They are ours!!!

They are already legally ours!!
Today was a crazy day but again it started out with a good omen... the sun came out after many foggy and cloudy days...
We went from Mariupol to Kramatorsk with our driver Sasha. He arrived in the hotel to pick us up at 8:40 a.m. and greeted us with a very Russian "Yellow". I think it's the only word he knows in English because after that he just drove...
Halfway to Kramatorsk, Masha called on the cell phone to tell us the good news, that we our Hearing was today at 3:30 p.m.!
The rest of the trip was full of emotions and thoughts. Nerves and excitement but never fear. Only anxiety about the decisive moment we were about to live. We arrived in the apartment to dig into the suitcases and get our "Ukrainian style" fancy clothes.
After some trouble with the iron (Masha had to bring us another one because the apparently there was a problem with the first one and it almost burned!) we got dressed the best that we could and left.
The appointment was at 3:30pm so we went straight to the Courthouse because the trip from Kramatorsk to Artemovsk took us over an hour.
On our way we talked a lot about the probable questions and scenarios. I had the strong hope in my heart that the Judge would waive the ten days waiting period for us. We discussed it with Masha and she strongly recommended that we did not ask for the waiver because our Embassy asks for some documents to be certified by Ukrainian Institutions and they do not do it if the waiver is given, so it could bring us more trouble than good.
We decided to do what we have done during this whole love adventure: leave everything in God's hands.
We arrived in Artemovsk poco antes de las 3pm pero tuvimos que subir al auto a la trabajadora social y a la abogado del orfanato asi que estuvimos todos en la sala de Juicio a las 3:25 para empezar el mismo.
Imaginense una tipica sala de juicio de serie de SONY Entertainment. El honorable juez entra a la sala y todos se paran. El fiscal con cara de malo sentado a un lado. Nosotros y Masha sentados en primera fila como acusados... La secretaria tomando nota de "todo lo actuado" (en terminos legales). La abogado del orfanato y la asistenta social sentadas tambien al otro lado frente al honorable juez (en este caso parecia mas una babuska que Juez; era una sra mayor). Estamos seguros de que se imaginan la escena.
Bueno, todo paso muy sencillo. Las preguntas fueron bastante obvias asi que las respuestas tambien: "van a poder sufragar con los gastos de los 5?" Los van a querer igual que a sus dos hijas?" Van a ir al colegio? etc.
Todas nuestras respuestas eran: "da" y bla bla bla.
Todo duro poco mas de 40minutos y antes de terminar el fiscal saca su librito y le dice al Juez que necesita permiso para acercarse... gulp!!
Yo estaba seguro de que nos iba a dar el regalazo de los 10 dias. "Que detallazo, gordo", pensaba yo. En mi buen ukraniano estaba entendiendo todo lo que le decia al Juez y que como le habismos caido bien y todo q porque mejor nos nos ibamos nomas ya...
Bueno, nada mas lejano a la realidad.
En verdad estaba pidiendo otra audicncia mas porque el otro ninio estaba en Mariupol!! Gordo, canalla!!
Saltaron todas! La asistenta social, la abogada, Masha, etc.
Se comieron al gordo y lo empapelaron con el Poder entregado por las autoridades de Mariupol acordando un solo juicio en Artemovsk para los dos procesos (uno por cada orfanato). Ante eso, el gordo solo dijo: "jarasho" con lo cual Marielle y yo respiramos.
Ya lo demas fue solo firmar papeles y risas y todo.
Estaba hecho.
Los ninios ya eran nuestros.
"Registrese, archivese y ejecutese" o algo asi. Finito! Terminado. Fin! The End! Caput!! Todo. YA!! Yeeeeeeeeee!!!
Al final la Juez nos felicito y nos deseo lo mejor porque se habia dado cuenta de que si bien estabamos bastante arrugados pareciamos en el fondo personas buenas y amorosas.
Pregunto donde se peinaba Marielle quien encontro su peluqueria en el hotel de Mariupol!!
Lo demas ya fue solo dejar a la asistenta social y a la abogada en sus respectivas oficinas y pasar cortito a ver a los chicos (Tiago y Nico).
Fue visita corta pero deliciosa por el recibimiento de los 2:
Santiago estaba con su grupa en pijama (a las 5pm). Delicioso con un buzo que le llegaba hasta las axilas... Salio corriendo, felz a darnos besos y gritar Hoooola!! Priviet!! Hooola chicas. Todo un escandalo para el resto del grupa que tambien corria despavorido ante la llegada de "los arrugados". De pronto pasitos por fuera de la sala y se abre la puerta y era el gran Nico que se hecho un grito de Tarzan: aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!! y se lanzo de los brazos de la cuidadora a los de Marielle.
Que paso luego?
Lo de siempre
Nos echaron por revoltosos y arrugados.
A la salita de musica. Nico y Marielle corrieron por el pasillo (primera vez que lo veo caminar tan rapido; esta progresando muy rapido) riendo a carcajadas y atras veiamos Santiago (disfrazado con mi bufanda y la cartera de Marielle) y yo corriendo tambien. Ahi nos encontramos nuevamente a nuestros muy buenos amigos americanos quienes nos felicitaron mucho por el juicio. Los vamos a extraniar cuando volvamos todos a nuestras casas. Son personas extraordinarias que quisieramos mantener cerca como amigos siempre.
Jugamos un poquito y los devolvimos para emprender viaje de vuelta a Kramatorsk por primera vez como los legales padres de 5 angeles de Dios.

