Miracles Happen When You Believe: Part II
We left the hospital shortly after Wilson's bath, so Alex and Jessica could have some time alone with Wilson. I have an aunt who lives in Riverton. She and her family generously opened their home to us. Dave and I took naps when we first arrived. Then after eating dinner with my aunt's family, we went back to the hospital. Jessica wanted us to try and feed baby Wilson, but he wasn't very cooperative. He just wanted to sleep. By this time, Jessica's family had returned to the hospital looking rested. We had the opportunity to meet Jessica's other brother, Donny. Everyone took turns oohing, awing, and holding the baby. Then it was time to say good-bye until Wednesday morning.
Part of Jessica's placement plan was spending 24 precious hours with Wilson and her family alone. We spent Tuesday getting placement gifts ready. We had already done most of the shopping, but because Wilson came early we had to finish up on Tuesday. We wanted our gifts to be meaningful, but what do you give the people who are giving you the most precious and sacred gift possible. Nothing seems to quite be enough!
We really wanted to get Jessica the book "From God's Arms To My Arms to Yours" by Michael McLean. This is an adoption book that has three parts to it- the birth parents, the adoptive couple, and the child. This book also comes with beautiful music. We could not find it in our community and it was too late to order it on-line so we decided we would not be able to give her the book. I know that God's hand is in all things. On Tuesday we decided to stay in Riverton area and shop at a shopping center fairly close to my aunt's house. While we were out finishing up last minute gifts for placement, we saw a Seagull Book. We went inside. I looked at the art while Dave looked at the books (he loves to read LDS fiction). As Dave walked down one of the isles, there on the shelf was this book we wanted. It wasn't by other adoption books or anything else by Michael McLean. It was put where it would be seen by Dave. Heavenly Father took care of things; he knew Jessica needed this book so he made a way for us to find it. We then drove to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple parking lot and read the book together. We sat in the car and cried like babies. What a wonderful book that has touched so many families.
We returned to my aunt's house and prepared the gifts and cards. I really wanted all the gifts to be presented beautifully, and the words written on the cards to be from our hearts. We spent a nice quiet evening with my aunt and her family.
We returned to my aunt's house and prepared the gifts and cards. I really wanted all the gifts to be presented beautifully, and the words written on the cards to be from our hearts. We spent a nice quiet evening with my aunt and her family.
Wednesday morning came early. We wanted to be to the hospital by 8:00 am so we could talk to the pediatrician about Wilson. (Wilson was born with a small problem that will have to be fixed within the first 6 months to a year of life. We are going to Primary Children's Hospital in June for a consultation.) We also found out Wilson had jaundice and had to be under lamps in the nursery. After the doctor left we visited with Larissa and Jessica until Amber, Jessica's case worker, showed up. For the next little bit we all had paperwork to fill out. Bella Photography is a photography company that comes to the hospital to take pictures of new babies and their families. This company took pictures of Wilson, and a special picture was taken of all of us: Jessica, Alex, Wilson, Dave and me. All of the pictures turned out beautifully.
We really wanted placement to go smoothly so when the time finally came we were quite nervous. We hoped that in some small way our gifts would express the gratitude, love, and admiration we have for Jessica, Jessica's family, and Alex.
We got Jessica a necklace, a Willow Tree Figurine, the book "From God's Arms to My Arms to Yours", and some yummy chocolate. The necklace was in the shape of a heart and the Willow Tree Figurine was holding a heart. In the note we wrote to Jessica we expressed how our hearts have ached and even felt empty due to infertility, but her unselfish, Christlike decision has filled our hearts with joy and love.
Jessica holding her gift basket.
We really wanted placement to go smoothly so when the time finally came we were quite nervous. We hoped that in some small way our gifts would express the gratitude, love, and admiration we have for Jessica, Jessica's family, and Alex.
We got Jessica a necklace, a Willow Tree Figurine, the book "From God's Arms to My Arms to Yours", and some yummy chocolate. The necklace was in the shape of a heart and the Willow Tree Figurine was holding a heart. In the note we wrote to Jessica we expressed how our hearts have ached and even felt empty due to infertility, but her unselfish, Christlike decision has filled our hearts with joy and love.
Jessica holding the Willow Tree Figurine.
Jessica looking at the necklace we gave her.
Jessica looking at the book "From God's Arms to My Arms to Yours".
We thought Jessica and Alex might like a copy of our hard profile. It has pictures of our wedding day, our birth parent letter, a picture of our home, thoughts we wrote on each other, our likes, pictures of vacations, pictures of us with our nieces and nephews, holiday pictures, and family pictures.
