Going Home Tomorrow!!

We're packed and ready, we leave tomorrow morning..whenever Bella tells us it's time, lol, which should be around 7:30am. We can't wait to get there!

We were supposed to leave today after we had lunch with A and her mom, but we were exhausted and learned that traveling with an infant is not so easy...our 1.5 hr drive back to Raleigh was almost 2.5! Not complaining :) So once we got back here we decided to stay put for the night.

Lunch was really nice, it was so nice to see them again. We had a great time just chit chatting abuot normal stuff and talking alot about Bella. They both held her for quite a while..she started crying at one point when A was holding her, A said
"time to go back to mommy"..I could have cried. This had to be very hard for them because they do not know when they will see her again, but I know they were sooo excited to go to lunch today. They are very happy with the whole situation and wished us well for our next adoption...i can't imagine it another adoption situation could compare to this one...i really don't have words other than it was amazing.

We heard from my family that everyone at the lake is excited to meet Bella and we can't wait to bring her up to meet everyone!!!!!!!!!!!! Hope everyone had a great labor day weekend! I think of all of you at the casino when I am up in the middle of the night!

08/29/08 Free To Go Home!!!

We got the call yesterday that we're allowed to go home! We are sooo happy about that! We're at a friends house now, we left the hotel yesterday. Tomorrow we're going to go to lunch with A and her mom...that will be interesting. A seems to be doing well, we've talked on email a little. I would think it would be hard to see Bella, but we wanted the choice to be hers. So after lunch we'll be on our way! We should be home Sunday morning. We can't wait. Living out of a suit case has been tough..but all worth it :)

Oh! Tuesday night I went with my parents to get pictures of Bella developed so they could bring them to the lake. We're driving down the road, 3 lane road, we're on the inside lane when we see the cars next to us start to stop and a crossing guard step out in front of them waving my dad to stop...he had to slam on the breaks because she truly came out of nowhere...so he slams on the breaks and a second later BAM!! Yup, we were hit..pretty good too. All of us were pretty sore...i was in the back no seat belt and bounced pretty good. It sucked for my parents they were already to go home. So in the end their car got towed..the nearest Audi dealership was 119 miles away! They had to get a rental car to drive back to NY and now in a couple of weeks they have to fly down and get the car when it's fixed. How much does that suck?? I felt so bad. We were happy though that no one was really hurt and that Bella was not in the car! Makes me a little nervous for our big drive home!lol

Pictures

Bella's Story

Ok, so this is how it all happened...it's pretty long, but I want to remember every detail so I can tell her about her first days.

Wednesday at 6pm is the time I talked A each week..so this past Wed I call at 6..no answer, i call at 6:15..no answer...honestly freaking out. So we went to the movies with Jess and Andy to see Tropical Thunder, about 30 minutes into the movie we get a call from an NC area code I run out of the theatre and it's A's mom. She was in the hospital!!!!! She had taken a nap after her Dr's appt and when she woke up her water had broke.
So we run back in grab Jess and Andy and we head back to their house to pack the car. We are literally in and out in about 10 minutes! As we're driving down the highway we see the signs for "Fayetteville", I can't explain the feeling as we realized we were finally in the town where our daughter would be born. We got to the hospital in about an hour and a half...it was sooo surreal pulling up to it knowing this was it!!
We found our way to labor and delivery looking back it all feels like a dream. When we got there the nurses directed us to her room...it was so weird, for some reason i was expecting them to take us down and introduce us! LOL...i wanted to explain to the nurses that we had never met A and her mom. So we walk down knock on the door and A's mom answers the door, she hugs us and the next 48 hrs are like a blur :)
We sat and talked with A and her mom, they are both so awesome. We are soo happy we got to know them. We arrived at the hospital about 10:30, they told us that if she didn't go into labor on her own by 3am the Dr was going to induce her. The nurse told us that active labor wouldn't really kick in till noonish the next day. We stayed for about 2 hrs and then headed to the hotel to try and sleep.
We woke up the next day around 8 showered and got ready to wait. I called A, her mom said nothing was going on she'd been induced, had an epidural and was now sleeping. She said she'd call us when something started. I was going crazy and exhausted so i decided to lay back down. Next thing I hear is Jamie on the phone saying "so she might have a c section at noon?" I look at the clock..it's 11:15. OMG my daughter is almost here!!! I FLEW out of bed, lol.

