Meeting Dennis!

We drove all last night and had a two hour delay because most of the bridges to cross to another road were closed off and under construction. We literally had to find a way to drive on the opposite side of the road and go up an on-ramp against traffic. Thankfully, the road was mostly empty, but as we did this, we both thought, "Only in Ukraine." Other than this, the drive was absolutely beautiful, and the roads were better than Russia. I would share pictures of the drive, but I want to get to the best part of our day---- meeting Dennis!


Here we are in front of the DeitskyDom. We didn't even get a chance to change into nice clothes before going there. We could hardly stand to take this picture knowing that our son was inside the building behind those gates. As we walked onto the orphanage grounds, we immediately saw a handful of young children playing here and there. I instinctively looked for Dennis, but knew that most likely they were preparing him for our introduction.

First thing, we met with the director----- a very nice gentleman who gave us permission to see Dennis after answering a few of his questions. They were good questions like------- what did we do, how many kids do we have, do we know of Dennis's medical conditions. We answered honestly--- from our heart------- and I guess we passed "the test" because we were then invited to go meet our son.

As we walked down the dimlit halls that turned this way and that, I tried to prepare myself to meet Dennis. I was very emotional in a most wonderful way but I didn't want to be too emotional and appear like a basket case in front of everyone. Thankfully, when we got to the room where we were to meet him, he wasn't there just yet and I had a moment to compose myself...... or so I thought. A second later, they allowed Dennis to power himself out out in a cute little baby walker......... and I was overwhelmed with feelings of love and thankfulness that this moment had finally arrived. And you know what......... Dennis in all of his shyness and standoffishness the first few minutes of meeting him---- was absolutely perfect in our eyes. He was so tiny, so innocent, so amazing, and so so scared of us, that I couldn't thank God enough for allowing us to be there at that moment. The tears flowed from my eyes----- but they were tears of absolute joy that this little boy before me was my son to be, now and forever.

It was too emotional a moment to spoil it with getting out the camera and taking a picture though I wish I had now, but none the less these pictures were taken only minutes after meeting him. After a short time, I finally could stand it no longer, and I asked if I could pick Dennis up. He was not immediately responsive to me...... more like a doll in my arms, but his warm body in my arms was such an amazing feeling that I didn't care. I carried him to this playroom where John and I got to spend one on one time with Dennis.

It took a while to get Dennis to warm up to us, but we had all the time in the world. John started juggling some balls and when he dropped one, we got to hear a great attempt at laughing accompanied by a big beautfiul smile. It warmed our hearts and we wished that everyone back home could share this amazing moment with us. Guys, he is such a miracle! We are so blessed. Dennis will win your hearts the second you meet him if he hasn't already. (Can you tell that I am smitten?)

Dennis is like a feather--- very light and dainty. He is so precious that he feels like a piece of fragile China that you can't help but want to hold with the utmost care. The instinct to
protect and love him has already kicked in like God picked him out especially for us and gave me these feelings like one of his precious gifts to me. I know that some of you reading may think I sound crazy, but oh well, then call me crazy.

Dennis through all of his medical diagnoses is one very smart and determined little boy. I have a feeling that nothing is going to stop him from achieving his dreams. He loved looking at our family photo album and actually flipped the pages from front to back and then back to the front. He found that the last page had no picture so therfore, was easy to scrunch up. The crackle sound this made along with John's funny noises entertained Dennis for a very long time. He quickly learned that each time he scrunched up the page he could make his Papa make funny noises. Dennis is such a smart boy.

He started to respond to our touch very quickly, and loved when I breathed heavily on the back of his neck. He wondered who was behind him giving him all this love and attention and touch.

Here are his beautiful, little hands. For those wondering, he has a very sweet heavenly smell that only a baby could have. Yes, he will soon be two years old, but he is very much our little baby.

By the end of our second visit today, Dennis has really warmed up to us. He tracks our voice, has showed us that he cold crawl and walk with assistance, and even felt comfortable enough to crawl over to me and lay his head down in my lap seconds before we got up to leave.

While his medical info has some interesting things in addition to what is obvious to the eye that we did not expect---- like a cleft pallette------ we have already started all the paperwork to make him our son.