We're learning about each other

The last two days have been wonderful bonding time with Esteban. Every day we seem to grow closer. He smiles at us when he wakes up and melts our hearts with his cute baby voice. He is a strong boy and has already given Julien a fat lip with a head butt. He also knows what he wants and when he wants it. If at night we don't go from bath to clothes to bottle in quick succession, we (and the rest of the hotel) hear about it. He loves to play with us. He loves bath time, getting his diaper changed and being naked - he's a boy!

Yesterday we had a visit from Doctora Clemencia, the pediatrician who makes hotel calls. We asked to see her, more for us than for Esteban. Esteban did have some congestion and a mild rash, but her visit was really for us first time parents. She was very reassuring. She read all his medical history, assured us that a little saline nose spray would alleviate his congestion (and it has), and confirmed that he's a healthy, strong baby. According to his exit documents from CRAN, he's 13 lbs and 24 inches. We swear his cheeks are chubbier since Wednesday!

This morning we had a great long walk to a beautiful park. Bogota seems to have many parks and many pedestrian walks. Almost every park we've seen has a playground. On our walk today, Esteban really was fascinated with the water features, the light on the plants and trees, and watching other children.

As we expected, this process has many appointments in the first few weeks. Yesterday we went to the notary, which was just a few blocks away. We actually have no idea what documents we had notarized because Helena led us through it like lost children. Thank goodness for Helena! On the 13th (Thu) we see the Defender of Minors. This appointment begins our official legal adoption process here in Colombia. Then, on the 17th, we get a more thorough tour of CRAN since the last time we were there we were very preoccupied with getting our baby E. Then we wait and wait and wait to hear from the Colombian court for our Sentencia (final decree). That waiting could be 4 or 6 weeks, or (hopefully not) more.

One last note about a cultural difference we've noticed. In Colombia babies are dressed very warmly. So warm that they sweat. We get looks when we take Esteban out of the hotel not wearing a jacket AND blanket even though it's 70 degrees outside.

We have more pictures--because we take them constantly--and will be adding to Snapfish soon. The link to our Snapfish album is a couple of posts back.

And now for (hopefully) another decent nights' sleep. Esteban slept 8 hours last night--we hope this trend continues:-)