Your room is as ready as it can be and not have a baby in it: even laundry is done and bottles are washed. Babkie bought us a nice gliding ottoman to go with the rocking chair that is in your room, and I sewed a slip cover for the ottoman and a cushion for the rocking chair in a nice moon and star pattern that coordinates with the rest of the room. Your Daddy finished putting up new shelves and pole in the closet, which looks very nice. He also added knobs to the dresser and topped it off with the changing pad, so we are all set furniture-wise. The bookshelf is full of great books, which I am so looking forward to reading with you. The playroom is ready too, and you’ve got so many cool toys, some that we got from your three showers and others that we picked up at yard sales. We are going to have so much fun in there!
I finished cross-stitching three bibs that Babkie had bought some years ago for one of your cousins, not sure which one. She had started stitching one of them, so I picked up where she left off, and now they are all ready for you to get them dirty! Daddy also installed a water filter at the kitchen sink, so you will have healthy water to drink. And just today, we ordered a camcorder, after doing much research, which should be delivered within a day or so. This way, we’ll be able to take it with us to Guatemala and capture our first moments with you. I definitely want to get images of you with your foster mother and the attorney, so you will have that as a momento of your first few months of life.
This past Monday, our friend Sue, who is also a Parent Educator with Parents as Teachers, came by for our first visit. She gave us a few handouts detailing what babies your age can generally do, and also a cute little board book for you. She’ll be able to come by a few times a year, for your first few years, to check on your progress and to teach us some fun activities that you would enjoy.
I also had my second Spanish class of this second session, Beginners II. I am really enjoying the class, and am trying to learn as much as I can.
Yesterday we also got new pictures of you and a note from the doctor:
"He is now aged 5 months and has been, the caregiver shares with me, doing really well in the time since he was seen for the last time one month ago. He continues to show a steady growth and his development, from what the caregiver shares with me, is also progressing as expected for his age. He is alert and active and shows a nice growth and development. I am told that he likes to listen to music and enjoys a lot being talked to. He makes many cooing noises and will vocalize his laughter and cry if disrupted. He also likes to play with the different sounds he is able to produce. This little one is now able to roll from his stomach onto his back and will try really hard to roll over completely. When on his stomach, he lifts his head and chest clear from the bed. He attempts to grab whatever is nearby and puts everything into his mouth. He appears to recognize familiar objects and anticipates seeing things in a whole when he sees a part of them (like his bottle) and smiles in anticipation. I am told that he takes his diet very well and is also receiving his ordered vitamin supplement. Upon evaluation today I found this little one in good health with no obvious physical or neurological abnormalities, his weight is 14 lbs 14 oz, length of 61.8 cms (24.3 inches) and head circumference of 41.8 cms (16.5 inches). He received today his following dose of Polio vaccine."
What cute pictures of you again this month! I was a little sad to see that your hair had been cut – I was interested to see if it would have curl to it, since it appeared in last month’s photo that the ends of your hair had a bit of a curl in the front. Oh well, we’ll just have to experiment with that on our own! You grew more than an inch in length but put on only 4 ounces, so I guess you are looking a little bit longer and leaner. Can’t wait to see you in person!
I know I keep saying that, but this last month and a half especially has been difficult for me. I am so ready to see you. Every time the phone rings I think: is this it? Is this the call that will tell us that we have that beautiful pink slip and can travel to pick you up? And so far each time it has been someone else saying something else, but the next time I still hope. I am hoping also that this is the last entry I make to this journal before laying eyes on you in person!!!