Well I am sure you all know what Matt and I are most thankful for this Thanksgiving....yes, you guessed it Anna Kay! I am sure that will be the case for at least the next hundred years. :) However, as we celebrated Thanksgiving this year I could not help but think back over the past year's happenings without realizing how much things can change in just 12 short months. As Matt and I sat down to Thanksgiving last year at Uncle Marty and Aunt Rose's we had just received word that after being interviewed by a birthmother (and her parents) we were not chosen (she wanted her child to have at least one sibling already and we had no children). So it was with somewhat heavy hearts that we ate and celebrated with family during that meal. Then, the beginning December came around and we were yet again chosen by another birthmother. This time were were her one and only choice and she loved us. Our hearts were filled with hope and excitement. The baby was a boy and was due the beginning of January. We made preparations over the month of December and had a great holiday season anticipating a new baby. When the birthmother went into labor we got a call and headed up to the hospital. We got to see the baby and spend time with the birth family. The child even had the name that we chose. However, God had different plans for that little boy, and the adoption did not work out. The birth father came forward and wanted to raise the child. So on January 13th, we were told the adoption had failed. Words cannot describe the amount of dismay and disappointment that Matt and I felt. We had met and held a sweet child...as well as our family. I knew that there was no way I was going to go through the same thing again. Our family was devastated but held firm in our faith that this was just not meant to be. Life continued on and winter turned to spring. Near the end of March we got a call from our social worker stating that a birthmother would like to meet us. Matt and I attempted not to be too excited...but failed. Our hearts soared with the mere possibility, yet we tried to remain guarded. We made plans to meet her on March 31st. Both of us were nervous as we made the drive and stepped out of the car at the Bethany office. We were greeted by a social worker (Ginger if you happen to be reading this you were awesome!) and the birthmother and her mother. The conversation started and Matt and I realized the conversation flowed easily. We thoroughly enjoyed their company. We decided to head out to lunch and enjoyed some italian food (though looking back I think I was still too nervous to eat anything). We parted with a few pictures (which have been added to a scrap book for Anna). Emails were exchanged during the next month as the baby GIRL(!!!!) was due May 7th. We got a call the morning of April 25th at 3:48am from Ginger saying you better head this way! We were so excited! Matt shoved everything he could think of into a luggage and we took off. We arrived at the hospital at 6:30. We waited in the waiting room anxiously worried. How was the mom? The baby? Were they giving her pain medication? Did she need anything? Nicely enough, her family was so sweet to come and give us updates as the day progressed on. Then around noon, the unthinkable happened. Ginger (social worker) came in and asked me to follow her back. I am to this day amazed that my legs worked and allowed me to walk. I was so nervous and excited. I thought that I was being taken to meet the baby for the first time. I was wrong, our birthmother wanted me to be in there with her during delivery. The amount of emotion that comes from that one sentence for me is astounding. I entered and stayed properly at the head of the bed as Anna was being born. I got to hold our birthmother's hand during delivery. I held Anna immediately after she was born. For this experience, I am most thankful.
Because of that day, we have this absolutely perfect daughter whose life has given us such joy. By her entrance into this world we have found a new meaning and respect for the word love. Obviously there is our amazing love for our child, but with that love comes a love for her birth family and our experiences together. I also have a such an overwhelming love for our family and friends who graciously supported us throughout our entire adoption process.
As you can tell this year has taken on quite a change from last year's Thanksgiving. This year instead of wondering if we were ever going to be a parents.....this year we are ones! :D
Here is a list of things that little Miss Anna is up to these days!
- Saying "Ba" a lot ... and Matt swears she has said "da" haha
- Responding to her name with a gigantic grin
- Enjoys being sung to and dancing
- Rolling all over the house
- Attempts to put knees underneath her to crawl
- Eating stage 2 baby foods - her favorites are any fruit (especially apples) and sweet potatoes
- Eating Gerber puffs - favorite kind so far is apple-strawberry
- She has two teeth on the bottom
- Showing dislike if a toy is taken away (or pouting if she can't get what she wants) :)
- Loves bathtime and has discovered the art of splashing
- Is a complete night owl and enjoys being the life of the party - Wouldn't have her any other way! :) She was the only baby at Thanksgiving that didn't take a nap - and was pleasant the whole time!
- Avoids taking naps if there are people to "entertain". But normal nap schedule is 2 naps per day - one in the morning one in the afternoon.
Eating "Turkey and Sweet Potatoes" as her dinner :) Though we did give her some marshmallows which she loved!
