Football and Too Many Chocolate Bars

Today started bright and early at 6:30. I think the jet lag is finally wearing off since neither of us woke up last night. After a quick breakfast we headed out on our long drive again. We stopped at the store and picked up chocolate bars and cookies (per the little man's request) as well as a few more little puzzles. Sam loves puzzles, he will fit right in with both sides of the family.

When we got to the orphanage Sam came running up and gave us both big hugs which is encouraging. He's been all smiles the past two days. After swallowing his banana practically whole, papa pulled out the little nerf football that we brought with us and he loved it! We all played catch for about 15 minutes and at the end of our time together the football disappeared along with his favorite toy the shake n go car.

After the football we did some more puzzles and played some games, memory and dominoes. He is so smart and very good at matching things together, counting, and has great fine motor skills. He is all boy though and just like Haddon told me he does not want to color. He is also very literal, one of his puzzles is a board that you put pegs in and make pictures and after he had made a line with them Julia asked him what it was and he replied “a line, just a line.” And yesterday he drew a triangle and when asked what it was he answered “a triangle”

The time today passed too quickly and all too soon it was time to leave. He gave us both big hugs and went downstairs to lunch. It was at this point that his caretakers told Julia that he was eating too many sweets so tomorrow we have been instructed to only bring fruit.

When we got back to the hotel we ate lunch (cheese, bread, and salami) and then fell asleep for a few hours. When we woke up we got a little adventurous and decided to walk to a shopping mall that Julia told us about. Unfortunately it is really cold outside and someone (Tim) didn't think I needed to bring my coat (to my[Tim's] defense that was before we decided to take a second suitcase).

Then we had dinner in the hotel restaurant again and it was delicious. I had beef stroganoff which is a Russian specialty and it was sooooo good. It was also probably filled with cream and butter. Tim ordered salted herring and it came with a shot of vodka. I was a little surprised when he drank the shot but when in Russia I guess.

We did find out that Sam has to go back to the hospital for tests on Friday so we are super bummed that today is our last day with him. Hopefully we can convince him that we are coming back real soon and hopefully we are.

I am worried because the FBI checks are taking 13 weeks and that is too long. I have started furiously praying for a miracle with this so that we can come back as soon as possible. Sam has to see the doctor and he can't get it done during the summer (July and August). I hate the thought of leaving him here but God has a plan for this. It really feels like we are in the center of God's will and so nothing can go wrong.

We love and miss you all and can't wait to come home and show all the pictures of our adorable new son!