Hi everybody! I feel like it's been forever since I've last written & since my baby shower post and since then...our world has been turned upside down!
Be warned: THIS IS A LONG POST!On Tuesday morning I dragged myself into work, plopped down and begin answering emails. All of a sudden, I hear my phone vibrating! I answer to a happy voice on the other end saying that she was calling from the adoption network & she had a situation for us. Oh my gosh! The moment we'd all been waiting for! I was instantly wide awake (no caffeine needed!) and grabbed a pen and paper to jot down the details to share with Matthew later that day on his lunch break. She starts in about the background of the birth mother and her prenatal care and then continues on to say that not only are we the ones for her...but she is in labor! In Florida! Oh my word! I will spare you all of the details, but we booked our flights for the next morning at 6am and both ran home to pack!
My sister and I cleaned, did six loads of laundry, packed our bags and arranged details. And I mostly mean that my sister did all of that while I wandered around in a daze! We spent the rest of the night chowing down on pizza with friends and waiting for updates from the social worker on how "T" the birthmom is doing! Every update we recieved we all rejoiced! We were waiting to hear how she was doing, if the baby was born & if it was a boy or girl....Well, 12:50 AM, "T" gave birth to a 6lb 10oz baby
BOY!!! Both mommy & baby were doing just fine.
So the next morning, Matthew and I board a plane to Memphis & from Memphis to Florida, grab a rental car (thank you Auntie Judy @ Avis for blessing us with your love for our adoption story hooking us up with an awesome car!), get totally lost on the way to the hospital & finally arrive! By the time we walk into "T's" room, it's 7PM and we are exhausted. But, we walk in and she sees us & a huge smile lights up her face! She welcomed us in with big hugs and showing off the baby boy she so obviously loves so much. We were in love. With her. With the baby. And while Matthew quietly stared at the baby, "T" and I get to talking. We could not be more happy and proud of her. She is beautiful with a beautiful heart & huge dreams for her life which she is well on her way to achieving! We say goodnight a few hours later and head over to our hotel. (Thank you to all four grandparents for blessing us with a beautiful hotel room for our trip!).
We arrive at the hospital the next day just in time to visit with"T" one last time before she signs papers with the lawyer & is discharged from the hospital. I cried. She didn't. She's far more brave than I am. But, I know her heart was breaking & I cried for her. Nine months of carrying that precious miracle and she leaves with empty arms. But before they wheeled her out of the hospital she gave me a tight hug while tears ran down my face & we promised to keep in touch.
Matthew & I spent the rest of that night hanging out in the nursery with our baby boy that we named John, after Matt's dad & best friend who passed away a few years ago. John's middle name is his birthfather's name & we are proud that John will carry that with him forever. Hours later we go back to the hotel to get a few hours of sleep & prepare for...well...the rest of our lives! We arrive back at the hospital on Friday morning, August 17th, get to know a special nurse (who I never did get the name of) and John a little bit better. The lawyer comes, we sign our papers & legally become mommy & daddy to baby John! We walked out of that hospital the proud parents of our little (as my sister has affectionately named him:) chocolate muffin. (Thank you to the nurse, whose name I don't know but whose face I will never forget for loving on John so much and for loving on us! We were blessed by you sending us back to the hotel with BAGS of formula & diapers and all the hugs you gave us on our way out.)
It's now Saturday afternoon here in HUMID Florida. Matthew and I are SO exhausted & SO in love. I was holding John in my arms earlier, and the song "
Make You Feel My Love" by Adele came on the radio & I began to bawl. It finally hit me...that little muffin in my arms is my boy. The boy I have been praying for every day. I would do anything for him & I tear up at the thought of anybody ever hurting him. I had the chance to whisper to him while giving him his bottle about how much "T" loves him and all about her. I will do that often & he will know that he is loved by both of us. I spoke with her today, too & she is well. Getting lots of rest & thinking about us often. She thanked us for taking her boy but really, we are the thankful ones. She so selflessly thought of John first and trusted us with his life. We treasure that and her & her son. My son.
Thank you Jesus for your PERFECT timing, for all the blessings on this trip & he obvious way you've been working in our lives these past few days. We are in awe.
We're Pleased To Introduce You to John O'Brien
