The 24th of February is forever etched in the collective consciousness of all Ukrainians -- and for women who gave birth and men who became fathers as the bombs began to fall, the day holds especially complicated emotions.
Bringing forth life just as the Russian onslaught started to snatch other lives away gave rise to both joy and terror -- a sour-sweet mix for brand-new parents. When they blow out their kids' first candle Friday -- and on all birthdays in years to come -- other Ukrainians will be lighting candles for the dead.She counts herself lucky: Roman is healthy and seems so far untraumatized.
"We saw a glow looming over the city," she said. As nurses were checking Yeva, she forced herself to think positive thoughts, refusing to let the war destroy her magic moment.Mustafaieva is so conflicted about Friday -- a birthday for Yeva, a tragic anniversary for Ukraine -- that she has decided to move her daughter's celebrations back a day, to Saturday. Her 1-year-old will be feted with a party, a photo booth, cake, balloons and a puffy dress.
Although parents hope that invasion-day babies won't be scarred by their first year of life, they can't help but associate their toddlers' early milestones with bloodshed and fear. She remembers Artem's first outdoor walk. The city streets were empty, most shops closed, but she wanted him to breathe fresh air. After 10 minutes outside, sirens blared. She heard a plane and saw people running into basements. She hurried back with Artem to her apartment.
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