November 4, 2008 7:10AM (8:10PM 11-3-08 EST)

November 1, 2, 3


October 31, Ermek took his first steps by himself. So I decided to bring cake (this is what you do…bring a torte for any occasion) and a cute outfit I brought from home.

I simply could not get a good picture of him in his little outfit, but oh my word…he looked so cute in his little button down cowboy stitch shirt and plaid cargo pants! And he knew it! Mr. cool guy mastering the cups, then concentrating on his new legs…and in the third picture, his techie side.

Pictures 4 & 5 are of him playing with my rings…he knows they’re “mata’s” rings and is very careful with them, as he is when I allow him to go near the boom box and place his hand on the speaker.

Pictures 5 & 7 were from yesterday. I still couldn’t get some pictures of him walking, but you can see how tall he is.

I hope to catch some of the incredible expressions on camera…but now when he sees the red light come on the camera, he becomes pre-occupied with that.

Saulia (sow-lia), the head nurse came in to where we were playing in the music room and he walked to her for the first time. She was so happy, she teared right up and threw him into the air….oh my word…he was BEAMING! Everyone is so excited.

This little guy is opening right up! The moment I now lie down on my back, he searches for my feet or leg…and ‘tickles’ me. Loooves to see me giggle. He is testing his cause and effect and remembering what does what. As with the rings, I make a ‘no’ noise, like ‘eh’ or ‘nyet’ or ‘no’ when he puts them to his mouth. He’ll move them away, then back (completely watching what I will do), at which point I’ll say it again…and he’ll move them away. Only then to tease and move them close to his mouth, but for just a second and smile…then I smile; now he knows & moves on to something else. I’m waiting for that testing to become a little braver…but for now, he seems to respect the boundaries. I’ll take it!

Oh, I’m having so much fun with him!

I gave the blue sweatpants outfit with the yellow truck on it, to the babyhouse since it is now too small for E. They were so thankful and immediately put it on Anya.