I know, I know you are waiting for the post that tells you all about us meeting our son for the first time (or maybe you're not and we think the world revolves around us).  We have both been meaning to do this, but time is not always on our side...not that we're complaining.

We have recently been contemplating the manner in which the previous posts have been written.  Here's the problem - there's blogging, journalling and a llife book.  All have value, but we can't get all three done.  We started journalling while Noah was in foster care...to pass the time, but that abruptly came to an end.  Blogging is the only thing we are able to do somewhat regularily as it is quick and accessible.  Noah's Life Book is the top priority and needs to be started, so we need to combine some of our writing.

Journalling is out...at least for this purpose.  Blogging (about Noah's story and our start as a family) will serve two purposes - 1) a means to update the blogging world; 2) as a way to tell Noah his story and incorporate the blogs into his Life Book.We are going to change the format of the blogs about Noah's story, as if we were writing them to him.  We are going to rename them "Letters to Noah".  We are excited about this and will start by updating our previous few blogs to follow this format and then will get back to updating you.

We hope you will continue to stay tuned and we are thankful that you are reading and so patient to wait for us to blog.  Happy blogging and we'll be together again soon.

As a new parent, we find oursleves getting a lot of advice.  Some is generic, overall advice like "enjoy every moment, they grow up fast".  Trust me, we are trying to do that.  I never want any of this to seem like a chore.  I've heard people say that before and I don't want to be like that.  Some advice is very specific and usually comes from your own parent...because they would have done it differently.  I turned out fine, so I guess they knew what they were doing...or someone gave them good advice.

The piece of advice that I hear a lot that kind of baffles me is "sleep when he is sleeping".  First of all, my child sleeps about 16-20 hours a day.  I don't think it's normal for an adult to sleep that much.  Secondly, if I were to "sleep when he's sleeping", I'm going to need a few things:

1) A laundry fairy...you know the kind.  One that separates the white and colours, washes everything exactly according to it's instructions, folds and puts everything away immediately, instead of letting it sit on top of the dryer for days on end, and does the ironing immediately!

2) A grocery shopping fairy...one that doesn't spend money on unnecessary items, doesn't shop when she's hungry, so as to not overspend, gets all the good deals, uses coupons and puts everything away.

3) A cooking fairy...one that cooks only wholesome meals, actually uses all the strange and wonderful spices in my cupboard insead of letting them harden so that they need to be thrown away, plans for meals to be serves at a decent time, makes all food so that it is good for us and doesn't contribute to unnecessary weight gain.

4) A housecleaning fairy....wait a second, I have two of those.  They are not fairies, but ANGELS from heaven!

So instead of sleeping, I'm doing all of the above.  The funny thing is, I don't mind because it helps pass the time until I can spend some more awake time with my son!

The only time, it's good to sleep when they are sleeping (in my opinion) is at night or in the afternoon with him snuggled up beside me.

There is nothing better than a child sleeping on your chest!  I love putting my nose against his little head and breathing in his AWESOME baby smell!  Don't all babies smell geat?  I am surprised that noone has ever tried to bottle this smell...."Baby" by Calvin Klein...I hope noone ever tries!!! 

Even though it is difficult to type, I am NOT moving my beautiful Noah.

Day 3: Wednesday, March 1, 2006

Another almost sleepless night the previous night and Mommy & Daddy are both wired for sound.  We were both on a natural high and still running on adrenaline...thank God that's available.  We are not sure what to expect today.  We had been told previously by our lawyer that we could not visit you until the birth mother had been released from the hospital...her wishes...and he didn't expect that to be until Thursday.

Mommy tried to get some work done that day.  I remember thinking this time next week, I probably won't be here.  I had a lot to wrap up and was trying to do that inconspicuously.  I had a meeting that I attended (physically) and had my Wednesday morning training session with the person meant to replace me...I hoped I was able to do that some justice. 

About mid-morning, Mommy's boss came to see her.  He had suspected something was up since Monday...darn intuitive HR people!  This is how our conversation went:

Mommy's Boss: You look like you swallowed a canary.  What's going on?

Mommy: Things are moving along nicely in the adoption.

Mommy's Boss: Are we still talking you leaving in the same timeline, beginning of June?  We had sort of guessed that might be the timeline based on Russia and had been working towards it.

Mommy: It's going to be earlier than that.

Mommy's Boss: How much earlier are we talking?

Mommy: Next week.

Mommy's Boss: Congratulations

Mommy: I can't give you a lot of detail right now, but should be able to early next week.  Oh by the way, I also need tomorrow off (this was in addition to the Friday & Monday I already had booked).

Smiling, he agreed and walked out of my office.  He wasn't exactly prepared for that answer, but has known all along about the adoption and I had been training someone...what are you to do.

Around 3:00, the lawyer called.  He indicated that the birth mother had reviewed our profile and had officially chosen Mommy & Daddy as your adoptive parents!  She said she liked that we seemed so relaxed and were very family-oriented.  That's us.  WOOHOO!!!

He also told Mommy that the hospital is full and you were going to be released the following day to foster care in southern Ontario.  He told me the birth mother was still in hospital until likely the following day...could we be at the hospital around 10:00 AM?  Absolutely we could!  We were going to meet our son!

