"Well, we are almost midway through the ten day waiting period

as we have completed Day 3 and Day 4. I cannot say enough about

how well Kyle is progressing each visit. He is more and more

comfortable with us and has now joined us in Singing Rock A

Bye Baby. Of course, his words are somewhat difficult to discern

but he babbles on and on with the best of them. Even our social

worker in Russia commented today on how much he has changed

for the better. He is as happy as can be and just makes himself

right at home. He has a routine when he enters the room - he

completely empties my backpack and then plays with his toys

and non-toys that he locates in the backpack. Some of his

"favorites" include paper bags (probably not a good toy idea),

pieces of paper with instructions (which he likes to rip up) and

boxes (which now after constant use do not hold much). He

definitely loves music and likes to play the songs on his toy

Octopus which you squeeze and it plays music. When the

music starts, he also has some great dance moves and he is

trying to teach me a few of them. Speaking of routine, Dad

and I have gotten into quite a routine ourselves. Unfortunately,

our routine consists of the same Korsten Hotel buffet which

seemed to offer plenty of options during the first few days but

after one week, the offerings seem to be the same. With the

visits to Kyle being spaced out, we basically return to the hotel,

eat lunch, and head back to the orphanage. Today, we ventured

out to the market to buy Kyle apple juice and cookies (that

takes away 15 minutes of the 120 minutes each visit) and we

strategize on when to give the juice and cookies as we remain

in the same room as Trip 1. Fortunately, the room is not a sauna

like it was during Trip 1! Dad and I have been joking on who

will make it to the Russian hospital first for slipping on the ice.

I would have put decent money on my Dad falling first as he has

already slid across an icy grate that he did not see and managed

a few other manuveurs, however, today I gave him a run for his

money. As we returned from the market, I rounded a corner

and thought I was sliding into home base. Fortunately, a rather

large gutter came down the side of the building which I quickly

grabbed to steady myself and my Dad then assisted the steadying!

So the odds are getting closer to even at this point but I still think

my dad will "eat it" first! Anyway, thanks again for all of your

kind thoughts and prayers! We will keep you updated!"