Thursday, April 30, 2009

***Special Alert***



Our girl is here! The baby we have been growing in our hearts for the past four years has finally made her way to our waiting arms. We can hold her and kiss her and we cannot believe she is real, and she is ours. We have dreamed of these moments for such a long time and I can honestly say that reality is better then anything we ever imagined it could be. She is 7 lbs, 15 oz of magic. As I type this, our Lily is lying next to me, peacefully snoozing, swaddled into a baby burrito. Tears stream down my face because I just can’t believe how lucky we are to be her mom and dad.

Just as I was leaving work on Monday afternoon, I got the call that will forever change our lives. We had to get to California ASAP, a baby in California had already been born and her birthmother had picked us to be her parents! I called Corey and woke him from deep slumber (he had stayed awake all night fishing with a friend). I told him the news and we immediately started making plans to leave town for 2-4 weeks. I called some wonderful friends from our adoption group and they sprung to action. As I ran in circles at the house, my mind in a blur trying to think what to pack, they were calling airlines, printing information sheets, emailing us lists of “do not forget” items, and shopping for cat food and baby necessities. They even came over to the house that night for a quick swaddling lesson and pep talk that we desperately needed. They brought in bags of amazing things they had purchased for our little girl. Other wonderful friends of ours provided us with a car seat, pack and play, essential supplies for our trip, along with a ride to the airport (at 4 am), thanks Jeremy!!! It is hard to put into words, what the kindness of our friends has meant to us through all of this. We would not be here without them. Other than this little group of friends, no one knew of our trip and potential baby, not even our family. We had bee through so many disappointments, we couldn’t bring ourselves to tell them unless we knew it was a “done deal”.

After roughly 15 hours of travel, we arrived at the hospital. At first, Lil’s birthmom (we’ll call her J) wasn’t sure if she wanted to meet us, as she was very emotional and thought it might be easier to keep a distance. To our surprise and delight, she changed her mind. We were able to meet J and her mom C. We were able to tell them how much the gift that they were giving us truly meant. We were able to tell them that Lil will always know about them and the amazing gift she is. It was very hard for J and C, since they loved Lily so much. C told us that in the beginning, she had some reservations about the adoption plan, but after we walked through the door, the way we looked at our beautiful baby girl, then looked at each other, she knew that we were supposed to be Lily’s parents. We talked about contact and, to our delight, J and C are looking forward to future contact – phone calls, pictures, updates and visits! What a lucky little girl Lily will be to have so many people that love her so dearly!

Lily was discharged from the hospital yesterday and we made our way to the hotel as a family. We are marveling in her every coo and every poo. Corey is a fantastic daddy! So attentive and loving. As I watch him with her, it makes me love him even more than I thought possible. He is on cloud 10, as am I.

The hardest thing for us is knowing that our friends at home are still waiting for their babies to come. We want so badly for their wait to be over, too. Those of you who have been doing an amazing job networking for us, please do not stop! Our friends need your help. Eunice and Matt are the perfect mix of warmth and humor, their baby is going to have the gift of laughter and joy in their home. Doug and Peter are going to give their child a life full of music and fun. They are going to make truly amazing dads, we can't wait for the day they can bring home their bundle of joy! Heather and Phillippe’s baby will have culture and style and, most importantly, know how to have a good time! They can't wait to get their very own boy or girl to love and cherish. Nissy and Jim (who don't quite have their website done yet) are going to teach a child about the world, and give their lucky little boy or girl all the love that a child will ever need. They will also instill their love of books, it's what brought them together in the first place! Please remember our friends and if you do hear about someone wanting to make an adoption plan, please give them this information.

Now for the pictures!

Leaving the hospital, our fist trip as a family!


Skin to skin contact


Nose to nose


Brook and Lil


our little flower bud


The spread


See 'yall soon!


That is all for now. We are going to change hotel rooms so we can have better access to the internet. That means more pictures to come! We can’t wait to get home so Lily can meet her huge circle of family and friends! Hope to see you all very soon ☺

Love,
Brook

37 comments:

Lisa T. said...

Yeah!!!

M@ said...

:D I'm such a freakin' sap. I'm sitting at my desk bawling my eyes out. I'm so happy for you guys. It doesn't sound like it could have worked out any more perfectly. Can't wait to meet the little bugger. (((sguh))) to all.

Amadika said...

this totally made me cry... I'm so happy for both of you !!!

Doug McKinney said...

I really loved your narrative. It is so moving. The pictures of Lily are great. She is sooo beautiful.

And thanks for thinking of us too in your moment of bliss. It feels great to have you guys in our lives.

TrojanGuy said...

I can't describe how happy Trish and I are for you guys! You guys are going to be amazing parents, and I'm looking forward to getting updates on her and your family! :)

TeeRish said...

so.
freakin'.
happy.

YAY!!!!

you guys are already amazing parents. little lily is so lucky.

Jennoit said...

I am so thrilled for you guys. This story has given me shivers as well as some tears. If we ever adopt I will always think of you and Corey and your story. Congratulations.

Anonymous said...

I'm a mess!!! You're story is amazing, I can't believe it's really true. I'm so happy for all three of you. Linde

cpainton said...

I'm bawling...I am in a public library too! Oh well!

Love you guys!
Casi

dramamath said...

I have tears of joy for you!

ryran said...

Wow Brook. Soo wonderful. I'm so glad for you (all three of you!). This was heartwarming to read. Also, I'm so happy to know that there ARE support groups out there for parents wanting to adopt! I can see how it was so important to have that help. Lovely.

DenisenFamily said...