Happy Birthday Ale!

One of the most difficult things about coming to Ucraine in this time of the year is that the birthdays of four of our now five children are within less than a month: January 23rd (Nico), January 24th (Alejandra or "Ale"), February 10th (Santiago) and February 15th (Micaela). We would have liked to celebrate them the seven of us together, but the way things have turned out, we are with two of them in Ukraine while the two birthday girls are in Guatemala with their "Babushka" Monica.
Thanks to her, Ale could celebrate her 13th birthday with a party as good as Nico's. We are very proud about how mature and generous our daughters have been in relation to our trip. They have never complained about our absence but, on the contrary, they have been constantly asking about their brothers and us every single day.
The same way we dedicated a posting to Nico's birthday, with the same joy I present you the pictures of Ale's birthday...

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR ALE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The videos start coming...

Videos are better than a thousand words...
Here are some of them that we were already able to upload to the blog.
Just click on the links.

#1 Santiago dice que se va a Guatemala... (Santiago says he will go to Guatemala)

http://www.onetruemedia.com/shared?p=7ec41b2bdc62e8a988dc5c&skin_id=701&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=email

#2 Santiago y Nicolas jugando en la sala de musica (Santiago & Nicolas in the music room)

http://www.onetruemedia.com/shared?p=7eb2d8a47cf23bed963c87&skin_id=701&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=email


#3 Visita ayer Sabado a Fernando jr. (Saturday's visit to Fernando jr)

http://www.onetruemedia.com/shared?p=7ec334952164d460f50e25&skin_id=701&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=email


#4 El cumpleanios de Nico completo (Nico's bday party complete)

http://www.onetruemedia.com/shared?p=7ec6707dd3318928f04304&skin_id=701&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=email


#5 Vistiendo a Nando (asi decidio llamarse el mismo...) Dressing Nando (he chose to be called like that)

http://www.onetruemedia.com/shared?p=7ecfb276dbbb307b6550b6&skin_id=701&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=email


#6 Hola Mica!! (hello sister Mica!!)

http://www.onetruemedia.com/shared?p=7ed29a3dd27bc8c58617f0&skin_id=701&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=email


#7 The Cheetah boys

http://www.onetruemedia.com/shared?p=7ed31b012623334a48437c&skin_id=701&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=email

#8 Nico y sus juguetes (Nico & his toys)

http://www.onetruemedia.com/shared?p=7ed3d6a0634a8626fc9107&skin_id=701&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=email

#9 Nando's grupa

http://www.onetruemedia.com/shared?p=7ed5158441dcf2518fd143&skin_id=701&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=email

#10 Saltos e investigaciones (Jumps & investigations)

http://www.onetruemedia.com/shared?p=7ed5cf7e501ad76456919c&skin_id=701&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=email

The after party

and the party continues at the music room












My brother Santiago discovering himself in the mirror










Me, opening my presents












Me, playing with my presents










Katrina (Vicky), one of my best friends.










with my friends Kyle(Oleg) and Katrina (Vicky) and their parents. They already had the Hearing and will soon go home. A private after party...

