For those of you following the blog, we have decided to name Braeden, Stanislav Klein Wingfield. His Ukrainian name is Stanislav and we wanted to keep his roots. His nickname is Stasik, which in the Ukraine is short for Stanislav. It is tough not referring to him as Braeden, but he already responds to his real name.
God is Good!! Today was a wonderful day. We both got some much needed sleep, albeit by accident. We have been in a daze and this morning I woke up with the worst headache so I took some tylenol. Debbie took some too and asked if I knew that I just took Tylenol PM. When I was buying items for our travel I guess I should have looked a little closer at the bottle. Needless to say after 4 of those suckers I was out. We both woke up at about 11:00 am. Of course the phone we were given by our facilitators is an hour fast so we thought that we had about 40 minutes to get up and get going. Luckily I looked at my other phone and realized we still had time. We arranged for a ride to and from the orphanage every day. We can visit Stasik from 1:00-300 and our Taxi picks us up every day at chass (1:00). Being late on our first day with the new driver would probably not have started a great 7-10 day relationship. Any way we made it out to the Taxi fully bathed and fed with all our new found time. Yesterday I talked about the people that were waiting out in the snow for rides. Today we drove through new snow which forced everyone to walk in the middle of the road. Our taxi driver was not too happy about that and we spent our 10 minute drive swirving in and out of pedestrians like we were on a cones driving course. The snow came up to the fenders on the car, but we muddled through it.
When we arrived at the orphanage the gate was shut and for a brief second I thought that we were going to be shut out for the weekend. I was thinking how horrible it would be for us not to see Stasik for two days. Yesterday was a tough day and we wanted today to be a better one. I got out of the car and luckily the gate was not locked. We went in and I tried to tell the the driver where to turn, but he did not understand my english or broken Russian. We wound up at a door that I was not familiar with and was not sure at this point we would get in. I could not talk to him and the workers at the orphanage did not know what to do with us either. Finally a familiar face....the doctor we spoke to yesterday...remember, the one that gave us all the bad news and carried around Stasik's medical history novel. Well she recognized us and pointed us in the right direction. We went to Stasik's group and waited for them to bring him to us. It is amazing the number of kids in the Ukraine that are in orphanages. We looked around the room and saw several kids just staring at us. We wanted so badly to hug them or pick them up, but we could only pick up our boy. The typically developing kids that make up most of Stasik's group can normally not be adopted by international parents until they are 5 years old. Which means that if Ukrainians do not adopt them, they sit in orphanages until they are of age for and someone from another country can adopt them. Very sad really. I know that some of the concern is the idea that some of these kids will lose their heritage or roots if they leave the country, but in the end I think it is just important for them to have a home. The positive about this group is that Stasik is in there with them and not in another group that has mostly children with more serious medical needs. For us this is a positive...the fact that he can hang with these kids and hold his own. As we sat and waited a woman came around the doorway with this beautiful kid. He had blue eyes and short brown hair. We looked at one another and were both thinking, "what a great looking kid". Just imagine our shock when she walked right up to us and put that kid right in Debbies arms. "Was this the same kid we had yeaterday?' We took a sacond look and realized that this was our Stasik. He looked completely different. Their was color in his face, the dark under his eyes was gone, and he just stared at us and smiled. Wow, what a difference a day makes!!!
We took him into the play room and emptied our bag of toys. We could not believe how much better a little love and attention could make him feel. He looked at us with loving eyes and began to smile more. We gave him a teething cookie and he ate it like it was Godiva chocolate. When we offered him some more, he had a smile that made his whole face wrinkle. I have never seen this before, but literally. his entire face crinkled up and it was the most awesome thing to see. The time flew by and before we realized it it was time to go. When the nannies came to get him, he just stared at us as they took him away. We did not want him to go and I do not think he did either. What an amazing day for our family. I know now that from here on out each day will only get better for him. What a difference a day makes!!!