We grab lunch for us and A's mom, head back to the hospital. Mind you, we only met them the night before so this is all still totally weird! We have lunch hang out and wait for the Dr. He finally comes around 12:30, we're sent out of the room while he examines her. He comes out in the hall a couple of minutes later and tells us that it's been long enough, the baby is not progressing down because A's bones are to small and that it is time to go get her!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We go down to the waiting room to wait, this was the longest hour EVER!! We're trying to read but it was impossible. Finally A's mom comes in and says "Congratulations mom and dad, she's beautiful". We all just started hugging and crying...while we are so happy, her heart is breaking, but she was so supportive and honestly happy for us. She took us to the nursery to see Isabella, unbelievable is the only thoughts running through my head...was this really for real? She was so adorable, and so big compared to the other babies!!lol

We stared at her for probably over an hour through the glass, we weren't allowed to see her yet. The nurse said it would be a while so we should go eat. We left the hospital to eat and check on Sadie, I just kept saying to Jamie I need to hold her, this doesn't feel real. When we got back to the hospital Isabella was not in the nursery, so we walked down to A's room, and there she is cuddled up in A's arms...tough, sooo tough. After a bit I finally got to hold her, she was so cute and so small, it was awesome. We stayed for a while, Jamie held her for a while too and then we felt we should give them so time. We went to the hotel had dinner with our parents and then headed to bed. Just as I was getting in bed Jamie asked if I wanted to go say goodnight to Bella, SURE!....so we hopped in the car and drove to the hospital. A had given me a hospital bracelet so we could see the baby whenever we wanted, which was so nice of her. When we got there we asked the nurse for her and we were told she was sleeping in her mothers room for the night...OUCH. The nurse asked who we were...OUCH. So we went home.

Friday was a long day. We brought A breakfast and hung out with her and Bella till the attorney arrived. When she got there she had Jamie and I sign all our stuff and then we were asked to wait in the waiting room while they went over everything with A and she signed the consent. That was around 2:30, at 3:30 I started walking around to see if i could find out anything...a nurse had just left her room so I started interrogating her about what was going on in the room, haha..she said there was paper every where and alot going on. Finally the lawyer came out to tell us that some of the paperwork that should have been done prior had not been and it would be a little longer but A HAD signed the consent!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We were Isabella's MOM AND DAD!!

Finally about 4:30 the lawyer came to get us and we headed to the court house with her to file everything. Nothing is ever that easy and something was missing so a portion of it could not be filed but the part that says we're her parents was filed and that's all that mattered! Honestly I was so exhausted at this point, i am standing my head laying down on the counter in the county clerks office...i was so done, sleep deprived and emotionally spent.

That night we took all the grandparents to the hospital to meet their new grand daughter....they were all soo excited. A and her mom came to meet them..that VERY emotional, but everyone agreed they were happy they got to meet eachother. We left around 9 and did not sneak back that night..i couldn't handle that again and since it was her last night with Bella, I had no doubt she would be in her room again. So we attempted to get some sleep.

Saturday we were at the hospital with breakfast by 7:30...A looked like she had been crying. We had a really good talk, she shared alot and asked alot of questions. Her biggest fear is that we will not stay in touch, that she will not know about all Isabella's firsts and that Bella will never know how much she loved her. She said she had no doubt we would be wonderful parents. I talked to her mom alot too..this wasn't easy for her either, she said she had to be strong for her daughter. By noon everyone was hungry so we went to get lunch for them and gave them some time alone with Bella. When we came back we were told that they were both discharged and we could take her home. HOLY CRAP!

Since A had to be wheeled out and Bella had to be wheeled out the nurse said A should hold her on the way out of the hospital. Again, tough, I'm her mom now..but I understood and I honestly did want her to have every second possible. So she was transported out while her mom and I walked behind talking and crying. Jamie met us out front with the car. So many tears, I can't even explain how hard this was. We were so happy and they were so sad. We all hugged and finally said goodbye. The moment we had been waiting for was here...she was in her car seat in our car and we were driving away from the hospital...with our daughter. There are no words to explain what we were feeling, how happy, how unbelievably happy we were.
We got to the hotel and were greeted by the grandparents and little miss Sadie waiting outside for us.
She was "home" and it was awesome!

8/23/08 Home from the Hospital

Hi
Everything is great! We came home from the hospital today, Bella is doing awesome. I know I owe a birth story it's just been non stop since she was born...dr's, nurses, lawyers, courts and lots of emotional moments with A and her mom. They are amazing, the whole experience has been amazing. I promise to update soon, I'm just pooped now and headed to bed! :)

Isabella Lily

7lbs 8oz
22in
Born 1:35pm via c section

Exhausted, HAPPY and headed out to dinner with our parents. We'll post more pics later!!!!!!

8/21/08 Baby Girls Birthday

She's coming today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So yesterday A was supposed to have a Dr's appt, she told me to call her at our normal time..6pm. So I call at 6 anxious to see how things went...no answer. So I call 15 minutes later and again no answer! I'm starting to go a little crazy for the first time. Jess and Andy make us dinner and the 4 of us head to the movies. Defintely needed a distraction. About 30 minutes into the movie A's mom calls and says they are at the hospital!!!!!!
A took a nap after the Dr's appt, when she woke up her water broke. So we ran out of the movies back to their house we all packed the car in about 2 seconds and we were off.
Arriving at the hospital was just the craziest thing! We couldn't believe we were actually there. We went in and went up to L&D, it was so weird...we told the nurses who we were looking for and they told us what room to go to...I wanted to ask them to introduce us or something...i don't think they realized we have never met A and her mom before!!
So we went down and knocked on the door her mom answered and I just gave her a hug. It was so awesome to finally be there! A looks just like her picture..freckles and brown hair :) We hung out with them for a little while and just chit chatted. She was feeling fine at that point, no contractions. We were told if she didn't start on her own she would be induced at 3am. We were all tired so we left around 12 to get some sleep. When we were leaving A's mom started to cry a little and said she was so happy we came into their lives. Aweseome. I can't even explain her, there is just something about her that I am drawn too, she's an amazing woman. A was great too, very easy to talk to and joke around with, she seems confident about all this. Her school starts on Monday so she was already talking about when she would go back. It's actually perfect timing, she can start her new life.

