Thursday
morning we woke up sort of in limbo – torn between visiting Ethan and visiting
his birth mother. We called and chatted with her and decided to go up to see
her first. It was the first time we had been alone with her without any
adoption workers – she had a friend with her who sat quietly and let us talk.
We talked about many things…the baby’s delivery, how we anticipate the openness
of our relationship growing over time, her hopes for a better future for
herself, and our excitement and honor to have been chosen by her for this baby.
It was priceless, that time with her, and I’m so very grateful we had it. We
filled out his birth certificate together – officially naming him Ethan Philip
and then she urged us to go see him. We hugged out goodbyes and planned to meet
up later when she was discharged.
Making our
way to see the baby we were hopeful and excited. Everything with his birth
mother seemed on track for a positive adoption. We couldn’t wait to get there!
When we arrived we had official bands linking us to him and his birthmother –
which allowed us to hold him and be with him even though she wasn’t there.
Finally! We held this tiny bundle in our arms…and I couldn’t stop the tears
from finally coming. I had held back so much emotion waiting for this very
moment – and here it was. The nurse got me some Kleenex as she teared up as
well. It was a moment I’ll treasure forever. We passed Ethan back and forth
taking pictures and shaking our heads in wonder and amazement. He was here. He
was tiny…and perfect. She handed me a bottle and I was able to feed him for the
first time. Is this real?
He snuggled
in and snorted down his 20 ml with no issues. After a few hours we received
word that the birth mother was ready to be discharged from the hospital – and preparing
to sign her consent for the adoption. We left the baby and returned to the
other hospital to be there for her. We sat in the lobby while she worked with
the adoption agency to go through her paperwork. Time seemed to stand still…holding
our breath. Would this go through? Would she change her mind? Would there be
any drama/issues/concerns?
After what seemed
like an eternity she approached us with the social worker – ‘I’ve dotted all my
I’s and crossed all my T’s for you’ she said with a smile. She sat next to Matt
and we chatted for a few minutes. I showed her pictures from our visit with the
baby and she smiled. She was tired and hurting and was ready to go home. We
waited on the agency workers to come back with copies for her – and they walked
outside with her to wrap up. We sat waiting with the social worker. I thanked
her for all her hard work and support she had provided the birth mother. She
said she thought this was the perfect adoption. And a few minutes later the
agency workers returned to let us know things were completed and we could go
back to be with…our baby.
We ran back
to our hotel room to grab some supplies and made our way back to see baby Ethan
with anticipation rushing through our bodies. Oh the traffic…it took FOREVER!
When we arrived back at the hospital all three of us were re-banded…linking us
and mother, father, and baby. The hospital put together a family room for us to
stay in and we settled in to be with our son. Our.Son. I still can’t hardly
believe it!
The next few
days we spent holed up in the hospital together – just the 3 of us. Matt and I hardly
left the hospital. After the first night, he was medically stable and didn’t
need to be in the room by himself, so they moved him in to the room with us.
Hooked up to heart/oxygen monitors…otherwise he was all ours. Nurses would
check in on him every 3 hours; we’d change his diaper, take his temperature and
they’d check him over, then I’d feed him. We took turns snuggling with him bare
chested – skin on skin. Bonding and loving on this tiny little boy. Day by day
he was exceeding all their expectations. He was eating well, sleeping well, all
signs were pointing to an early discharge and we were elated! By Saturday the
doctor was confident that he’d be able to leave on Sunday. We watched a CPR
video, and Ethan had to pass a 3 hour car seat test…which of course was no
issue for him. We were excited to be able to move on to the next chapter in our
new role as parents…freedom from the hospital.
Sunday we
had a visit from the photographer for newborn pics – while a splurge I know we’ll
treasure them forever. The agency worker arrived and we signed all the papers…and
eventually walked out of the hospital with our baby – ELATED that he’d done so
well and we were finally on our own!!
