Adopting Natasha: Independent Adoption from Ukraine

Yesterday, my second Monday in Ukraine:

Oksana, my translator, and I get up early. We get to miss the healthly pregnant lady breakfast of beets, sour cream and cabbage and sweet cottage cheese. I will admit that I really did miss the hot tea.

But I always find the cottage cheese weird because of the added sugar. It gets really weird when they lightly brown the sweet cottage cheese and add sour cream on top. My eyes see cottage cheese and my taste buds expect cottage cheese. But then it hits my mouth and I recoil a little at the sweetness. It tastes OK but not what I expected.

The morning was quite warm. It felt like 2 C maybe. The sky never seems blue around here. There are so many factories around here processing sunflower seed, canning vegatables, creating tires. There is quite a bit of air pollution.

Oksana agreed to do a favor for the Tamara the orphanage doctor. Since we had a car, she asked that we pick up Natasha and another orphan from the hospital. The village of Zeleyei Guy is 22 km outside of Kharkiv and arranging transportation is a real pain for Tamara.

Oksana agreed to the favor. Mom and Jannie stayed in our rooms because we had to carry the orphanage nurse and the children. I was going because Oksana wanted me to sign some documents in front of a notary.

Slava, the magical driver, pulled up and Oksana and I piled into the back sit. I love Slava. We don't speak the same language but we communicate very well. He looks after us.

More of this Feature • 22-Oct: Home • 08-Nov: Home • 26-Nov: Kiev • 27-Nov: Kiev • 29-Nov: Kharkiv • 30-Nov: Kharkiv • 01-Dec: Kharkiv • 02-Dec: Kharkiv • 03-Dec: Kharkiv • 04-Dec: Kharkiv > 05-Dec: Kharkiv • 10-Dec: Warsaw • 13-Dec: Home Related Resources • Adopting from Ukraine • International Adoption - Index • Meet Natasha (photo) • Natasha at Home • Single Parent Adoption

When we get to the orphanage, Tamara asks for another favor. Could we drop 2 cleft lip/palette boys off at another hospital. Tamara has arranged the very expensive cleft surgery for these boys to improve their chances of adoption. I believe that Tamara got the doctor to donate his time.

Of course Oksana says yes.

Both boys appear to be under 2 years of age. The nurse sits in the back sit with the sleeping baby. The other boy is so beautiful. He is sitting by himself between me and the nurse. He smiled at me and I could not see his double cleft lip. His eyes just glowed with his smile.

Slava drove for 45 minutes to this other hospital. Slava and I wait in the car while the nurse and Oksana check in the children. There is a huge line and it takes at least one hour. Ugh!! I am getting real use to waiting in the car.

I just cannot wait until tomorrow when I can adopt Natasha. It is ... I am feeling such a mixture of emotions but they seem distance from me. Maybe I am in shock (grin)...

Finally everyone gets back into the car and we drive across town to pick up Natasha. I went through the front door of Natasha's hospital thinking... "I won't have to smell the cooking cabbage anymore.." The nurse peals away from Oksana and me. She is getting the little boy.

In case I have not mentioned it, Natasha's room is on the 3rd floor. I am getting so used to climbing stairs.

When I enter the room, Natasha yells "Mama" and charges me. I pick her up and hug. She is becoming a really good hugger. Oksana starts looking for the nurse because we cannot leave until the orphanage nurse has talked to the hospital nurse. Oksana fills in Natasha. We are taking her to the orphanage.

The orphanage nurse shows up with the boy in tow and we leave. The other girls in Natasha's room are upset that Jannie and my mom could not come. Slveta gives me Jannie's CD player and we leave.

Once we are in the car. Natasha sits on my lap. I almost sat in the front seat, but Slava told Oksana to tell me "no". All children under 12 years must sit in the back seat. It is the law. So I sit in the back seat.

As we are pulling up to the orphanage, Natasha asked me (through Oksana) if I am afraid. Oksana asked Natasha if she is afraid. Natasha replies that she will not cry like Lana. Natasha won't talk about it any further. I almost cry because my baby is scared but I cannot take her until I have finalized the adoption.

The rest of the day is really boring. Oksana and I find a notary. I sign a document and we return to the spa.

Mom and Jannie are waiting for us. It was around 5PM and Slava takes us to the orphanage to play with Natasha. The Italian couple is there playing with their 2 sons-to-be. The French lady is there. She selected one of the boys that I passed on. There is an area set aside for adoptive parents to play with children and it is large enough for all of us.

Natasha greatly impresses me when she lifts a 1.5 liter water bottle and takes a drink. Natasha opened my purse and found the photo book of family, friends and my house. She shows it to everyone that will look. The French lady shares her pictures. Man... she has a very nice villa.

I am a bad Mama. Natasha asked to go to the toilet several times. Finally the Italian couple's translator tells me Natasha needs to go. I walk Natasha to her room.

This is actually the first time that I have seen her room. I did not get a chance to photo it. There is a play room that has some toys. The kids are running around this room and the care giver is seated. She stands up and I say "toilet". She graps Natasha's hand and walks her to another room. She pulls down Natasha's pants and sits her on a stew cup. There is already a little blond boy who is siting on a cup.

Natasha "peesat" and we walk back to the play room. The care giver tells the kids that I am Natasha's mom. This curly haired girl wants to touch me. This blond boy sticks his finger in my face and starts leaturing me. I believe he was telling me to get out. (grin)

I got a quick look at where Natasha sleeps. There are a bunch of little beds shoved together in another room.

More later

Angela in Kharkiv soon.. real soon a mother..

I just got out of court and I am legally Natasha's mother now. We now have to run around and visit the Visa/Passport office. I will pick Natasha up later today. She has been asking when she gets to go with me.

More later.. probably from Kiev

Angela W.
Kharkiv, Ukraine

Are you pregnant?

- Select One - Learn More Looking to Adopt? Pregnant, Need Help? Waiting Families

Want to Adopt?

Email Page to a Friend | Feedback | Adoption | Adoption Wiki | Parent Profiles | Infertility | Adoption Information

© Adopting.org 1995-2009. This site should not substitute personal professional, legal, or medical advice. The accuracy and personal applicability of this information is not guaranteed. By using it you agree to the terms of service, including jurisdiction and limitation of liability provisions.