For 34 newly adopted children, the prospect of unconditional love was born in a courthouse yesterday.

Angel, 2, loves vanilla pudding. Tayvon, 2, has a penchant for chasing his dogs around the dinner table. And Paul, 4, helps build model planes and dreams of being a pilot.

Clutching teddy bears and clambering over seats at the balloon-festooned third floor of the Moultrie Courthouse, the three were among dozens to walk away from the 21st-annual DC Adoption Day with a permanent home and proud new parents, all of whom had fallen for the children and earned their trust during months and years of foster care.