Rubles or Dollars?

If you lose a tooth while in Russia, does the tooth fairy leave dollars or rubles? That is the big question here today. Blaine lost another tooth! He wrapped a piece of thread from the complimentary sewing kit here in the apartment around it and yanked it right out. There is already a big tooth poking through underneath. We just can't wait until tomorrow morning to see what is under his pillow!

How much do you think this pretty little tooth is worth? He got $1 at home for the last one he lost.
Not only do you lose teeth when you turn 6 but apparently it's also time to start shaving. Blaine has 3 nice little cuts on his upper lip from Todd's triple-blade razor. I don't think he'll shave again for quite a while! As he was gushing blood he kept asking if I was mad at him. I told him, "Of course not, I'm just sorry you cut yourself." Kids are so funny!

Valerie is "talking" so much. We can't understand most of it but she just babbles and nods her head and really tells us all about something. She actually calls us Mama, Dada, and Bubba now instead of just repeating the words when we say them. She does this especially when she wants something. Today on the way home from the grocery store Blaine was eating an ice cream cone and would occasionally give his sister a bite. When she was ready for another, she'd scream Bu-bu, Bu-bu! It was pretty cute.

Remember how I said that if Valerie was doing something or touching something that she shouldn't be all we had to do was say nyet in a stern voice and she would immediately stop? Well, today she was reaching for an electrical outlet and I yelled, "Nyet!". She looked at me, laughed, yelled "Nyet!" right back at me, and reached for it again. She's beginning to test her boundaries. I guess that means she is feeling more comfortable with us. We are loving every day with her though and can't wait to get her home and watch her as she learns and grows!