our miracle

Oh, where to begin the story of the roller coaster we've been on! (This is a loooong story, and you're only getting the condensed version!)

The week we returned from Hawaii, on April 17th, our caseworker called and told us that we had been chosen by a birthmother, having a baby boy in a month, from Southern CA. We were shocked! The next day we were in contact with this birthmother, but her emails she didn't really seem like she had chosen us. Our casewoker, however, assured us that she had. So we kept emailing her, but something just wasn't sitting right with me. She had recently gotten out of jail and had a long history of drug abuse, but promised that she was clean. Even so, every time I thought about this adoption, I got sick to my stomach. But how do you say no when you've waited so long?! So we kept emailing her and trying to get to know her, even with my serious hesitations. 

Ten days later, on April 27th, we got an email from an old Philadelphia friend, Rachel. Rachel was now working as a caseworker in Southern CA and told us that she was working with a birthmother, Kayla. Kayla had chosen a family, but they had in turn been chosen by another birthmother and went on to adopt that baby. With three weeks left until her due date, Kayla set out to find another family for her baby.

She was looking at profiles in Rachel's office and came across ours. The birthfather's name is also Isaac, so she was instantly drawn to our profile when it popped up. She mentioned us to Rachel, who then looked over and exclaimed, "I know them!" She then told Kayla about us, and sent us an email that night to see if we were interested in this adoption.

The feeling I got after reading Rachel's email was so totally opposite the feeling I'd been having from the other adoption situation. Both girls were from Southern CA, both were having baby boys within a few weeks of each other, but only one felt right. I was happy, excited, and wanted to find out if this was our baby boy! And if so- he was coming in three weeks!!

We spent the next few days emailing and texting Kayla and Isaac and getting to know each other. We had planned to go down south to meet them the following week, but we made a last minute decision to hop in the car and meet them that very weekend, so on May 3rd we headed down. We stayed over night with our Philly Nelsons- we love these guys!

The next day we met Kayla and her mom for lunch. It was a really nice visit. They fell in love with Hazel (of course!) and we all instantly felt like old friends. There was just a connection between us. It reminded me of when we met Arlianne and her mom for the first time- we were a bundle of nerves but there was just a peace and calmness too.

After we said goodbye, the three of us headed to Hollywood for some sight seeing. 

A few hours later I got a text from Kayla asking if we could come back for a bit. It was about an hour drive, but of course we could! We met her and her mom at a park- and she gave us a sweet card with an ultrasound picture, saying she chose us to be her baby's parents! There were tears and lots of hugs, we were having a baby!

The next day we headed home to get ready for baby... 2 weeks away!! We were going to keep it a secret from family and friends, but slowly we ended up telling everyone, well, mostly Hazel ended up telling everyone. We pulled a few baby items out of storage, borrowed a bunch of things from friends. I sewed like a madwoman to get the baby quilt done, and a matching one for Kayla. We bought a car seat and stroller, bought some binkies, couldn't decide on which bottles to buy, took stuff back, bought more stuff, and waited and waited.

Kayla was due on the 20th, but by the time the 25th rolled around she still wasn't going into labor. We decided we would spend a few hours on Friday evening at the temple. We were running late, and just as we were about to get into the car, Kayla called and said her water broke! Quick change of plans, we changed our clothes, packed our bags, and were on the road within an hour.

Around 10pm we were in the middle of no where and Hazel needed to go potty. We pulled off an exit and over to the side of the road. Isaac went to go get her out of the car and woosh! out flew the ipod. Isaac thought it had landed in the dirt... but then heard a clank, clank, clank. Oh no, it went right down a 10 foot drainage pipe. In the dark. In the middle of no where. After lots of tears- from me and Hazel- we got back on the road, with a plan to figure something out and fish it out on the way home.

We arrived in Southern Cal about 2am, and dropped Hazel off at the Troutman's house. Then Isaac and I headed to the hospital. Kayla had a c-section and the baby was born just after midnight on the 25th. 10 pounds 8 ounces! Incredible! We got to see him for a few minutes and then we headed to the waiting room while they got him and Kayla ready to be transferred to her room.

Once there Isaac and I got to hold this sweet baby for the first time. While everyone else snoozed, I held baby Henry for a few hours. It was a sweet time to spend semi-alone with this little guy. A few hours later we went to pick up Hazel, then drove to my cousin's house about an hour away. Once there, Isaac and I crashed for a few hours while Hazel played with their boys. We were so exhausted!

After our quick nap, the three of us headed back to the hospital and Hazel got to meet Henry for the first time.

We spent a few hours there and met some of Kayla's family and close friends. Everyone was incredibly nice to us and Hazel got along great with Kayla's little brothers. And of course, no one could get enough of that squishy baby boy!

We went back to my cousin's that night (and stayed up way too late talking!). They took Hazel to church with them the next day and we headed back to the hospital. When we arrived, I instantly knew things were a little off. We didn't stay in the room too long before heading to the cafeteria where we waited for Rachel, the caseworker, to come talk to us.

After a long, long wait, Rachel came to bring us the bad news. Kayla was having an incredibly hard time, and it didn't look like this adoption was going to happen. We were crushed, but also understood that this was the biggest decision she's ever going to make, and she needed to be sure of her choice. This wasn't about us, and it wasn't really about her, it was about what she felt was best for her baby. We knew it was completely out of our hands. Rachel said, "It would take a miracle for this adoption to happen."

We drove back to be with Hazel (and hug and kiss her lots and lots). We decided that Hazel needed to have something super awesome to do after we told her about baby Henry, and we needed to celebrate our eternal family and mend our hearts.

While waiting in line for the Cars ride, I texted my sister-in-law and told them to come join us at Disney. And guess what? They threw their other plans out the window, hopped in the car, and drove through the night to be with us. Seriously, best family ever. We all got rooms at the Grand Californian and planned to spend a few days just basking in the fun and sun! Hazel was beyond thrilled when we told her that her cousins were coming, and we were staying in a hotel! This girl loves hotels.

They rolled in about 3am, and the next morning as we were all having breakfast, Isaac got a call from Isaac, the birthfather. He told us that Kayla would be placing the baby for adoption with us.

Today. Right now. Come to the hospital!!

We just sat there and looked at each other. Our excitement was tempered by our fear, of course. Would she change her mind again? Is this really happening? We walked around Disneyland for an hour or so before we were supposed to be at the hospital. We didn't tell Hazel what was going on, and she spent the day at Ariel's Grotto and having all sorts of Disney fun.

We headed to the hospital, and upon entering Kayla's room, we were greeted with lots of smiles and hugs. Everyone was in very good spirits, and it quickly put us at ease. As we were waiting for Kayla to be discharged, we filled out our paperwork (after which I had a total meltdown, just like when we adopted Hazel). Then Rachel went into the room with Kayla and her family and they filled out their paperwork.

When we walked in, after everything had been signed, they were all standing there waiting for us, holding sweet baby Henry, and it just took my breath away. We are so grateful for the selfless decision of this incredibly strong woman and her family!

 

 "It would take a miracle..." our caseworker said. 

We had our miracle.