Little did I know when I posted my last blog that our lives were about to change incredibly! I had no idea on that Sunday that there was a precious one day old baby lying in a hospital that would soon come into our home and our hearts. The following day, Monday November 5th, we got the phone call that I had been so anxiously awaiting for weeks. I was told there was a 3 year old boy in need of a home. We nervously and excitedly said yes and were expecting him to arrive the next day. That next Tuesday morning I went to Publix to load up on everything I thought a 3 year old boy would want to eat. My cart was full and I was standing in the nonexistant African American hair care section of Publix trying to figure out what products I would need to care for the newest member of our family when I received a call from FaithBridge. Thankfully, the boy was able to go live with his grandmother, HOWEVER, "there is a 3 day old baby girl in need of a placement," the caseworker said. I will never forget that life changing moment in the middle of the aisle at Publix.
Over the next day we would learn bits and pieces of information about this sweet baby. She was born at 4 pounds 9 ounces and was in the NICU. (Now remember our boys were 9 pounds 8 ounces and 7 pounds 9 ounces--I've never seen a baby this small!!) Wednesday we were able to visit her for the first time. As we made the drive to the hospital I just kept thinking that we have no idea if we are going to meet a sweet baby that will be with us for a short time or if we possibly could be about to meet our forever child. I still don't know the answer to that question of course but I do know that she is forever in our hearts. We are calling her Vera. What a tiny precious bundle she was! We held her and rocked her and could see right away that she loved being held. We visited her in the NICU everyday that week until she came home on Sunday. We also spent the week getting ready to have a newborn--as ready as you can in 5 days notice! The outpouring of love and supplies from friends and our church has been remarkable. We barely had to buy anything! Most days I would arrive home to find bags and boxes full of clothes, diapers, bottles, blankets, etc, sitting on our porch. I was so thrilled to have precious pink clothes in the house that I even took a picture of my laundry! And the generousity continues with countless acts of love. From meals to babysitting to baby clothes to building shelving in the garage to help with laundry and house cleaning (those last two are mostly by my sweet mom who has been so helpful!), we have felt so wrapped in God's love!!
It was definitely a shock that first night (and first weeks) jumping right back into a newborn schedule. It is amazing how you forget how hard it is at first. Sleep deprivation is such a hard thing! And it didn't help that myself and both of the boys came down with strep on the very first night she was home. That was not fun at all! At first she had her days and nights mixed up and then we realized that she has bad reflux. She's now able to go one 5 hour stretch at night however it usually is during times when I'm not yet asleep so I don't really benefit. But already she is doing so much better sleeping than one particular son (who will go nameless), and she is a really good baby with such a sweet little temperment.
The boys are totally in love with her and have done so well with the transition. Nicholas comes home with a new picture he drew for her most days or writes about her in his sentences. Nolan is always asking "Where's my baby sister?" the moment I put her down. We enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving at Grandad and Kaki's--just the seven of us relaxing with lots of baby time to go around.
Vera is 6 weeks old now! She is growing wonderfully and is up to 7 pounds 8 ounces a couple of days ago. There's so much more I'd like to say but don't think I'm able so I will leave it at that. And there are so many precious pictures that I'm not able to post. :( But here are a few:
We have no idea what the future holds for us but we trust in the Lord that He knows and that is what matters. In the mean time, we treasure each day and each moment with Vera and are looking forward to a special Christmas with our sweet girl.
I can't sign off without wishing our sweet Nolan a Happy 3rd Birthday today!! We had a fun superhero party this weekend that I will share about soon. For now I'm off to bed before Lil Miss wakes up!
