Camilla Ann is a more beautiful redemption than I ever could have hoped for.
I don't know how much of her birth story I can (or want to) share, since it's not just my story to tell. In all, it was perfect. J was amazing. Our time in the hospital was perfect. And yesterday we brought home the baby we will (hopefully) get to keep forever and call our own.
Camilla weighed 8 pounds and 5 ounces at birth. She has dark hair, the most squeezable cheeks you've ever seen, and makes baby bird noises cute enough to make me forget how much I hate birds.
We have never been happier. And yet my heart aches for J, too. This quote resonates to the depth of my soul right now.
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I so appreciate all of the support, prayers, and well wishes poured out on us this week (and the last six years). We are overwhelmed with gratitude for the gift we have been given. I am nearly delirious with happiness. Fifty times a day I am overwhelmed with the realization that I am ____ (feeding, wearing, changing, showing off) my daughter. It's like living in the best dream I have ever had. I hope I never wake up.
Let the whole world bless our God and loudly sing his praises. Our lives are in his hands, and he keeps our feet from stumbling...We went through fire and flood, but you brought us to a place of great abundance. Psalm 66:8,9,12
Love you so much! So thankful to J for the gift of Camilla and so thankful to have a Father who redeems! "The LORD says, 'I will give you back what you lost to the swarming locusts...'" (Joel 2:25 NLT)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy! Can't wait to celebrate soon!
She is so amazing! And her name is the sweetest! I can't wait for all the fun blog posts you'll be writing featuring her and all your adventures. Too bad none of those adventures involve our neighboring front porches, though!!
ReplyDeletecongratulations! what a wonderful blessing! i love her name!
ReplyDeleteI teared up just reading this! I am so so so happy for you, Matt and your families! And thankful for J! Have the best weekend full of adorable bird noises, little toes and some poop!! :P
ReplyDeleteOh Erika and Matt -- I am absolutely sobbing with joy over here!!! Camilla is beautiful and our whole family is celebrating with you! I can't decide if the first picture, the picture of Matt reading to her, or Camilla's close- up is my favourite picture in this post! So much love and hugs.
ReplyDeleteI am so happy for you!!! Beautiful pictures, beautiful sweet girl! Love!! Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteMy computer won't load pictures while I'm at school, but this is still some of the greatest news ever! I'm half tempted to drive home just so I can see her adorable face. I am so happy for you friend! Even though we have never met and live different lives you have encouraged me and helped me grow! God is so big, and I'm so glad he decided to show up in this way! Enjoy your time with your sweet girl! I can't wait to hear all about the next leg in your adventure!
ReplyDeleteLove!
ReplyDeletethe title alone made me tear up. Redemption. yes.
ReplyDeleteCongrats!! Rejoicing with all three of you.
ReplyDeleteYes!!! Praise Jesus!!! Redemption for sure! He is a God who always redeems! She is beautiful and I LOVE her name xoxo
ReplyDeleteWelcome to Motherhood!
ReplyDeleteNot flesh of my flesh
Nor bone of my bone
But Miraculously still my own
Never forget for a single minute
You didn't grow from my heart
But in it
Oh sweet redemption. I am so thrilled for y'all. Motherhood looks perfect on you. Camilla is beautiful. Sending lots of love and prayers as and your husband navigate parenthood!
ReplyDeleteI am so happy for you. What a beautiful daughter you have!
ReplyDeleteShe is perfect (smooshy cheeks and long fingers and wrinkled little newborn tootsies). This is perfect. Thank you for sharing her with us, for letting us be a part of your story. I can't think of a better reason to be teary on a Friday night :)
ReplyDeleteI have been checking your page each day. I was hoping this was the very reason you had not written much this week! Congratulations!
ReplyDeletethis brings tears to my eyes. I am beyond happy for you and for all of these answered prayers, God is so good. Camilla is beautiful and you already looks like pro parents. Have a great first (of many) weekend together with your little one. :]
ReplyDeleteAhhhh!!! Congratulations!!! She is precious.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your beautiful daughter! Enjoy every second of it! What an amazing gift you have been given!
ReplyDeleteThis just makes me jump and sing for joy!!! I am so overwhelmingly in love with your new little family. And her name-- Camilla?? Perfection! You are so right, redemption is beautiful and sweet. :)
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the world Camilla! You are one lucky lady to have so many people who love you!
ReplyDeleteMany, many, many congratulations! I've been following your story for a year or so and you have been in my prayers. I am so grateful for a happy ending. What a lucky little girl! Hope you are soaking up the sweet newborn days!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Mama, I am so incredibly happy for you!! LOVE the name too, it was on our list too :)
ReplyDeleteAnd also--she is just beautiful! I love that she is already stylish in her bright florals for summer! :)
ReplyDeleteOh, Erika, the tears I cry for you tonight are such happy, happy tears. My heart is so full of joy for you, friend!
