Life is so precious.

Wow, it crazy how much life can change in a short amount of time.  We brought Allie home a little over 2 weeks ago and already can't imagine life without her....although I can imagine life with a little more sleep:) 

She had her 2 week follow up and doctor said she looks great!  She is now up to 7lbs and grew 1 inch.  She still isn't smiling at me but I feel it is coming.  She is so sweet and easy...I know that can change any week but right now she's perfect. I am also getting out more which has been AMAZING.  I am not the type of person that can just sit at home so even little trips to Target, Central Market or the mall feel so rejuvenating!

Last Sunday Allie had her newborn pictures taken.  It was a real "mom" moment for me.  First, it was like the first time in 2 weeks she would sleep.  Then once we kind of got her sleeping I moved her and she pooped in my hand!  When women would talk about stuff like that happening I would think- why would you put yourself in a situation for that to happen or I don't care whose poop it is thats gross BUT it didn't even phase me.  In fact, I waited until after the photo shoot to change my pooped stained pants, ha!

On a sadder note, as quickly as my life  for the better in the last two weeks my neighbors life changed for the worse.  Two days after we brought Allie home our neighbor was admitted into ICU for pneumonia.  How quickly his wife's life has changed.  My heart is so sad for her.  Life is so precious.

Events leading to Allie

Okay, so I actually got a little more sleep last night so I thought I would write out some of the events that happened leading up to Allie.

1. We had to get a new homestudy b/c our new agency, American Adoption requested the case worker to be registered. FYI- in Texas you don't have to be certified....just have the years of experience.  CRAZY!

2. The new case worker works with a lot of agency in Dallas, including Life Tree (the one we ended up being connected with)

3. November 1st- we were about to pay for our video kit to start our video with American Adoption when our case worker called about a potential match with Lifetree

4. This match fell through and delayed our video for about a week.

5. Over thanksgiving we worked on our video and sent it in.

6.  Finally, we could go live with American Adoption!  We requested the agreement- only to find a clause we didn't like so decided to wait a week.

7. I was planning on submitting our aggreement and a 4K activation fee on a Wednesday....well on the Monday before we got a call about another birthmother with Lifetree.

8. That Thursday we met the birthmother that gave us Allie.

I feel like God put little obstacles in our way to wait for Allie.  Had we never had any hesitation about the agreement or had we never received that first call about the other birth mother we would have been active with a national agency and probably passed on meeting with our birthmother.

Life has been great with Allie.  I am not sleeping much but I know it will get better and every minute awake with her is just amazing.....and she has no problem sleeping during the day, ha!

Our Allie

Tonight around 9pm the birth mother relinquished her rights making Brad and I Allie's parents.

We are so overwhelmed with joy and I am pretty sure I cried for an hour straight! A three year journey that started in December 2010 has the most happiest of endings.  I give God all the glory on this....I know it was without a doubt all part of his perfect plan.  So many little things happened leading up to this which once I get  few more hours of sleep I will write:)

I will be praying for the birth mother.  She made such an unselfish and courageous decision.  I hope over time she finds peace with her decision and realizes in spite of her pain she has made so many people happy.  I can't imagine the pain she must be feeling.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Allie Shiloh Holdbrook

Sunday Brad and I had our typically day.  We went to church, ran some errands and went grocery shopping then went home to watch.....football.  I ALWAYS have my phone by me but I guess a day of running around made me tired so I took a nap and left my cell phone in my purse.  At 5pm Brad noticed a text from our agency it said the BM was in labor!!  I looked and sure enough she had called me one hour ago.  Luckily, we just through on shoes and drove there so fast we are pretty sure we broke some laws, ha!  We go there right after she had the epidural so Brad and I got to be in the deliver room and see her enter this world.  It was the most amazing experience...I even got to cut the umbilical Brad could have but he was about to pass out the doctor made him sit down, ha ha ha!

Allie was born 7:08pm weighing 6lbs 4 oz 19" long.  She is just the most adorable little girl I have ever seen.  Our lives have changed so much already.  The BM has allowed us to keep her through both the nights and really have her most of the day!  All of the nurses and doctors have been so great too.

Tonight around 7pm the adoption will hopefully be finalized.  Today will be a very long day while we wait for discharge and the BM to relinquish rights.  The BM has been so strong and sweet to us..... I love her almost as much as I love Allie. 

It is already so hard to leave her even for a few minutes.

Brad and I feel so blessed to have her in our lives and for all of our AMAZING friends and family that have helped us out so much.  Getting the house ready, bringing baby "supplies" and praying!  

Please pray for today to go well.  For BM to stay strong in her decision to adopt.  I will post more once it all finalized.

My love bug and answered prayer

Test Results and Sono

Thursday we went in for the BM's sono.  From what they could see everything looked nice and normal!  I got to stay in the sono room and see everything as the tech pointed out the face, heart, stomach.  Her little face was adorable!! The estimated weight is about 6lbs 3oz.  The baby's legs were still crossed so we still don't 100% know if it is a girl but we are going with girl until she comes out a boy, ha!  After the sono the technician gave her 3 pictures of the baby, the BM immediately asked the technician to cut one off.  The tech did and the BM handed it to me.  It was soooo sweet that I almost started crying but the BM said to save all of the tears until the baby arrives, ha! 

Friday, we went for her follow up with OB.  There is nothing really big to report except we didn't have to wait that long and all of her test came back NEGATIVE!!  Praise God!  I also got to meet her oldest son, who is so adorable and sweet.  He knew I was the lady that was getting the baby and really was just a sweet kid- sweet much like his mom.

I am still cautiously excited but everything is looking positive!  She is about 35weeks and dilated to a one so hopefully in the next few weeks we will have a baby!!!  Brad and I can't agree on any names so luckily we still have a few weeks to keep discussing that, ha!

Thank you all for your prayers and supports!  Since she still doesn't want to take any iron supplements or folic acid please just keep praying for the baby's health.

Another long day at the Hospital

Today at 9:30am I went with the birthmother to Parkland's Irving clinic for a full OB exam.  I got home at 5:30pm.  It was a very long day (again) but I think successful.  First, the nurses and aids at the clinic were so incredibly nice!!  It helped the birth mother and I feel much more at peace.  The BM got a pap, blood work and measurements.  We were not able to get a sono but have appointment next Thursday at 9am.   

What I know/learned so far is, is the baby is measuring (by tape) about 35.5 weeks. We will get her blood work and other test back in a couple weeks. 

There a couple red flags which added to the stress of the day.  First, the BM was real hesitant to release her medical records.  Which caused me to worry that is she hiding something.  However, when it came time to get the test and request the records she was fine and on board. Red flag now back to yellow.

 Next, she mentioned her mom, who was once on board with adoption, has changed her mind.  This is concerning b/c her mother has custody of her other two boys.  I spoke with the agency about this and she is going to keep talking with her and remind her of why she made the decision in the first place. This is very normal and a risk with any adoption.

I really wish we could have had a sono today just to confirm the baby looks healthy....and know the sex but I can wait a week;)

Lastly, the BM, again was very sweet and I think pretty honest with me.

Thank you all for the support, text, calls, and prayers.  Please help me in continuing to pray for the baby to be healthy and the BM to stay strong in her decision.

love and hugs,

Amanda

Doctor Appointment Set!

The appointment yesterday was cancelled because of some silly reasons that just irritate me!  Basically, they wouldn't see her without any of her past medical records.  Sounds a little suspicious. Now, the birthmother is going to the doctor tomorrow at 9:30am....and I get to go too!
I am so excited yet worried.  I pray that little baby is healthy and coming soon!!

Nothing else really to write to about;)