My "groupa"

My Birthday pictures!

Nicolas

Today is a very special day to me for many reasons. Not only because I will turn 4 but because for all of us children with special needs, the fourth birthday is the date that seals our fate.

I arrived in Artemovsk when I was only 4 months old, straight from the hospital where they treated me after I was born. From that day I have been here for these almost 4 years which are all my life. I have had many friends who are home today with their mamas and their papas. I have met many good people who have given me their love and warmth. For a little over a year now I also have my youngest brother here, he helps me and takes care of me when I need him. He shares his pichinias with me and teaches me how to play with the toys. I am an amazingly happy child and everybody here loves me very much.

Today is a very special day to me for many reasons. Today we will have a very rare event here in the house: a real birthday party. All my "groupa" will be here, as well as my "bratchik Santiago", but most importantly, my parents will be here!!! I don't think anything like this has ever happened in this house before. Today they will all be here for me. For my fourth birthday!!!

Today is a very special day to me for many reasons. Today is the day that I will not leave the Baby House to go to some Institution where my parents would have never been able to find me. Today everyone will sing "Happy Birthday" among the laughter and happy faces of all my caretakers who will sing to me in Russian while they clap with joy because they know everything that this day means to me.

Today I feel happier and more alive than ever!! Today I will walk better. Today I will play more. Today I will smile more! Today I will learn how to say new words. Today I feel like I am being born again into the family that God had promised.

I am dying to meet my older sisters who will take care of me. I am dying to meet the brother that has my papa's name. Santiago and I will join them very soon and we will finally start to live as the big family that we were destined to be since All Eternity.

Today is a very special day to me for many reasons. Today is MY day. Today we start the final countdown for the day when my bratchik Santiago and I will be the ones to say "paka, paka" to this house that until now we called home. Today I begin to close this chapter and a new world opens before me, a world full of new colors, scents, textures, sensations and many other things that will help me grow and develop big and strong like all the other kids.

Today is a very special day to me for many reasons...

Santiago

Today we were a little late to see the boys. Masha picked us up a little later and besides we need to stop at the Supermarket to get the things for Nico's party.
A little before 12m we arrived and went inside running to ask them to allow us to see the boys for at least 10 minutos. They were in the middle of "potty time". A kind of mandatory ritual right after every meal in which all the kids are sat down in line, each one of them in a potty, wether they feel like going or not. They all scream. It's true! It's part of the ritual. Some scream, some push, all of them in line at the same time. Talk about privacy. All for one and one for all...

One of the caretakers interrupted such spectacle and pulled Santiago out from the line. He came out all sweaty, we don't know if it was for all the screaming or what...

Since it's wintertime and very cold outside, even though Santiago was sweating we had to put his heavy jacket on. We really think this is part of some other ritual, so we did as we were told...

Nico was already taking his nap (another mandatory ritual until the children attain legal age in the orphanage system...) so we could not see him in the morning. We took the moment as a sign of God to strengthen our bonding with Santiago. We were calling "Hola chicas!!!" through the window, the way he loves to do it, and took many, many pictures of him.

Suddenly, something unexpected happened!
We already had the feeling that the caretakers have a particular inclination towards us but this we did not expect. One of them, one of the older ones, came to us and told Santiago in Russian (obviously Masha was translating): "where are you going to live?" and he answered, without any doubts, in a clear and happy voice: "Guatemala!!". At that moment we couldn't believe it and the caretaker told us the whole story. Another one of the caretakers had made a mistake that morning and had told Santiago he was going to live in Honduras. Santiago, very decidedly, corrected her and said "Honduras, niet! Guatemala!"
Right after this she asked him his "what is your name?"
"Santiago"

"Da" (Yes)

Yesterday afternoon something wonderful that deserves a special posting happened. When we went into the play room we took our usual positions: Nico and I at the carpet and Fernando and Santiago playing all over the room. But a little while after Nico yelled "Papa!" for the first time and pointed at Fernando, as if he was saying "It is my turn". He was right, it was time for him to discover the world. Fernando took him in his arms, opened the curtain a little bit and stood him at the window sil facing the street. Like this, both of them standing up looking out of the window, I heard Fernando say to him: "Look son, I introduce you to the world. It is not a perfect place but you can help to make it better. Now the world is yours and you can do anything you set your heart to." Nicolas looked at him and laughed excitedly as if he could understand his words. Suddenly, he started to touch the glass, softly at first, as if he was just discovering this strange material which allowed him to see the outside but would not let him go through. Fernando taught him to knock on the window and Nico started to knock, first softly and then very strongly as if he was saying: "I want to get out, I want to see what is beyond these 4 walls". Then both of them started knocking (actually banging) on the window together while they laughed out loud. Nico had not only discovered the world but he had finally also discovered his "Papa".

