Finally - Photos!!!

Hello All!

Thank you for your patience with our lack of contact, believe me, it was more than just getting our hands on our three little darlings! We arrived in New Delhi this afternoon and are now staying at a hotel with excellent everything - including internet access. The boys took their first airline flight today and everyone did much better than expected (even Little Guy). So here's the quick story with some long awaited photos.

First of all, the passports weren't ready when we arrived in Pune on Thursday (despite the "expedition fee"), and when we went to the orphanage neither the director, nor his wife were there for the "handing over ceremony," something that almost always happens, especially in this Hindu orphanage. On top of that, our "papers" were not ready (a very important stack they were in charge of getting together). But, our agency rep was with and said we're taking the children, so we did! (By the way the papers "appeared" the next day, as well as passports and we declined bringing the boys back for the ceremony - seriously- the fact they asked was disgusting!) The worst part, however, was the condition of Little Guy, who had a bandaged leg that no one could exactly tell us the details about (maybe "dislocated" foot, they said). Also, no none could produce x-rays. So, the first few hours the boys were with us the older boys got dropped off at the hotel with my mom and Eric and I went with Little Guy to three different doctors in a period of about 4 hours - the end result being an x-ray that showed a fracture just above his right knee, the setting of a temporary cast (redone into a real plaster cast on Saturday) and a really traumatic episode for everyone involved. Meanwhile back at the hotel Mom and the entire staff were catering to the nervous older boys every need. Their first none orphanage meal was served to them by personal bell hops - like two little princes! Now, you would think that was enough for one night, but, during the night it became very evident that Little Guy was also sick with a terrible cough. Now we had been told this is typical of orphanage kids (and the older boys also had a little one that has already cleared up), but even though we are not experienced parents we knew this was different. The next day we started giving him antibiotics prescribed by our pediatrician in advance and throughout the past two days infected puss had been slowly seeping out of both of his ears. But, the good news is the medicine worked and by today at flying time he was okay and the cough has subsided a lot! Did I mention we have also been dealing with diarrhea times three? (not kidding).

Okay, now the good part. The older boys are physically in very good shape (of course small - many of the clothes I packed don't fit). They are also incredibly "spirited" - I use this term instead of "naughty" which is how the social worker described them which I must say could also fit! Of course the sad part is, that most of the behaviors are directly related to the survival of the fittest scenario at the orphanage - no doubt these guys were on the top of the heap! But, they are adorable! And the smiles!

Little Guy has progressed so much in only a few days we are all astonished. Aside from the pain he was in he was also very dehydrated and listless. But now, he is a much happier guy and today we have seen smile after smile (finally!) and he is interacting with his brothers and us so much more. He is also feeding himself (this was not happening the first two days) and trying to scoot around with his huge cast! So, after a very long wait we now introduce you to:

Little Guy - Owen Ankush
Twin with red & white stripes - Samuel Ram (Sam)
Twin with blue & white stripes - Charles Lakhan (Charlie)

Love,

Melissa & Eric (and "Grammy")