In the first game, 26.Rxa8 Bxa8 was better. White then has either 27.Rd7 or 27.Rd8 Bb7 28.Rd7. In the game, instead of 27.Ng5, 27.Nd6 Rf8 28.Rxa7 is good.
Wow! I wish I was so priveledged as to play an IM! You should post a blog about this game, that way it won't become some old post on the forums. Really make it concrete, ya know. :]