as i was giving camille her bedtime milk tonite, i thought of something else that may help your formula feedings.

this is a bit controversial, i know, but are you cutting holes in the nipples of his bottles to make the holes bigger? remember the bottles they used at the orphanages with those weird “nipples” with the giant holes that let the liquid just pour out into the baby’s mouth? well, when we got camille, the muscles in her mouth were virtually non existant. very poor tone and poor control over her mouth because she did not get the opportunities most babies have to learn to suck and use her mouth properly because of those crappy bottles/nipples at the orphanage. so, when i got her from the orphanage, i cut the holes bigger in the nipples of the bottles i had for her so that the formula came out with minimal effort on her part. as she got stronger with her mouth, i would throw out the old nipples and buy new ones and cut smaller holes. we eventually worked up to normal nipples where i didn’t have to cut the holes any bigger. now she is on a normal sippy cup, and she manages fine.

anyway, i just thought i’d pass that along as another idea in case you haven’t thought of it already. i know for sure that if i had given camille a regular bottle/nipple at first, there is absolutely no way she could have finished it easily and would have likely been very fussy/frustrated about it because she simply wasn’t strong enough at that time to do that.

so, you’ve officially got me beat on longer in country stay. we left on the same day for kaz (feb 2 i believe) and today, march 29, camille and i have been home for one year. i hope they get the passport done soon and you get a real timeline so you’ll have something to look foward to. i definitely admire your great attitude and positive outlook though throughout this whole thing…you’ve been there a LONG time and i know it is tough!

i had the same feelings as you leaving aktobe…very bittersweet. the flight sounded like fun and your seat partner sounded (looked) like tons of fun! loved the pic of him by the way. does he know he is famous on your blog now? LOL

glad your accomodations are comfortable and breakfast is good! i was pretty darn stoked on the breakfast buffet at the grand eurasia hotel too…after being in aktobe so long, i hadn’t seen that much food in months.

oh and an idea for the formula…if you haven’t already thought of it….is he eating baby cereal? as a way to get more calories and ounces into camille, i would mix baby cereal with about 3-4 oz of formula (and sometimes add some fruit puree for extra fun!) a couple times a day and feed it to her with a spoon. she loved it, of course….but this kid hasn’t really ever met a food she didn’t like.

anyway, i’ve been trying to ignore nathan’s yelling at me to come help him get the girls out of the bath. i better go help him though before i am in trouble!

glad to read the update and i hope you guys get some news soon on when you are going home.

You get to enjoy the hundreds of unconditional and unconvential kisses and the ones just because. He truly will melt your life and brighten your morning. After all – you have support in holding him when he cries, laying with him to sleep, having him sit on your lap to feed. No one study has studied you as a family – so do what your instuncts tell you is best. He seems so happy – I love him and cannot wait to meet him. Maybe I can come by the airport when you get in. I will keep checking. My kids are beginning to understand this journey of Gabe – Michael gets it, Jon gets it – The younger two will get it. All the best in getting his passport and coming home and no looking back! You did it! You deserve a lot of awards for enduring this – and leaving your comforts – but hey, for Gabe, I would have too! God Bless!!

Does the King Burger taste like our BK? At least you’re getting some good food now.

Kiss, kiss & big hugs to Gabe. Still missing you guys. Hope you guys get to come home earlier than expected.