ReplyDeleteI've never met you. I've never even commented. Yet this news makes my day like none other. And your smile is almost as beautiful as your daughter. Adoption fills my heart with joy. The perfect gift.
ReplyDeleteWhat a blessing! Camilla is beautiful! So happy for you and thankful for the women that choose adoption.
ReplyDeleteI am so excited for you and Matt! I, too, was hoping the lack of posts this week was for this very reason! I nearly cried when I clicked over to your page and saw the title! I have been stalking your page for a long time now via a mutual friend's blog. I was in a cell group with you and Melia when I was in college and going to Wesley and our group had perfect attendance and we were all so pumped about that! You were (and still are) so funny and so real and Camilla couldn't have gotten a better family. Rejoicing with all of the redeemed who are rejoicing with you!
ReplyDeleteAnna
Praise God!! Congrats mommy and daddy!
ReplyDeleteI love this!!! Camilla is a beautiful name for a beautiful baby girl. Congratulations! I'm so happy for you two. Can't wait to read more about your daughter and motherhood!! Perfection!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!!!!
ReplyDeleteMotherhood looks more beautiful on you than any sephora goodies!!!! ;)
ReplyDeleteSo overwhelmed with happiness for you!! Congrats MAMA!!!!!!!!!!!
So incredibly happy your little miracle is finally here! I have been praising God all day for this blessing!!!! And praying for sweet J and her family. Sending so much love to you three… what a beautiful family you make! Enjoy soaking in every moment with precious Camilla!!!!!
ReplyDeleteAhhhhhhh this is amazing!!! I hoped this was the reason all was quiet. Congratulations, and I will continue to pray for all of you - J included :)
ReplyDeleteThis is crazy, but we've been praying and hoping for so long, this feels so surreal. God is so good. Thankful and still praying for you all.
ReplyDeleteIn all honesty, I think that THIS is the best blog post of the entire century. My heart is exploding with such happiness for you and Matt. Camilla is not only a beautiful name and a beautiful baby, but she is SO lucky to get to call you Mommy. XOXOXO (PS I LOVE those summer infant swaddlers that you have her in in one of your pictures- aren't they great?!)
ReplyDeleteThe sweetness is abundant and obvious. Camilla Ann is perfect and precious in every way.
ReplyDeleteYour family of three and gracious J will be in my thoughts and prayers. Your hearts are forever bonded by Camilla Ann. How blessed!
Brought tears to my eyes to see this!! SO AMAZING!!! I'm so happy for you!! Enjoy every second. And I just love her name!! Congrats!!
ReplyDeleteGod is so good. SO happy for you!! She is beautiful!!!!!! Congrats!!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness! I'm so excited for you and Matt! I can't imagine the emotions you are feeling right now! Motherhood looks so wonderful on you and I can't wait to read more posts! God bless you!
ReplyDeleteI knew something must be brewing when you went so long without posting. So I've been checking your blog all day! I am SOOO beyond happy for you! What a beautiful baby, beautiful name, beautiful God!
ReplyDeleteFirst time commenter - love your blog, love the fashion advice, and now will love seeing you blossom as the mama you are meant to be. Many congratulations.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your precious little girl! What a beauty! Prayers for this exciting time. Prayers for everyone involved! Can't wait to see some new mom posts. :)
ReplyDeleteSo glad she is already looking tan and tall, just like her mama! So incredibly excited for y'all and can't wait to watch this blog turn into a gloriously stereotypical (but still highly entertaining) mommy blog! Praise God!
ReplyDeleteBawling my eyes out as I read this Erika. Such a beautiful baby girl and such a beautiful redemption story. I cannot wait to hear more and see all the pictures of her precious little face. So happy for you guys.
ReplyDeleteSo much love and tears of joy for you, Matt, and beautiful baby Camilla! She is so adorable! Such a sweet story of redemption.
ReplyDeleteHappiness. My heart is bursting with happiness! She is beautiful Erika. God is so good!!
ReplyDeleteMy heart is bursting for you, to experience that same joy (and fear) that we have known so well. The secret of adopted children is that the minute they are in your arms, there is NO difference. You have waited and prayed and hoped, and I pray now that you can just experience. Camilla - such a beautiful name and so perfect for your little, beautiful daughter.
ReplyDeleteI am not going to lie I have been blog stalking for the past couple of days ... hoping & praying for this post. Those checks, that hair, Mattie's white socks and your genuine & ecstatic smile... perfection. Prayers have been answered and miracles do happen. God bless.
ReplyDeleteRedemption is certainly the right word, and along with you, I pray J feels that too. Congratulations.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on ur beautiful baby girl. Here's to sleepless nights and creating unforgettable memories with this precious baby girl.
