grass areas around the orphanage are extremely uneven and unsafe just for walking. All of the roads, sidewalks, pavements you name it are needing some serious help. You really have to be careful just walking down the sidewalk.



The weather here today was wonderful. Cool and breezy with a bit of sun. The caretakers dressed Andrew in a sweatshirt this morning because it was so cool. We loved every minute of it. It was a nice change from the past couple of weeks. Well, that's it for today. Have a good evening.