How this American couple barely escaped Ukraine with their days-old newborn

Refugees from Ukraine lining up to get in to Poland on border crossing in Medyka, in eastern Poland on February 28. Photo: Wojtek Radwanski/AFP

Minutes after Jessie Boeckmann started her trek with her four-day-old infant toward the Ukrainian-Polish border in 30-degree weather, she questioned whether she'd made the right choice.

The 39-year-old Costa Mesa, California, the United States resident held Vivian in a baby carrier, underneath her down jacket, a swaddle and a blanket to block the brutal wind chill. She worried it wouldn't be enough and Vivian would freeze to death. Her husband, Jacob Boeckmann, carried their two suitcases.