Midnight...arriving at the hotel


UPDATE 9:30 am: She was induced and has since had an epidural, now she is resting. Her mom will call when things start moving along and we'll head back over.

08/20/08 *#*^$%...haha

We're doing good although there is still no sign of little baby girl! A had a Dr's appt this morning haven't heard anything so I assume that nothing major was decided. I have my regular Wed call with her tonight so hopefully she has something interesting to tell me!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jamie is out mountain biking with Andy, I'm gonna read for a bit and then we're headed to the pool. SOOOO happy we're not at home we'd be cleaning cleaning and recleaning!



Jamie and Andy at the pool!

i'll post later after i call her..

08/19/08 No Action

Still nothing! Yesterday came and went with not so much as one contraction. Yesterday morning was tough...took everything we had not to go crazy. We spent the afternoon at the pool with Andy and then we all went to Keith and Steph's new house for dinner. It's like a Pittsford High School reunion down here! We're both happy we're here with friends and not stuck in a hotel in the middle of nowhere..it's really helping. What would help more would be if the phone would ring!! haha


We saw Pineapple Express the other day and today we're going to see Tropical Thunder...keeping busy :)

08/18/08 GOING NUTS!!!!!!!!!

Today is D day and no calls....ughhhhh

Happy Birthday Mark!!

08/17/08 Nothing Going On

We got here Friday night, it wasn't a bad drive at all...although i can't really say that since i read the whole time and Jamie drove! Yesterday we hung out with our friends and had a great day, kind of felt like a vacation...today a little more anxious. I talked to A this afternoon and she feels "fine"... :( No contractions, no nothing. Tomorrow is her actual due date so I guess we just keep waiting.

sigh..

...and We're Off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Still no baby action, but we're headed to NC this morning! WOO HOO!!
Wow, we can't believe it's here! The thought of leaving today as a family of 3 (Sadie!) and coming home as a family of 4 is just amazing!!
Gotta go :)

Will keep you posted!

08/13/08 Same ol Same ol

Just had my weekly call with A...only she was asleep! haha, so i talked to her mom. She said they had a long day. She had her weekly Dr's appt today and nothing is going on! She feels fine, no contractions or anything yet, just very tired. And the wait continues...

They sent us a congratulations "It's A Girl" card this week with the actual u/s print out. So sweet!

We're all packed and ready. We are leaving Friday morning to head down to NC and continue the wait there. We'll be staying with friends 2 hrs away from her...so much better than 10hrs away!

Today i finished registering and got gifts for her and her mom. No clue what I will do tomorrow to keep myself busy!!!! We've got the paint for her room, so maybe i'll do that. No rush though since the furniture will not be in until end of October at the earliest! Good thing we ordered it ahead of time...it's going to take 12-14 weeks to come in. She'll (we'll) be ready for her to sleep in a crib by then..i think :) Goodbye sleep...

I can not believe this journey is almost over...and then the real fun begins!!!!!

08/08/08 Due Date Changed

Based on her most recent ultra sound they have changed the due date from Friday Aug 22 to Monday August 18!!!! The baby is measuring 6lbs 8oz give or take a pound. Head down and ready to go!

I just talked to A's mom and she had a possible contraction on Wed night. She only had one, but it seems things are getting started! There is a full moon on the 17th (i believe) so you never know! Her mom was so cute she said Jamie and I feel like family to her now. It's been so wonderful getting to know them, I can't imagine doing this any other way.

Jamie and I have decided to drive down to NC next Friday. We're so worried if we stay here we will miss her birth so we'd rather be down there hanging around. That's in one week...OMG! haha We're so ready!

08/07/08 A Sneak Peak

Here she is!! (Mark, hows that for an update?? :)

Getting close now, but not much going on. I talked to A yesterday, she had another Dr's appt but nothing to report. She believes her due date is Aug 18th, the Dr is now saying Aug 21st...either way, not to far away! She has a friend who just had a baby boy and didn't have much for him so we decided to pack up all the little blue clothes that we had and sent them to her, she said her friend was so happy. Glad they could do something other than sit in the attic! That was Jamies idea and it was pefect :)

Any bets on when she is will come?? I've been saying Aug 16th for a while...we'll see!

Off to the Dr's now..all the stress has made me sick!