We got an email from Banks' birth mom about three months before her due date. We didn't have much hope for it because we have had so many failed adoptions and scams in the past that left us empty. After emails and texts we were able to set up a meeting. She had informed us that she had met with other families and was weighing her options with each family she met with. We enjoyed talking with her and keeping in touch of the next month. She also introduced us to her family and we got to know them well, since they had been friends with family members. After a while contact died down a bit.
That next month Jodee traveled to New York for a women's trip and Bryce kept working hard. When Jodee returned and a week had gone by, Banks' birth mom sent us a message asking if she could stop by. She and her family knocked on our door with balloons in hand to tell us that she had picked us to adopt her baby. We stood in the doorway in tears and hugging for what seemed like forever. We talked for close to an hour about the joy and excitement we were all feeling. We were overwhelmed by all we get to experience soon and only had two months to prepare.
We quickly jumped in preparing for a baby. We purchased everything we needed to and had blankets, bottled, and pajamas all washed and organized. We continued to spend time with her and her family, making sure we were all on the same page with what she wanted and the openness of the adoption. We got to share the excitement with family and close friends by surprising them with the announcement that we will finally be parents. They couldn't have been happier for us and they got to help us and be a part of the getting ready moments. We were so grateful to have people in our lives to help us prepare and be there to support us.
The morning we got a text saying that she was in the hospital, it was like a child waking up on Christmas. We knew that it could take some time and she was dilating slowly, so we went to work with our minds in the clouds. Jodee said her goodbyes to her office as this was going to be her last day and they were well aware. Shortly after lunch our day was over and we waited at the house to hear more news. Banks was born at 3:22 and that evening we were allowed to come and visit for an hour before visiting was closed. We were jittery, jumpy, and couldn't stop smiling. We were so excited and it seemed to radiate from the both of us. Our eyes were glued to this beautiful baby boy; so tiny and sweet. We looked at him up and down, making memories of his fingers and toes before we had to leave for the night.
Our birth mom had asked for the next day to herself, which we understood and respected. It gave us time to make sure we had all of the little things done before we brought him home. When Banks was two days old we made sure we had everything done we needed and kept in touch with the birth family. We made sure everything was going to be done right and we were able to have a fairly smooth signing. We hugged and thanked Banks' birth mother and told her how much we loved and appreciated all she has done. We thanked her family and made sure they knew how much we appreciated their support for her. They have been the best birth family we could have asked for. They have been so understanding and supportive of our birth mothers needs and of our adoption of Banks.
We have loved every minute of having Banks in our lives. He is so curious and full of energy that sometimes we have a hard time keeping up with him, but we wouldn't have him any other way. He is easy to make smile when he is crying and is quick to do something crazy and goofy to get us to laugh. He is non-stop into everything and wants to know how things work. He is scared of very few things, loves to climb, and thinks the dog should be ridden like a horse. Our family and lives would be nothing with out him and we often look back with fondness of his birth and everything it took to get him here in our home. We have so much respect and admiration for his birth mother and for all birth mothers. Those women are such amazing people with so much love and sacrifice for others. We appreciate them with the fullness of our hearts.