Friday, November 8, 2013

she's here!

Sorry for the radio silence the last few days. Then again-- not really sorry. I've had a pretty dang good excuse.

Our sweet little girl was born yesterday morning, November 7, at 8:37 a.m. She is a teeny-tiny itty-bitty thing, only 19 inches long and 5 pounds, 9 ounces. She is one hundred percent healthy and one billion percent cute. She has as much hair as your average six-year-old, dimples on both cheeks, and the most perfect little rosebud lips you have ever laid eyes on. I can't share pictures of her publicly just yet, but if you would please just imagine the most beautiful baby you have ever seen and then multiply the cuteness by ten, you're probably getting somewhere near Ellison's ballpark.

It has been alternately wonderful and excruciating. We spent almost a full 24 hours with our birth mom and her family before the baby came-- it was an amazing opportunity for our families (including both my parents and Matt's parents) to get to know one another, to share our lives and our histories and our plans and our fears. I am so thankful for that time we got to share. Matt and I were in the room with our birthmom through the duration of her labor and delivery. Matt cut the umbilical cord when she finally arrived and we all sobbed together for quite a long time. 

 We were given our own room here in the hospital and are happily shuffling the baby between our room and the birth mother's room, giving both families the opportunity to hoard tiny baby cuddles and kisses (and change diapers). Today I have big plans to dress her up in something other than the hospital-issue way-too-big shirt she's been wearing since yesterday and am also scheming about doing whatever it takes to catch a glimpse of those dimples. I haven't slept since approximately Tuesday, so I look like something the dog dragged in, but when I'm holding that sweet baby I really don't care. Right now she's in her other mom's room so I have a few minutes to really admire those huge bags under my eyes in all their glory...it's really special. 

(I wrote the stuff above about 4 hours ago. Apparently I'm moving into the 'takes all day to write one miniscule blog' season of my life.)

She's back with us now and she's doing a little tanning for some jaundice, but at least they're letting her do it in our room! I swore I wouldn't let her go to a tanning bed until she was at least 3 (pageants, obvi.) (please no 'helpful' anonymous comments-- I am totally joking) but here I am being permissive so early...

Gotta go feed a baby. What a tragedy. :) In the last 24 hours I've become altogether abysmal at returning texts, emails, and phone calls. I almost feel guilty but then- no. :) But I thank all of you so much for your prayers, concern, and love during this time. We are so incredibly thankful, overjoyed, and still a wee bit terrified-- thanks for coming along for the ride.

61 comments:

  1. Oh yes yes yes!! Congrats sweet friend. This is my all time favorite of all your posts! You are a momma. Still praying! Oh and so sweet that Matt got to cut the cord xoxoxo Can't wait to see pics of your little beauty <3

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  2. I've been stalking your blog waiting for this announcement! Many prayers go out to you and your family. Can't wait to "meet" Miss Ellison! Thanks for letting me get on with my life :)

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  3. Happy graduation day, friend :)

    So excited she is here!!!!

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  4. Yay yay yay!!!!!! Congratulations!!

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  5. Tears, tears and more tears. I am so happy that you are coming to a fork in this long, long road. (It's not really an end or a turn, so I'm going with a fork.)

    I have many friends that are starting the journey you have been on and my heart has been so tender toward that all week. It is so wonderful to see your happy ending. I can't wait to see pictures of that sweet, dimply baby.

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  6. Welcome to the world, baby Ellison! Sending every ounce of love and light - congratulations!

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  7. I am so happy to read these details! I've been trying not to pester you with too many questions, but I love hearing that you guys got to be there for her birth!

    Oh, friend, I cannot begin to describe my joy for you. I am beyond thrilled to continue this season of rejoicing with you as you rejoice! You're a mom! Hooray!

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  8. Whoooo hooooo!!! I was hoping this was the reason for the radio silence. I can't wait to see pictures (as soon as you can share) and I'm so excited to read all these details. Enjoy loving on Ellison!!!!!!!! And thanks for letting us come along for the ride :) Ahhhhh!!! So very happy and thrilled for all of you!