I'm so very happy for you and just sat here and cried reading this. I know how much you both wanted this and now your family is complete. Oh, I'm just so excited for you and can't wait to see the pictures of you all growing together.

Laura, Your Stalker said...

Boo. Hoo. This is beautiful, I can't wait to read all the ins and outs of every day! Love all three of you:)

Cami said...

It is a good thing my class is in music class, because I am crying! We are so excited and happy for all of you!!! Start teaching to walk...we need a flower girl in about three months!! Maybe you can just push her down the aisle!!!

Jennifer said...

Love the pictures and the narrative. All three of you look radiant!!

Crystal Ann said...

I've not flickr'd in so long, but I am literally streaming tears of utmost excitement for you guys.

I look forward to seeing this new chapter in your life unfold.

All the very, very best!!
Congratulations.

libraryann said...

Holy cow! So very happy for you all. Congratulations!!!

Can't wait to see more pictures!

Heather M (ShutterUp!) said...

Brook, I can barely type through the tears. I have fell in love with your story and desire to be a mom. Your words have broken my heart so many times and now I can't even EXPLAIN the elation I have for you, a total stranger aside from Flickr. I can't even find the right words for you. I am over the moon, so happy and GOD BLESS you guys!!!!!!!!! She is such a beautiful little girl and wow, what an amazing ending to this story!!!!!!!!!

Jillian said...

What a wonderful story! I can't imagine anything more exciting than the last few days that you and Corey have just experienced.
Congratulations!

Anonymous said...

CONGRATULATIONS!!! (I have been reading your blog from the link at Peachy Hollow) I am so, so thrilled for you and have just shed tears reading of your joy. Your little Lily is just beautiful and very blessed to have you as parents. Have fun with her! :-)

Laura, Your Stalker said...

Hey, I was checking your page out and reading all the comments people have left, and to think your last post was about Wool/Yarn. I'm just going to say it, yarn is currently boring, Lily is WAY cooler!

Anonymous said...

Wonderful, wonderful pictures and story. Your photography is amazing. The story is great. I am so happy you finally got such a precious girl. Worth the wait. I am so excited to be Lilly/Lilys great aunt. I want permanent pictures to always remember this.

Laurel

Sarah said...

Congratulations Brook! Yes of course newborns are allowed at spinning group, I'm pretty sure we all want to meet her.

breyerchic04

teacakebiscuit said...

OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG! I am THRILLED for you! What a life-changing week! And YAY! We can be new mummies together :)

Obo-Bobolina said...

Oh wow. I am so happy for you guys. I just sprang a leak reading that. Yay! xxx

teacakebiscuit said...

I had to come back and read this again just to make sure I wasn't dreaming late last night...

I am beyond excited for you! This is so, so, so the best thing ever. EEEPS!

narly said...

No WAY! I am soooo happy for you guys Brook! Welcome to the world Lily!

xx
narly

Scoutj said...

Brook I can barely even see through my tears right now. I am SO DAMN HAPPY FOR YOU!!!!

xoxo

aaryn b. said...

Hi there. I found you through my friend Jamie (Scout) who sent me a link to your blog. Your story is our story only you're four years behind us. As I read what you wrote, tears streamed down my face and I called for my husband to come see the pics and read your first two 'graphs to him aloud.

Congratulations! We know how it feels. Enjoy it. Take more pictures than you think you could possibly need and write down EVERYTHING. You may think you'll never forget the details but time is funny in stealing them away. Keep a journal and no matter how tired you are at the end of the day, jot down a few words, thoughts, feelings. Four years from now, you'll be so glad you did.

And to all of your waiting friends: There is a child at the end of your wait. And that child is meant to be your child and will make all of the despair and pain worth it. Truly. Be patient. Hang in there.

Sending love and lots and lots of sleepy vibes your way. :)

~aaryn

KevinO said...

CONGRATS!!!!! I've been following your story through my sister Laura. I am so so so so sooooooo happy for all three of you! *dance dance*

KevinO said...

Also, yarn is quite boring.

Anonymous said...

*Squeeeeee*!!! Congratulations Brook! I am so thrilled for you and your hubby! What a beautiful family!!! Congrats again!!!
xo
Jennifer
aka My Own Girl

Julie G said...

Learned of your story from Trish's photo on Flickr!
What an amazing tale! I'm thrilled for you. I cant even IMAGINE what that must feel like. CHeers cheers cheers! I'll be thinking of you guys! And also sending up thoughts for your friends who are still waiting for their perfect child to come along. :)

Julie

Twnklmoon said...

You three are going to make the perfect family. Lily could not have wished for better parents. So happy for you and thank you for the happy tears.

Kate Giovinco Photography said...

This is wonderful.

I am so glad I got to meet you, Corey, and sweet baby Lily in South Carolina this weekend.

You guys are the perfect family!

Natalie said...

Spring Peeps! I found your 365 on Flickr a while ago, and have just re-found you on there... once I did, I saw pictures and comments about Lily, eeped, found the blog, and scoured til I found this first one about her...

I hope this won't worry you, but you guys have been on my mind regularly since I looked through your 365 (at least, from the hitchcock egg one, I was looking for a picture for my brother, he inadvertently leads me to all my favourite people!) - that's why I came back to Flickr to find you - and I'm so happy for you! I can't quite imagine what it must be like for you, but your account of the support network flying into action has warmed me up no end. It's an incredible story, and I'm glad you're around online for other people to gain support and inspiration from. And I wish you were in the UK so I could get my picture taken and say hi!

Much love, from another overjoyed stranger...

Natalie

Unknown said...

oh man. what an amazing story. Thanks Brook.