Love at First Sight

October 14th, Russ and I anxiously prepared to meet our newest love.  His birthmother labored long the day before.  She was induced on October 13th, and went in around 5:30 am.  He was born at 8:36 pm.  Because it was such an exhausting day for her, we waited until the next afternoon to visit.  She had asked Nancy, her birthmother counselor, about meeting Millie Janalee.  She really was hoping to meet her.  As we were walking out the door, we got this news.  We went into high gear getting Millie Janalee dressed and packed for the road trip to Oxford.  Since two-year olds are completely unpredictable and this was such an intensely emotional situation, my mom traveled with us to keep Millie Janalee in the waiting room until we were ready for her in the room.

There really is no way to prepare for this moment.  No matter how many times you go through it.  Each adoption is different with its own unique sensitivities and emotion.  It was a very quiet drive.  Only the sound of Millie Janalee chitter chattering in the back seat.  Nancy met us in the waiting room and walked us back.

To meet our son.

It is a difficult line to walk...meeting your son for the first time, caring for and loving the birthparents, guarding yourself from the possibilities, and balancing it all.  We gave our hugs and smiles to both birthparents.  And there he was.  Sleeping soundly in his birthmother's arms.  Wrapped up like a little burrito.  Tiny nose, sweet little chin.  All our hopes and prayers wrapped up in the love of four parents.  It really is amazing...adoption.  God never ceases to amaze me how he works and covers situations with His love and provision.

We spent some time loving on Smith, staring at his sweet features, talking with the birthparents, and listening to them take guesses as to which feature came from who.  It is always surreal.  We also had the honor of meeting the birthmother's mom.  Such a sweet blessing to see the support and love filling this difficult decision.  We have prayed for her as much as we have prayed for the birthparents.  We knew she, too, was struggling emotionally while staying strong and supportive of her daughter.  We brought gifts and exchanged them before Russ left the room to bring Millie Janalee in.

Millie Janalee entered the room and found me immediately.  She walked quietly over to the couch where I was holding her baby brother.  She leaned her sweet body against my legs and looked at this sweet bundle.  My heart was full.  I let her "pat" him and kiss his head.  I asked her if she could say "brother."  She shook her head.  Then she looked over at the birthmother and gave her sweetest and biggest smile pulling her little shoulders up by her ears.  Such a ham!

The birthfather captured these moments as he also enjoys photography.

The birthmother had a gift for her.  Millie Janalee loves presents and enjoyed unwrapping two thoughtful books.  One was a Big Sister book, and she handed it to Russ to "read it."  He began reading to her with her in his lap and our son in mine.  After the first couple pages, they just looked at pictures and talked about it.  Ha!  It was time for us to say our goodbyes and give the birthmother time to rest as she became more uncomfortable.  That "sisser" book is still one of her favorite books to read.

We passed our son back to his first mother as we said our goodbyes and nervously ended this precious time together.  It may be the only time we are all together...or not.  But I wanted to soak in every detail of this moment for Smith.  I want him to know how much love surrounded him from his beginning.

As we prepared to walk out, the birthmother's mom asked if we could pray together.   Absolutely!  We all held hands around the hospital bed as she led us in prayer.  Praying Jeremiah 29:11 over Smith's little life.  Talk about emotions!  On our way out the door I hugged her neck tightly and whispered, "We are praying for you too."  And we are.  She has touched me.  It was a joy to meet the woman who raised the birthmother to be the incredible young woman she is today.  Such a gift.

It was love at first sight.  Love.  It makes a family.