ReplyDeleteI haven't been a very active blogger recently and have missed any posts about this! I am overwhelmed with excitement for you two! You DESERVE this beautiful little girl!!! CONGRATS!!!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to you and Matt!! What a blessing and such a beautiful one :-) Her name is so precious Erika! Can't wait to read your blogs on being a mommy :-)
ReplyDeleteI have been praying for you and your growing family these past few days! Thank you for sharing your adorable daughter with us. I will continue to pray as you transition to life with life with a newborn:)
ReplyDeleteCrying happy tears of joy for you and your sweet, sweet Camilla! I can't wait to hear more about this new and amazing journey! XOXO
ReplyDeleteIt's difficult to find words to express how thrilled I am for you and Matt! Camilla is beautiful and I will continue to pray for you all as you embark on this new, wonderful journey.
ReplyDeleteMy heart overflows with joy for you! Camilla is gorgeous and parenthood looks amazing on y'all! Congratulations!!! :)
ReplyDeleteThis makes my heart so happy! Camilla is an answer to many prayers. Welcome to parenthood Matt and Erika the journey is an AWESOME one!!!
ReplyDeleteOmg, she is perfect! Congratulations. Love, love, love her name. You look beautiful and happy. Thank you for sharing your story. Prayers to your family and also J.
ReplyDeleteThe blog post to end all blog posts! You might wanna stop here, because it's unlikely you'll have an event to top this one anytime soon!!!
ReplyDeleteYES!! SO HAPPY! Motherhood looks good on you (we all knew it would)! So thrilled for you!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! You are a beautiful mom! I am so thrilled to hear this update. Praying for J as she grieves her loss, and praying for you all as you adjust to a family of three!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!! I'll keep praying for you guys! She's beautiful!!! :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm SO excited to hear your amazing news! She is beautiful and you both look so happy and in love! That's one lucky little girl right there! All the very best! Candy xo
ReplyDeleteI'm so very happy for you! She is wonderful and beautiful, and you look so delighted to be her parents! Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteCamilla is beautiful! Name and baby! I am so, so, so thrilled for you. Crazy that we can go from the depths of sadness to the height of joy in a matter of months. So glad you're on the upswing.
ReplyDeleteAhhhhh!!!!!! I love it. Between this and your Insta, every day you've brought a smile to my face. LOVE the name Camilla, LOVE how happy you all look in these photos... LOVE, love, love!!
ReplyDeleteNot sure if my previous comment posted, so here goes again in case! So pleased for the three of you! Camilla Ann - what a beautiful name. Rejoicing with you! H x
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!!! So happy for you!!! :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm SO happy for you!! Best news of the day!
ReplyDeleteThese first few weeks and months may be pretty hard as you process being so happy, yet knowing that your happiness comes at the expense of someone else's heartbreak. I wasn't prepared for that guilt. You're right, though- it is a beautiful redemption story, in so many ways.
So excited for you, friend!
Congratulations! Many prayers for you guys and J. So happy for y'all.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! I've been a long-time reader, but have never commented before. I just couldn't miss the opportunity to congratulate you and Matt and tell you how excited I am for you!!! I so appreciate your willingness to open up such a personal part of your life and share your journey with us. Camilla Ann is just precious!!! Praying for your family and for J. Enjoy every moment with your new daughter!!!
ReplyDeleteShe is beyond beautiful and you are an absolutely radiating mama...I'm so happy for you, girl!! Congratulations!!!!
ReplyDeleteI literally have no words-so so so happy for you and Matt! Camilla is beautiful and so blessed to have you two as parents. As everyone else already said, motherhood looks so good on you! Can't wait to watch you in this chapter of your lives and hear/see more about C! She is precious!
ReplyDeleteTears, so many happy tears for y'all. There is nothing like being a mother, I am just so thrilled. She is perfectly beautiful!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beauty! Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing turn of events. Camilla - a beautiful name for a beautiful little girl. SO many congratulations for you all.
ReplyDeleteI am so so unbelievably happy for you and I've never met you. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteAhhhhh congrats! I have been STALKING you waiting to see this sweet post! Ok well not really stalking bc that would be weird, but ya know, cyber stalking (still weird?) ha! Ok, really just waiting on a post! Congrats and can't WAIT to see more of that babe!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI've read this post on my phone SO MANY TIMES in the past few days, and I'm just finally getting to a computer to comment. CONGRATS and ENJOY and LOVE and all that. :)
ReplyDeleteI am so, so happy for you guys!! xo
ReplyDeleteI am so so so late to catching up on blogs. I am in tears reading this post and all the other posts with your precious baby girl.
ReplyDeleteSeriously cannot type through my tears. God is good. I am elated for you!