Lainey meets her little brother

We got home this afternoon and were so excited to see Lainey and introduce her to Beau. She has been fascinated with him all day and just asked, "hold baby?" tonight. She pointed out his toes, eyes, ears, nose, hair, and mouth and has made sure he always has his pacifier and has been giving him big smooches all afternoon. She has been a great helper, bringing wipes and diapers over to us and just hanging out on the couch. It's a dream come true to see my family all together and complete at last.

Introducing......

Beau Davis Reid made his appearance this evening at 8:25pm, weighing exactly 7 pounds and measuring exactly 19 inches. By 8:26p, I had fallen in love and by 9pm he had already earned the nicknames Squeakers and Spike. After being in the hospital laboring all day, Jennifer pushed just one time and out he came. Everyone, including Jennifer, was in shock at how fast he arrived. I scored and got to be the first to hold the new man in my life. One of the best moments of my life. He's getting his first bath in the morning and you just know there will be another photo session after.

Update

Well, we made it to Spokane and Beau has not arrived as of yet. In fact, the hospital kicked Jennifer out about an hour and a half ago. Her labor hadn't progressed even though she lost her mucous plug and they apparently don't have any room at the inn. Her instructions were to walk around the mall and see if things don't progress. So....we have checked into a hotel and are going to meet her for dinner and play it by ear.

Finally!!

I just got the call--Jennifer is in labor and headed to the hospital! As soon as Robert gets home, we will be on our way to Spokane! Pray that we make it in time to greet the future Mr. Reid! We will be staying in Spokane for a few days after he arrives but will try to keep everyone posted with any news and pictures. I just want to say thank you to everyone for their calls, well wishes, advice, support, and especially prayers during this journey! You know who you are and I love each and every one of you!! I don't know what I would do without all of my wonderful friends and family!

Please pray for all of us--Jennifer included.

Dear Lainey

January 23, 2009

Dear Lainey,

Any day now you are going to become a big sister. People always ask me how you feel about getting a little brother and I really don’t think you have any idea about what it means. I know that you are going to be wonderful big sister. You have been so helpful in getting his room ready, pointing out all the animals on this blankets and making the correct sounds, stealing the toys out of his room and reading his books.

Having a little brother is going to be a pain at times. They can be messy and he will definitely want to play with your toys. But you have such a tender heart and are so good about sharing your toys that I know you will be showing him the ropes very soon. You can tell him all the animal names you know and all the sounds they make, how NOT to touch the hot stove, something you have been very good at! I hope you won't teach him how to climb out of his crib or get onto his dresser. One climber in this family is quite enough thank you! He’s very lucky to have you as his big sister! A little brother can also be lots of fun because you have someone your size to play with and teach all the things you’ve learned, like stacking blocks, brushing your teeth, and drawing with crayons. You can teach him all the songs you know, especially your favorite, Elmo’s Song. And boys have fun toys like cars, trucks and trains!

Being a big sister is pretty special. I remember when my little brother came home from the hospital. I was a year older than you but remember that I really liked his little hands, toes and his squishy belly. You are getting really good at pointing out all of your body parts and will have so much fun pointing out his little nose and ears while singing “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes” to him!

I’m sure there will be times that you feel Mommy and Daddy love the new baby more than you. Nothing could be farther from the truth Lainey. We love you so much and thank God for giving you to us every day. I still can't believe I get to love, cuddle and squeeze you every day! We wanted you to have a sibling so you always have someone to play with and be there for you through all of life’s ups and downs. You may not always get along or want to play with each other every day, but in the end, you will be there for each other your whole lives. And we promise to spend time with you and pay special attention to you so that you always know you are wanted and loved.

All my love,

Mommy

Proud

I wasn't alive when Kennedy was shot but I remember my mom telling me about what she was doing the moment she heard the news. I barely remember when Elvis died but again, remember my mom telling me about how she felt. I remember the day Elvis died, Reagan was shot, the day the first Space Shuttle fell from the sky, the day the second one fell from the sky, and I'll never forget watching the airstrikes in Iraq-both times.

While watching the inauguration today I thought of my mom and how it's my turn to tell my daughter about these historic moments. This, unlike the others will be remembered as a hopeful, proud moment.