We discussed logistics.  He asked if Sandra could be available to drive with us to the foster home?  We needed someone impartial.  Then it dawned on me...WE NEED A CAR SEAT!  We have nothing for an infant...no car seat, no clothes, no diapers.  We will need to go to Wal-Mart!

I then called Daddy to tell him the great news!  We knew there was a Wal-Mart close to home.  Daddy happened to have a dentist appointment that evening.  So once again...you guessed it...I asked Daddy if he could leave work early and push his dentist appointment up so we could go to Wal-Mart to get some very important stuff for you.  So we made plans to meet at home after Daddy's appointment and get the basic necessities to get our son to the foster home.

I then called Sandra to see if she would be available to meet us at the hospital the next morning and go with us for the day.  Of course, she said she would love to accompany us.  We were set.

Now I was in speedy mode, trying to get my office cleaned and wrap stuff up, because I am definitely going to be off for some time! 

Unexpectedly, at about 5:00, I received a call from the lawyer. 

Lawyer: Are you still at work?

Mommy: Yes.

Lawyer: Can you be at the hospital at 7:00.  The birth mother has been released and you can see your son tonight!

Mommy: Yes!!!!!  We'll be there!  My head is spinning, as we have so many things to do...but none of it is as important as meeting our son!  The moment we have been waiting for....forever....is about to arrive.

I called Daddy right away...I don't remember how our conversation went...all I remember is the sheer excitment we both had. 

On the way home, Daddy called Granny and Mommy called my Nanny and Grandpa.  Mommy also called my Auntie Angela, Uncle Andrew and Uncle Mike, as they still didn't know about our news!  This is turning out to be one of our best days ever!

The best part of this part of the story will have to wait as "Mr. Toots A Lot" is requiring nourishment.  Sorry to leave you hanging, but trust me, it'll be worth it.

Day 2: Tuesday, February 28, 2006

After about four hours sleep, dreaming about our adoption, day 2 was a lot of waiting around.  Had our child been born yet?  Had the lawyer been to see the birth mother?  When were we going to get the next call? 

After worrying myself all morning without a call from the lawyer, Mommy finally called Daddy at noon and we decided that I would wait until 1:00 to call the lawyer.  I like to give myself timelines when I'm waiting for something.  Somehow, time goes by faster that way.

At 1:00 I called the lawyer.  He had indicated that he had been to see the birth mother and the baby had been born the night before and was doing fine.  He asked to meet with us that day.  So we made an appointment for 5:00.  

I called Daddy to ask him to leave early (again) that day to meet with the lawyer.  I told him the baby had been born.  He asked me if it was a girl or boy?  I didn't ask!  What kind of mother was I going to be???  Once again I wasn't thinking straight!

At 5:00, we met the lawyer.  The first question Daddy asked was boy or girl?  It's a boy!!! 

We were so pleased!  I asked birth weight and time, but he didn't have that kind of detail...a bit too much to ask I guess.  He said the baby was doing very well.

As our lawyer went through all the legal mumble jumble, I took copious amounts of notes because I wasn't thinking straight and wouldn't remember what he had said if I didn't.  About half way through our meeting, the lawyer talked about his meeting with the birth mom.  She had told him that she wanted to choose us as your adoptive parents!  Although she hadn't seen our profile yet, we were excited, none-the-less.  Of course, we wanted to ensure she was making an informed decision, so it was important to get the profile to the lawyer the next day.

Then, the best thing happened...the lawyer was talking about his OHIP (health) card and said the card would go in our (last) name. 

Lawyer: What's the baby's name?  Daddy and I looked at each other.  We had been sitting on this name for almost two years! 

Daddy: We haven't told anyone the name we have chosen. 

Lawyer: Well you have to tell me.

Daddy: We get to name our son?

Lawyer: Yes.  He doesn't have a name yet.

Daddy & Mommy: Noah Christopher!  (I added, "you can't tell anyone")

After our meeting, we are on cloud nine!  When we got home, we decided that we should call Nanny & Grandpa and Granny.  To date, we hadn't told anyone.  We called my Nanny & Grandpa first.  They were overjoyed!  Nanny cried, so did Mommy.  We told them about the previous two days and how everything had unfolded.  They loved your name. 

Next, we called Granny.  Once again, Mommy cried.  Granny was also overjoyed!  She loved your name as well.  Your second name is Grandpa Smith's name and Granny was so pleased that we had chosen it. 

Daddy & Mommy worked to touch up our profile for your birth mom.  We were both on cloud nine all night.  We had a son!  Until we meet little man...

As most new parents, we have begun to discuss the timing, consistency, smell and have been keeping tally of changing poopy diapers.  Is it normal to discuss your child's poop???  I don't know, but it is a popular topic of conversation.

Why is it cute when the toot?  Why is it cute when they grunt so hard trying to poop that you think their little head is going to explode.  Why is it cute when they put their sock foot in the poop when you are changing them?  I don't know why this fascinates me, but it does.  Is my child may be the only kid on earth who can toot and burp at the same time...I think he's gifted. 

And then there's the burping.  How does something so loud come out of someone so small.  We have redefined the meaning of hairblower.

Hairblower (def.): A child's burp that is able to move the hair of a man with a brush cut.  Now that's a BIG burp.

It's my first day alone with Noah and he has kept me in stiches today.  He is a funny kid.  We are really close to smiling too...hopefully in the next few days.

Have a good day and enjoy poop!