Here is our baby girl ready to go home with Mommy and Daddy. We had such an incredible meeting with Jennifer, her birth mommy. We talked for two hours nonstop. The social worker said that in her 30+ years of adoption experience, she has never seen the visit go on that long. She basically had to kick us all out! Not that surprising, since Paul and I love to talk, and apparently so does Jennifer. :) We talked about everything from family, history, and Jennifer's birth experience, to sports (yes Dallas Cowboys, no 49er's, Packers, or Steelers), the military (Jennifer was stationed in Iraq for two years), and washing machines.
We also met Tami, Alana's foster mommy for the first week of her life. She obviously loves Alana as well. She herself has birth and adopted children, and she home schools her kids too! She was sad to let Alana go.
Nothing could have prepared us for the emotions of that time. We laughed and cried, and then we laughed and cried some more. By the time we left, Jennifer said that her tears were happy tears. She seems to be very much at peace with her decision.
We are completely in awe of the amazing gift that we have been given today. We have to keep reminding ourselves that Alana is really ours from the Lord and from her birth mother. The moment when that began to become real to me was when we got to La HOP (where we are staying) and she started acting hungry. I decided to take the plunge and try nursing her - and she latched right on! She has a strong suck, too. Somehow in that moment I knew that she is mine and I am hers forever, and it was meant to be.
Thank you again for all your prayers, love, and support. We are surrounded by grace and favor.
We also met Tami, Alana's foster mommy for the first week of her life. She obviously loves Alana as well. She herself has birth and adopted children, and she home schools her kids too! She was sad to let Alana go.
Nothing could have prepared us for the emotions of that time. We laughed and cried, and then we laughed and cried some more. By the time we left, Jennifer said that her tears were happy tears. She seems to be very much at peace with her decision.
We are completely in awe of the amazing gift that we have been given today. We have to keep reminding ourselves that Alana is really ours from the Lord and from her birth mother. The moment when that began to become real to me was when we got to La HOP (where we are staying) and she started acting hungry. I decided to take the plunge and try nursing her - and she latched right on! She has a strong suck, too. Somehow in that moment I knew that she is mine and I am hers forever, and it was meant to be.
Thank you again for all your prayers, love, and support. We are surrounded by grace and favor.
Michelle, I just want to cry - she is so beautiful! You all look so wonderful. I hope someday I get the opportunity to meet Alana! Enjoy her!
ReplyDeleteLove you!
She is adorable!!!!!!!!! I can't wait to love on her.
ReplyDeleteWhat do her eyes look like open? What does she do when she is awake? Although I know those moments don't last too long! :)
Did she not wake up then until you got to La Hop? There is just something that God accomplishes through nursing isn't there? And about nursing, your milk could come in couldn't it?
I am so excited!
Love you! Mama (Oma)
I cannot be more proud of the two of you. When Alana is older and leading worship or teaching bible to someone, you will remember way back to this day and all the journeys you took. It will be then you will feel how I feel right now.
ReplyDeleteI love you two so much.
Your Daddy.
AHHH!!!! I can't believe it!! This is absolutely amazing!!!! It's such a miracle!! =) I just want to give Jennifer the biggest hug for doing such an awesome thing for her precious girl. What an incredible woman she is!
ReplyDeleteWow!!! I am just so awe struck at all of this and at the smile of God over this whole thing.
ReplyDeleteBravo!!! Well done Swagerty's :)
I'm crying...again. She's gorgeous and amazing!
ReplyDelete(And on the practical side of things...) Won't nursing her cause contractions???
I can imagine your tears as she latched on. The anxiety that it wouldn't work, the awkwardness of trying it for the first time with a new one, the relief and amazement that it worked! (Though I too am wondering about it starting contractions....)
ReplyDeleteShe is so beautiful. Just like all of your children. Each one unique and with the obvious kiss of God on them. I can't wait to take her on her first girl-date with Aunt Charlotte like her big sister and I had tonight!
Yeah, I was praying yesterday that you would have your milk there so you could start nursing, God always answers prayers and knows that it is perfectly safe for the precious one inside you.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking about something yesterday as well. You now have bookend girls. Rayne Michelle and Alana Michelle. Congratulations again!
I'm so excited and proud. I just showed the photos to a co-worker as I got in this morning. We're quite enthralled with her.
ReplyDeleteSo, if she and Annica become close and do a bunch of stuff together as they get older, folks could probably call them "Alannica".
Little Girls are just so precious!!!
That's so awesome about how you can nurse her! I'm amazed at how God is giving you such a special experience. His timing is perfect, as always. :)
ReplyDelete