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Avinash dressed in Dhuti for going to listen to his first Indian classical music concert, May 2002, Albuquerque, NM
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Referral Papers: Avinash's first picture, probably taken somewhere between January & February, 2001, when he was just a new born or about a month or so old. Even before we saw this image, when we just heard of him, we felt very strongly that our son had finally found us. Then as soon as we saw this picture and heard his name for the first time, which happens to be Sudeshna's grand father's name - the whole universe started to make sense in a way that we had never known before.
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May 2001, four months old at Sishu Kshema Bhavan nursery, Kanjirapally, Kerala
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August, 2001, first meeting at SKB nursery, Kanjirapally, Kerala
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July 2001, back from Cochin nursery to SKB after receiving local VCA clearence/scrutiny so that adoption/guardianship papers could be filed at the family court in Cohcin
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At home with Baba, December 2001
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With favourite Indian toy, 13 months old, February 2002
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June 2002
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August 15, 2002, on the Independence Day of India, we became fully official as a family. We were required to finalize our adoption at our local court to complete the process. Seen here, from top, with our attorney, Monica Zamora. Middle and bottom pictures, inside the court room with judge Ritter after he declared Avinash our son, according to the adoption laws of the state of New Mexico. No more post placement visits by social workers, no more paperwork to worry about -- we are finally official!!!
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June, 2002
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| Christmas Morning 2002 |
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