Bringing Nathan Home

Today was a wonderful day!  We actually left South Carolina and flew home to Texas today.   I had a moment where I thought okay I am doing this...I am taking my baby.  Anyone going to stop me?  Guess what? No one did and it is wonderful!!!  Of course, I couldn't take ten steps without people oohing and ahhing about the precious little baby.  Everyone wanted to know how old and then several people commented on how amazing I looked some people found out he was adopted and some people just think my body really is impressive.  :-)  Nathan slept like a newborn professional during all of the travel.  Joshua talked incessantly about airplanes and loved watching everything going on outside.  We managed our 2 and a half hour layover using the USO.  (I am so glad I finally started using these.)  It was nice to have my mother-in-law's help for bathroom trips and all the other adventures of the airport.  I was grossed out enough to take my newborn to the airport I was happy to skip out on airport restrooms.  A great friend swapped schedules with Matt so he picked us up from the airport.  We stopped at the Alamo Cafe and someone paid for our meal.  There are seriously good people in the world.  I think it was because Matt was in uniform because the table across from us the man shook hands with Matt and thanked him for his service.  Then we came home to this on our garage!  We have wonderful people in our lives.
      

Update:  We found out who the special sign makers were...we love these sweet kiddos and their 

parents too!  

Leaving the Hospital

Monday and Tuesday were exhausting days.  We didn't really have a homebase and were torn between being at the hospital hallways waiting for feedings and a three year old that really wanted to be with family playing AND with us especially his baby brother.  Wednesday morning we took off for the hospital with butterflies fluttering since this was the day papers were to be signed.  We were hanging out in our lobby spot when our birthmother came walking by to go down the elevator.  She told us the papers had been signed.  She said that she knew it was right and she had complete peace with her decision.  There couldn't have been better words for me to hear.  She cried and we hugged.  Then we were still waiting for our turn with the caseworker and the birthgrandma walked by.  She hugged us both and told us she loved us and was very happy as well.  However, this was said through tears and she told us how much her heart hurts.  I was filled with happiness that Nathan is really ours but also with a sadness to feel like you are the source of pain.  Adoption is such a road of mixed emotions.  The greatest pain for some provides the greatest joy for others.  As the adoptive mother you feel this intense responsibility to do best by everyone. 

We finally had our turn to meet and sign some papers.  We decided to call the nursery and see if we could see him yet.  Plus, I needed to tell him the great news.  ;-)  We also wanted to hear the plan for the day as we were told to anticipate a late afternoon discharge from the hospital.  Matt and I thought maybe we would go to lunch and celebrate the news while mentally preparing to take this little guy home.  We were going to be parents of a newborn again!  AHHHH!  Well we called back there and were told to come on back.  We hugged on our little one and they start bringing us his stuff.  They are discharging us now!  WOAH!  WAIT!  We aren't ready.  We both kind of thought we needed to puke. 

Fake confident smile for the nursery staff

 Then the caseworker walked us to the lobby and off we went with me sporting my new baby k'tan. We didn't have the carseat inside because we weren't anticipating taking anyone out yet.  :-)

 Strapped in and let the driving 5 mph under the speed limit begin.  For some reason, that first drive out of the parking lot requires extra caution. 

 He needed two coming home outfits since he wore one home from the hospital to my parents house and then since he is a newborn he was dirty and needed a new outfit before we drove to Matt's parents house. 

Wednesday was a very surreal day!  We have had a wonderful couple of days with everyone holding and loving on our boys.  Friday all the paperwork was already finalized and we are approved to travel back to Texas.  Matt has left us so he can get back to work.  We are waiting a few more days.  Nathan is going to go to his 1 week check up here and we will fly on Wednesday.  It is great to be here but it will also be great to really take our new one home home from the hospital.   

Name for Baby Turek

We had some names in mind but wanted to wait for formal introductions before making it official.  We named this 8 pound, 21 inch bundle Nathan James Turek. 

The meaning of the name Nathan is gift from God.  If you have been following this adoption story then you know he is truly a gift from God provided to us from some terrific people.