Meanwhile, at the other side of the room, something equally amazing and remarkable took place. When I gave Nico to Fernando, I stretched out my arms to Santiago and he came running to me. I held him strongly, I sat him on my lap and started cuddling him while I rocked him gently. Suddenly, he abandoned himself in my arms. The restless, playful child who usually only wanted to walk around the room taking a new toy out of the bag every two minutes wasdiscovering something new. He looked at me with an angel face and simply let me rock him, he didn't even move. We stayed like that for a long time, contemplating each other, he was discovering what having a Mama was all about and I was tasting a little bit of what our lives together would be like. I had to hold back my tears of joy. While I gently rocked him, I whispered to his ear "ya tuoi Mama", "ti mei sin" (I am your mama, you are my son) and then I would point at myself and say "Mama" and point at him and say "lala"(baby). I don't know if any other Ukrainian would have understood my less-than-perfect Russian, but my son sure did understand me. Because to everything I said, he would look at me with sweet and deep eyes, and in the cutest little voice that you could ever imagine, he simply answered "Da".

Bonding II

Today we started out the day with to key tasks: to finish the paperwork in Artemovsk so that we could send the papers in tonight's train to Kiev, and start bonding with our two youngest boys.

We left the apartment in Kramatorsk at 9:30 a.m. and got to the orphanage in Artemovsk around 10:30. First we went to Inna's office to sign some papers so that Masha could chase paperwork and then they told us that we could go to the play area and they would take the children ther for us. When we were done signing the papers, on our way out of Inna's office, Fernando met Santiago in the hallway! It was a little confusing and surprising for both of them but but it was wonderful all the same. They hugged and went upstairs together to wait for Nico so we could all be together. At the play area, there were two other American families with their children playing there. We found out that they were Katrina (Vicky) and Kyle (Oleg) with their parents. They already had their Court Hearings and are only waiting for the 10 days so they can go home to their other children. They are wonderful people and we were very glad to meet them. Everything went fine, they brought Nico and we played together, only there were more children, more toys, more pichinias, more Papas and Mamas. We were there all together for about an hour and then they took the children to lunch. We went to have lunch as well but we left the room with the feeling that we hadn't been able to go too far in our bonding with Santiago and Nicolas.
It was only our first visit after meeting them. Maybe the feeling that we had gone so far with Fernando Jr. made us think that it would be the same with the little ones. We had lunch at a new place called Byblos. It's an Armenian-Arabic Restaurant, very well decorated and with very good food and, most importantly (as we would later learn to value). The background music came from two big screens showing at first a Pink Floyd concert and later music from Scorpions!!! Fernando was thrilled about the music and, as I said, the food was good but both had nothing to do with each other...
We had lunch and the three of us had a good laugh. Then Masha took us to buy a SIM card for Fernando's cel phone but it didn't work. Masha is lending us a cel phone so that we can call home.
After this, it was already 3pm so we went to the orphanage for the afternoon visit with Santiago and Nicolas.
We got there and it was a completely different story from the morning visit! When we got there they told Santiago but he was his snack. He left everything, stopped eating, and ran outside of the room yelling Papa, Mama!! We were standing in the hallway and suddenly he appeared, running like crazy yelling Papa Mama and the caretakers chasing after him... Fernando and him joined in a big hug impossible to separate. They both went upstairs together and on our way we stopped at Nico's room where his clothes were being changed after his nap. He saw him from a distance and started calling him... Nico!! Nico!!! while we waived at him with our hand !! Nico, fidgeted on the changing table like crazy and waved back at us with his little hand while the caretaker tried to finish changing his clothes. He yelled Mama!! Mama!! So cute!!!
The 4 of us went alone into the play room and everything was wonderful. We got a long way!!! We played and talked about many things! We stood at the orphanage window to yell at the street. What a latino thing to do!!! but it was wonderful. Our sons had never done this before and they were fascinated just to be able to see beyond the orphanage's 4 walls. We learned how to say "Hoooola Chicas!!!! " (Hi Girls). Santiago perfectly and Nico started to repeat everything his brother said. Nico was even able to stand by himself for a while and walked with us, probably more than they had made him walk during the last year. He discovered building blocks and he was fascinated. He can manipulate toys very well with both hands and has a very good concentration span. A while after our new american friends arrived and we started playing all together. We left that visit with the feeling that we had gone a long way with the little ones. Almost on our way out, Masha introduced us to the well known senior caretaker. She is an older lady, tall and white-haired, very serious looking. We had already heard stories about how inflexible and strict she was so we were a little afraid. As soon as he saw her, Fernando took her hand in his and looking into her eyes told her with great enthusiasm Spasiba, Spasiba, Spasiba!!!
When we were already in the car on our way back to Kramatorsk, masha told us that she had found the lady crying in the stairway and sobbing, while she told her that nobody had ever treated her that way before. She said she loved Nico so much because he is such a loving child, and that she was so happy that he had found such a good family. Masha was amazed to see the "iron lady" in the orphanage cry. God's power made itself present today once again through us. These women really do the best that they can with the little resources they have and give their love to our children, and it seems that only a few people recognize this. Fernando pointed at Masha that how could he not be so grateful to the ladies who have been the "mamas" to our children until now.

