Day 1 in Yambol :)

We traveled in the am to Yambol and we were again pleasantly surprised. At times it felt and looked like home. The roads were great... we stopped at a McDonalds that was clean and just beautifully landscaped... mountains were on both sides. Even the rest stop was clean ( well- not the tolite area) but up to that was landscaped , some parkeets in a cage.... people smile at you. Honestly it is a very friendly place.... there is a feeling of peace as we have traveled...( for those of you traveling without your hubby- Toni takes such good care of you... I could do this solo if I had to) . It is not at all like our Russia or Ukraine travels.... feels much safer...just like our translator in Ukraine commented, it is like a resort. The hotel is clean and we have hot water all the time,ac... the food is delicious .

Now to the best part ... we met Andrew. He looked like we thought he would and not... he has beautiful, dark , wavy hair and long eye lashes. He is more tiny than we could have imagined.... malnourished even. Toni was shocked herself at how bony and small he was. We have seen lots of orphans but Andrew very tiny.... his skin is a dark olive and sweet little fingers. He was grumpy at first because they had woken him from his nap.... after a few minutes I took him from the caregiver after she had him for a few minutes... he was trying to climb up on my shoulder and bury his face into me.... still a bit unhappy until I began to sing to him.... he loves music and would try to sing along with me some.... after 10 minutes I handed him to Paul... some complaints until Paul gently sang to him as well. We had a little over an hour with him... he mostly was in my arms... once in the hall I stood him up between my legs and once he laid on the couch between Paul and I.... he kept trying to suck his thumb... the first time the caregiver told him no... then the rest of the time he would push his thumb to his cheek and suck on his cheek from the inside... it broke my heart ... because I know this is comforting to him and they are not allowing him to suck his thumb... once he even gently slapped his own face...like it must have been done to him... It was a sweet visit... one also that impressed everyone here... he does not easily go to strangers... honestly we could have walked right out with him ... He is severly delayed as well. I am sure he is severly neglected.... Even Toni agreed... we need to get him home sooner... it will be hard to leave him on Friday.... He is alot like Abraham was.... that is the crucial thing to remember when we have adopted a child like Andrew WAS... we have seen many before him overcome and I am sure he will as well. I will try to post a pic but it is slow....We will visit him twice today in the am and afternoon. It is a very short drive to the orphanage. It was a very stark and empty orphanage... not much noise coming from the halls. The director was nice and the caregivers were friendly as well.