Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Adoption not final quite yet and Baptism pic!

Our sweet Mary Jacinta, or MJ as we have been calling her is doing so very well thanks be to God. Her iv is gone, she is on room air at 21% with tiny tubing in her nose, she is up to 20ccs or 4 teaspoons of breast milk every 3 hours, and she has had no signs of apnea (when she quits breathing as alot of preemies do) and her brain scan yesterday was clear of bleeds. The nurses are all in love with her, as you can clearly see why in these precious pictures below, as are we. I asked DH last night if he thought he would be in love with our adopted baby as soon as he was. He said, "No, I thought it made take a few days, but it took me about a second." I feel the same way. We are so very blessed.

The birthmom has not signed the paperwork yet. We met last Thursday and there were a couple things wrong on the paperwork: her last name and the fact that we are not adopting a "well baby" they have to change it to a preemie who may or may not have developmental delays at some point. So we planned to meet Monday, but they didn't show up at the lawyer's office. I panicked, I sobbed, I was an emotional wreck. Our lawyer assured us she is not backing out or changing her mind. Her step father, who is the only one of them that speaks English, is running the show and he is scared to sign the paperwork until he hears from Medicare or Medicaid that they will be covering MJ's medical bills for the next several weeks. He is deathly afraid of being stuck with all her bills. I had the social worker call him to assure him that the adoption would not in any way discredit her from this benefit - it is a given due to her weight and the fact that the birthmom is indegent and has no insurance on the baby. He is taking the BM to the Medicaid office today or tomorrow to try to get an answer and then he said he is ready to sign.

I wrote our lawyer last night after leaving the hopsital saying that we are ready to sign NOW. I understand the stepdad's concerns, but we can hold the paperwork from filing, just get her name on the line. I should hear back from him this afternoon. I am so ready to tell my students and everyone that we are her parents officially!!!

The BM saw her once immediately after the C section, the day of discharge when she brought down breast milk for her, and also last Sunday when she brought more milk for her. I was concerned at first that she is pumping for a baby she is not keeping, but when we met last week she said she knows it is so important for preemies to get the antibodies from breastmilk and she wants to do this as long as we will let her. DH and I were a WRECK that day. We were all crying, all trying to make decisions for the best for this sweet little girl. DH and I want this adoption quite open now after spending so much time with BM and the family over the past week which is so strange when originally I wanted to adopt from Colombia because I wanted no contact with the birth family. She tearfully asked if we would be willing to send pictures and emails with updates as well as letting her see her maybe in the future. She emailed Sunday night asking for pictures of her baptism if that doesn't trouble us to much. I go from feeling sadness for her, to anxiety to have papers signed, to immense joy when we are with her every night in the NICU.



My sweet 1st grade nephew just brought me his journal entry to read. His teacher Sister Margaret Sue sent him to my room after she checked it as she knew I would love to see it. How precious?


Mommy, Daddy, and Tiny (as one of my best friends call her)


Our dear preist, Fr. B came to baptize her last week. One of the most emotional times of our lives! They gave her a gown donated by a sewing circle and we were able to keep it after the ceremony.


Awake before feeding!


My very favorite picture. She is everything to us!

19 comments:

  1. She's beautiful. What an emotional roller coaster. I am praying that things will be settled soon for you so you can have some peace and know that your daughter is your officially.

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  2. Oh my goodness! How precious and tiny! She is adorable. I hope you get to sign the paperwork asap!

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  3. What a beautiful daughter! I started crying when you wrote about the birth mom wanting pictures of the Baptism, and at the picture your nephew drew. Both are such beautiful and innocent expressions of love.

    You'll need to change your widget with the "45 days to go"-- that precious girl is HERE! :)

    Best wishes for a smooth adoption finalization.

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  4. She is so beautiful Allie-

    Praying for you and that adoption will work out without too much more stress for you.

    XOXO

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  5. She is beautiful! You are so blessed to be there for her during this time. I missed out on that, but thank God for great nurses. Praying the paperwork is signed soon!

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  6. She is so precious, and what a beautiful baptism! God bless you all the the birth mom.

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  7. Continuing to pray for all of you!

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  8. Oh Allie. I am overwhelmed. My heart is bursting with joy at this little fighter- this beauty- you have before you! This is an emotional roller coaster- but how incredible to see how the Lord has changed yo ur heart and brought you into relationship with her birthmom! From Columbia to THIS! There is no end to what He can do in our hearts, if we let Him!

    Oh sweet friend. I'm just overwhelmed! Congratulations on her Baptism!!! We love you so much!!!!

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  9. Beautiful. Tears of joy for all of you. Congratulations!

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  10. Oh the tears are just flowing. She is BEAUTIFUL! Those eyes!!! I lost it when you said the BM is pumping for her-what an amazing woman. Prayers for a speedy finish!

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  11. So beautiful, words cannot describe it! I am so glad you were able to have her baptized, all the Angels and Saints must have been singing at that moment. Praise God!!!!

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  12. She is so tiny and sweet! Thrilled for you!-wheelbarrow

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  13. Awww, tears of joy for you guys! I'm so happy to read how great things are going for everyone. She's beautiful!

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  14. Congratulations! Glad everything is going pretty smoothly despite the prematurity. That's so great of the BM to pump. You might also look into milk banks if you haven't already. I hope everything gets signed soon. Are you thinking about pumping or tandem feeding once you deliver your bio baby?

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  15. WOW! I am just getting caught up!! I am so happy for you! SHE IS BEAUTIFUL! I can't believe how tiny she is! That soothie pacifier makes it so obvious how little she really is!
    God is so good! Praying that everything continues to go smoothly! :)

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  16. Prayed for you all during Mass today! I LOVE this little girl. She is going to make it. One of our micro-premies from our time in the NICU just celebrated her 1st Birthday this weekend. There was a great photo of her being held by the NICU Doctor that managed her care. I got all choked up when I saw it on Facebook. I thought about how Mary Jacinta is going to look just as huge and healthy next year. Praying for you all of the time. So glad you named her after two such strong Saints!

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  17. She is precious! God Bless little MJ! I cant believe all the ups and downs- I cant wait until the papers are signed!! The gown was adorable! God Bless you and your family!

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  18. I am crying. So very very beautiful. Everything Maria Jacinta, the drawing, etc.

    If you need any help with Spanish or translating anything for the birth family just let me know.

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