A Hospital Story...

I honestly have been trying to update the blog with something other than book reviews! Thank you to those who enjoy reading even those.... hope you find some books you like! I have had a bit more time to read, although our life is busier in some ways, I have more at home time, and I do love good stories! (And good books!) 

A couple of weeks ago, I intended to update you all on our adoption process and life now, but after I'd get one book review post done (so I could get more books, of course!), I'd have to take care of a little one! (Who knows how long it will take to finish THIS post!) ;) But recently a friend on a "familiar social network site" asked me about our process because they are waiting to adopt a newborn as well! (Congrats to them!!!! SO exciting!!) So in my answering her questions, and recounting our story to her, I have taken the time to actually get our memories of Joy's first days typed out! So here you go!
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Joy came a lot later than we thought she would!! We anticipated her arrival a few weeks before Dec. 5^th! But God’s timing is perfect and she came wonderfully healthy and ready to eat (and other things babies do so well…) We were able to be at the hospital shortly after she was born and got her soon after we went to our room! Yes, we did have our own room! So nice to be able to have her in the room with us!!

first glimpse!!

The staff was amazing and so supportive. They were excited, I think, to know that Joy was going to a home with a mommy and daddy who loved her and had been praying and waiting for her. The nurses were all wonderful and so reassuring and kind! I remember each of their names (and need to write them down before I DO forget!) 

First few moments together!

Joy’s birth mom did not choose to spend a lot of time with her. Mostly, we understand, because it was so hard for her to see her. She loves our little Joy very much! We did get to visit with her some. We met her before the birth and visited a bit in the hospital as well as at the agency after we were released. When we first got to meet her, she told us how much she loved Joy and how adoption was the best choice for Joy. I think a lot of times people think that birth families don’t want or love the babies placed for adoption. As I talked about before, these people DO love their babies so much that they choose to put aside their feelings for what is best! Such a hard choice!! We are so honored to be chosen to be Joy’s parents! 

I'm not sure how it is where you are, but in Texas there is a 48 hour waiting period before we could have custody of Joy. So we couldn't take her home before then. If they would have had to release her from the hospital before then, she would have had to go to temporary foster care. The hospital allowed us to stay with her the full 48 hours! 

Joy was actually released then to her birth mom. Mark's parents and younger siblings as well as my parents were at the hospital with us and were able to meet Joy's birth mom. We all went back to the agency to do the paperwork and have a sweet entrustment ceremony. (When Joy's birthmom actually placed her in my arms.) It was sooo hard to watch her walk out to her car alone. We love her and are amazed at her determination to do what was best for Joy!

At our agency for the ceremony and to sign papers

After the ceremony, we met up with Mark’s brother and his wife and had a fun family dinner. Everyone was so ready to celebrate this new little one coming into our family!!

With her grandparents! The "1" on the cupcake refers to her being the first grandbaby on both sides!

We then headed home to our little apartment and spent the next few days cuddling Joy and getting to know her more as well as trying to get a bit of sleep  when we could! 

Joy’s first Sunday at church was also very eventful for her, as she got to play Baby Jesus in our children’s Christmas program! Yes, it was a very busy time of year for a new baby to arrive!! We did some traveling and visiting family and friends as well as our normal celebration of Jesus’s birth!  We are all glad that life seems to have slowed down just a little bit and we can really settle in to being a family of three.