What an amazing few days! I received a phone call Sunday morning telling us that the birth mother who had chosen to place our baby with us had delivered her baby that morning at 6:59 am, September 24, 2006. The social worker sounded concerned as the birth mother had previously been very intent on having me at the delivery and we had received no phone call.
It was such a surreal day as we waited for our 7:30 pm meeting with the birth parents, and hopefully with our son. When we got to the hospital room, the birth father's sister and nephew and another friend and her little girl had just arrived hoping to see the baby. The tension in the room was awful and when they decided to have the baby brought into the room, I suggested that we give them some time with the baby. I didn't want our first meeting with our son to be under those circumstances. About 45 minutes later, we headed back up to the room. The visitors were still there, but things seemed much more relaxed.
Their friend Amanda was holding the baby and she asked if I wanted to hold him. Here was this little guy with a head full of reddish/brownish/blonde hair – sticking straight up. He was beautiful. When she handed him to me and I held him in my arms for the first time the emotions and the spirit were overwhelming - more than either of us could have ever expected or hoped for. Coy stood behind me with his hands on my shoulders and it was love at first sight for both of us. I know that many of you were fasting and praying for us this past Sunday and we feel that this experience was directly related to your faith and prayers on our behalf.
The friends quickly departed and Coy and I visited with the birth parents for about 45 minutes, finding out about the delivery, their plans for the future, etc. We got a chance to express our appreciation for the decision and I got a chance to share with them our feelings towards the little boy they'd brought into the world. It was helpful for the birth parents to watch us hold this little guy and see how much we already loved him.
The birth parents allowed us immediate access to the baby in the nursery and so for the next four hours, Coy and I were given an empty hospital room to visit and get to know our son. For any of you who have mocked the name Miles, it was not the top name on our list, but in that hospital room both Coy and I came to the name Miles independently. So Miles he is – embrace it! Don’t worry Brian, we’ll make sure he knows how to take care of himself on the playground. The time at the hospital Sunday evening was such and gift and it was great to have mom and dad swing by for a little visit.
We brought our son home Monday about 2:00 in the afternoon and its now a waiting game until next Friday at noon (the birth parents have until midnight on Thursday to change their mind.
The rest of the week has been a bit of a sleepless blur, but we’re loving it all!
