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Hello Everyone! Today you get his belly. Has anyone started cutting and pasting these photos to make a baby mosaic yet? So I don't really know what to write about today so I will just answer some of the comments that people have left on our posts. *First and foremost, I still swear I will have NO GIANT PLASTIC TOYS in my house. Little guy better get his fill of them here in Kstan because it's the last he's gonna see of 'em. Our house is already bursting at the seams. Although I wouldn't mind a Green Machine in the backyard eventually. You know those big-tired tricycles that you used to pedal around the driveway until you thought you little legs were going to fall off? We used to have races at my friend Avery's house- we had a green machine and some princess one. I think they are also called Big Wheels maybe? *The Illustrious Prof. Cecil put at short history of the Tatars in the comments under our Monday post if you want to read it (along with the link to Wikipedia that Matt left a few days ago if you didn't see that one). Looks like we'll have a scrappy little guy if his genetics win out. *Our caseworker Tatiana (Hi Tatiana!) was asking about what language they speak here- Russian or Kazakh (which is a Turkic language). We have found that everyone in Astana speaks Russian. I'm assuming it's Russian anyway since we have NO IDEA what they are saying. But our fabulous translator, Gulsanna, is almost always there when we need her so we really haven't had much need to attempt our Russian. So goes to lunch with us, she goes to the store with us if we ask, she is always at the baby house and will help ask questions, she's awesome. I would tell any adopters here that they should maybe just learn some basic words so they can figure out 'chicken' and 'soup' on a menu and how to ask for water without bubbles. And maybe some items from the market. The point and smile method works pretty well for us too. I have noticed some signs with Kazakh on them though so maybe they are working their way towards phasing out Russian. The only way I can tell it's not Russian though is because it has a letter that looks like the symbol for the Japanese yen- a Y with the stick part crossed twice. But they are few and far between. *Someone was asking about how many kids were at the BH and I think they said about 100. There are only 10 in our son's group and we don't see the other kids except when they are out on the playground but they are all adorable. They ride those tricycles around like a bunch of maniacs and yell things at us that I think amounts to "BeepBeep! Coming through! Move outta the way!" We aren't allowed to play with them but I always sneak a smile and wave in when the caretakers aren't looking. *Someone else asked if the visiting room is just for us. I'm not really sure. Maybe the other kids use it outside during the winter when they can't go outside. I really don't have any idea. *And Eileen was asking if I just loved the smell of my baby's head and the answer sadly, is an emphatic no- but I think it is temporary. I hate to say it but he stinks. He smells like puke (imagine that) and spoiled milk. The milk here smells kinda funky and they feed him what I think is maybe kasha (a grain that they turn into porridge) and it gets gross. And they of course don't bathe all 10 babies every day. I think they just kinda rinse them off periodically or give them a good wipe down. But I just bought some baby wipes and I think I may strip him down and give him a good once over every day from now on. We'll see if I get in trouble for it. I also bought some lotion for his dry little cheeks. And that's about all I can think of for now. Keep those comments and questions coming. Oh, by the way, what have we been up to the last few days? Nothing much- B'fast, BH, Lunch, Errands, but then we have been wandering the town after it cools down and it has been really nice. There is a really nice amusement park kind of place across the river that we have wandered though and then last night we went out and had beers with the Michiganites at a place on the river. It had just rained and was about 75 degrees and we got some snacks (pistachios, pringles, croutons, and hard salty string cheese) and a few beers and just sat outside and watched the sun go down. That is a photo of it above. Gorgeous, absolutely gorgeous. I guess this is kind of like vacation but the souvenir we get to bring home is our adorable little peanut. Have a great day! -m