Attack of the Killer Lice!

We were worried last week, that with the departure of Ruslan (Patrick Krebs) and Misha, that the “Baby House” as we have come to call the building for the 4,5,6 year olds would be down to 4 children. Sweet, polite, sharing Olya (the only little girl, who will not be registered because her Grandma visits her regularly –shortsighted we feel on Grandma’s part as Olya will be placed with the bigger kids in a year or two and out of the Baby House – which is the best facility at the Orphanage), Piotr (also sweet and an underdog when it comes to getting the best toys), Nazar (largest of the boys and one of the “alphas”), and Alyosha (the little boy with his hair cut out in patches because he had gum stuck in it – no peanut butter or ice cubes = haircut!).

Last Wednesday, however, three new brothers were dropped off. We are not sure of their situation or if they are adoptable – but they are cute. The littlest one, around 2-1/2, is still in diapers. We are sure that they wanted to keep him with his siblings and that is why he is not in another orphanage for younger children. Where the building is safe for the pre-schoolers, it has not been baby proofed, and I spent Wednesday, putting the smaller potted plants up higher in the window sills as he was pulling on them, moving the hamster cage (with 2 small male Siberian hamsters) out of reach, etc.

What we didn’t know about the three new boys is that they brought more visitors with them – lice! Within a few days one of the new boys was shaved and a lice comb and lice medicine appeared up on top of their lockers. The next day, the oldest new boy was shaved … and finally the baby. Yesterday, Nazar appeared shaved. Misha sits with the three new boys during meals and sleeps next to one of them. We so worry that any day when we show up that he will be a cue ball! Misha has a big head and a knot on his forehead – hair helps soften his looks! We hope we can get him out before this becomes a necessity for him or any of us!

Our ten day wait will be over Monday, 10/6, and we count the days down. We heard in the last few days that one major hold-up may be the woman who runs the Ukrainian passport office for our district (Chernihiv). Just when there was light at the end of tunnel! The US Embassy website for Ukraine says to allow up to 10 days for Ukrainian passport issuance (you must have one of these, with a Visa issued by the US Embassy inside, to get the children out of Ukraine and into the US). This woman is threatening a 20 day wait unless an expediting fee comes her way – a hefty expediting fee. Even after paying the hefty fee, the wait was only taken down to 7 days, for the last American family who darkened her door.

We will jump this hurdle when the time comes. We knew this process was rocky. We have heard that China has the process down to 10 days. It would be nice if Ukraine figured out a way to do this – although it would only benefit the children and the adoptive families (and not the National GNP) so why bother?

Yesterday, we found a coat to take Mari home in – we were planning to return home, but with the pace of things, we have opted to stay (we may re-think this if the passport wait if truly 20 days), and some bouncy, smushy, spikey ball people (like yo-yos) that light up! (see photos) The kids loved them, but with how rough the kids are, the lights should be out soon! When nothing truly belongs to you, and you have not been taught the pride of ownership, you don’t take care of your toys.

We moved to the larger room in the hotel, the one with the double bed and a couch! We don't know how Bill slept on the couch as even to sit on it is hard! The extra space, 3'x 5' as John says, is a welcome addition and we are not so on top of each other!

We hope everyone is doing great - we appreciate all of your prayers and comments!