11/10/07: After a morning without hot water, we ventured back to the orphanage. We visited with “Slavik” from 10:00 until about 11:30. We had snacks, played with cars, and tossed the football around. He tried on some of the clothes we’d brought. None of the pants fit him – his legs were too long! Some of the shirts worked, though, at least long enough to get him home.
He was still shy and barely talked, especially if Luda was there. But his smile was getting bigger and his hugs were getting tighter. 
Around 11:30, one of his caregivers came and said he needed to go for his bath. They said that one of us could walk to his groupa with him, and Zack told me to go.
We made our way down the long hall and up the stairs to Room 6. “Slavik” gave me a hug and then went over to the sofa where his caregiver helped him take off his sweater and pants.
As this was happening some of the other children came up and were saying “Preevet” (hi) and hugging my legs. What happened next was a huge moment for the two of us. My little guy saw the other kids around me, and ran away from his caregiver and back to me - in just his undershirt and tights - for one last hug and “Paka” (bye). Needless to say, I got tears in my eyes - I was HIS Mama!
We left the orphanage and found a children’s clothing store. 
We bought him a pair of jeans, the obligatory tights (manly ones, with airplanes on them), and some boots.
We had a bite to eat, and then went to find an internet café. We met spent some time sending emails and posting on the blog.
We went back to the apartment, and then took Leonid and Luda out to dinner: to celebrate, to thank them for their help, and to try some authentic Ukrainian cuisine (which was “ochin fkoosnuh”/very yummy!).
1 comment:
This post brought tears to both of our eyes. The picture of William "claiming" you in front of his friends is just precious! Thank you for sharing all these memories! They are fun and full of information!
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