When we arrived at the orphanage the gate was shut and for a brief second I thought that we were going to be shut out for the weekend. I was thinking how horrible it would be for us not to see Stasik for two days. Yesterday was a tough day and we wanted today to be a better one. I got out of the car and luckily the gate was not locked. We went in and I tried to tell the the driver where to turn, but he did not understand my english or broken Russian. We wound up at a door that I was not familiar with and was not sure at this point we would get in. I could not talk to him and the workers at the orphanage did not know what to do with us either. Finally a familiar face....the doctor we spoke to yesterday...remember, the one that gave us all the bad news and carried around Stasik's medical history novel. Well she recognized us and pointed us in the right direction. We went to Stasik's group and waited for them to bring him to us. It is amazing the number of kids in the Ukraine that are in orphanages. We looked around the room and saw several kids just staring at us. We wanted so badly to hug them or pick them up, but we could only pick up our boy. The typically developing kids that make up most of Stasik's group can normally not be adopted by international parents until they are 5 years old. Which means that if Ukrainians do not adopt them, they sit in orphanages until they are of age for and someone from another country can adopt them. Very sad really. I know that some of the concern is the idea that some of these kids will lose their heritage or roots if they leave the country, but in the end I think it is just important for them to have a home. The positive about this group is that Stasik is in there with them and not in another group that has mostly children with more serious medical needs. For us this is a positive...the fact that he can hang with these kids and hold his own. As we sat and waited a woman came around the doorway with this beautiful kid. He had blue eyes and short brown hair. We looked at one another and were both thinking, "what a great looking kid". Just imagine our shock when she walked right up to us and put that kid right in Debbies arms. "Was this the same kid we had yeaterday?' We took a sacond look and realized that this was our Stasik. He looked completely different. Their was color in his face, the dark under his eyes was gone, and he just stared at us and smiled. Wow, what a difference a day makes!!!
We took him into the play room and emptied our bag of toys. We could not believe how much better a little love and attention could make him feel. He looked at us with loving eyes and began to smile more. We gave him a teething cookie and he ate it like it was Godiva chocolate. When we offered him some more, he had a smile that made his whole face wrinkle. I have never seen this before, but literally. his entire face crinkled up and it was the most awesome thing to see. The time flew by and before we realized it it was time to go. When the nannies came to get him, he just stared at us as they took him away. We did not want him to go and I do not think he did either. What an amazing day for our family. I know now that from here on out each day will only get better for him. What a difference a day makes!!!
Hope. It does a body good. :)
ReplyDeleteSo thankful for the marked improvement. Continuing to pray for you all.
My sister Valeria goes to church with your family. I also know Laura and have held Carter many times. I adopted Annabel who has trisomy 18 with many health issues. I will be praying for you family and your journey.
ReplyDeleteSo grateful for the obvious peace that has filled your hearts today. Our first day with Aaron was much the same as yours - shock and dismay - Our second day - much the same as yours... This is OUR SON. We never looked back.
ReplyDeleteToday is Sunday. We talked to Jay at mass and he told us how to read your story so we came home and looked you up. As you know for me to attempt to communicate with you by computer is a momentous ocassion. Stasik is a dollbaby. I know you are so in love already. He looks like he is made of china. Nana can't wait to get my hands on him. Also I can't wait to see he and carter together. Carter is so friendly and makes friends so easily. I really missed picking him up at Lamar on Friday,but I'm glad he is at his new school. I hope he likes it there. We'll keep reading you blog each day so we can get to know Stasik from afar.We love him already. Love and kiss to a special family that we all love,Laura Begnaud "NANA"
ReplyDeleteI know that God has lead your family to this sweet angel. I pray for you all every day. Stasik is a tough kid who has a fighter's heart. I know you both miss Carter so much, but like you said...just keep your eyes on the bigger picture. Special people are chosen by God to love these wonderfully fantastic special children. Praying that He keeps all of you safe and healthy until you return home. We will have to celebrate this wonderful addition to your family. Love and miss you guys!
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