So, I saw something like this in the PB catalog, but each letter cost $10. I came up with the brilliant idea that I could buy some unfinished letters and paint them and it would look as cute. Well, my materials cost me less than $15 which is much better than the $50+ from PB.

Anyways...now, that I have them finished, I am not sure if I really like the way they look...hmmm...

We talked to the International Adoption specialist today...he reviewed the DVD of Roman and gave us his professional opinion on his growth & development...

Roman was 11 months old when we met him and took the video. The Doctor said that his motor skills (crawling/cruising, pulling to standing, gesture games, etc) are at around a 9-10 month old level. He is just a little behind, but really close to what his age should be doing. For his language skills, since we really couldn't get him to babble (mamamam dadada) at all, and he was just laughing and smiling...that puts him at around a 5-month level. Doesn't really mean his language skills are that slow or that he can't babble...it just means we need to work on it and hopefully, he will start the babbling soon.

The Doctor said it wasnt surprising that he wasn't babbling because the babies in the orphanage do not hear their caregivers talking a lot...so, we the "family therapy" when we get home is crucial. All the things we would naturally be doing...loving him, stimulating him, and talking to him constantly. If he is not babbling/making sounds/talking after a few months, then we will go from there. his hearing will be checked when we get home, just to make sure that is not a problem. If he can't hear the sounds, then he can't make them. He seems to hear just fine though...

Well, gotta go to the airport in Baltimore...my best friend, Colleen, is coming into town this weekend for Roman's baby shower :)