It’s Official!

The alarm went off at 7 AM, I got up sometime before 7:30. We are working on using up the food we have here – the cereal, milk, yogurt, eggs. We went a bag full of gifts for the orphanage (the clothing for girls, bottles and liners and toothbrushes) in a very big Sasha, who was headed first to court.We left in time to stop at the French Pastry one last time. We had the same order, which the girl who works there smilingly stated. When we finished and left we indicated we said good-bye and indicated we would be (hopefully) leaving for Kyiv tomorrow.

At the orphanage we gave Susan a sheet of toothbrushes (12) to give to Losha’s group and said our good-byes, safe travel and good lucks in case we didn’t run into each other later. Then I used the bathroom while John went for Nick, and then I went up for Dennis. Before they brought him out Nick came running down the hall to me! They handed Dennis off without shoes or hat, but one of the main caretakers came through and indicated we should wait, and she brought the shoes and hat. The sandals are size 19 (we bought him size 21 by foot measurement) and I couldn’t squeeze his chubby little feet into them without leaving one of the bottom straps open.

We settled on the outdoor stairway. Activities included: “painting”, bubbles, ball, crashing plastic truck into the steps (discovering the cab also opens, and breaking a piece), Nick being a true big brother and taking the forbidden big sticks out of Dennis’ hands, visits from Sasha (“Sasa” per Nick) which were welcomed as diversions from parental control and some normal naughtiness.

Sasha was unable to obtain the official decree granting us parenthood this morning because the assistant was ill, the papers weren’t ready and perhaps when the judge came in after lunch . . . However, Sasha was then available to help us give the gifts to the orphanage – as mentioned above and including the customary discretionary monetary gift – and make arrangements for the going-away parties in the afternoon. On the way home we stopped at the Billa for travel goodies and party-reconnaissance.

We grabbed the hotdogs for a quick lunch, and then prepared the gifts for the groups and caregivers. John ran out to get four more gift bags. Dennis’ room has nine caregivers (later we were told twelve) and Nick’s room eight. Very soon it was time to head back so we could pick up juice, bananas, apples and cookies at the Billa. Andre’ was busy with other work today, and we sorely (arms, shoulders and backs) missed him, especially carrying the two bags of gifts, two bags of groceries and our normal two bags. Thankfully John’s back is improving (he is laying on an ice pack as I write, though).

Sasha had by then returned from a successful revisit to court! Hurray! We know that Nickolai John and Dennis Andrew Thur are now our sons. Wow!!! And all systems go for the parties. We had a few small personal gifts for the director – a nice been, Aurora mug that changes colors with heat, and a framed photograph of our family (she was very happy to add it to her collection). I also had a stethoscope for the medical woman (doctor) who had been very helpful on several occasions. She was very grateful. She said she loves children, and that was easy to see, too. Then the parties.

We had arranged for Dennis’ to begin at 4:00. It consisted of us attending their feast. Four were seated at tables, two were standing in a huge playpen area that had steps, a ramp and parallel bars, and two children were lying in separate cribs. The four children were given portions of bananas, whey (“casein”) to drink, and as many cookies as they could snarf down in thirty minutes. They let us see the sleeping room and pointed out Dennis’ crib, but allllll photographs were strictly prohibited. Oh well. We gave them toys for the group – some we have been using here and some new ones. We gave them the gifts for the caregivers, including the candy flowers from Alec and Nadya’s business which we had ordered and were delivered to the orphanage. When we gave the photo album of the boys, us and our home, it was very well received. The caregivers had many words, we know she was telling us how much the children all mean to them, and seemed to indicate they would like to receive more pictures as he grows up. Then it was on to Nick’s room. Poor Dennis didn’t seem all that excited when we arrived, but when Papa said “paka” and began to leave without him he burst into tears. The caregivers sent us on our way and consoled him.

In Nick’s room the eleven children were all seated around three little chairs, just waiting. Their caregiver is very good and keeping order, directing quiet activities as we have observed before. Nick was very excited to see us, of course. He is always very proud in front of his friends. We unloaded the food and the caregiver gave each a whole banana. This was received well, to say the least. As Mama and Papa blew up balloons Nick delivered them one by one to each member of the group. Then I got the okay from the caregiver to give each a 3-dimensional butterfly (I always give these out on the mission trips). The children were all quite worked up by then, and we agreed with the caregiver that the other treats (juice boxes, cookies, apples and candy) could wait for another time. She wasn’t the least upset with the excitement; in fact she joined right in with the balloon play. The kids seemed to like the fact that they and not just Nick got to play with us today. Some definitely called John “Nikita’s Papa”, and some just “Papa”. We also gave this group toys – used and new, and the same gifts for the caregivers (gift bag with a large bar of Chocolove Chocolate, tea from Frontier and a bath/body item, plus the candy flower). We left Nick there while we went for Dennis.

It took a little while to get Dennis, we don’t know what was being explained to us – could have been related to the impending rain – but eventually they brought him, shoes stuffed back into those small sandals and all. Then we found Nick. His group was still inside (never did go outside this afternoon). We were out for about 45 minutes before the rain, thunder and lightening drove us hurriedly indoors with Susan and Losha. Something about the rush scared Nick, his heart was racing and he looked very upset, but Papa was able to take him just outside the door and reassure him. That brought four adoptive families into the long, green-carpeted hallway (us, Susan and Losha, a Ukrainian couple and the Italians). The Italians left early, the Ukrainians a little early, but the Americans held out until the last minute (Susan leaves early tomorrow morning for three days in St. Petersburg for business, when she returns Friday she will be doing the same paper chase we hope to accomplish tomorrow). Dennis back to his room first, then Nick. We have been trying to tell Nick that tomorrow we will (all) take a train (to Kyiv). Doubtful that he understands, but he will soon enough.

When we finished Sasha and Andre were waiting for us. Andre knew where we could find an electric kettle to heat water, one final gift purchase. Then he took us back to the apartment. After a few quick phone calls we headed to Bella Pizza one last time (probably). John and I shared a large “Bomb” pizza, anti pasta and a chief salad. Sasha had a pizza, and being unusually hungry, also had spaghetti (the kind John had on Friday) while we had dessert. We both had the tiramisu since they were out of the Italian charlotte. (Oh, when we ate at the orange building café last Thursday I had hoped to try the “Drunken Shepherdess” Salad, but it was one of those mythical menu items, if I hadn’t mentioned this before.)

Then it was time to pack – as usual took much longer than I anticipated, and then I needed to get every last miniscule remembered detail down before we could finally go to bed.

Good night! (Up tomorrow at 6:00.)