The Story

Hi ~ I have always enjoyed it when our new adoptive moms share a little bit of their story regarding delivery, hospital experience, etc. So, now that I have one extra moment to spare....I thought I'd try to put ours into words for you. :)

"H" (bmom) had an appt on Jan 29th for check-up and possible induction for Monday Feb 2 if she was dilated at all. Matt and I were able to go with her and she surprised us all by being 3cm dilated! So, we were set for Monday at 4pm to be induced. That night around 10pm we got a call from her mom saying she was taking "H" in to the hospital as she was having contractions 3 minutes apart for the last 2 hours. We jumped in the car after throwing some things together (we were staying with Matt's parents while waiting for our little man to make his appearance) and drove the 45 minutes to the hospital. After being there for only about 30 minutes, they decided to give "H" a shot of morphine and send her home as they didn't believe she was in actual labor! What?! She could barely stand to get dressed again and sit in the wheelchair!So....we all went home and at around 6am the next morning we got another call saying that she was taking "H" back in because she was definitely in labor. We headed back up to the hospital for the birth of our son! :)

They ended up admitting her, breaking her water and eventually giving her an epidural. She slept most of the day while Matt and I stayed with her. Her mom had some errands she needed to get done so she came and went a couple of times. They kept checking her periodically until around 3:45pm when she was ready to start pushing. Originally she had felt she only wanted her mom and I in the room with her, but ended up not caring who was in the room! :) So Matt and I both were able to watch this amazing miracle transpire together. I was on one side of "H", her mom was on the other and together we helped root her on as she fought like a true champion to push this huge baby our of her 105lb /5 foot little frame. She did so amazing and I was just overcome with love and thankfulness for what she was doing for us. Milo was born at 4:49pm at 8lbs 14 oz. but we didn't know that for about an hour because "H" began hemorraghing. It was a bit intense for a while during this and "H"'s mom almost passed out in worry for her young daughter. Once they got that under control they started working with Milo. It turned out "H" was fighting infection and that it could have been given to Milo. He was burning hot when he came out and H was running a fever. After all was said and done ~ even though the placenta tested positive for infection...he was perfectly healthy. That part was a little scarey for the new mommy and daddy! :) Our case worker was in the room during labor and delivery also and she took about 150 photos for us ~ so many moments caught in photo that are such huge treasures for us. We were so grateful to have that.

I stayed both nights in the hospital with "H" and took care of little Milo. The first night was a real eye opener! :) I felt frustrated because the hospital wouldn't allow me to have him in bed with me and he wasn't happy being in the bassinet....so we walked around...all night long.... :) in the room where "H" was trying to sleep. Plus they came in every two or less hours to check on "H" due to the bleeding and then check Milo ~ there was absolutely no sleeping. Plus I was really uncomfortable with Matt leaving and driving in the weather conditions. I felt like I really wanted all of my family right there so that nothing would happen to anyone. I kept calling to check that he had made it wherever he was going. I just wanted to hear the comfort of his voice.

Sunday was discharge day.....the mood shifted a little bit from being mostly about excitement and conversation to sadness and distance. I knew this was coming but it was so hard. Our case worker went into "H"'s room first ~ it took about 2 hours. I was so nervous as we waited in the waiting room. Finally our case worker came out and said it was time for "H" to be discharged and we could go into her room again. Her little face and eyes were swollen from crying and all I wanted to do at that moment was take away her pain. She had already said her good bye to Milo, so now it was our turn. We gave her the gifts we had brought and then she and her mom left after tearful hugs and promises. At that moment it all hit me and I completely lost it crying into the nurses's arms..... I just wanted "H" to know how grateful we were, how much we love Milo and how no gift could ever be enough for what she has blessed us with. But there were no words to make her understand. I knew this would come with time. My heart just broke for the pain I knew her and her family were feeling.

Sunday afternoon (Feb 1st) we got to our hotel room ~ finally! Finally we were together as a family....just us! :) It was an amazing and surreal moment. Throughout our ICPC stay we had lots of visiting family, family pictures, appts with pediatrician and attorney ~ it was a jam packed week! We arrived home on Saturday Feb 7th. I can't tell you how HAPPY we were to be home again. We were met at the airport by all of my family holding banners and balloons and one of my sisters videotaping our arrival. It couldn't believe this moment was finally here. The moment I was able to introduce my son to the rest of my family. I had dreamed about this for so long. Walking back into our home after being away for an emotionally packed two weeks was an unbelievable feeling. Walking in with a new member of our family was even more unbelievable.

Sooo...we're still trying to settle in. Trying to work out all the kinks that come with being new parents. Trying not to be TOO grouchy with each other at the lack of sleep we're getting. Taking each day at a time and enjoying it for what it is....the answer to this dream we have been dreaming for 8 years. :)