Sunday, December 10, 2006

Introducing the little Monkey!





I am sitting here at the hotel and all is quiet. Jim is taking a nap and most of the other guests are out or in their rooms. The boy is sitting in a little seat on the desk next to my computer as I type. Every time I look over at him he smiles at me.

I had wanted to write a post to those still on the journey to adoption. To somehow convey to them how all of the years of trying and waiting, the heartache, the sadness, the nervousness, all of it, goes away the instant, and I mean the INSTANT you meet your child. But then I realized you really cannot understand this until it happens to you. I would devour adoption blogs and try to imagine what it was like when people met their child. I thought I could understand their excitement and joy. But what I felt was only one TENTH of what it actually feels like. I look at this precious baby and I cry every time. How on earth were we so blessed to be matched with this boy. The connection was instantaneous. It truly feels as though I have given birth to this child. A very long and painful labor for sure, but as with “real” births, completely and utterly worth it in the end.

So if you are still on the journey, please hang in there. The pot of gold at the end of the rainbow is bigger than you can ever imagine.

44 comments:

  1. Anonymous4:07 PM

    OH my oH my he is so so

    ADROABLE!!!!!

    so so blessed!!!

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  2. Oh my word what a ham!!! I love that intellectual pose there in the first picture and then the crazy face at the end. What a sweetie!!! And those cheeks!

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  3. Anonymous4:46 PM

    Awesome, Stephanie. And you are totally right. It's difficult to explain to people how those first few moments feel -- like landing on the moon. Maybe even better than that.

    You all look wonderful. And I hope you get Sentencia soon, too.

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  4. Oh Stephanie!!! He's just beautiful!!!!! :o)))) I'm sooo sooo sooo happy for you!!!

    What a beautiful family. Hope you get to come home soon!!

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  7. Anonymous6:49 PM

    I am so happy for your family! You deserve to have such happiness!

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  8. Anonymous7:12 PM

    I'm in tears. Thanks for the wonderful words of encouragement.
    He is so cute. I love his smile. Great looking family.

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  10. What a cutie! And what a beautiful family! You and your journey are such an inspiration to those out there hoping to be blessed as you have been!

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  12. Anonymous9:01 PM

    pictures, yay!
    Beautiful family shot. You just look like you belong together.
    So happy for you.

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  13. Anonymous9:07 PM

    You are in trouble!! Just try to say no to THAT face! Seriously, he is gorgeous. And I love your comments about all of the pain and waiting and frustration melting away when you see your baby's face for the first time. I am still drunk on Mama love 7 years later so that feeling doesn't go away.

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  14. I've told you once, I've told you a million times... he is just the cutest thing evah!!! I love the last photo. But secretly, what I like more, having a fact to put with your name.

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  15. Anonymous9:43 PM

    He's just handsome! And he looks just as happy as you two!

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  16. Anonymous11:10 PM

    He's beautiful and he looks very relaxed and happy with his family. He's going to be a charmer.

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  17. You guys were made for each other--what a perfect, amazing family you make. You all look so radiant and happy. I love your dress-that is gorgeous. And what a cutie! I love his different expressions.

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  18. What a cutie!!! Love his looks - total camera ham.

    Glad to hear everything is moving along well. Guess that troll of yours was just jealous? Hopefully you guys get out of there quickly.

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  19. He is lovely! Congratulations again.

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  21. He is gorgeous and you guys look great together: comfortable and meant to be!

    Congratulations!

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  22. Congratulations! What cuteness! I'm just so happy for you!

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  23. He is such a handsome little man! I know you are in LOVE. Congratulations, I'm thrilled for you and your family.

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  25. Anonymous8:23 AM

    I am the grandmother of a soon to be Colombian adoption. I understood all of your pain and frustration fron the infertility to the waiting on this beautiful little boy,I know he was worth the wait. Thank you for sharing so freely with us strangers but we are not really strangers in the heart. My daughter and son in law have been waiting for the call for 14 months. I look for your very interesting blog everynight before I go to bed. Again thank you for your encourgement. I know it will happen for us soon.

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  26. Anonymous8:59 AM

    Oh my, oh my....he is just gorgeous! Congrats again. I do hope you get sentencia soon and get to bring him home before Christmas. Yes, the moment of meeting your child is unexplainable. I can't wait to go through that again! Hugs.

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  27. Anonymous9:13 AM

    He is too precious for words!

    I am so very happy for you and your lovely family.

    Thank you for updating us so regularly and FINALLY letting us see your son.

    So beautiful!

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  28. He is adorable! What a sweet face! I'm crossing my fingers that you get to bring him home before Christmas.

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  29. Anonymous3:52 PM

    He's one handsome little guy.

    Thanks for the kind words to all of us that are still waiting.

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  30. Anonymous4:10 PM

    OH MY GOODNESS! What a CUTIE!! I love all of the pictures. SO wonderful!! Congrats, you're a FAMILY!!!

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  31. Anonymous5:24 PM

    He's so perfect--he looks like he belongs in your family. I know I've been absent a lot, but I'm still thinking 'bout you--and just looking at his pictures makes me cry. Congratulations to the 12th degree...

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  32. I like the last picture the best. He is a cutie patootie. G-d Bless the 3 of you. Enjoy this experience in Columbia with him.

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  33. oh my god what a cutie pie. love the last photo. he looks like he's a FUN baby! congrats a million times.

    and it's neat seeing a pic of you / your husband.

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  34. What an absolutely glorious chunk of boy!! I want to nuzzle his cheekies.

    Your family is beautiful, Stephanie. Thank you so much for sharing with us.

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  35. Anonymous8:46 AM

    Love the photos!. He looks so cute. I'm so happy for you and your family. (Look, it's another excuse to buy yarn!)

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  36. OH MY GOD!! Is he cute or WHAT???
    We are so lucky to be blessed with these babies. An dyou just don't know the depth or your emotions till you have them in your arms. Amazing.
    Ok, now we want more pics :p

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  37. Anonymous7:38 AM

    Great pictures- I love the one of the three of you. I'm so happy that you are finally getting to experience the joy that is parenthood. Its really amazing, isn't it? Congratulations!

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  38. What a happy looking little boy! You make such a beautiful family--he totally belongs right there with you both. :)

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  39. That last happy, goofy face just takes the cake. What asweetie! You lucky, lucky mom!

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  41. goose bumps worthy cuteness.... Oh My .. that face of his is so kissable

    Congrats Mama

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  42. Anonymous11:43 AM

    Thank you for you words of encouragment! I totally needed them right when I read them. Congrats on your beautiful boy!!!!

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  43. He's absolutely precious! You're going to have a little heartbreaker on your hands!!

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  44. Congratulations!! I have been away for a while at the blog world because of busy stuff - and I am glad I just checked on you! Wow - What a beautiful boy!
    Have a great time in Colombia while you become a family!!! that's priceless

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