Saturday, January 22, 2011

GOTCHA!!!!

Tatianna (the woman who has fought tirelessly for these boys for weeks!), Bohdan, me, Robin, and Yuri!


Tatianna, Bohdan, me, Yuri and Valentin. I wanted to get a picture with them so the boys will know who the people were who fought, stressed, worked and worked, drove like crazy all so they could become part of our family. We are forever indebted to Tatianna and Valentin.
THANK YOU!!

Right when we got to the apartment.


Tired boy.

They will inevitably end up together trying to play with the same toy. Even though they annoy each other sometimes I think they find comfort in one anothers presence.

Sucking his thumb.

Bohdan is such a ham! He would be doing his own thing and then Robin would pull out her camera and point it at him and he would give her this huge smile. The smile didn't last, once the picture was taken or a few seconds had gone by he would quit smiling. It was hysterical. We kept testing it and he would smile on cue!

Isn't he handsome


He had my phone all day long just holding it to his ear and listening to his music. Josh made him a playlist before I left so it is all of Yuri's favorite songs over and over.


I think the picture speaks for itself.

Guess who we got?!! Two amazing and precious boys!

January 22, 2011 Yuri and Bohdan's Gotcha Day!! The first day of the rest of their lives. The first night they will know love. The first night they will be part of a family. Their first day not spent in a crib. Their first taste of freedom. Orphans no more!! Forever part of a family. Never to look back!


We busted them out around 11am this morning. One of our favorite Nurses was holding Bohdan when we got there. When she saw us she just squeezed him and kissed him like 'no not yet.' They were dressed and luckily we took enough of the right clothes. They weren't happy with Yuri's hat so they put an orphanage one on him. I'm not complaining it is adorable. Its the same one as in the other pictures.


When we got to the apartment we put out thick blankets and let the boys just hang out on the floor. Bohdan just stayed laying on his back which is exactly what we expected. Yuri moved around a little and loved to drop toys on the hard floor and listen to the noises. Bohdan was almost asleep when we brought them their bottles. Both boys ate like champs which gave them a burst of energy! All of a sudden Bohdan is on his tummy and army crawling across the room and off the blankets.


Yuri went to his tummy and pushed up on all fours and crawled. Not far but he crawled. They were everywhere! Robin and I looked at each other in disbelief! We didn't think we were going to have to baby proof this apartment but it seems like that is necessary. These guys are very active. I'm not sure they have ever had the opportunity to move in large spaces, they weren't great at crawling but they definitely made use of the space. They would throw balls and then go get them. We could stack toys on one side of the room and they would come over and knock them down. We were thrilled!!
The boys DID absolutley amazing today. Today could not have gone any better than it did. Robin and I are sitting here at 10pm and both boys have been asleep for 30 minutes. The coolest thing is that we gave them a bath. We just couldn't wait. Bohdan LOVED the bath. He was splashing and playing with toys. He wasn't too keen on the hair rinsing. Yuri was very nervous about the bath room and lost it getting in the bath. I got in with him and we did a quick bath. I got the sprayer expecting him to freak out, but once it touched his head he stopped. He was completely calm. He loved the water running on his head.
We did a lotion rubs downs twice today and figure they will be necessary a few times a day till these boys get hydrated. We are so proud of them. It has got to be super scary for them and yet they have acted like this is no big deal. Thank you Jesus!!!
Check out this beautiful slide show that Robin made.
go to the 'site' then 'client proofing'
password 'winkles'
ENJOY!!

38 comments:

  1. Thank you Jesus!!!! Crying tears of joy for you miles and miles away.

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  2. I'm crying. I am so happy for those sweet babies. God is so good.

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  3. Yay! This is so wonderful! Congrats! They look fabulous! We will be praying for your ride home!

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  4. The slideshow is amazing. What song is that? I would love to use it if you don't mind...

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  5. Praise the Lord! What a glorious day! So glad it went smoothly for you.

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  6. Congrats! I have been following your journey for about a month now (that's when I discovered your blog) and I am so very excited for you! Your boys are both beautiful! They are perfectly and wonderfully made by our God! They, as well as you, are so very very blessed!

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  7. I made it through the slideshow without tears but your post just did me in!! John was freaking out asking if I was ok! LOL I am so happy for you Autumn! You did it!! You saved your sweet sweet boys!!! God is so awesome!!

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  8. Oh Autumn!! Praise the Lord!!! I cannot believe how smoothly the first awesome day with them was!!! I am SO glad they are out of there. Praise God!!!!