Alex, Jessica, Cheri, and Larissa looking at the hard profile we game them.
Jessica and Eldon looking at our hard profile.
Jessica looking at our hard profile.
We thought Jessica and Alex might like a copy of our hard profile. It has pictures of our wedding day, our birth parent letter, a picture of our home, thoughts we wrote on each other, our likes, pictures of vacations, pictures of us with our nieces and nephews, holiday pictures, and family pictures.
We got Alex some goodies and a VISA gift card.
We bought a frame for Cheri and Eldon to place pictures of Wilson in. Somehow we didn't get a picture of this.
After placement, it was really hard to say good-bye to Alex, Jessica, and Jessica's family. We feel really close to them so it was hard to go our separate ways, but we know we will see them in the future. Our relationship is just beginning.
Because Wilson had jaundice, we had to stay at the hospital. The staff at the hospital was really nice and gave us a hospital room. We spent the day resting or watching TV. When it was time for Wilson to eat, a nurse would bring Wilson in for us to feed him. All of the nurses were really patient with us and taught us how to feed Wilson in an upright, sitting position that was most comfortable for us. Wilson had a blood test scheduled for around 5:00 pm to check his jaundice. If the bilirubin numbers went down, Wilson would be discharged. If the numbers remained the same or went up, he would have to stay in the hospital over night. So we simply waited and enjoyed the times when he was brought into our room. When he was brought into our room we tried to sit somewhat in the sun, because natural sunlight is also good for jaundice. Here are a few pictures of Wilson during this time.
By 6:30ish in the evening when we still hadn't heard about the results of Wilson's blood test, we decided to have dinner in the hospital cafeteria. We told the nurses where we would be and to call our cell phone if the results came in. We were almost finished with our dinner when the pediatrician called. Wilson's bilirubin numbers had decreased enough for us to take him home. However, we had to promise to take him to our pediatrician the next day for a follow up.
When we got back upstairs, the nurses let both Dave and I into the nursery. We asked them to save the little name tag on Wilson's bassinet for our birth mother, Jessica. They were more than happy to do so and make another one for Dave and I. We were eventually all moved into our hospital room where we dressed Wilson in his first sleeper. I wish I had taken a picture of this, but the nurses were giving us so many instructions I didn't even think about a picture until it was too late. The nurses also helped us get him in the car seat carrier. Then one of the nursers accompanied us to our car. She helped us put him into the car seat base. Larissa really wanted a picture of us putting him in the car to bring home, but we put Wilson into the car about 8:15 at night so it was too dark.
I was really nervous for us to drive home from Salt Lake with a brand new baby. I was nervous about the traffic, the baby spitting up, or him fussing all the way home. However, he was a perfect angel. He slept every moment of the drive. We got home shortly after 10:30 pm. When we pulled into our driveway, we could see that someone had decorated our house. Pictures of this to be posted later on. My mom was at our house waiting for us. She was so excited to hold the baby while we brought the luggage into the house. Once we brought everything into the house, it was time to feed Wilson and let the adventures begin. Wilson was brought home on Wednesday, March 27th.
Our next two posts will be about Wilson's first month at home and the two baby showers that have been given for us.
When we got back upstairs, the nurses let both Dave and I into the nursery. We asked them to save the little name tag on Wilson's bassinet for our birth mother, Jessica. They were more than happy to do so and make another one for Dave and I. We were eventually all moved into our hospital room where we dressed Wilson in his first sleeper. I wish I had taken a picture of this, but the nurses were giving us so many instructions I didn't even think about a picture until it was too late. The nurses also helped us get him in the car seat carrier. Then one of the nursers accompanied us to our car. She helped us put him into the car seat base. Larissa really wanted a picture of us putting him in the car to bring home, but we put Wilson into the car about 8:15 at night so it was too dark.
I was really nervous for us to drive home from Salt Lake with a brand new baby. I was nervous about the traffic, the baby spitting up, or him fussing all the way home. However, he was a perfect angel. He slept every moment of the drive. We got home shortly after 10:30 pm. When we pulled into our driveway, we could see that someone had decorated our house. Pictures of this to be posted later on. My mom was at our house waiting for us. She was so excited to hold the baby while we brought the luggage into the house. Once we brought everything into the house, it was time to feed Wilson and let the adventures begin. Wilson was brought home on Wednesday, March 27th.
Our next two posts will be about Wilson's first month at home and the two baby showers that have been given for us.
