Karlee's Birth Story

I thought since we are not going to be able to make it up to Kentucky to see all our dear friends. I would share with everyone Karlee's birth story.

We have felt the Lord’s hand in this birth all week and feel so blessed! Karlee was born at 10:35 pm on February 7, 2008. What a miracle! We got up at 4 a.m. to drive down and fly out of Las Vegas on Thursday morning. We arrived at the hospital in Johnson City, Tennessee less than an hour before Karlee was born.

As soon as Karlee arrived, Heather S. (the birth mother) brother came into the waiting area to let us know of her birth. It was a very emotional time and he told us that his sister had not gone into this decision lightly. She had looked through many bios before selecting us. He said that as soon as our bio came up Heather S. knew that we were the ones who should raise this baby. He told us that he knew no one in their family could care for Karlee at this time and that although it was a hard decision he knew it was the right decision. He thanked us for being willing to raise Karlee. He said, “I leave her in your hands because they are the right hands. We are not giving her up because we do not want her. We are giving her up so that she can have a better life. We know that you will raise her right, that you will give her the moral training that she will need. Thank you so much! We know she will be loved. This was meant to be...you are the ones!” Heather S. chose not to see Karlee, although the rest of her family did.

Rob and I were immediately taken to the nursery where we were able to take part in all the preliminary weighing and bathing. After being in the nursery, we left there to go and see Heather. She looked really good. We gave her some flowers and of course some chocolates. She gave us a gift for Karlee. It was a small Elmo doll (She loves Elmo) a picture of herself framed, to give to Karlee later in life. Finally at 1:30 am we were given a hospital room. I just sat up for the next few hours watching our little Karlee. Rob’s attentiveness is probably the most shocking. He can’t get enough of Karlee. He feeds her, changes her, and just gazes at her. He is going to be an awesome dad! We were in three different hospital rooms during our two day stay. The first and last ones were nice and spacious. The room that we spent most of Friday in was a small exam/storage room. We called it a broom closet because that’s about how much room there was. Saturday morning, Heather S. signed over her rights and we were able to take our baby out of the hospital.

(picture: Our "Broom" closet room in the hospital)

What an amazing feeling it has been to be a mother. Th sleepless nights have taken some getting used to. I have never been much of a daytime naper, but I have to recharge somehow. To finally be a mother is a dream come true! I am so grateful!