I know that we have not written in a long time, but with good
reason. This website was to help promote our want to adopt. Well that
dream has finally come true. We stopped writing about the same time we
were contacted by a potential birth mom's mother. We had constant and
wonderful communication with her and eventually the birth mom. (I am
withholding their names for confidentiality..I haven't asked their
permission to use their names) . She was about 4 months into her
pregnancy and despite the morning sickness she was doing well. When she
found out she was pregnant she did what any person in her situation
would do. She freaked out for a little bit. Then before she told ANYONE
that she was pregnant she decided that she wanted to place this baby for
adoption. She then told her parents and a few other close friends. A
few weeks later we were contacted that she was looking for an adoptive
couple, and our forever relationship began.
I had never been so excited to open and read my e-mails. I lived for the letters we got from both the birth-grand mom and birth mom. They were so special. I actually printed them out and put them into a book. On a wonderful day in June 2012, we were given a beautiful e-mail form the birth mom asking us to be the parents of this miracle baby. Of course we said yes. It was the most enthusiastic yes I had ever given. We continued to correspond via e-mail, texts, and a few phone calls. We actually made the 9 hour drive to go visit the birth mom and her family. It was a magical trip. We got to know the whole birth family and feel the baby kick for the first time, it was a little slice of heaven. Those five months of waiting for the baby were awesome and treacherous at the same time. All I wanted to do was hold her and to know she was okay.
Then at 8:45pm on October 30th we received a text saying "It's time, GO!" We had had our car packed for weeks. She wasn't expected to be due until November 9th, but I had a feeling she would come early so the car was all ready to go. Steve and I ran around the house frantically grabbing a few extra sets of clothes for us and making sure all the windows where shut and lights were off. Steve even freaked out about the Halloween candy that we had bought for trick-or-treaters. He just threw all the candy on the front porch and we ran to our car. We pulled out of the driveway at 8:56pm and started our 8.5 hour drive to the hospital in hopes we would be there for the delivery. An hour into the trip we got a call informing us that they broke the birth mom's water and had signs that the baby was in distress. A few minutes later we got another call saying that the birth mom was taken in for an emergency c-section. I have never been so scared in my life. Steve continued to drive as I said the most sincere prayer I had ever said. I prayed for the doctors to be inspired, I prayed for the birth mom that she would be okay both physically and emotionally, and of course I prayed for our daughter. I prayed that she would be okay. I poured my heart out to my Heavenly Father telling him that we had gone through so much that I didn't think I could make it if anything went wrong. I told him I knew that he knew what was best and that I knew deep down that I would make it if our daughter didn't survive, but I had my doubts. How could I possibly face anymore loss and heartache? But despite my fears I knew if I had to, somehow I would. I prayed so hard. As soon as I finished my prayer both Steve and I had a sense of peace come over us. I was still worried, but calm. Sure enough a little before 11:00 we got another phone call saying that our Katelyn Elizabeth was born at 10:46pm and was healthy. She had already had a bottle and had burped. I have never been so thankful than I was at that moment.
Later we found out that the doctor who delivered Katelyn was about to go home from her shift but thought she would pray to make sure that this baby and mom would be okay before she went. After she prayed she went to go check on the birth mom and baby. As soon as she walked into the room Katelyn's heart beat just dropped so she knew right away that something was wrong and called for the emergency c-section. The birth mom was put under general anesthesia and within minutes Katelyn was out. She was choking and had the umbilical wrapped tight around her neck two times. Katelyn came out healthy and was breathing on her own. What a miracle. If the birth mom hadn't listened to her body and went to the hospital when she did; and if the doctor hadn't done an emergency c-section when she did, Katelyn would not be with us today.
Steve and I drove the rest of the night. We were filled with EVERY emotion. At 5:30am, we arrived at the hospital and got to hold Baby Katelyn for this first time. It was the best moment of our lives. We hugged the birth mom and her family. After a few hours of being all together, Steve, Katelyn, and I headed into the room across the hall in the hospital where we spent the first night together.
After two days of being in the hospital, it was time for Katelyn to be discharged. We had our caseworker come in and we continued on with placement. The birth mom and her family were all together and supported her as she relinquished her rights. Steve and I had several family members with us as we signed our paper work as well. I had never felt more relief in my life. It was really happening. After all the paperwork was signed we gave the birth mom a necklace that had Katelyn Elizabeth engraved on it and a bear with a special message in it. Katelyn has an identical bear so they both can give each other long distant hugs. Then Steve and I handed Katelyn over to the birth mom one last time. We waited outside the room until she was ready. After about an hour or so we were asked to come back in the room. In the room it was just the birth mom, Katelyn, Steve, and me. We gave each other hugs and heartfelt thank yous. Then the birth mom handed Katelyn over to me. Tears were in all our eyes. It was a moment that I will never forget and it wasn't until weeks later that I was able to fully understand all of my feelings I had at that moment.
The birth mom of Katelyn will always have a special place in our hearts. She is family to us and always will be. Katelyn Elizabeth is a miracle upon miracle child, and she will always love and know her "tummy mom".
