Over the Rainbow-The deVitry's in Ukraine

Here are some pix, finally.  Pix 1-5 are taken by Aunt Sheila one week being home.  Pix 6 is last Saturday in Papa's wagon, photo by Uncle Shawn.  Pix 7-9 are taken by Babushka on Homecoming Day, March 27.  My niece Brianna is in Pix 7 with Joseph Slava. We were all extremely exhausted and jet lagged on that day, as you can see by the dazed look in the kids eyes.  After two weeks feeling much better, but I still can't catch up on my housework :)  I have since then cut Lillianna's hair into a pixie haircut, as apposed to the beatles boy haircut she did have.  You can now see her pretty eyes and face.  She loves her cousin Brianna, as do the boys.  Brianna is coming to stay with us next week for spring break. She is a precious commodity!!!

These kids are very healthy and busy.  I hope to have more time in the near future to tell more of the story.  Basically, it all went like clockwork.  First referral, travel to region by train, see the kids, start the paperwork, court and wait 10 more days.  Go back to Kiev by train (3 adults and 3 kids in 1 car) and process out.  Long plane ride home (Aerosvit, with NO naps) and fun and games with immigrations at JFK.  Jet Blue from JFK to Syracuse the next morning was like being on cloud 9!!!  So happy to see central New York terrain down on the ground, and the crew welcomed our kids, by name, to America, over the loud speaker.

Busy, busy first few days, unpacking and repeating over and over "don't touch that, nee troi gai".  Still do that quite often, We have been straight out busy, mostly I have with keeping up with cooking and cleaning and feeding.  Viktor started Kindergarten last Monday and is doing quite well.  He just needs to tone down his voice a bit.  The other two also adjusting, after quite a show of temper tantrums (we don't give in to the drama).    A little less drama every day, today was a very good day :) !!!!!  There is often time a lot of sibling rivalry, just like typical siblings, but a bit more so than that.  Joseph Slava is into everything, sometimes for attention and sometimes out of curiousity.  He likes to see how things work, and he likes to see what makes his mama and papa tick (react) !!!  Lillianna is my shadow, she is my little buddy, and I can not leave the room with out her.  She is very shy around others than her immediatefamily, but warms up to others much faster than she did a week ago.  We are making baby steps, but it is all good.  We are so blessed to have these kids and they are just beautiful!  Thank you Ukraine!!!

Sure do have a lot to do and not much time to do it.  Have to register the kids with the consulate, get social security numbers for them, doctors and dentist appointments, need a new HMO after April as I resigned from my company last week, we still have to file income taxes, and trying to find places for all of these toys, books, and clothes people have been so gracious to give to us.  Thank you everyone!!!

I will write more later.   I will have some post adoption questions for groupies when I get a chance.  Right now we are working on the eye-contact thing.  That seems to be the magic key that unlocks the door to bonding with our children.  They can be willful and defiant, but slowly gaining their complete trust and respect.   If anyone has questions feel free to write, I will try to reply when I am available.

Warm Regards,

Wanda (and James and Kids)

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• #1 Comment from andreash2550 
  11/9/07 1:45 PM | Permalink

  My wife and I are going to adopt from Ukraine next year and came across Cathy at Ukrainian Angels. It appears to be quite a successful and uncomplicated process she has put together. However, we are looking for some 1st hand insight and advise if this is the way to go. As you have used her process, can you please respond when you get a moment and share your advice? Would you do it again through her?
  
  Kind regards,
  
  Andreas Horlacher
  andreas.utah@gmail.com