Andrew Progress Report

Andrew is such a sweet boy. He really has a tender spirit about him and is very calm and considerate for his age. He has been very patient with us as we continue to navigate the language issues. He continues each day to pick up new words and still parrots everything we say even whole phrases.

His understanding of the language is amazing to me right now. I can give specific instructions like "Andrew go put your swimsuit on" and he understands this. Now if he is engaged in playing or doing something else he may move a little slower(like English speaking 5yr olds) to do things like "pick up the cars and toys", but he understands clearly when it is something he wants to do. He is still saying much in Russian, but tends to add hand signals--our own sign language is developing. It works as we are able to communicate effectively this way.

My friend and fellow home schooler and children's book lover (Thanks, Tracy and Demmer family) sent us the cutest books Bear Feels Sick by Karma Wilson. Andrew loves this book and it's simple explanation of being sick was beautifully illustrated and using repetition the word "sick" is reinforced. When Andrew hears the word "sick" in other contexts his ears perk up and he will tell me "sick" and do the hand motion demonstrating the word sick. He loves to be read to and it is so cute because he is mostly watching me instead of looking at the book. He is really picking up on the facial cues and other aspects of language right now. I am just amazed at how quickly they adapt and change even the sounds of letters they have known are changing sometimes over night. He has learned to say "excuse me" when he burps and like most 5yr old boys he makes himself burp for fun only he likes to so he can say "excuse me". Well at least he is learning to connect the two...good manners.

We have been using a DVD series of phonics called Leap Frog Letter Factory
This was recommended by a friend of mine and Andrew really likes it. He loves music and the characters in it are humorous which he also likes to mimic. He is absolutely glued to this and will sometimes watch it twice in one day.

Andrew has continued to sleep well and eat well. He is still on the picky side sometimes refusing to eat what has been fixed for him. It is hard, but I do not fix alternates for him as I know he will eat when he is truly hungry. Without fail the next meal/snack he eats what is in front of him even things he has refused to eat before. He was really not keen on raw milk so I did give in and start adding a little chocolate to it and that did the trick. He does love fruits and veggies and meat, meat and more meat. One thing he is not as keen on is food that is mixed--like casseroles although, he likes quesadillas and tacos with all the fixin's. He is also a bit of a pepper belly eating a fresh bell pepper right out of our garden. He really likes that he can go out and collect tomatoes, strawberries, onions and peppers out of the garden and eat them right there. He thinks it is so funny that we can just pick them and eat them.

Our scale is not very accurate, but I definitely think Andrew has gained some weight. He has bulked up through his core and I think his face has filled out some too. I began giving both he and Kathlena cod liver oil and colostrum chewable capsules everyday since the first day they became ours. Andrew's hair and nails have grown so quickly. I also think his hair is much thicker now and so soft and shiny not fuzzy. I am trimming nails almost twice a week now!

I took Andrew and Kathlena for a walk...only Kathlena rode in the stroller and Andrew rode the scooter. He did so well and never gave up or complained although it was difficult for him to balance. I noticed though that his endurance has greatly improved since we were in Moscow as he struggled to walk long distances. Perhaps nutrition has improved this too in a short time. He loved seeing all the neighborhood animals and trees. It was so fun to see it through his eyes. He talked the whole way saying "Momma" over and over. I never tire of hearing those words though. He is such a delight...we are tying many strings now; I love you my dear sweet Andrew.