While
driving in the car Matt said ‘I used to think those Baby on Board signs were so
stupid…but now…I kinda want one!’ He’s such a protective Daddy – I can’t even
tell you. Our hearts are so full…so overwhelmed and overflowing with love,
adoration, praise for God, and gratitude for this amazing gift we’ve been
given.
My words will never seem adequate. I know a million people have had children before me…many people have successful adoptions of their own. I just can’t believe…it’s finally happening to us. We.are.Parents.
Making our
way to see the baby we were hopeful and excited. Everything with his birth
mother seemed on track for a positive adoption. We couldn’t wait to get there!
When we arrived we had official bands linking us to him and his birthmother –
which allowed us to hold him and be with him even though she wasn’t there.
Finally! We held this tiny bundle in our arms…and I couldn’t stop the tears
from finally coming. I had held back so much emotion waiting for this very
moment – and here it was. The nurse got me some Kleenex as she teared up as
well. It was a moment I’ll treasure forever. We passed Ethan back and forth
taking pictures and shaking our heads in wonder and amazement. He was here. He
was tiny…and perfect. She handed me a bottle and I was able to feed him for the
first time. Is this real?
He snuggled
in and snorted down his 20 ml with no issues. After a few hours we received
word that the birth mother was ready to be discharged from the hospital – and preparing
to sign her consent for the adoption. We left the baby and returned to the
other hospital to be there for her. We sat in the lobby while she worked with
the adoption agency to go through her paperwork. Time seemed to stand still…holding
our breath. Would this go through? Would she change her mind? Would there be
any drama/issues/concerns? 
After what seemed
like an eternity she approached us with the social worker – ‘I’ve dotted all my
I’s and crossed all my T’s for you’ she said with a smile. She sat next to Matt
and we chatted for a few minutes. I showed her pictures from our visit with the
baby and she smiled. She was tired and hurting and was ready to go home. We
waited on the agency workers to come back with copies for her – and they walked
outside with her to wrap up. We sat waiting with the social worker. I thanked
her for all her hard work and support she had provided the birth mother. She
said she thought this was the perfect adoption. And a few minutes later the
agency workers returned to let us know things were completed and we could go
back to be with…our baby. 
We ran back
to our hotel room to grab some supplies and made our way back to see baby Ethan
with anticipation rushing through our bodies. Oh the traffic…it took FOREVER!
When we arrived back at the hospital all three of us were re-banded…linking us
and mother, father, and baby. The hospital put together a family room for us to
stay in and we settled in to be with our son. Our.Son. I still can’t hardly
believe it! 
The next few
days we spent holed up in the hospital together – just the 3 of us. Matt and I hardly
left the hospital. After the first night, he was medically stable and didn’t
need to be in the room by himself, so they moved him in to the room with us.
Hooked up to heart/oxygen monitors…otherwise he was all ours. Nurses would
check in on him every 3 hours; we’d change his diaper, take his temperature and
they’d check him over, then I’d feed him. We took turns snuggling with him bare
chested – skin on skin. Bonding and loving on this tiny little boy. Day by day
he was exceeding all their expectations. He was eating well, sleeping well, all
signs were pointing to an early discharge and we were elated! By Saturday the
doctor was confident that he’d be able to leave on Sunday. We watched a CPR
video, and Ethan had to pass a 3 hour car seat test…which of course was no
issue for him. We were excited to be able to move on to the next chapter in our
new role as parents…freedom from the hospital. 
Sunday we
had a visit from the photographer for newborn pics – while a splurge I know we’ll
treasure them forever. The agency worker arrived and we signed all the papers…and
eventually walked out of the hospital with our baby – ELATED that he’d done so
well and we were finally on our own!! 
While
driving in the car Matt said ‘I used to think those Baby on Board signs were so
stupid…but now…I kinda want one!’ He’s such a protective Daddy – I can’t even
tell you. Our hearts are so full…so overwhelmed and overflowing with love,
adoration, praise for God, and gratitude for this amazing gift we’ve been
given. My words will never seem adequate. I know a million people have had children before me…many people have successful adoptions of their own. I just can’t believe…it’s finally happening to us. We.are.Parents.
Comments