Clearance!!

We get to come HOME!!

People think we are crazy trying to head back to the cold and frigid place called Ohio. Leaving sunny Florida behind. But after travelling so much we are ready to settle down and be a family of four!

There is so much paperwork involved. Since Kamryn got out of the hospital, our lawyer has been working behind the scenes. It was a 150 page document sent to Florida. They gave the approval and then sent it off to Ohio. Thank goodness for technology. Things go so much faster now electonically. Ohio gave clearance and we can legally cross state lines!!!

Jason left today to drive home. Jadon, Kamryn, and I are down in Fort Myers visiting family. We will stay until tuesday and then try to fly home. Because of our flight benefits, we have to fly standby. So hopefully there will be some seats on tuesday!

Then we continue with the process and have social worker visits. Moving closer to finalization. Moving closer to becoming a McCabe!!

I have been in contact with the birthmom. I pray we will be able to have a beautiful relationship. That God will touch both of our lives through this adoption. Jesus has changed my heart so much. Years ago I could have never gone through an open adoption. I am gratiful for what God has done in my heart because this has been an amazing ride. Full of pain. But also full of joy. And has brought me closer to my God.

I cant even express my gratitude for all of you. So much support. So much love. Thank you for coming all this journey with me. All glory and honor to God.

There is no place like HOME!

Introducing... (Take 2)

We brought Kamryn back to the condo. Such a good baby!! Here are some pics:

Kamryn Joy

First picture we saw. Birthmom sent it the day after she was born!

First time I got to see her. Birthmom was sitting next to me.

Daddy holding his Girl for the first time

A smile and some crazy hair

Loves to wear Bows

Getting Ready to leave the NICU

First Family Photo- leaving the hospital

So small in the carseat!

JJ was SO excited to hold his sister :)

And the cute clothes start

My little peanut

My peaceful ANGEL

The Delivery Story: It was on the NEWS!

When we met the birthmom on Tuesday, she told us about the delivery. My little girl sure made an entrance.

Monday morning around 5:20 am, the birthmom woke up because she was having some labor pains. She had some friends at her house. She didn't want to stay alone anymore in case she went into labor. She has a son at home to take care of also so she needed some help. Glad they were there.

She started timing her contractions and they were only 6 minutes apart. So she thought she had some time. Everyone woke up and they started to try to find a ride to the hospital. There was no one to take her. A little time went by and at 6:02 her water broke. A huge gush. She has never had her water break like that. Within seconds, she started yelling to her friends to call 911. The baby was coming.

She quickly realized the head was coming. Her friends and her started to freak out. I would!! The baby was wasting no time to make an entrance into the world. The dispatcher on the phone had to walk them through delivery the baby!! Yes - her friend delivered the baby. At home. In her bed. Withing minutes she laid down and the baby came out. No pushing involved. She made her entrance at 6:24.

They were told to get towels. And grab a shoestring from a shoe nearby. The umbilical cord needed to be tied off and a shoestring was used. They wrapped the baby in towels and the birthmom and waited till the ambulance got there.

News crews were heading to her house. It aired the next day. We were actually in the hospital with the birthmom when she found out that it was on the news. We actually watched it with her. We were all laughing and saying how crazy the whole thing was. You can watch it if you would like through the links below:

http://mynews13.com/content/news/cfnews13/news/article.html/content/news/articles/cfn/2013/12/31/brevard_dispatcher_h.html

http://mynews13.com/content/news/cfnews13/video.html?clip=http://static.cfnews13.com/newsvideo/cfn/brevard-dispatcher-interview-web.f4v&vtitle=Brevard%20County%20dispatcher%20on%20baby%20delivery%20call

Click here: Brevard County dispatcher Logan Reedy helps deliver baby | Brevard County News - WESH Home


When my girl decided she wanted to make her way into this world, she wasted no time. What a memory. And we are Praising God that all our healthy. It is a miracle. 

Normally when a baby is born, the first thing that happens is they suck out the nose and mouth. Well since Kamryn was born at home, there was no way to do that. Therefore, she aspirated her fecal matter. I don't remember the technical term. But that is why she is in the NICU. She needs a full 7 days of antibiotics to make sure no infection happens. She is doing great!! Eating like a champ. For being so small, she can polish off the bottle. Tomorrow night will be her last round of antibiotics so hopefully she will be able to go home on Monday after the doctor sees her. 

This kid has such personality already!!!

 

Introducing....

Please welcome the newest member to our family:

KAMRYN JOY

Born: DECEMBER 30, 2013 at 6:24 am

Weighing 5 pounds, 4 ounces. 17 inches long

Today was a hectic day. We were staying in Orlando (which is over an hour away from the hotel). We were there because we didn't know when the baby was coming and my cousin with her family were going to be there this week. After we met the birthmom yesterday and things looked to be moving smoothly, we decided to change our reservations. But with it being New Years Day- not many options for us (with using Jason's hotel points) So we found one only 30 minutes away from the hospital.

So we packed up the car this morning- man do we have a lot of stuff. My cousin came to pick up Jadon. She watched him most of the day so we could go to the hospital. Jadon LOVED playing with his cousin Jackson. They are so cute together.

Then we headed to the hospital. Today has been alot more emotional for me. It is starting to sink in. The birthmom met with the social worker around 11:30 and at 12:15 we were called back to be a witness. So I sat in the room as she signed the consent form. A bitter sweet moment. She is losing a precious baby while I am gaining it. There are no words.

People say things like "how can someone give up their baby" - meaning it in a way that sounds like an easy choice or that these woman don't care. But it is just the opposite. She realized she is in a position where she financially cannot take care of the child. She could have had an abortion. She could have kept the child based on fear of judgement or pride. But she didn't. She had the courage to put this baby above her needs. Carefully choosing a family. Watching me hold her baby. Letting us name the baby. etc. -- how painful. how sacrificial. how courageous. This process is agonizing for her. And yet she made me feel so welcomed.

After she signed the paperwork. We took some pictures together. Cried together. Hugged together. A beautiful moment. Here are two mothers that love this baby so deeply that they just want what is best for her.

As an adoptive mom, you fear sometimes- will I love this child even though she did not come from my womb? what if the child doesn't bond with me? etc. Crazy- irrational thoughts. Then you see that baby and your heart bursts. Your love overflows. All crazy irrational thoughts melt away as you look into your baby's eyes. She is my daughter.

The rest of the day, we spent at the hospital. We got consent to be with the baby. Right now, she is in the custody of the lawyer. All decisions go through him. The baby will hopefully be discharged on Monday. We will meet with the lawyer and sign papers. Placement happens. Basically, she is still not a McCabe but we can leave with her. We will stay in Florida for about a month so that Florida and Ohio can approve the process. Then we can take her home. Once home, we will have several visits from the social worker. Then after 3-4 months we can apply for finalization. Once finalization goes through the courts, she will then become: Kamryn Joy McCabe.

(We will not be sharing pictures at this time. Coming soon though).

Now for some much needed rest!!