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  9. Congratulations on getting the boys out and to them for never having to return. I know what you mean about today being the first day having a family, but I truly believe they have been part of your family long before today! (-: We're all super excited for all of you and can't wait to see photos and read updates of when all the Winkles are home together under one roof. Thanks again for allowing your readers to share in your journey.

    http://ourlivesworksinprogress.blogspot.com

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  10. So very exciting! Kept logging in today to see the gotcha day pics :)

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  11. Hooray! Congratulations from a friend you've never met! I've been following your blog since before your 1st trip and have been waiting all day for this post! So happy for your family! God bless you in the days and weeks to come.

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  12. Hallelujah! Congratulations! These boys are so deserving and I'm so grateful for people like you and your husband who have gone and made these boys part of a loving and caring family!

    Happy Gotcha Day Yuri and Bohdan!!!

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  13. CONGRATS! Been waiting to hear that the boys were with you! Absolutely amazing!

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  14. ohhhh just wow!!!!! so thrilled for you and the boys, big love and hugs you guys from Kim in New Zealand.

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  15. What an amazing day!!! Oh Autumn, I am so happy to hear they did well. I know little Hailee seemed like she had a lot of issues w/ coming off the meds they are on and I have been praying endlessly that your boys would handle it well. I hope they continue to do so. What a blessing they are to you and you to them. So happy for all of you!

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  16. Tears of JOY. Praise one MIGHTY God!

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  17. Congratulations! Wonderful wonderful news!

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  18. I'm so excited for you! What a great day for those sweet boys. Thanks for sharing.

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  19. So glad to see you have the boys with you! Congratulations!

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  20. I have been checking here off and on today, to see if you actually GOT the boys today. I just keep looking at the pictures, tears running down my face, my heart singing that these boys now have HOPE. On my goodness, the pictures! and the video! What a story they tell. Bohdan has the greatest smile!!! And they are both crawling!!!!! What great news that is. What a relief that the day went so well for them. I think the fact that they were so comfortable with you, and crawling and playing in the apartment is so, so awesome. Yuri's saving grace (out side of you and Jesus) just may be music. I am thrilled that he loves it. I am still keeping you all covered in prayer for your trip home. Now that you have actually have those beautiful boys, I am going to be praying for healing for them. What ever they need, Jesus knows. I need to go see them one more time before I log off.... This is my heart hugger for the day.

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  21. We are so happy for you guys. It's been a yr last month since we were right where you are right now bringing our babies home. We brought 3 home form Odessa Ukraine. These first months are so fun and create so many memories. We love looking back at our blog and seeing how far they have come. They grow so fast and change into totally different children with all the love and support from a loving family. Im so happy these babies have a forever home and that you are now just as blessed to have them.
    We will continue to pray that the rest of your trip goes by smoothly and that you all get home safe and start your new life together!! God Bless you guy's!!

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  22. That is so wonderful! Please keep blogging. I can't wait to see how these babies bloom!

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  23. Congratulations Autumn, Josh & family,

    What a great Gotcha Day. It was so nice to see a picture of all of you with Tatiana & Valentin. The pictures that Robin took are beautiful. We checked out the slide show too. We will be praying that your train ride, embassy appointments, and plane rides home go smoothly.

    Patty

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  24. This is the most wonderful post ever! So grateful the boys are with their family forever now. Love to the SIX Winkles!!!

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  25. WOW!! Happy Gotcha Day!! Praise the Lord! : )

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  26. I've been following your blog for some time now, but have never committed. I have to today! Congrats on your Gotcha day! I'm so thrilled for you, your family, and those 2 precious little boys. It's has been a blessing following your journey. Thank you for sharing it. <3

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  27. PRAISE THE LORD!!!!!

    CONGRATULATIONS JOSH, AUTUMN, ASHER and CAIUS!!!!! I am so SO happy for you guys! I can't get over how wonderful and exciting this is! I can't wait till you come home for good! Love you guys!!!!

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  28. We are SO very happy for you! Congratulations!!

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  29. Thank you for saying "yes" to His plan and rescuing these little ones. May you be showered with blessings.

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  30. HOORAY!! I am so incredibly happy for you and the boys!! What a beautiful slideshow Robin put together, it brought tears to my eyes. Such a wonderful day for your family, my heart is spilling over with joy that you were able to get these precious babies out of that orphanage and into a life of love, support, and happiness!! XOXO

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  31. This is a day for thanks and praise. You are right - they are so precious! So happy for you and your growing family. Praying for a peaceful journey home.

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  32. No words.....just tears, tears, tears of THANKFULNESS!

    I just never imagined.

    God is so good. So very good.

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  33. so so excited for all of you!!! good luck in Kiev!! Praying for safe and quick flights home!

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  34. Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Praisin Jesus!!!!!!

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  35. Tears of JOY here :) I am new to your journey, but looking forward to making my own soon, so it is so, so good to see another success story! YAY!

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