Our Baby Story (Fresh Pavement)

December 14, 2012

So I had kept a written journal on this blog about our adoption store I had it saved on here but no where else and the other day somehow it all got erased. I was distraught! I could not bring myself to re-write it. That was until today, I felt very strongly that I should do my best to re-write what was there. I decided it is so important I'm going to try to write as much as I could remember. I even had pictured but I will do my best to get those back up as well.

Back in July I was still working for my Dads business and he had a client come in and she was talking to him about her grandson and his girlfriend. She stated that her grandsons girlfriend is pregnant and they are looking for someone to adopt the baby. The mom was about 14 weeks along. My dad mentioned Alex and I and by that Saturday I had a phone call from the mom. I remember during this time we had a few other people mention to us people that may be wanting to talk to us about adopting a baby. The day I talked to the Mom I was so anxious and giddy she could even tell how excited I was over the phone.

We arranged to have dinner together the next day and I was SO nervous! I was worried they wouldn't like us. We didn't know how things would go. So we went to dinner and we all got along wonderfully. We then waited to hear what their decision was.

A few weeks later I invited the birth parents to came to our home for dinner. Alex was working two jobs so he wasn't able to be there. It was a crazy day for me that day and I had a lot of other things come up but I managed to fix a fairly nice meal and we spent a lot of time together. While they were over they told me they wanted us to have the baby!

It was all surreal we had no adoption paperwork filled out we hadn't even talked to a lawyer yet. We quickly got all the classes, meetings, and paperwork done! It took a few months and during that time we were getting to know the parents even better!

Around August 15th we found out how sweet of an experience this is! The birth parents and their family have been referring to the baby as ours! I cried the first time I read a text from the birth mom saying something about the baby being ours.

I was sent this picture in a text that read "Say hi to your baby" It was so sweet. She had not had a real ultrasound before this point because of insurance issues. She wasn't feeling well and had gone to the hospital and while there they checked on the baby!

On September 25 we went to the Dr with the birth parents for their first official ultrasound. Up to this point we had no solid due date and I was sure the baby would be due in January or February some time but we we're sure. During the ultrasound we found out we are adopting a little boy, due January 18! We really felt like it was such a blessing to have this opportunity to see his ultrasound and to be a part of the experience! We were so excited and shared this news with a few people. We all felt like the baby was a boy but you never really know until it's confirmed.

We took some time to decide on a name and just a few weeks ago I was talking to the mom and told her what we had decided! Daren Alexander Ray, they affectionately call him little D! I also had the opportunity to talk about some of the birth plan for the hospital. I was happy to hear her plan was basically what we wanted!

This is the Ray Family Cradle that we have ready for Daren when he's home! It's so cute, Alex even slept in it when he was a baby! There is a few beautiful blankets my Mom made and a beautiful bumper that Alex's sister made!



December 16, 2012

Only 1 more month until out baby is due! I can't believe it! The past few weeks have been so slow and I hope this time waiting will go by quickly!!

We had a day at work where it was extremely slow so I had time to make this blanket for him. It's covering the swing we a borrowing from my brother because the swing is pink!

December 19, 2012

Last night the mom text me and told me Daren was measuring around 8 lbs already! Today she's about 1 cm dilated and she's going in for an ultrasound. This anticipation is crazy for me and I feel like I'm losing my mind over it! It is especially different to be hearing these things from someone else and not going through it myself!

December 26, 2012

So the mom was dilating last week and I was going crazy thinking Daren would be here soon! Today they invited me to go with to have an ultrasound to really measure his size. It has been so nice to be a part of the process. I debated on going but decided it would be best if I go because he is our son and I should be here for him. After the ultrasound was done I knew he wasn't as big as they were thinking and that the Dr was way off. Come to found out he's only 5 lbs! They aren't changing his due date but the Dr said he won't let him go past his due date of January 18th! So if all goes as planned He'll be here then!

This is one of the Ultrasound pictures from today, His hand!

January 2, 2013

Happy New Year! Happy January!! Baby's Due Month!!

I can't wait for Daren to be in our home! In only a few short weeks he will be home with us!! SO EXCITED!!

January 3, 2012

About 9:30 pm tonight we got a call that the birth mom was having contractions. So we hurried to the hospital and after about an hour they sent her home but on bed rest. She has high blood pressure and goes the Dr on Monday the 7th and they will be inducing her next week if her water doesn't break!

January 4, 2013

I just got the mail and were finally officially certified to adopt! Perfect timing too! It only took about 4 weeks to get notified and the courts finished it in about 2 to 3 weeks! It's great to know how quickly they get things done because that means finalizing the adoption won't take too long!!

January 7, 2013

So, I jut talked to the birth mom and she's being induced on Friday the 11th! I've been so nervous and anxious but I'm extremely excited! The funny thing is I get one week off work and then I have to go back. It's going to be so interesting and scary to go back to work. But, Alex will be home with him for a few more weeks after that so I'm glad they will have bonding time!

January 10, 2013

Last night the birth mom let me know shes contracting again. We went to the hospital about 9 pm to see what's going on and to have her monitored again. Around 10:30 pm she was admitted into a room. She slowly progressed to 10 cm dialated throughout the night and finally got there by about 5 am the this morning! It was a long night but all so worth it! The mom did great, she was able to relax and wait for the dilation to get to a 10 with the help of an epideral. She would have had the baby with the nurses if they would have let her because as soon as the dr got there she had the baby in 3 contractions! At 5:44 am on January 10, 2013 Daren was born! He was 5 lbs 11 oz, 18 & 3/4 in long. He was perfect. He cried as soon as he was out and I got to watch the whole thing and text Alex play by plays. I got to cut the emboli cal chord which was such an interesting experience! Then I was given the privilege of being the first to hold him! Then his birth dads mom held him and then his birth dad. I then followed him and the nursery nurse to have them check on him and get him all ready. I was able to get Alex and he could finally see him for the first time! We were given our own room at the hospital and Daren stayed with us. We've continued to keep the lines of communication open with the birth family. I feel SO BLESSED to have Daren in our lives and in our family!

January 13, 2013

It's official we came home Friday from the hospital and today the papers got signed! We feel so blessed to have Daren in our family!


Here are some photos we took with Daren a few days after he was born!