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.

Got to www.robinwinklesphotography.com

go to the 'site' then 'client proofing'

password 'winkles'

ENJOY!!