We are so happy to announce that our sweet baby Paige Merelyn was born on August 8, and was placed with our family by her brave birth parents on August 10th. There are so many sacred details and tender mercies in this whole experience that I am forever grateful for. I don't have much time (because obviously I'd rather be holding that baby than sitting here typing), but there are a few things that I wanted to capture and document here.
Paige was born late on a Thursday night. It was a very fast and furious delivery. I was invited to visit the next day- it was so wonderful to meet this tiny, precious girl for the first time, and I am so grateful that her birth parents allowed me that special time, even though they were trying to soak up every precious moment they had with her.
Saturday we headed in to our agency to complete some paperwork and then we were again graciously invited to come by the hospital as a family to visit Paige. They were so good to us. I love John's face in this picture as he too met his little girl for the first time.
And the boys...oh cute. Robby jumped right in and wanted to hold her. Tyler was very hesitant. He told us later that he was scared. I totally respect that. He was unsure about how to hold something so delicate and small, and with a few onlookers, it was just too much. But he sat by quietly and took it all in.
Because sate law states that the birth parents can't sign papers until 48 hours after birth, we left the hospital with plans to return late that night for placement (Saturday).
For anyone who has ever taken part of an adoption placement, you will know that it will forever change you. Forever. You have never seen bravery, love, sacrifice, and sorrow like that. It is like nothing else. There are so many precious moments and memories from that event that I will hold dear to my heart. John and I held each other and sobbed big, heavy tears out in the hall at the hospital while relinquishment papers were signed. I am humbled beyond words by this brave act.
We said our good-byes and made plans to get together soon for dinner with the birth parents- open adoption is so good. It helps all of our hearts heal in a healthy way. And then we parted.
John and I arrived home (keep in mind, this is very late at night...like midnight). Our sweet baby-sitter offered to snap several pictures and some video of our first few moments home. I would love to say that we were calm, peaceful and just like seasoned, experienced parents, but the truth is we looked like bumbling idiots. I have forgotten how small tiny babies are!
We finally got the groove with a diaper change and a bottle and then we tried to wrap our brains around the beautiful reality that this baby is with our family. Home.
The boys woke up the next morning, eager to meet their new baby sister and to see if indeed she had arrived while they were sleeping. Tyler settled right in this time around.
And both boys spent the morning making sure I was up to date on when Paige needed a diaper change.
She is so darling, we can hardly keep our eyes off of her.
Life is good.