Tomorrow is Nic's birthday, a very special birthday not only because he will be 4 years old but because his parents will be with him for the first time and he will have his first party. Remember that 4 year old children with special needs go to Institutions, and this would have happened to Nico if we hadn't been here for him. The Lord wanted that the timing would be exactly like this. The way it has happened all along our trip, everything is happening at the precise moment, not before or after, but at God's perfect timing.

Well, as a good latino mom, the minute I got permision to have the party I ran to buy a special tablecloth with napkins to match, horns, party hats, and tomorrow we will get the cake and the candle and everything else I can get my hands on to make the party brighter and happier. Fernando makes jokes at me because he says that where will I find the mini chocolate truffles and other specialties served in Peruvian parties (which are extremely sophisticated!). We plan to sing Happy Birthday 4 times, the South-American way, the Guatemalan way, the American way and the Ukrainian way. One for each year of age. I don't know if the Director knew what she was getting into when she allowed us to have the "little party". Fernando says this must be like having Obama's family, african grandmother and all, at the White House. We'll see how it goes, we will have it all on video so that you can all attend. Let's hope we can upload it to the blog...

Bonding

Tuesday afternoon, when we said good-bye to Ferni, we saw that the attachment process would apparently be easier than we had imagined. the orphanage had already talked to him about us and he had been asking everyday if that was the day he would meet us...