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  9. Oh I love love love this! Congratulations to your family!
    Jaclyn

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  10. Yay! I can resume my life! Congrats and enjoy every second!

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  11. Sweet blessings for you and your little family! I have not followed your story closely until recently, but am overjoyed to hear your wonderful news!

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  12. I looked in the mirror a few minutes ago and wondered how I forgot to put on mascara this a.m. But, no. Now I remember. I cried away every trace of makeup when Mollyanne sent the text message this a.m. Tears of joy and praise from Ellison's sideline GieMa.

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  13. Thank you for the update - I have been thinking about y'all for days!!! Such exciting news, and I can't wait to hear / see more about baby Ellison. Get some rest (if you can!) and soak up every precious moment!

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  14. YAY! I am tearing up remembering these hospital days. Enjoy every moment.... going home is a whole other thing to enjoy. But for now, just enjoy the hospital days :) YAY!!!!!!

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  15. I'm all teary for you!! So excited for this amazing adventure you've been blessed with. Can't wait to see pictures of your little girl. Enjoy these early days, get some rest (if you can) and soak in that new baby smell! Congrats!!

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  16. CONGRATS! So excited for you and Matt!

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  17. This is amazing! Absolutely amazing!!! Congratulations! You deserve it! It's YOUR turn, Erika. This is great. :)

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  18. YAYYYYYYY!!!! Umm, your blog is STILL hiding on blogger... lame! Good thing I've been checking the blog fairly regularly for an update.

    I'm so crazy excited for you; I can't see straight! I can't wait to hear all about the birth, the hospital... I need DETAILS! But I'll let you enjoy her for a few days before I bombard you with my nosy questions! I hope you get released soon and enjoy your first few days as a MAMA!!! It's your turn, my friend! Go enjoy that baby! Welcome to the world Ellison!

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    1. It's hiding in my Blogger Feed too. I thought maybe I'd done something wrong. What a time for a blog to not show up, eh?!?!

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    2. Mine too! I just found it...what the heck, doesn't blogger know we've been anxiously waiting for Ellison to arrive. Sheesh!

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  19. Wonderful news! I've also been checking frequently! God bless all of you.

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  20. YYYAAAAYYYY!!!!! :D I'm so happy for you both!! Tears of joy here, folks. Praise the Lord for His goodness to ya'll!!

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  21. Way EXCITED!!! Take it all in mommy it is such a great ride. Who cares about bad hair and puffy eyes when holding onto one of GOD's greatest gifts ever! Soak it all in and take millions of pictures because they grow so fast. Love you three!

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  22. YAAYYYY!!! I was thinking about you today and wondering if she's arrived! Congratulations Mama, I can just imagine how you must feel. So so happy for everyone :)

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  23. Wait... I didn't know you wanted a baby? I guess if that's the case, then congrats are in order ;)

    Welcome, baby Ellison!! So thrilled you're here!!

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  24. Congratulations! I can't wait to see a picture of those cute dimples!

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  25. CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Wow, what an amazing post to read. Tears filled my eyes knowing you got to be there when your daughter was born and her daddy got to cut the cord, what a precious, precious gift. Enjoy these moments and days and don't forget to save all the texts, special messages and everything else surrounding these moments to be remembered forever. And, to echo another poster: Happy Graduation Day! :)

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  26. Oh my goodness! Congratulations! She sounds amazing and wonderful!

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  27. WOO HOO! Congrats, mama! I cannot wait to see pictures (obvs). I'll be blog stalking you hardcore for the foreseeable future. But yeah, I kind of love that you have this awesome, amazing reason not to post. Please ignore us... and love on her. Duh, like I even have to tell you that.

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  28. Welcome Baby Ellison! Congratulations on your new piece of God's love made visible!

