Our Adoption Story: Our Baby Is Born

We arrived in the state our baby was born in on the evening of the second.  Baby Boy made his arrival on April third.  We had the blessing of meeting all of Nat’s family the day before M was born.  Natalie’s aunt and uncle invited us into their home for dinner where we were able to meet Natalie’s parents and siblings and other Aunt Debbie.  She has two Aunt Deb’s -- both awesome ladies.

Natalie’s family is amazing.  The love they have for each other is very sweet to witness.  Spencer and I were so touched by the way they rallied around Natalie during a difficult time in her life.  It was so special to spend the evening with them.  We honestly felt like we were just an extension of their family right from the first time we met them.  We had fun all guessing the length and weight of baby boy, as well as what time he would be born.  We exchanged a few meaningful gifts and lots of tears. 

We drove to Spencer’s Mom’s house and went right to bed, but I didn't sleep AT. ALL.  I was far too wound up.  In fact, I think I got far more sleep AFTER we brought Baby home than I did in the days prior to his birth.

Natalie went to the hospital at 6:45 the next morning (she was scheduled to be induced).  We got a text from her bright and early letting us know she was on her way there.  Bless her heart, Natalie kept us posted all day.  She gave us updates on how she was doing and feeling.  My favorite text was one that said, “How are you guys doing?  You freaking out?”  The girl was in labor and she was asking US how WE were doing!  That’s Natalie for you. 

For our part, we stayed as busy as possible trying to pass the time.  We took Lizzy on a walk.  We unpacked.  We set up the pack and play.  We ran some errands.  We picked up some flowers for Natalie and some balloons for Baby Boy.  We honestly did everything we could think of to occupy ourselves so we didn’t lose our minds while waiting for the most exciting moment of our lives.  If I would have just sat at home, I would have totally gone crazy. 

(We’re working on making a little adoption video of our story, but here’s a short clip of us waiting for Baby’s arrival.  Most people aren’t shopping for produce when their son is being born :).  Just kind of funny.)




Finally, shortly after 4:00 we got a text from Natalie saying that it looked like Baby Boy was going to be born soon.  She told us that we better start heading to the hospital! 

We arrived at the hospital in plenty of time, though there was just enough traffic to make us nervous that we would miss it. 

I can’t even begin to describe the things we were feeling as we were sitting in the waiting room, knowing our little boy was being born just down the hallway.  It was surreal.  All these years of waiting, and it was finally here.  I hardly knew what to do with myself. 

Eventually, Natalie’s Aunt Debbie came out of the delivery room and told us, “You have a boy!”  Though I didn’t know it was possible, I started crying even harder than I had been before.  She told us he was seven pounds six ounces, twenty-one inches long, was born at 6:10 PM, and had lots and lots of curly hair. 

After Nat and M were all cleaned up, Natalie’s mom came into the waiting room. She gave me a hug and told me that Natalie wanted me to be the first one to hold him. I lost it. I didn’t know how I would ever make it down the hallway.

We walked into Natalie’s room and there he was.  My heart recognized him instantly.

The sweetest little bundle all wrapped up in her arms. And he was WIDE AWAKE. Natalie looked beautiful and peaceful.  She asked me if I wanted to hold him. I somehow managed a yes. And then she placed him in my arms.  A moment that I have relived a hundred times over.  He was finally here!   

Natalie told him, “Look Baby, it’s your momma! Look who it is!” I have never witnessed such selflessness in my entire life.  How do you possibly begin to thank someone for giving you such a precious gift?  We tell Natalie every time we talk with her that we love her, but it is still never enough.   

I don’t know that I have ever cried so hard in my entire life. I just couldn't believe it. My baby boy. I just rocked him and said over and over, “Hi baby. I love you. I love you so much.” I told Natalie, “He’s so beautiful!” I kissed him and cradled him and talked to him. He looked at me the whole time. Like he knew exactly what was going on. It was like he knew me already.



Spencer got to hold him next. His eyes were just as red as mine from all the crying!  Baby Boy got soaking wet from all the tears. We fed him a bottle. It was amazing that he already knew exactly what to do, even though he was only minutes old.





There is no doubt that I loved my Spencer before, but my heart just melted watching the way that he looked at his baby boy.  The way he talked to him.  He’s such a good daddy. 

We will forever be grateful that Natalie let us share that moment with her.  That she let us be the first to hold her little angel.  It was among the most sacred and special experiences of my life.