We decided to use Masha as our interpreter and explain in detail and with honesty the whole process to him. However, before that, we needed to complete a series of papers, legal certifications, notarizations and other bureocratic stuff. We started out that Wednesday at the Mariupol Notary. It was remarkably small but well furnished. At the counter there were two girls who might as well could have been the owners because they did everything. They typed, wrote the documents, printed them in official paper, put on the stamps and seals, charged the customers... In the middle of the process a character of the movie The Untouchables appeared (whom we assumed to be the notary). He was the "capo" of the Russian mob. Black suit and black shirt, silver tie, pointy shoes, etc. I was afraid that he would even have a golden tooth, but thank God this wasn't the case. The diligence was very long and full of signatures and trips to and from the office, and like this we spent almost all morning. After 11:30am it was finally over and we rushed to the orphanage because the morning visit ended at 12m. We had to stop on the way to buy some "pichinias" and soc (juice). We took this opportunity to get some Pepsi and Lipton Ice Tea as well, since these products cannot be found anywhere in this country!
We arrived to see Ferni a little before 12m and they gave us only 10 minutes because he had to take a nap since he had just had lunch. Normally at Solnichko visits take place in a small place with very cold little tables at the entrance to the house. We had seen various Spanish couples trying to bond with their kids in this area, but this is just useless to us "sudacas" so we just kept on walking to look for Ferni at his "grupa's" playing room next to their little dining room. The little crazy one left everything as soon as they told him we were there and ran to us with his machina in one hand and his motorcicle in the other one. He jumped directly to my neck and loudly yelled: PAPAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!! There we went again, directly to the floor... as it was supposed to be. Ferni asked inquisitively: "Why are so late??? Did you go for my brothers?"
Gulp!
Masha offered to translate and as we were saying before, we explained the process in detail to him even showing him the big fat dossier so that we would be very clear about everything. We seemed satisfied. It's unbeleivable how mature and conscious he is about the whole situation at his 5 years of age and everthing he has been through. However, deep inside he is just a sweet and naive little boy. He thought for a few seconds and then said: "ok, but when we go home I get to take my machina and my motorcicle!"
Deal! (the toys were already stuck to his hands anyway...)
Masha left us shortly after to go on with the paperwork. The caretakers had to tell us that we could only stay for 10 minutes. The thing is how to explain these messy "sudacas" that 10 minutes at the tables near the entrance has nothing to do with 3 hours on the floor of the groupa's playing area??? Well, obviously between the language barrier and the fact that we would probably still not do as we were told, they decided to leave us alone. We ate pichinias, drank soc, played with the cars and gave a very important step towards his future language: we started to learn to count to empezamos a aprender a contar hasta "trei" (tres). The best way was with a car that had a little starter, he had to say "Uno, dos y tres" before letting him go. At the beginning he only said dos y trei but towards the end it was a clear Uno, dos y Trei. Perfect! (Trei sounds perfect doesn't it ????) Like this we spent "trei" very happy hours.
In the end we were all very thirsty (Marielle and I were also hungry, but that's another story) so taking advantage of the fact that we were alone, we comitted a little sin. We opened my backpack and got a small bottle of Pepsi out. It was crazy!
The soc was history... Bring on the Pepsi!!! We dared to give him only a few sips because, believe it or not, at his five years of age, on January 21st 2009, my son tried a Pepsi. We did not count on the immediate effect a few sips would have on him. I don't know what they put to Pepsi here in Ukraine, but my poor son started running and jumping and hopping as if he had been possessed by something, and shouted out of control... The caretakers shushed us because the grupa was taking their nap but there was no way to stop his laughter and hopping and his fights with imaginary monsters. What was doomed to happen finally happened. A caretaker took him and explained to us with sign language that Ferni had to take his nap too. Jajajajaja... little did she know that he he had some Pepsi inside him...
We had to say good-bye but promised to come back in the afternoon at least for a little while. We both sat at the tables near the entrance and shortly after Masha arrived and she was very surprised that we had been allowed to stay with him for so long. Those were the longest and most wonderful 10 minutes of our lives.
We went to lunch while we prayed that the authorization to adopt our boy would be signed by Arcadi's boss. There was a chance that it would happen, but this usually took a day longer...
Thank God in the middle of salad Arcadi's call came in. The paper was signed!!
Masha and Andrei left to get the document and we stayed at the hotel waiting for them. Time was only enough for a VERY short visit to Ferni to say good-bye before leaving that night for Kramatorsk again.
We tiptoed inside and he apparently heard us or someone told him we were there, and he ran to meet us with his two machinas, the motorcicle and the starter in his hands, he was juggling. Behind him, the whole grupa came out running with scared little faces because they probably thought it was an earthquake or a fire alarm... 10 children yelling and laughing while Ferni hugged me saying "Papa Kiril" (his ukrainian name) like introducing me into the grupa society... Well done, son!! We may be "sudacas" but we are well manered.
The caretakers told us through masha that he had not slept a single minute that afternoon. He had been telling everyone about what we had done and then he had been telling the grupa about his parents. The best part was when Ferni heard they were telling us this and cut in to say: "and I don't plan to eat either nor sleep tonight..." We don't know what happened after all but knowing him, he must have been awake and talking for the last 48 hours... I went in to say good-bye and explain that we would be back on Saturday: "Paka Paka, Kiril. Da Subota". I took this opportunity to look inside the little grupa dining room where all the plates were already served. I said "Paka, Paka" and Ferni proudly yelled "Papa Kiril", his chest stickin out, probably feeling really special for the first time in his life...
I must confess that I tried not to look too much at the grupa, but it was impossible. You can't imagine the beautiful group of angels it is. Little boys and girls with the sweetest looks and so much to give... I would have given anything to be able to help them, to promise them that their own Papa y Mama would come soon to take them home!

