It has been an amazing, yet emotional ride for the past couple weeks.
On April 5, 2013 our daughter was born.
We had been working on another private adoption and was hoping this one would bring a child into our home.
We had been working with a beautiful strong woman who knew that she couldnt care for her child as she wanted. We went to the last two appointments with her and formed a small, yet fullfilling bond within her last two weeks of pregnancy.
I got the call and rushed to the hospital. I was able to hold her hand during delivery. It was the most satisfying yet terrifying event of my life. The entire time I am trying to be strong for her yet praying that she wouldnt change her mind. After having my hand crushed, scratched, and tears from both of us our daughter was born at 1:39. A beautiful and prefectly healthy baby girl. I was able to cut the cord and hold her. The next thing was to introduce her to my husband.
We took her to the nursery, I continued to cry and pray. My husband fed her, her first bottle and rocked her. It was an amazing and fullfilling experience, but we still arent out of the clear.
We named her Faith Quinn. The biological mother didnt wish to see her, she wished that we could have a room and bond with her as our daughter.
We let family know around 3pm and soon enough all our closest friends and family were showing up to meet our angel and shower her with love and gifts.
I stayed the night with her at the hospital and only let her leave my side for 3hours so I could sleep and the nurses could bath and feed her.
I stared into her eyes, kissed, cuddled, and sang to her continuously. She is amazing!
The nurses and staff at the hospital were amazing. This was a new expierience for them. They had never (or recently) had cercumstances like this. We had our own room, away from the birthing/nursery area. We were escorted anywhere we went, and if she were with nurses she was to be covered and all shades closed for her and our protection (per the birth mothers request).
Throughout the first 8h at the hospital my husband and I took turns visiting the birth mother to see how she was holding up. She contiuously transformed into an even more amazing and strong woman. As she left the hospital that evening as she walked out of the hospital she turned around to me and said "Give YOUR daughter a kiss for me". Not only did I tear up but both of the nurses on shift did too. This solidified it for me that the next 72hours were not going to be a problem.
We were able to take Faith home on Saturday evening and then the stress began.
I'm a little OCD when it comes to organization. I was overwelmed and scared (to be honest) my world was changing with ultimately no notice and I was unsure as to if we were prepared, but I knew we were.
But family and friends were amazing, bringing stuff up to help, cuddles, encouragement, and anything else we would ask for.
Monday after her birth was when the anxiety kicked in. Papers were to be signed and everything would start to be final.
Papers were signed and are in the process of being filed with the court. We are on our way to having a child FOREVER.
I am still in shock. Waiting for something to happen, because this seems too surreal and amazing.
She is 10 days old now and I am amazed at the support from our community and friends. We did a rummage sale last weekend as a fundraiser to help get $ to pay for the legal fees/etc and the amount we raised was exemplarary!
Thank you all for your prayers, support, and love.