Progress report

It feels like its been so long since we've heard any good news on the adoption front.  We are still waiting to hear when emigration permits will be issued again.  We last heard that they should be issued in February.   Well, February is waning and there has been no news on EPs.

But we got a really cool update on Sam today!  We normally get a short health report on him every month, and we were beginning to wonder if we'd get one for this month.  Well, we got a progress report that included a lot more information than we normally receive.  I'll give you some highlights from that report...

Walks by himself.  Goes up the stairs if hand is held.  Opens a drawer, takes things out, and plays in it.  He loves to play with a ball.  He puts a receiver on his ear and babbles at it.  If asked, he fetches a diaper.  Holds foster mother's hand takes her to what he wants, and points to it.  Clearly says "omma (mom), a-ppa (dad), mam-ma (food), kka-kka (cookie)".  Hollers louder if the foster mother shouts "no".   If the foster mother turns off the light and lies next to him, he snuggles into her arm and puts his head on it and falls asleep.  If the foster family goes outside, he opens his arms wide and wants to be hugged to go together, he bursts into tears if they don't take him outside.  Isn't shy around strangers and easily warms up to them.


He is an active sociable child who shows interests in Gymboree classes and wants to try them.  He looks handsome and smart with round face and chiseled features.  His first birthday party was held last October at which time he held 'a pencil' that stands for excellent intellectual ability.  The foster family was happy in hopes that he would study well and be a great scholar.  He is an easygoing child who doesn't cry or fuss and plays well.  He shows curiosity and appears happy if taken outside.  The foster family often shows him the photos sent by his adoptive parents and talks to him about them.  We hope that he will meet his new family as soon as the formalities of his adoption proceedings are complete.

Hooray!  What a blessing to find this in the email inbox today!  Sounds like he's going to be a lot like me - excellent intellectual ability and hollers when you tell him no.

In other news we now have a crib and it is adorned with frogs all ready for him.  The front is removable so it becomes a toddler bed when he doesn't need the crib.