Meeting Fernando Jr.

The first meeting left us badly wounded and this one appeared as if it would be the deadly wound, and it was...

The trip to Mariupol was longer and the weather was worse. The extreme fogginess slowed us down. We stopped to have lunch at the Mc Donald's in Donietsk. This time Masha did order the Big Mac combo for us but we were not charged for it and it was certainly not served to us. So we did not have any fries either... Forced diet which is always a good thing to do. Andrei had to stop on the way once more to take a little air, smoke his 88th cigarette of the day and wake up a little bit since it was getting harder to concentrate on the road after lunch, especially considering the dark and foggy day. We got there alright. Andrei is very cautious. Before going to the orphanage we had to go pick up the social worker who had attend the first visit. It was a little unnerving because he was busy and we had to wait for him in the car for almost an hour. Finally, Arcadi showed up and got in the car with great enthusiasm.
Solnichko (which means "Little Sun") is Fernando Jr's home, as it is for 120 more kids. The Director is a charming lady, she is very professional and runs the place in an almost impeccable way. We had a talk with her, in the presence of Arcadi and the Psychologist. They had never met anyone who had been born in Chile before so they asked me what made my country special. My nerves almost betrayed me and I almost said "Football (Soccer)"... I could recover my senses and almost said "Wine"... Realizing my difficult situation, Marielle cut in and said two or three beautiful things that I couldn't say for myself. I was saved! Time flew because we already knew they had to read us the whole file and we had to pretend we were interested in the small details when all we really wanted them to do was to bring us our son. They asked "Everything OK?" We answered "ochen jarasho" (very good). They all laughed and one of them went to get our boy.
There were some seconds of anxious waiting, a tense smile drawn in our faces until we clearly heard small footsteps which became faster and faster as they approached, until they reached the door and a small and wonderful creature flew to my arms screaming Papaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!! What can I say, that you are not already imagining? What can anybody do in front of such a great gift??? There we went again, directly to the floor right in the Director's Office, crawling and laughing and everything else... only this time we were immediately shown into another room.
We went into the music room. Fernandito and I were holding hands and from that moment on there was no way to break us apart. I got the first gift out of my backpack: a little 4X4 big foot truck. He yelled: Machina!!!! (car). Then I got out a small motorcycle and he yelled: Motorcicle!!! This was it, he took them off my hands, teared the packaging apart and started an endless game along the Orphanage carpets. By then, 5:30pm, half an hour later, the machina and the motorcicle needed full service. Trying to change the subject, we pulled out the laptop and started watching a video our girls (Ale and Mica) had made in Guatemala for the boys. They were both at the swings saying "Hola!!!" Fernandito repeated: "Hola Ale, Hola Mica!!" We watched it many times, we went back to the machina and again to the video and the motorcicle and the video and the machina... There were lots of pichinias and hundreds of patzeluis with hugs, bites, tickles, and everything else (just the way it should be). Then we were called back to the Director's Office. We didn't know if it was because we were too loud, or they thought we were setting a bad example for him, or just to confirm our decision. I think it was a little bit of everything, but in the end everybody was very happy because we had obviously completed our family. We had already managed to finally meet our three sons and they had also met us... Before we left, Ferni broke our hearts as we had already anticipated... Holding strongly to my hand he looked at me and asked: "Are you going to take me home now??? "

Meeting Nico and Santiago

We did have only 4 minutes to get out of the train. Fortunately, Andrei, Masha's brother and our loyal and cautious driver, was already waiting for us at the Kramatorsk station. First task: to get our three suitcases plus the double stroller into the trunk of the Hyudai Sonata, in the middle of 1 foot of snow apart from the one that kept falling...
Two of them fit in the trunk with the stroller. The third one shared the back seat with us. The drive was short. Masha offered us to stay in a little apartment inside her mother's house. We were there in less than 20 minutes. Her mother had prepared an "a la carte" breakfast that we had been able to coordinate also from the train. Fresh fruit and yogurt for me. Tea, ham, cheese and bread for Marielle. We had breakfast in 15 minutes, sent a short email to let our family know that we had made it to Kramatorsk, and prepared one of our suitcases with things to spend 2 days in Mariupol. I must confess that at that point (7am tuesday) Marielle was still wearing her ukrainian costume (high boots, skirt, party make-up and necklace...) and I didn't anymore if I had the scarf of the tie arround my neck. The same clothes we wore to the appointment with the whispering lady at the SDA, only they had more wrinckles and a certain odor we caught in our first class train compartment, aside from the bags under our eyes and the beard that was starting to grow on my face...

