BUSTING OUT OF THE BABY HOUSE! TEST RUN.

In front of the delivery house where they were born.

Big Sasha says, "Just born babies!"

Only for 2 hours, but we got them out on an off-campus pass. We had a little outing to the passport office today for paperwork and more photos for the authorities. We went in Victor's car and the boys sat on our laps in the back seat with no fuss. They were very interested in looking at all the cars and buses go by. At the office we had only a few minute wait in the hall and then we went into a room with two people working. We sat to wait for a few more minutes and they were ready for us. I was pleased to see a computerized program and digital photo system set up. The boys had to sit on a stool, with our help of course, to get a digital image to be sent to Kyiv for authentication and confirmation of their identity. They are really officially ours now. We have new birth certificates with our names on them and adoption certificates that state their name change and where they are from. Sasha has been very efficient with our time and the paperwork has gone quite easily for us. Behind the scenes it is quite time consuming and requires extensive networking to get anything done.

Sasha our facilitator with Losha

We had our own little photo session in front of the delivery house where the boys were born and spent there first week of life. It is very close to the Baby House and we have walked past it several times on our way to the big market. We feel like this was a very good day! Not only for our paperwork process but for our piece of mind with the boys and travel. This was their first time in a car since they were placed in the orphanage. Mind you this was only a test and many hours in a car or plane will be a much more challenging feat. But Losha was even able to fall asleep lying on me in the car on the way back from the passport office. The warm heater and hum of the road just put him to sleep.

Gift Crest from the Baby House Director

We were also given a gift of this City crest from the Baby House Director. She was unable to meet us today because she was away at a meeting but gave it to Sasha ahead of time so we would get it this weekend. There have also been a couple requests for photos of our family from the Local Board of Custody Director and the Baby House Director. We will try to find some frames and get prints done. These will make good gifts.