March 24th

Back by popular demand, and thanks to a rare moment of wireless internet access in my room, I will tell you about our day... Ritesh is sleeping solidly next to me as he has done each night... with the exception of some turning and changing positions, which I wouldn't notice much if I were asleep.  This morning it was so sweet to wake up and see his eyes open just looking at me quietly, even giving me time to wake up before asking to be picked up.
It is really fun to see more and more of his personality and to see him become less shy around strangers.  Our hotel room has become his little safe haven and play room.  I am so glad we decided to stay in a nicer hotel for this phase of the trip.  I have a kichette where I can prepare is bottle, cereal and other foods, and where I can easily keep things for other meals and snack for all of us.  Our room is on the top floor and opens onto a terrace... so we eat outside frequently.  It is a nice home away from home, especially because of the staff.  They are so engaging with him. And the adoptive parents I have been most in touch with during this process are next door, so we get to see there with the beautiful daughter Laxmi daily.

Highlights of the day:  Ritesh has started blowing kisses at people and waving bye-bye when we come and go from places... this is a good step forward with regard to his interactions with other people.
He has really started to warm up to Bill, today really being the first day I could walk away with them playing with the Thomas train or one of the cool instruments Bill has given him, and go to the kitchen or bathroom.  This is big since in general he isn't very comfortable with men.

Results back from the doctor - giardia and tape worm.  Great!  We were suspicious of this because of how much he wants to eat.  He can really shovel it in!  Got the best medicine that can be used and the doctor says they are both easy to treat.

Today we went to Swyambunath, one of the most sacred Buddhist Stupas in Nepal on top of large foothill to the West of the city... not too far.  We went "pack pack baby" style (an expression both Therese and Heathe use.  He loves getting into the Ergobaby.  And we certainly do draw attention.  I have been getting a lot of questions about whether or not he is Nepali, and if I adopted him, and lots of people fauning over him.  Many people seem aware of the controversy last year about adoptions.  It was in the papers.  So, there are lots of conversations that I wouldn't have had going around Kathmandu myself.

Big new:  my mother changed our return flight for me  All is going so quickly, that we are going to return instead on March 31st.  It is cutting it really close with the Embassy visa interview only two days before, but we were reassured that it would be totally doable.  May no additional obstacles arise.

Good night.
Anne-Marie