Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Trip catchup...

Inna out. Dennis sleeping for the night after another couple jars of food! And I'm not tired so here's an update...
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It all started here...
The "go straight city" on the sign below in English would be prounounced "Slovansk" and is the little town where Dennis was born, not too far from the town of the orphanage.


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Before I left, people asked me to try and capture on film his first expression of our reuniting. It was a grin even if you can't see it through the glass, which because of "normal quarantine", they said I couldn't pass through.


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This, a better quality photo, of them putting on his first Reed outfit taken a few minutes later.

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And this bittersweet picture was taken right before "final" goodbyes were exchanged. I sensed her sadness and sincerity that she will miss him but is happy for him.

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I think this one is the first taken of the 2 of us before heading to the airport right outside the orphanage. Thanks again Gerardo and Laura for the chocolates!!! They were delicious (sorry kids and Christine).

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And this is one of us on his first plane ride! He was amazing. Only "loudness" for other passengers was an occasional shrieky laugh!!!

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But enough of yesterday!
Today had a cool victory of a daytime nap:



This allowed for me to enjoy a restful lunch that Inna cooked in her apartment called "macaroni paFlotah" (or something like that) meaning, she said, "Navy macaroni"...but it was delicious salty pork and onions over pasta with sourcream. I'm not doing it justice here, but I really enjoyed it.
And this photo captured the essence of Inna too, "always busy working." But what a great job she does...

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...as this was a celebratory meal because of the below being done and in my hands!
That is Dennis's newer visa page of his new passport and the sealed Immigration packet that can only be opened in the U.S. by customs officials. His U.S. citizenship immediately would take effect and his SSN process gets started too!



A good day. Thanks for all your prayers! It's late Wed night now and we have an early Friday morning flight...

12 comments:

Arizona mom to eight said...

Congratulations, I enjoyed reading your post. Dennis is such a specil little man, and so lucky to have you both as his parents.

Prayers for a safe trip home.

Kris RR
Adopted Kara 2007 Ukraine
Amanda 2008 Estonia

Anonymous said...

I just wanted to inform you that sleeping with ones eyes open can be a sign of an underlying medical problem. It could be as simple as an eyelid disorder ( which makes sense) but it can also be a sign of thyroid malfunction or even an imbalance from certain medications. In most cases this is just an odd quirk but, it would be worth mentioning to the doctors.

Jill (& Bob) said...

Wow, sounds like Inna definitely did her job well for everything to have gone soooo smoothly! Glad Dennis and Daddy are doing so well too!

Julie said...

YAY! So glad that you will be coming home soon. I have really enjoyed your journey. You and Christine have managed to document it wonderfully! Thank you for sharing it with us!

Jeri said...

Christine, I don't know if it's possible for John to have time and the ability to get to the shopping area near the big blue and white church but...if he can, he can pick up nesting dolls for each of your kids. There are Disney ones, etc. and the five piece ones are very cheap compared to trying to buy it here. Just a thought. Our son picked a Monsters,Inc. one when we traveled back to meet his grandmother/sister/brother. I think it was about $5. There are tons of vendors there. I bought probably 20 different Matroyshka (nesting dolls) and still could have bought more for friends and family. The ones I bought for $15 there retail here for about $100 and up. Just fyi (Sorry John;-)

Amy said...

Wow!
John is doing a great job of cathching all the "moments" from the last few days! Go John!

Again - Christine - you are very lucky! I am green with envy!

Hugs to all the Reeds!

Amy

Mary and Michael said...

I am happy Dennis is now with his Daddy and heading home soon, I know you can hardly wait :) That is such wonderful news. I love the photos, and John's posts. Also thanks for opening yourself up to all those questions, you are an amazing woman!

Laurel said...

John, you rock!!! :-)
Congrats. Hold that little guy tight all the way home. Can't wait to meet him. Thanks for the awesome posts. Did you see my dad today? He said Inna had arranged a place for them to stay yesterday.
Laurel

Deanna said...

What a great post!!
Glad you have your son in your arms....

Can't wait until you get to bring him home!

Loved viewing all the great pictures!!!

~Deanna

WheresMyAngels said...

Congratulations! I love the pics and that outfit is way too cute!

Anonymous said...

What great pictures! He looks like a very happy little guy. Love the photo of him crashed on the bed. :D

Sarah said...

He looks so, so tiny on that big ole bed. Sweet baby boy. So glad he's coming home!