One year ago tonight, this was the scene. Daniel asleep, Sonora asleep. There was the guy riding the machine that polishes the floor and the lights were out in the lobby of the hospital.
I had just dropped off baby things at my sister-in-law's house for a garage sale. I didn't believe our attempt at adoption would come to fruition.
A couple minutes after 8pm, I got a phone call from Daniel saying we needed to get right to the hospital, a birth mother was in labor and we needed to be there, she wanted us to bond with the baby immediately.
We scrambled to get the carseat out of the back of the garage, under the stairs. I said, "get the bassinet ready, just in case." I remember telling Daniel, "I can totally picture God using us to spare another family from the heartache of when they decide to keep the baby. I am okay with that, but did it have to be so late at night?" I honestly couldn't imagine that this would be "it" and we would finally get the baby we had been waiting for, praying for over the last 5 years.
My friend Ashley and I googled names on the internet. We already used our number one name choice on Sonora. We already decided if it was a boy, his name would be Everett Landon. If it was a girl, I always loved the name Sabine, but had no middle name. What about Jean val Jean's daughter in Les Mis? Cosette? I loved that name, and I love that she was his beloved adopted daughter, and it ended in "ette" like my name. Sonora's middle name, Adeline, is the letters of Daniel's name rearranged, so Cosette seemed perfect.
At 4:05, she was born. The director of the adoption agency was in the room during the birth. She said it was the first time that was ever asked of her. She came to the Lobby immediately and said, "would you like to meet your daughter?" At 4:25, we were already up in NICU.
She was only 20 minutes old when we first laid eyes on her. She was quiet, soft, gentle, tiny, petite. Only 6 pounds 14 oz, but she packed a wallop in the love department. I was stunned. She was stunning. I couldn't believe she was mine. Immediately upon first glance through the mini blinds before we even got to walk in the room, I felt the warmth in my heart and the confirmation that she was indeed, my baby girl. I knew she was coming home with us. I knew she was ours.
Sonora was enamoured with her, she still is. Our lives are changed forever. I am still in a bit of shock. Now, shock that this first year has flown by so fast. We only had 3 hours notice before we got to the hospital, and then only about 4 hours after that. This surprise, this amazing gift from God will be one year old in less than 12 hours. Right now, a year ago, I had no idea. Now, a year later, I still am amazed at all God has brought us through. Ashley happened to call me tonight and she will be here in a little bit. I am so happy to be able to reminisce with her about our adventure, the adventure of a lifetime. One minute, we were standing in Tommy's parking lot deciding what to eat, the next moment, we were rushing to the hospital to meet Sabine for the first time. Sabine has enchanted me with her amazing hugs, smiles and cheerful disposition. She adores her daddy and can't get enough of her big sister. She has beautifully blended with our family and is the icing on the cake as far as being a parent. I am so blessed by her.
XXXOOO,
Mommy
