Ukraine Adoption

Park, party, pool

Some weekends, there isn't so much to do except the usual cleaning and errands, which can fill the time pretty quickly. Then there are weekends that are jam-packed with activities. Today, we had opening day festivities at the park for Austin's baseball league. Tara and I left the park early to attend our friend's daughter's confirmation party, then it was back home to get ready for Tara's swim class. Whew! I asked some of my friends with multiple kids when this will slow down and they asked me if I really wanted to know and I said no.

So this week, we are watching the new adoption agency in Ukraine officially begin its work. Will they start making appointments right away? Let's hope so!

Today, tomorrow, later

So we were driving home from pre-school and work today and Tara told me she wants to be four years old. I told her she will be four at her next birthday. "Yes," she says, "in two minutes."

When I gave Tara some apple sauce last night, she told me she wants it "later." "OK Mommy? Later."

She loves her swimming classes. So much so, that she asks about them nearly every day. I tell her we will go on Sunday. "Tomorrow?" she says. No, Tara, tomorrow is Wednesday, we will go on Sunday. "Oh, tomorrow is Wednesday," she says, her eyebrows raised. "Then we go swimming tomorrow?" Sigh. Who's on first...

She is so determined to figure out this whole time and day thing. It's a fascinating concept to her.

So last Friday night I was tucking her into bed and reminded her that she is not to wake up Mommy and Daddy in the morning. "Nooo," she says. "It's Saturday." Ah. Sometimes she gets it.

The days ahead

There are so many families waiting to go to Ukraine, waiting for the new adoption center to re-open in May and set up appointments for those who are already approved! The word in some chat rooms is that once the process begins again, things will move quickly. Some families are already packing, with high hopes that they'll get to go in May or June. Let's hope so! They don't care if they get very short notice. They will be on the next plane, if they have to.

Many are getting their documents updated now. You don't want to get this far and be turned away due to expired documents. I have to admit that a small (very small) part of me misses that pre-travel excitement. (Sally and John: I said very small!)

Cross your fingers, pray, think good thoughts, send strong vibes. Do whatever you can to help unite these patient families with those precious children stuck in orphanages day after day, night after night.

One Year Home

A year ago today, Tara walked into the front door of her new home in her new country and smiled. Then she saw the cat and screamed! And then the cat freaked out! And they ran in opposite directions. Then she checked out her new room, her new brother. It was a long journey home. She slept through that first night in her butterfly bedroom.

Today is the day that I will stop telling strangers I meet that Tara is adopted from Ukraine. Many people already know this, of course, and that's great! We are so proud of our journey. But she is simply and wonderfully our daughter.

Happy Easter

This is the last of the firsts for Tara and her holidays. It is her first Easter in America. We think she liked the celebration.

Big!

Here is a Google video of Tara taken on her "Gotcha Day" anniversary. It works with Firefox and Internet Explorer.

Gotcha (again)

It's hard to find words today to express how we feel, exactly one year after we picked up Tara Vika from the orphanage in Ukraine forever. In international adoption circles, it's fondly referred to as Gotcha Day.

So here is a picture of Tara as we were leaving the only home she knew in Kiev. This photo has never been posted before. You can see how Tara looks now in the photo set at the left. We love you Tara!

Planning, panic and Prague

Indulge me, please, as I reminisce a bit. It was one year ago today that my cousin Sally and I arrived in Kiev. My husband John, still recovering from the adoption process of 5 freezing weeks in Ukraine, stayed home with our son.

We took the overnight flights, which were long and brutal, though Sally slept most of the time. I think she can sleep standing up. It's a talent I did not inherit.

Our flight was delayed, we missed our connecting flight in London, we had to fly to Prague and then Kiev. Quite the adventure. Natasha, our fearless facilitator, greeted us and dropped us off at a small apartment near Independence Square that would be our home for 2 weeks. Well, my home; Sally left after a week. I had to stay behind to deal with some crazy fingerprint snafu.

The next day, we would pick up Tara Vika from the orphanage. I remember lying in bed that night, looking out the window onto the gray buildings, knowing she had no idea we were coming for her.

We smile when we talk about it now. Quite the adventure, indeed.

To remember, visit the site:

http://www.adoptlove.com/cgi-bin/mt-comments.cgi?entry_id=263

Say what?

We know that Tara can sound like a teen-ager sometimes, pointing her finger at us and telling us to stop talking (if she is trying to talk). However, more often than not, she says some of the sweetest things.

Here is a sample:
"You're my friend."
"I like you."
"You're a good helper, Mommy."
To her swim teacher on Sunday: "My daddy is far away." (John was out of town)"I miss him."

At Grandma's house today, Grandma told Tara she liked her pants. Tara replied, "I like your shirt."

To Austin: "Will you carry me?"

Her words sound like a song. A U.S. citizen for almost a year. You've come a long way, baby. Ooops, don't call her baby. "I'm a GIIIIRRRRL."

Closed in April

The NAC has officially shut down and the new center will open in May, hopefully a better system for families and children. Let's hope that the new center will accept new dossiers from American families.