What A Difference A Few Days Makes!

We have already seen many changes in Caleb since Gotcha Day. Although he is still getting accustomed to his new environment, he is doing so well! Here are a few of the things we have noticed about him over the past few days:

• Caleb's jello legs are getting stronger! At the orphanage only a few days ago he would bear no weight on his legs. Now when we "stand him up" he pushes back with and straightens his legs. He is getting stronger every day!
• Caleb has become quite the snuggler. At the orphanage he despised being held with his head resting on our shoulder. In fact, he wouldn't put his head down at all to snuggle! Now that is his preferred way to be held and often snuggles right in to let us hold or carry him around that way.
• Caleb has started to put things in his mouth and notice toys! I know this probably sounds silly to most of you - but he has had little or no opportunity to play with toys or even use teething rings in the orphanage. Up until now his only entertainment was to look at his hands unless he was being held or talked to. In fact, we often see him self-soothe and revert back to staring at his hands and moving them around in front of his face. Today he finally started looking at a toy on the side of his crib and putting a teething ring in his mouth. He has been "talking" to both of them too! We're so glad to see him develop some normal baby behaviors that many parents would take for granted!
• Caleb likes us :) He is smiling and cooing at us and watching our every move. We are gaining more and more confidence in knowing what he wants and anticipating his needs. I think he is learning that Mommy & Daddy are here to love and take care of him.

Tomorrow we will head to Almaty bright and early. I believe we will have internet access in our hotel room there (Hotel Kazzhol) but do not know how much it will cost. Almaty seems to be the more expensive leg of our journey so my guess is the internet service will cost us a few Tenge!

We will update about our journey as much as we are able. Please pray that we have a good trip to Almaty and no issues crossing the border!

And to all you lurkers out there- for goodness sake's leave us some comments!!! Keep us pumped up for the journey!! :) I think we're halfway done now! Today I explained to Caleb all the steps we have ahead, and he seemed to smile the most when I talked about going home. :)