Nine Years Ago

Nine years ago today, Tony and I were anxiously waiting to hear if we were going to be parents.  The birthmother that we had matched with six weeks earlier was due any day.  Due to our previous adoption experience, we were on pins and needles.  It didn't help that three times in the six weeks we were matched with the birthmother, she moved three different times and only called when she needed something.

There were a couple of different times that I called the counselor at our adoption agency wanting to disrupt the match.  She calmed me down each time and told us that we were so close we should wait and see what happened.

Then, February 28th, I received a call on my cell phone saying the birthmother was at the hospital and in labor.  I called our counselor at the adoption agency and she said that was a VERY good sign and that we should make arrangements to get to California as soon as possible.

After calling Tony, I told my employer and took off to start my "maternity leave."  I went home and finished the last minute packing and arranging plane tickets for our 2,800 mile trip from Raleigh, NC to Sacramento, CA as well as our hotel and rental car reservations.

Later that afternoon we received a phone call that our son was born.  Caleb Alexander was here!  The next day we spoke to Caleb's birthmother a couple of different times with the last time being right before we loaded the plane to begin the seven hour trip.  She told us that the nurses said it was okay for us to come straight to the hospital after getting into town.  Mind you, we didn't arrive in Sacramento until approximately 10:00 p.m. California time!

Things went smoothly getting our luggage and rental car and we headed to the hospital.  They brought us to the NICU where Caleb was admitted after he was born.  Caleb's birthmother was rocking him when we arrived and I was able to go in and see him for the first time after washing up.

Isn't he the cutest thing?

Caleb's birthmom was so happy to see us and handed him to me, telling me "Meet your son!" 

I was provided a bracelet so that Tony and I could go up to the NICU any time we wanted.

Here are a couple of pictures of Caleb with his birthmother:

The last nine years have been filled with joy and heartache, but I know without a doubt that God provided Caleb to us for a reason!

HAPPY 9TH BIRTHDAY, CALEB!!!

I LOVE YOU!!!!