First Week

We have had a great first week with Luka and moving to Warsaw.  Some problems with the internet connection in the apartment and Luka spilling tea all over Matt's computer requiring us to buy a new one from a Polish Apple store.  Warsaw is beautiful and amazing.  Our apartment is right in Old Town and in walking distance (if you consider 1-2 miles walking distance as we do) of everything you could want to see--museums, castles, restaurants, parks, etc.  Here are a few photos taken from our apartment.  I'll post others of the immediate area later.

Monday


On Monday, June 25, we went back to the Adoption Center to meet with the director, and psychologist for our first social worker visit.   They asked what we had expected of Luka, what was different than we expected and if we had any questions.

We told them that we had examined his medical records so we knew what to expect medically but we did not know what to expect developmentally.  With his institutionalization and his medical issues we were not sure if he would be severely delayed, temporarily or permanently, but after meeting him we were very pleased.   I told them, "He is such a sweet boy and intelligent."  He is delayed by a few months but we have been pleased that with just the short weekend we had seen a lot of improvement (and, now, after the week, even more).

They were all so pleased to hear that we were happy and the director said, "He is so curious about his environment, and you know that with only one eye he has had a harder time see in his world and his development would be a little delayed and because of his cleft palate he could not make sounds so his speech is expectedly delayed."   While these things may be true, his delays are most likely from institutionalization.  It would be truly wonderful to talk to the foster family about the improvements they must have seen.  We know he learned to walk with them which is truly a result of leaving the institution and entering a family home.

Next, the Director told us how happy they were that we were going to get Luka the surgeries he needs and that they felt he was so lucky we wanted him.  Everyone else from the center echoed this.  So that no one misinterprets their meaning, they said it with sincere love for Luka.   I was so flustered by their statements but we told them, "Oh, we are the lucky ones to have him; we were waiting for our next child and our other kids too.  We Skyped with the kids yesterday and they are so excited to get him home.  Our youngest is so excited because he will have him in his room."

Then the Director asked, "And you have an appointment already scheduled for him when you get back?"  It was very clear that they are anxious to ensure Luka is going to begin his treatment as soon as possible.  I told her, "Yes and we have already emailed the CT scan you gave us on Friday to the surgeon and he has already emailed us his opinion.  He is expecting Lukasz."  She sat back very pleased and surprised that we (and the doctor) had acted so quickly on the new medical information.  And Matt told her, "This is a world renowned craniofacial surgeon only a few hours drive from our home; Luka will get the best care possible."

It was arranged that they would visit us in Warsaw on Tuesday, July 3.  And we said goodbye and headed to Warsaw and our apartment.

Warsaw


Warsaw is a beautiful city with an amazingly resilient history.  And we could not be more pleased with our apartment or it's location.  The internet has been an issue but small sacrifices that have been easily corrected.

We walked and walked.  We ate great food.  We saw some heart wrenching and thought provoking museums.

I'm just going to post some photos from this week and try to post more details later.  This post has been pretty long as it is and I am tired.