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Nanny (Lauren’s mom) sent this little star of David with us just in case we adopted a girl (many of you don’t know we originally were just looking for a little boy!) She also sent the doggy with us for our boy. Both gifts were smashing successes! Nastia is always looking out for Sash and…

Typical wiring outside our apartment. They put every kind of wire there is in here and then leave it open. We had to take the kids to a special doctor licensed to process immigration applicants. Lauren took this image of us outside the embassy after our interview there this morning 1/12. This was the last…

Nastia took this picture of us on the bus. She seems fascinated by our relationship. When we kiss, she smiles, goes “oooh” and draws a heart in the air. Isaac Press and his grandsons: a farewell from Radomischle. Lunch at the Press house.

First night together watching TV. Bus ride home. Sash’s classmates. Kiss from teacher Olya (note Pretko in doorway). The Blog.It’s over! We have out kids. Both of them. After the uncertainty and heartbreak of Tuesday, finality. Resolution defeats anticlimax at last. (As we haven’t blogged in 3 days, we are typing this day first. If…

Sasha with teacher Ina. Playing at Sasha’s class the night we had to leave him heartbroken behind. Sasha’s class posing with the tree that his teacher Oksanna had asked for over and over. The Iron Maiden Mrs Pretko had said we couldn’t buy it until the adoption was complete. We got it for them tonight…

Sasha on the phone. Lauren playing with Sash the night we had to leave him behind. TuesdayWe woke up at 5:30 on Tuesday. Only 4 ½ hours sleep. Nastia was dead to the world. We shook her and kissed her and lifted her arms. Like a rock. But we had a bus to catch and…

Me, Lauren and the Iron Maiden Mrs Pretko at our meeting on Monday. Birth certificate lady. Nastia saying goodbye to her director Tatiana. Hi Ho Krischatik Street (Nastia arrives in Kiev!). Lauren and Nastia on computers at home (at last). Note the Chanukah menorah and the Ukrainian and US flags we brought from home. Sunday…

Horsing around. The girl in the last two photos is Nastia’s friend Marina. She’s a very lovable little girl.

Nastia wanted a picture of her carrying my backpack. Horse and buggy rigs like this are common in Radomischle and Vischevitche. They look really cool loaded with hay or logs. A typical street kiosk in Rado. The Rado bus station. Various foot delicacies.

Lauren in the Metro as the train for Zhitomerskaya pulls in. A half hour ride to the bus station. Lauren at the bus station waiting for the minibus to Radomischle. A meat vendor in Kiev.

Nastia hanging with us. One of Sasha’s teachers. We love this one. She really cares about the kids.

Sasha dressed as a dog (this was his favorite costume) and various other get ups.

Flower lady. Cleaning the street after last night’s new year party. (They have a party every night for a week. It’s a big crowd till early morning.)

Stray cat I bought Whiskas for. When I went to feed him, a lady came out who was also caring for him. I gave her the box of Whiskas. “Ooh, viska’s. Good.” Front of our apartment building. Lauren in front of Vanya’s car, a trusty Lada Zhighuli. Bad Santa. More garbage in our courtyard.

Some pictures of our apartment in Zhitomer. Kitchen, bathroom, stairwell, wiring in stairwell (very common), garbage containers outside in the courtyard.

Lunch with Tatiana (director of Vischevitsche school) and her husband Kolya, pictured above with our driver Vanya. What a spread! The homemade vodka was strong… That’s the still in the fourth photo. See Lauren’s blog below for details.

Pictures around Zhitomer at the New Year.