This post was originally created about a month ago, but I never had the chance to publish it.
Our journey to find Lyla started with the loss of another baby...
It really all started back around Christmas. I had the feeling while we were in AUS for the holiday that we were meant to have another baby... soon. I repeatedly said to my family that about the time Masie turned one, we would be ready. I got a lot of eye rolls and "Are you sure? That's really soon."
I'm telling you I JUST KNEW!
I made sure we stayed current with our adoption certification that was coming due on April 9th. For those that don't know, you get certified, which can take FOREVER, but then have to keep up every year and renew your stuff. That's not so much work, but very important to get it all done in time, so you don't have to start all over again.
Then I started looking. Luke was totally on board, but it's really my drive, my thing, and my feelings that keep us moving toward finding our babies. He is super supportive, does every task I ask of him, and lets me know he knows I know what I'm doing :)
Even if you're certified and have a current homestudy, once you begin to work with an agency you have more paperwork to fill out, reference letters to assign, medical reports to get completed, copies to be made of official documents, and family profiles to create. Each agency has something just a little bit different that they need.
I began with one agency after hearing that they were looking for an adoptive family in AZ wanting an open adoption. I was plugging ahead with the paperwork at the same time that I saw online an agency in UT that had several upcoming placements that fit our desires. Sometimes it's hard to decide whether or not to use one agency or another. Do they give enough support to the birthmoms, is my money being put to use correctly, do they give legal support? We were completely happy with the agency that placed us with Masie, so I called them to ask their advice on the other UT agency. Our old caseworker was excited to again hear from us. Her advice, "Don't go with another agency. Stay with us. We will find you another baby." She was VERY adamant. I felt really good speaking with her, but still in the back of my head I'm thinking, "Maybe she just wants my money. I know there are babies in other agencies. Maybe another agency is where we should go." But I quickly filled out the application for our previous adoption agency and over-nighted it to them. I also continued with my work with the 2 other agencies.
I checked my voicemail after church Sunday, May 3rd.
It was our old case worker, "Emrie, call me. ASAP!"
I called, ASAP!
and had to leave a message because she was now at church!
I paced back and forth down our hallway in front of our office,
Luke watching me the whole time (luckily the kids were napping).
I said to him, "I know what she's going to say."
"What?"
"Masie's birthmom (Corina) is pregnant again. And she wants to place her new baby with us."
"Ha! You think?"
then my cell rang...
"Emrie, Corina is pregnant again. Do you want her baby?"
I AM NOT KIDDING!
this is exactly how it happened!
I was gasping for breath.
Our case worker knew when I called her the week before, but she couldn't tell us. Legally she had to wait to learn from Corina that it was ok to tell us. We learned that Corina (due with her baby the beginning of August) had called our agency to say she was going to place another baby just a few days before I called to tell them we were searching again. If I hadn't called them to initiate our desire, I'm not sure what would have happened.
IT DOESN'T MATTER.
Corina has chosen us again!
(this is the end of my original post... the story continues...)
Then came the bad news. We spent a couple weeks dreaming and planning for our next addition. On May 19th I answered the call that nearly broke my heart. The birthfather has decided he wants to parent Corina's baby.
Sob.
There is nothing we can do but pray that this baby girl is loved and cherished.
This was a rough week for us. I couldn't believe how everything had fallen so nicely into place. She was meant to be ours! Why did it work out so smoothly to fall through my fingers now? Free agency or something, right?
Our agency, A Guardian Angel Adoptions, felt terrible. They told us that they were on a mission to find us another baby.
As Masie and I left town on Thursday, May 28th for my brother's high school graduation in ID, I left a voice message with A Guardian telling them I'd be in the area (they're located near SLC) "just in case" they needed me for anything. I don't think "inspired" is the right word for me leaving that message because I felt a little silly, but it got the job done :)
They called me on Saturday the 30th to tell me a little about Jennifer who wanted to place her baby girl for adoption due the second week of July.
Could I meet with her Sunday morning for breakfast?
Jennifer had gone into early labor because of a bladder infection on Friday afternoon, so they had to find an adoptive family right away just in case the baby was born. We were the agency's first pick... Had it not been for the heartache we went through, we wouldn't have been chosen for Lyla.
Jennifer and the baby were ok. They gave the baby steroids to help her lungs just in case she came early, but they were released from the hospital Saturday afternoon. I was able to meet with Jennifer for breakfast the next day at IHOP before catching my flight home in the afternoon. The breaky went fantastic. We made plans to talk again by phone after her doctor's appointment on Tuesday. We parted with her asking, " are you sure you're ready for this? I'd like for you to have my baby."
DEFINITELY!
Masie and I made it home safely. We took some deep breaths on Monday. Most of Tuesday was normal. Our case worker called us Tuesday, June 2nd at 2:30 p.m. and asked what I was doing. Putting away groceries.
She says, "you better get on the next flight because your baby is coming today."
WHAT?!?!
We had 2 hours to pack and pull together our final documents then race to the airport. Typically, we were traveling with two sick kids. Miles threw up all over himself, his Diego backpack, and my laptop bag on the way to the airport. Masie had a runny diaper explosion before and just after boarding (and for the next week). Guess it's never a convenient time for kids to be sick, but sheesh!
I got a text message just as the flight attendant told us to "turn off all electrical devices" that our baby girl had arrived by c-section and she and her birthmother were doing fine. Jennifer was 35 weeks 2 days along in her pregnancy and learned at her scheduled doctor's visit that her blood pressure was way too high. She was sent immediately to the hospital for an emergency c-section. Jennifer never felt sick or in any pain and was able to leave the hospital after 3 days. We love her and look forward to keeping in touch with her.
Lyla arrived June 2nd at 6:49 p.m. in perfect health.
She weighed 5lbs 4 oz and stretched 17 inches long.
She is gorgeous.
We are blessed, again and again and again.
I made the cupcakes.
Masie eating more plate than cake :)
Our water-girl
Thanks for all the great girly gifts!
Gift from our family was a Stella doll with Masie's coloring.
Our water-girl
It's a little heavy for her, so she got balance help from Dad.
Her day ended with laughter when she said goodnight while watching Miles bounce on the inflatable mattress setup for Grandma (she arrived just a little too late for the festivities).
Miles and Masie were both drawn to the stuffed 
Fishing is serious business. Miles used his birthday 
Luke's
Masie! Please stop eating the 
