(Maureen's Post)
Well, Sean still felt yucky today. Not as bad as he did last night, but yucky, nevertheless. I also started feeling like I might be coming down with something when I awoke at 8AM this morning, so after a cup of apple juice I went back to bed for a couple more hours for more rest and that seemed to help. Sean also took it easy this morning, trying to recuperate. I made grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch, nothing too exciting. About 5 minutes before we were to meet Inna and Oleg we started our bundling-up ritual. It really is a ritual, of sorts, putting on our snowshoes, then our scarves, then our coats, hats, and gloves. Then we stand in the entryway of our apartment, sweating profusely until we hear the sound of Oleg's horn letting us know that he's here so we can make our way downstairs.

Today's visit with James was good, as usual! His bottle showed up again when we first got there, so I gave it to him while Sean set up the floor blankets again. We were so sure that he would spit up again today, but he proved us totally wrong and did not spit up at all! What was different this time is we only gave him about half of the bottle because he appeared to lose interest in it, then I tried to burp him. We were successful with the burping, and we all stayed clean this time. Of course, I was ready for it. Every time when he's spit up before the burp cloth wasn't nearby. Now that I had it directly under him, he fooled me and didn't spit up at all - go figure! Anyway, we gave him the second half of his bottle a few minutes later, and he was fine after he burped again. Thanks to everyone who emailed us suggestions and advice on how to keep James from spitting up!

Sean still didn't feel well enough to hold James today without worrying about getting him sick, so he stayed on the other side of the room and called out to him. A few times he made some remarks that James found very funny, though. If you're wondering, we think he's starting to recognize the name James - we've said it so many times to him in the past 12 days how can he not? Once in a while we'll also use his Russian nickname given to him by his caregivers. We've been speaking to him mostly in Engish, of course, but every now and then I'll also speak a little Russian to him, like "what do you want?" or if in reference to a toy, "here it is," etc. Speaking of toys, we introduced a new toy today. Actually, it's a cloth book we brought with us that we showed to James before, but he wasn't interested. Today he was pretty calm just sitting with me and chilling out, so we re-introduced the book today. He was more interested today and really liked to grab at the rubbery ends of it. He also liked grabbing some of the stacking cups again today. He's using his fingers more, we noticed. Even when he's on his tummy he'll open and close his fingers and will watch his own fingers move around. He even likes to clasp his hands together while on his back and stare at his fingers moving, too. He started becoming more vocal today, cooing and "talking" more, especially to a toy or even his hands. Of course, he likes the teething beads as always, and is learning how to put them in his own mouth to chew on. Poor baby had the hiccups for the most of our visit today, though. Funny thing, though - they finally went away after we changed the music on the iPod. After the Baby Einstein music was over we switched the music to Elvis Presley, and then to the Beatles. He was quite entertained, kicking his legs and waving his arms around, and his hiccups finally went away - imagine that! No nap again today, either. We had him weighed today and he's a little over 7.7 kilos, so he's almost 17 lbs right now. Sure does feel like it!

After the visit it was back to the apartment for us. I walked over to the Viola market to get some more 7-Up for Sean and some of that orange soda that I like, Mirinda. Tonight will be low-key, with me eating leftover pelmeni, Sean eating peanut butter on toast, and maybe some ice cream. As I type this we are finishing up episode 8 of "24." Man, it's exciting! But we said we weren't going to watch any more "24" episodes tonight after this one. I think a max of 4 episodes a night should be enough!

We look forward to tomorrow's visit since we get to have our visits in the morning starting tomorrow, from 10AM to 12PM. This is because the families that were a week ahead of us (and had been visiting their babies in the morning) are actually going to court tomorrow afternoon and will take custody of their babies afterwards! We are so excited for them and are keeping them in our prayers. As for us, today marked visit #12 with James. Only two more required visits and we will be officially ready to petition to go to court after Wednesday's visit. We're hoping to file that petition on Thursday, when we should be going to a pre-court hearing in front of the head judge for the region. I am slightly nervous about the pre-court hearing, but I know in my heart all will turn out well, as I know James is meant to be with us!

That's all for today's visit. Paka, everybody! See you tomorrow! Love to all!