Lainey lined up her Elmo's and Cookie Monster to watch the inauguration today. She gave each one a kiss and tapped them on the head and said, "Obama." Then she walked around chanting Obama Obama Obama. It was too cool for words!

What a day!

What a great day today! It was 55 degrees and sunny and we took full advantage of the it! Lainey got her hair cut and scored a lollipop in the process, fed ducks and chased chickens and we all went out to lunch. I can't help but wonder if this is our last picture as a family of three. By the end of the day, we were all pooped and Lainey even took a nap--almost as rare these days as seeing the sun in January!

Blueberries and Giggles

Lainey loves blueberries!

Thoughts

Memories of Lainey’s adoption and birth have been popping up in my head lately as we prepare for Beau’s arrival. Occasionally, our infertility and the pain that will always be with me, comes along with those memories. The joy of witnessing Lainey's birth followed by those cautious hours til the paperwork was signed making her officially ours. Today I found an interesting excerpt from a blog written by an infertile and adoptive mother and was inspired to write down the feelings and thoughts I’ve been having.

I think of all the times that I feared I’d never see a particular moment-a houseful of people there to celebrate my child’s birthday, to hear “hi mama,” or see my husband become a father. I think of how much pain we had endured and how our lives were forever altered by that journey. I think of all the tears I have shed, all the money spent, the friendships lost and the friendships gained. I think of the frustration I felt every time my body let me down. Even today, I am a little disappointed when I my period starts. But all of these thoughts are short-lived. They melt away when my child gives me one of her 100 watt smiles, or giggles when I tickle her, or when I sneak in her room at night and swear there’s an angel laying in her bed. In those instances, the past disappears.

The past disappears but once in awhile the reality of the situation rears its ugly head. I may miss my son’s birth. I have a room painted blue, a crib assembled and have clothes and toys waiting for this little boy I’ve seen once on an ultrasound. I can’t even call him my son until a judge I’ll never meet signs the paperwork that terminates the parental rights of the woman that will give birth to him. This wonderful woman, who given different circumstances, would not have made this “choice,” will experience one of the most painful and heartbreaking moments of her life at the exact same instant I witness my dream coming true. And that is best case scenario. She could change her mind and decide to parent this child herself. I may not be bringing this child home.

My journey to motherhood was and is definitely the road less traveled. And while bumpy at times, it has gotten me where I wanted to be and I think, made me a better person along the way. I don't feel sorry for myself. On the contrary, if given the chance, I wouldn’t change a thing. I’d shed the tears all over again, I’d gladly give up the money, take all the pain that came with hormone shots and humiliation at the doctor’s office, and the friendships? Well, there are times in ones life where you learn who your friends are and who aren’t and I don’t miss those that I lost. And I’m certainly willing to take my chances with adoption again. I would go through all of it again because I am living my dream of being a mom and it is everything I ever imagined and so much more.

Lainey-One day old-March 3, 2007

Waiting for Beau

The crib is assembled, we have enough diapers to last a few weeks, formula and bottles are ready to go. Clothes and blankets are washed, but don't get me started on washing the bedding. Lainey's even practicing her big sister skills. I'm busy trying to get the house ready. It seems to me that it doesn't matter if you give birth or "pick one up" for lack of better terminology, every mother nests. The day we got the call that Lainey was about to arrive, I was making thank you cards. This time, I'm planning how to do the announcements. The past few weeks have brought back wonderful memories of our first days, actually hours, with Lainey, stuff I had forgotten about, like the noises she made when she had a bottle, or just how tiny her diapers were. I am so excited to experience it all over again.

The crew that assembled the crib. (Along with the photographer!)

A cuddly lion just waiting for a little boy to love him

All of sudden, Lainey has started feeding cuddling her dolls. When I asked her if she wanted a baby, she said, "No." When I asked her if Mama should get a baby, she said, "yes." Any way you look at it hon, WE are getting a baby!

Got him right where I want him

Robert's parents came up to visit Thursday and Friday and we spent that time putting the crib together and doing all sorts of things that had been on our to do list for ages. One of those was to clean the dryer vent and hose. I happened to catch Robert in this perfect moment and had to get a picture. It's tough to get his full attention sometimes but I had it right here!