A Baby Boy!!

I wrote this blog post on our adoption blog this week, and thought it was worthy of copying here.

Dear Little One,

After years of waiting, millions of tears, thousands of disappointed hopes, hundreds of negative pregnancy tests, 5 rounds of fertility drugs, dozens of months of waiting after decided to adopt, 6 weeks of anticipation after being chosen, a lot of faith and patience, and countless wishes and hopes and prayers, we have the ONE perfect answer that makes it all worthwhile.

You are here!

You are wonderful and perfect in every way. You are so, so loved.

Let me tell you a little about your arrival. Saturday night we had been asleep for about an hour or so when we got a phone call. I literally jumped out of bed, because a phone call in the middle of the night could only mean one thing - you were coming! Annalee, your birth grandma, was calling to say they were heading to the hospital. We gathered our things and tidied the house, and prepared to go. About an hour later, they called again to say that Aurianna, your birthmom, had been admitted to the hospital. We woke up Katelee, who was SO EXCITED to hear that you were coming, and dropped her off at our friends house and drove to Fort Collins.

It was 4 a.m. Sunday morning when we arrived at the hospital. We brought snacks and books and settled in for what we expected to be a nice long wait. At 6, I went up to the nurses station to ask how Aurianna was doing and if she had gotten her epidural yet. The nurse smiled and said that actually you had just been BORN! I think my jaw literally dropped! The only thing I could think to say was, "That was FAST!" The nurse kinda laughed at me and agreed, and then another nurse walked up and said they were ready for us to come in. I ran out to get daddy, who was dozing in the lobby, and we hurried into the room.

When we walked in, there was your beautiful birthmom, looking like a rockstar, holding you in her arms. Tears came into my eyes. She handed you to me and I just wanted to look at every bit of you forever. You were absolutely perfect! You weighed 7 lbs. 5 oz. and were 19.5 inches long. You have long, thick black hair and great fingernails. We spent the next two hour or so in the delivery room together: Annalee, Aurianna, Jake (who is your birthdad), Daddy and I, taking turns holding you and loving you. There was a loving and peaceful feeling in the room. You hardly made a sound, but just took in the new world you had come to with your eyes open and thoughtful.

You and Aurianna

You and Jake

You and Grandma Annalee

Mom & Dad and You

After we were transferred to a new area where Aurianna had a room and we had our own room down the hallway. We were glad to be close to where Aurianna and Jake were staying, because we spent a lot of time all together over the next two days. I can't imagine a better hospital experience than what we had. The nurses were amazing - in fact the nurse we had the first day has adopted two children of her own through LDS Family Services! The doctors treated us all with respect and I personally felt that there was no awkwardness or uncomfortableness, because we are all being open with one another and because we love each other. It's true, it feels like in adopting you, Little One, we have adopted another entire amazing family, and we couldn't be more thrilled, because they are AWESOME! :)

Auri and I spent an hour or two chatting the afternoon after the birth and cuddling you, while the guys napped - ha ha ha!
We got to give you your first sponge bath. All five of us crowded into the bathroom, daddy viedotaping like usual. :) The nurse gave us directions and Auri and I worked together and took turns until you were all clean. You complained a tiny bit, but mostly you are just the most peaceful, content, easy-going baby ever. :) LOOK at that head of hair!!

I think you have Jake's hair and ears and Auri's nose. You are simply ADORABLE.

We took a pic of you getting your hearing checked. You passed with flying colors. :)

We had a great time in the hospital. We played Phase 10, talked, had visitors, and mostly just LOVED ON YOU. Someone was holding you almost constantly, and the love in the air was thick.

You have two names, Little One. Not everyone can say that! Aurianna and Jake named you Michael Jared Coy - a good strong name to be proud of. This is the name on your original birth certificate and your legal name until the adoption is finalized. Daddy and I had chosen your name about 10 years ago, however, that we felt strongly about keeping it. It is Blake Thurston Reynolds. Blake is Daddy's middle name and his grandfather's name. Thurston is mommy's maiden name, and is also in honor of your Grandpa Thurston. This is the name we call you at home and will become your legal name when the adoption is finalized.
Late Monday morning, Aunt Bonnie brought Katelee to the hospital to meet you for the first time. It was one of the happiest and sweetest moments of my life. Katelee is utterly, absolutely, 100% in love with you!

We didn't get a good picture of it, but Katelee is wearing a new shirt that says "Big Sister" on it. :)

Going home was a little sad for everyone, and especially for Aurianna and Jake. I, too, didn't want the wonderful experience of the hospital to end. It was all just so sweet and peaceful. But your birthparents are strong and amazing, and we are looking forward to seeing them this weekend. Before they left, they dressed you in the most adorable moose outfit that Annalee and bought for you:

And we tucked you into your car seat for the first time (you look so little!) and all left the hospital together.
We got settled at home that night, and Katelee read you your first bedtime story. I will write more about life at home another time, Little One. Just remember this always: Heavenly Father is a God of miracles. The scripture Mormon 9:19 has never felt more true to me:

And if there were miracles wrought then, why has God ceased to be a God of miracles and yet be an unchangeable Being? And behold, I say unto you he changeth not; if so he would cease to be God; and he ceaseth not to be God, and is a God of miracles.

YOU are our miracle, Little One, and we love you with all our hearts!



We will be forever grateful to Aurianna and Jake for their selfless, loving part in making this miracle possible. We have loved them from the beginning, but this past week has made our feelings for them more profound and deep than we can express.




xoxox,

Mom