Now, the name James is very special.  Nathan's birthgrandmother is who I visited with through the entire process.  Her name is Jackie.  The very special lady that connected us to each other is also named Jackie.  The birthmother, sister, and sister's husband all have names that start with J.  Did you know one of the masculine forms of Jackie is James?  Did you also know that the first man I loved (I call him Dad) is also named James?  I couldn't think of a more perfect J name to honor my son's beginnings and celebrate his future.

We love you and welcome you to our family Nathan James Turek!

Waiting for Baby

I have been changing plane tickets and debating on when to travel to SC since the doctor first announced his intention to induce our birthmom on May 30th.  We finally decided to make a leap and all three travel on Saturday with the belief that the baby would be born sometime in the next couple of days.  We got up early in the morning and Megan drove us to the airport (what a great friend)!  It was a longer travel day than we are used to doing but we arrived without any incidents along the way.  Joshua really loves to fly! 

We were able to spend Saturday evening and Sunday visiting with both of our families.  Happy Father's Day to both of our Dads!

 

Ready to go!

 

Sunday afternoon our birthmom was admitted to the hospital with pre-eclampsia so we knew (hoped) the baby was coming on Monday.  We woke up Monday morning exercised and showered when the call came that the doctor had decided to do another amnio (this would be number 3) and wait for the results (another day or two) and then decide when to deliver the little guy!  I was so disappointed but before I had time to really be sad another call came saying nevermind they were inducing her now.  AHHHH!!!!!!!!!!  I think I did five circles around the room without making any real progress.  Matt calmed me down and reminded me that inductions can still take a little time and that being dressed, drying my hair, and eating breakfast were all reasonable activities.  We picked up our rental car and drove to the hospital. 

We then began the waiting game.  We wandered the hospital and I never put my phone out of sight.  The afternoon brought sad news.  We had been misinformed and we actually wouldn't be provided with a room or any space to be handed our precious baby.  I cried but I was comforted that all would be well.  We found a hotel nearby for the night and continued to wait at the hospital. 

 

We also had a chance to visit with the birthfamily and opened these sweet gifts from them. 

 

Meanwhile, Joshua was 30 minutes away with family.  He was sad and ready for one or both of his parents.  We debated on what to do and decided that we would drive the half hour and eat dinner with him.  Then we would probably put him to bed and then go back to the hospital to wait.  I asked the family to let me know when she had progressed to an 8 thinking that would give me plenty of time.  We actually ate someplace closer than the full 30 minutes because I didn't want to be too far away.  I rushed everyone through dinner because my nerves were getting to me.  We stood in the parking lot debating on if we would all drive to the hospital or if we should put Joshua to bed first and then go to the hospital.  The call came that we needed to come now the baby was coming!  We were in the car and on the interstate literally in 2 minutes.  Before we made it two exits the text came that the head was out and then he was all the way out!  I couldn't believe it.  I hadn't left my waiting post all day and I had literally been gone for an hour and I was missing out.  Matt drove a little on the quick side and by a miracle we actually still made it to the nursery window before our bundle arrived. 

I received this picture message from the birth family while I waited at the nursery.

 

The moment he came in my emotions became too much to keep inside.  He was perfect.  I had been so worried about his health and here he was in front of me absolutely perfect!  The nurses brought him over to the window as all of our faces (extended family had all arrived too) were inches from the glass.  They mouthed asking if I was Vanessa and told me one minute.  Then they wrapped him up and rolled him in the hospital bassinet out to the hallway.  My heart was pounding and I was shaking.  I think I was nervous to actually meet him and overjoyed at the same time that this dream was becoming a reality.  The nurse looked at me and started crying herself.  We took a quick family photo and I was able to go back to the nursery to see my son. 

 Only I was supposed to be able to go in to the nursery because of it being their workspace and only providing us with one bracelet but they were wonderful and let Matt and Joshua come in. 

 

Friday and Saturday Adventures

Friday night Matt and I went to a graduation dinner for the anesthesia residents graduating this year.  It was a bit pricey for the tickets but I enjoyed a reason to dress up.  These are the ladies I've come to know the last two years.  Can you believe we only have two years until our husbands are graduating as well?  

Saturday we woke up and went to The Pearl Farmer's Market.  

It was a nice morning with cloudy skies and a slight breeze.  Then I took my boys home and they all slept.  Now. Matt is back to night shift and Joshua and I went to a fun cookout.  We didn't take any pictures but he had a blast on the slip n' slide.