Monday's events

Today went well. When Milos first saw us this morning, he came running with big hugs. He knows us and is beginning to look forward to us coming...if for no other reason than we bring him some yoghurt!

He ran to our room, we accompanied, along with the psychologist. Milos was uncomfortable from the start, not sitting in his chair or wanting to be held, alternating between wanting his yoghurt and slapping it away. Finally Jim got a whiff of why!

We took him in to be changed, and I offered to do the deed. Let's just say he needed a bath, and they conveniently have a large sink right next to the changing area.

He is a skinny little kid, and I did pick up some substernal retractions, but we will address those when we get home. All freshened up and dressed again, and we headed back to our room, again with the psychologist. We explained that he did well on Saturday, and on Sunday morning, but by Sunday evening he was out of sorts. Perhaps a belly ache!

We played 'glove ball", and he participated well. He even did some signing of "more" and I think the psychologist was surprised. He is doing this about 25-50% of the time that we request it. So not all of the time, but more than random movements!

I did get to ask the doctor, his pediatrician, about his stridor. She said he could have laryngiomalacia, it is a possibility. I did tell her that we would get it checked out as soon as possible upon returning home.

We took him back to his group at lunch time, and headed out to get ourselves some lunch. Following a recommendation from the psychologist, we went to a local spot and had a great lunch. I got chicken wrapped in bacon, Jim got a bunch of meat.....hamburger, steak, bacon, pork, chicken, and sausage. Plus salads, and some fries, and we have leftovers in the fridge.

Back to our apartment for laundry and rest, then back to the orphanage. He was a bit better this afternoon, but did not want to eat. Maybe they had just had a snack? I'm glad to see him refusing tho, when he does not want it. We did take the stroller with us this afternoon, just to let him get used to it. He does not like new things, and since we will need him in this quite a bit on our travels home, we figured we should introduce him to it soon. As expected, he did not want anything to do with it at first. I put him in it, and buckled him in, then took him out. We left it in the room with us, and later put him back in it, walked down the hall and back, then allowed him out. He loved it. We played the "get in the stroller and have mom or dad push you up and down the halls in it" game for at least 20 minutes! Glad he does enjoy it!

We dropped him off a bit early to make it to the Maples' by 5 for dinner. Vlado and his wife met us, but Jasmina was unable to come. Sarah and I rode with Vlado, while Jim and Jon, and Svetlana, Vlado's wife, rode in a cab to the restaurant. What a meal! I had steak gorgonzola (SP?) The steak was a filet that rivaled Mortons! It was huge! Again, we have leftovers in the fridge.

We had a wonderful evening, laughing, sharing, talking, and bonding with new friends. Unfortunately, we missed the concert that Jasmina had also planned for us...we could not get back to where she was to meet us by 7:30pm. I do hope we have another chance to do some thing with her!

As for adoption news, the conclusion about our visits was written and turned in, just waiting for the required signatures. Then we can plan the ceremony, and begin the last paper-gathering tasks including birth certificate, passport, medical exam, and visa. No time line yet, but each step is moving well.

We did do some video, but Jim has to post it. It will come "soon".

Mary