Introducing Andrew

Introducing Andrew:

(the bruise was when he fell while at the baby home - oops).

Here we are leaving the baby home:

Here we are with Andrew about a week ago:

Here we are with Andrew sometime last week.

Well, we are settled into our apartment with Andrew.  The baby home visit was a little different, because it was a Saturday and there weren't as many workers at the home.  We had a little event changing Andrew's clothes into his going home clothes.  Fortunately, everything fit.  One of his caregivers, Oksana, stopped by to tell Andrew goodbye.  We received his daily schedule of feedings and activities.  And then we left.

Andrew slept on the way to our apartment, which was good because there was a bit of traffic and traffic exhaust - I wasn't sure how he would do.  Andrew was a little stressed in his new environment at first.  He kept looking around, wondering where he was at.  I don't blame him, it was quite different.  He ate well but we are going to have to work on the bottle.  They are used to being bottle fed rather quickly, and he isn't used to our bottles - we will enlarge one of the nipples and hope that helps until we make it back home.

It takes Andrew a while to go to sleep.  We are finally getting more familiar with his sleep time personality.  Actually, daddy (Vernon) took the first nap yesterday :).  

Bath time is definitely scary for him.  I will probably just sponge bathe him until we get back home.  

He is definitely smiling a lot more, though.  It was beautiful this Sunday morning when he woke up and I looked down at him and he smiled.  He is content playing in our laps.  As one friend said, this week in Russia is just surviving until we can get home and really establish a routine and start working with him.

Andrew is crawling around a lot right now.  Vernon is watching him, making sure he doesn't get into anything :).   Andrew can also almost pull himself into a standing position unassisted.  Believe me, this is leaps and bounds beyond what he could do when we first met him June 4th.

Today is our only day to really have with Andrew uninterrupted.  We have a busy week next week, starting with his doctors appointment on Monday.  We are going out to eat with friends Tuesday night, which will be one of our few 'fun' excursions out.  

Although we have had a good day, please continue to keep Andrew and all of us in your prayers.

Thank you!

Christa