(Maureen's Post)
We awoke today and looked outside and everything was covered with snow, and big, fat snowflakes were falling to the ground. Not something we would typically see in Houston! All during the day, as we drove to and from the children's hospital and outside our apartment building we saw families walking around in the snow, parents pulling children in sleds, and kids pulling each other around in sleds. I saw a whole family outside our apartment building enjoying the snow this afternoon, with a bundled, toddling snowsuit walking around (I'm sure there was a child in there somewhere), the parents looking on, and a proud dedushka (grandfather) in his big fur hat capturing the whole thing on a camcorder. Sunday must also be the rug beating/cleaning day. We noticed this last Sunday, too, where people would bring their rolled up rugs outside, hang them up, beat them with a stick, then roll the rugs back up and carry them back into the apartment. As for whether Sunday is the actual designated day, we really don't know. We just happened to notice more people doing it on Sunday.

Unfortunately, Sean started feeling worse today. His cough got worse, and he felt really fatigued and achy. We were still able to go to our visit with James, but he had to wear a mask today in the visiting room, and he didn't do anything with the baby, just took pictures from the corner because he was worried that he would get James sick. Of course he just felt awful about it because he was in the same room as his son, and he couldn't even get near him. After visiting James we had Oleg drop us off at the Viola market to pick up more water and a few more items, then we went back to the apartment. An hour later, Sean had chills and a fever of 101.6 degrees F. Looks like the flu may have gotten him, after all. He took in more fluids, and he started alternating doses of Advil and Tylenol, and took some Delsym for his cough. I'm glad to say that several hours later his fever has broken, he's feeling much better (even ate some of the dinner I made tonight), and he's coughing a lot less. He even started watching the first season of "24" with me (we had never watched it before and this is the only season of "24" we brought with us). Now he's feeling so good that he's into the fourth episode now. I told him if he watches at this rate he'll finish the entire first season in 3 days!

Today's visit with James was another good one. When we arrived one of the caregivers came in and stuck a bottle in his mouth while he was in his crib. I went over and finished giving him his bottle before we set up for the day. Today it was mostly me interacting with James and Sean calling to him every now and again from across the room. It was mostly the same stuff as usual, arm and leg exercises, the sit-up game several times, and him practicing rolling over. He is definitely getting stronger and only needs minimal help from me to help him roll over now. He always has this look of "wow, I did it!" when he does get over. He spent quite a bit of time on the floor today. I introduced the stacking cups today, which he showed some interest in. He actually grabbed one! When I stacked a few and put it just outside his reach while he was on his belly he did get a bit excited, kicking his legs, almost as if he's trying to crawl. Of course, with his feet covered up because of his sleeper he's not going to get the traction he needs to do it. But we have to keep him covered up because the caregivers will frown on him not wearing anything on his feet. So, until we have custody we have to play by their rules. He refused to nap today, too, so that would explain his crankiness towards the end of the visit. James does recognize us, but probably not as caregivers yet, much less parents. As far as he knows, we're just good for afternoon entertainment and PT sessions!

The pic above with the two plates shows what I made for dinner tonight. I just boiled the frozen vareniki and pelmeni we got at the Viola market a few days ago. In the plate on the left is vareniki, filled with potato and beef liver. Not bad, but I think next time I'll pick up just the plain potato ones. On the right in the more colorful dish is beef pelmeni. It was delicious! I topped both dishes with a dollop of sour cream and sauteed onions. The pic below that shows the ice cream I had for dessert. The ice cream here comes in a bag and is super creamy. This one is strawberry, but not strawberry like we would think. It's more like strawberries swirled in vanilla cream - yummy!

Well, we know today is Superbowl Sunday back home, and even though it's only Sunday morning there (Sunday night here) as I type this post, we're sure that the Superbowl hype has already begun. We probably won't be able to watch the Superbowl here. First of all, the only place we may be able to watch it is at a sports bar, and I doubt it would be open at 5AM or 6AM which is the time it would be on here, anyway. We're not rooting for any particular team, but Sean predicts the Colts to win, and I have to agree. Hopefully it will be a good game either way!

That's all for today's post! Paka until tomorrow! Love to all!