Monday, November 23rd

We're back from our second visit today and waiting on our burgers and fries to get here. We only have two more days in our official "bonding period" of 14 days. We hope we can get the meeting with the social workers this week but we'll have to wait and see how it goes.
I would say about now we are both still physically healthy, which is so great and a huge blessing, but mentally this is tough. An endurance test to say the least. Cody is so cute but that room we are stuck in makes it so hard to keep him happy the entire time. We all get so literally hot and bothered. We did buy him a cute outfit but the pants are a little too small - he looks like Mandelbaum from a Seinfeld episode. :) He is dressed in layers and today these giant girl shoes. This goes so against everything my mom taught me - How many times she would pull off a baby's socks so they could feel the ground. All the babies I've known love to have their feet out. Someday little Cody, you'll love summer!

The doctor came in our room (as many people do - it is a pass through) and spoke to Cody. She is so nice and friendly - she must have said godzilla like 10 times but Steve couldn't get the video on in time! We'll get it one of these days!
It was a little warmer today so most of the snow melted and our path was very muddy and slippery. It seemed much colder on the walk back so hopefully the ground will freeze again.

Ok - I'm feeling better after that big burger,fries, and chocolate bar.


Yesterday we had only one visit with Cody in the morning so we went to the mall and dinner with our interpreter. It was very nice and fun to do something different. We finally bought some souvenirs and future gifts for Cody and D. Instead of a "gotcha" day we plan to celebrate "brothers" day.

I suggested we go to Georgia for dinner because 2 families recommended it. I decided to go for it and ordered the Georgia kebobs but the waiter said they were out of them so I said ok just the pork kebobs (which was the same but without tomatoes and peppers). Then I said you're only on the other side of the world a time or two in life so I'll try the snow balls - mashed potato balls with mushrooms inside. Well they were out of that too so I got the colored rice -white rice with peas and corn. I ordered an Amstel well guess what - they were out of it, so I got a Holsten. Who says I can't go with the flow! It was good and a very nice evening. Our taxi ride back was even nice.


I forgot to tell about the way our driver drives! I just have to keep my mouth zipped and say prayers in my head! The other day I was so scared I started laughing. Steve loved it - it seriously was like the ride "The Italian Job" only with no track or computer running it. When we got out Steve said "that was awesome" and I made the sign of the cross!

The main road we walk everyday has 3 lanes from what we can tell. Basically one lane each way sometimes 2 one way but you can also go in the middle - it's not a turn lane, but it not 4 wide either. When a driver sees a straight away they floor it and don't stop until they have to. They swerve around potholes and weave behind 2 cars until they decide who is going faster. If they pass a car they usually beep. Needless to say for those who know me well, this is quite difficult for me to handle. I'm glad we can walk to the baby house so our car rides are not as often.

This was a long one! Well we are still hanging on over here - we can't wait to see D again and get ready for Christmas but it's hard to think about leaving Cody.

I think tomorrow I'll bring our tape measure and measure Cody's feet then we can get him some new shoes!

We also bought some chips today with a picture on the bag we thought was maybe salsa, but with one smell of them we're now thinking fish eggs!

Love to all!