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  29. Damn blogger strikes again and I totally missed out on this post until now. Congratulations on a beautiful moment shared when Ellison was born...you deserve it. What a wonderful and amazing time in your lives. Many hugs to your birthmom. She's a pretty special woman to give you a lifetime gift. Ellison is a lucky little lady to be so loved!

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  30. Congratulations!!!! I'm thrilled for you!

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  31. So very excited for you and Matt...Congrats on your sweet baby girl! Praying for your new family!

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  32. Matt and Erika I write this teary eyed that I am beyond happy for you and your growing family. So many blessings to you, you are so loved and I know you will love that sweet little baby. Congrats and good luck with this new adventure <3

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  33. Praise God, I AM SOBBING HERE FOR YOU! Does little Ellison know that she has a bestie LittleM here in Colorado ready to be friends? God works miracles, and I can't wait to meet yours. We did it. No more rowing for us.

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  34. Whew, I'm glad I texted for an update earlier and didn't have to wait all this time! HOORAY for a healthy, perfect baby girl! Praying for all to go smoothly from here!!!

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  35. Welcome to the world, Baby Ellison!!! We are so very, very glad you are here! A great big CONGRATULATIONS to you and your family!

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  36. Congratulations!!! I can't wait to see pictures!
    That's awesome that you've had so many special moments with the birthmom and her family. That's a treasure for sure!
    As I wasn't prepared myself for this, be aware that you will most likely have a mixture of feelings for awhile after you take your sweet girl home. Including sadness and depression for the birthmom. I truly didn't realize how excruciating it was and I had a hard time bonding with my daughter in the beginning because of the guilt I felt. It's perfectly normal.
    Soak up each amazing moment! Congrats, mama!

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    1. YES! I didn't have a hard time bonding with Xander, but I alternated between pure joy and guilt/heartache that Xander joined our family through loss. I have so much peace though after Xander's birthmother sent us a letter. (She's only sent one, and it was just telling us how she knew it was the right decision and has no regrets.)

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  37. Ahhhhh! I am so happy for y'all!!!! :) She does sound pretty gorgeous! I can't wait to see pics...one day! ;) Praying for y'all!

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  38. You will always treasure every SECOND you get to spend with Ellison's birthfamily. I treasure the letter from Xander's birthmom immensely and really wish our adoption was more open. <3 Hang in there.... we are still praying for everyone!

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  39. ditto ditto all the above. prayers and congratulations from Ca. Praise be God for the little miracle you are holding.

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  40. YAY!!! Congratulations! Love to you and your sweet family!

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  41. CONGRATS!!! I bet she is the most beautiful baby alive!

    I am SO SO thankful you and Matt had time to bond in the room with birth mom and her family. That is precious memories for both you and them, that both sides will cherish forever I assure you. I have had so many birth moms tell me this. So as an adoption worker, thank you for not being scared to bond with the birth family. :) You will have such amazing stories to tell and pictures to share with Ellison as she grows. She will feel so secure in her adoption story knowing that both sides of her family cared and loved her beyond words.

    SO happy for you guys!!!

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  42. Congrats to you momma!! God is so good!! Keeping your family and the birth family in my prayers :)

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  43. Congratulations! And happy (belated) birthday, Ellison!!

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  44. Congratulations on the arrival of your baby girl Ellison! Glad to hear that she is healthy. Take care!

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  45. You're a mommy!!!!! SO beyond happy for you for your sweet blessing :). xoxo

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  46. best news ever!!! Congratulations, and have fun getting to know her!!

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  47. I was hoping his was why you weren't around! Congratulations mommy!

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  48. Congratulations! So happy for you and your family. Wishing you all the best as new parents - and also praying for the birth mom and her family. Prayers and joy all around!

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  49. So glad I just hopped on to find out if you had her in your arms or not!! CONGRATS again Erika and can't wait to see pics!!

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  50. Congrats!!!!!!!! Reagan was a glo worm too and she loved it! So obvi my child will have to do pageants at some point too! Ahh give her snuggles for me!!

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  51. So incredibly happy for you all!!! Congratulations!

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