Well, we set off just like that. In the end it's all a question of attittude.

The trip had two stages: first, we would go to the Baby House in Artemovsk to meet Nicolas and Santiago. After this, we would go to Mariupol to meet Fernando Jr. and spend the night there.

We arrived in Artemovsk an hour later. The road was good but the weather was terrible. Very foggy, lots of snow and mud at the side of the road. At some points the snow was beginning to melt. We got to the Artemovsk Baby House de Artemovsk arround 9am.

We entered the small orphanage which looked very poor and old from the outside but felt very warm on the inside. Not only because of the heaters but mainly because of the smile, care and friendship with which we were greeted. While we went in, we would correctly salute everyone with a smiling "Dobri Dien" (courtesy of the Pflucker-Koval family) and thank with another smiling "Spasiva" (gracias) to those who showed us the way. We finally met Inna, a woman we had heard so much about from all the others who have been at this orphanage. Inna is the young director of the "Baby House" and she not only runs the place but knows and loves every single child in the orphanage as if it was hers. Additionally, she is in charge of making magic to make ends meet with the limited budget she receives which is not enough to cover the House's needs. Only meeting her made us realize how far we had come along. We finally felt we were soooo colose to meeting two of our children. Inna carefully read the medical records and available history on each one of them. We made some questions and she was able to answer to most of them. Finally we asked to see the boys.
One of the caretakers who was in the office went to get them. The door was half open. We could not see what was about to happen very well but we could hear when somebody approached. We tried to say something, or maybe not. Maybe it was just our thoughts. Our hearts were beating fastly. Suddenly we heard some footsteps, and some little footsteps as well. The door opened and we could see this tiny little child, walking, with his hair well combed, nicely dressed, who saw us and stretched out his arms to me saying: Papa!! It was Santiago!!! (Vlad) I was already on my knees at that point, with my arms equally stretched towards him and saying: sin!!! (son!!!) We gave a really biiiiiiiiiiiiig and long hug. I kissed him while I tried not to suffocate him with my long contained hug. He also kissed me and repeated Papa, Papa. Marielle, by our side, smiled with tears in her eyes and tried to be a part of this big hug. I don't know how long this scene lasted but I do know that it will last forever in the hearts of those that were there. We took a few pictures. Some were taken by Masha, who also laughed nervously for being a part of this chapter. Then, without even noticing, other footsteps were coming. It was the caretaker again but this time she had great Nico in her arms. The whole room lit up as he entered. I don't know if it was his big smile of his wonderful blue eyes. All he said was a very loud MAMA!!! Marielle could not contain herself and ran to him and hugged him.
At that point I don't know who cried, who laughed, some of us were on the floor playing, the director was trying to get to the door in between our legs, Masha couldn't decide wether to take pictures or go and play in the floor with us... a mess!!! A great and wonderful mess. We didn't care about the clothes or the high heels anymore, or anything else for that matter. The family was finally starting to come together.
We immediately went on to having some "pichinias" (cookies) to continue to win our sons over, but they looked pretty won over to me. We had pichinias, then we played with little cars, finally we took out some crayons with which, having no other paper at hand, we scribbled on the outside of the file that Marielle had brought with some important adoption documents...
We played and played and then kept on playing. Each pichinia costed one patzelui (kiss). Then there was a "Bush style" devaluation and the exchage rate went up to one pichinia for about 14 patzeluis, plus a few tickles, bites, and all the other stuff we "sudacas" do to show affection to our kids.
Until it was time to leave...
We were still at the Director's office, and besides we had to set out to Mariupol to meet the older brother (only a year older a still practically a baby). But that is part of the next chapter. This chapter would keep us company during the following 2 hours on the road.