Now we are 4
We adopted Madison today. Obviously, the picture above is not from the courtroom because we forgot our camera. It was pouring down rain — No, wait. That’s not right. It was raining sideways and we had to park three blocks away from the entrance. All four of us got soaked and in the rush to dash between raindrops, we left the diaper bag — with the camera — in the car. Rats. Drowned rats, which is what we looked like so maybe it’s a good thing that we didn’t get pictures.
The adoption procedure was … interesting. Our lawyer was so bored that she couldn’t stop yawning while we answered her questions. She also had Madison listed as an “infant boy” because her middle name is Michael. However the judge was very very nice.
They asked us some weird questions and Brett and I thought we’d share some of them for you here just in case you’re planning to adopt in the state of Ohio.
–You are aware that children come with no warranties? (What?! The agency said that we could return for a full refund for the first year and for a fair exchange for five years thereafter!)
–Do you feel Madison is better off with you? (We think she’s better off with us than in a Republican household but recognize that this is a matter of opinion.)
–How has your life changed since you got Madison? (I’ll give you the answer here that I gave them: Well, I’m a lot busier and I get less sleep.)
–Are you satisfied with this child? (She’s ok but do you have anything better in the back room?)
Etc. etc. We were both excited and nervous and the questions took us by surprise. We hadn’t expected them and we wondered how often someone leans into the microphone (the process is recorded) and says, “You know, come to think of it, this has all been a bit more of a bother than I expected and I suppose we’ve changed our minds after all.”
But we are very very happy — even giddy — that this is it — she is ours! We are hers!
And I had to add something wonderful Noah said the other day. Brett and I were talking about the discussions, why, on this blog as a matter of fact, and Noah heard us talking about “guarding our hearts” during those three days in the hospital.
“Didn’t you love Madison in the hospital?” he asked us. I told him that we were scared and didn’t know how to feel.
“Well, I loved her right away,” he admonished us. “I decided that she didn’t have to be my sister for me to love her.”
“What did you love best about her?” I asked him.
“Her feet. Her little feet and her little hands.”
He came to the adoption today, too, of course, and I think he was worried that it wouldn’t happen even though we told him it would. When I was waiting with him during Brett’s questioning he said, “Can’t we just take Madison and go? I don’t care if she’s not legally my sister!”
The best part was at the end where the judge legally pronounced us family and Madison celebrated by whacking the table in front of us so hard that I’m sure the tape of the proceedings will be totally obscured by her baby joy.
Congratulations! And, a wonderful picture too.
Best!
Congratulations! Big, huge CONGRATULATIONS! You are a gorgeous, happy family , thank you for sharing so much with your readers.
Congratulations to all of you!!
Noah sounds like the best big brother ever, and Madison looks like such a happy baby. She’s such a pretty little girl.
What, no warranty and no refund??? Shucks.
But congratulations on your big day, and a cyberkiss to Noah for being such a wonderful big brother.
Thanks for sharing your journey, and all the best to your family of 4.
Congratulations!
That’s wonderful, wonderful news…
xxoo
Oh, Dawn . . .
I’m sitting here crying I’m so happy for you.
Congrats.
Huzzah! Huzzah! Huzzah!
There is much rejoicing on the internet!
And what a great big brother Noah is–you were right about him all along!
Joy, indeed. Mazel tov to you all. What a wonderful ending/beginning to your story.
Yay! and yay again!
CONGRATULATIONS!
Too bad about the warranty part- that would come in handy when she’s a teenager. “You know, your warranty still hasn’t expired”
I know you’d look dubiously on statements that “Madison is lucky to have you”, so I won’t say silly things like that (Although I’m inclined to think that Noah is lucky to have you as well–as the parenting you write about is my idea of “ideal” in so many ways), but Madison is lucky to have Noah–and I’m sure that’s something we can agree on.
He’s such a dear, sweet, sensitive kid.
Many congrats to Madison and her family!
what beautiful kids! And Noah sounds like the wonderful, sweet big brother. I lurk here and am just starting the adoption process here in Italy.
congrats!
Anna
Many congratulations!
Your son sounds like one smart little fella! The innocence and trusting of a child is a good example to us all, isn’t it?
Awww, Noah is something…!
Congratulations!
Fantastic! It must be a relief to have the legal part just done. She’s a lucky girl, and you are lucky parents, as evidenced in the thoughtful way you’ve taken this journey from the very beginning.
Ojay– luck as very little to do with it–perhaps blessed says it better..
Okay– luck as very little to do with it–perhaps blessed says it better..
congratulations!!! that is so wonderful. so happy for all of you.
On a more serious note, but relevant to the entry, was J with you? How does it all work, as it related to J?
Congratulations!
Awww, adorable kids! Congratulations!
I’m happy for you guys! Sounds like one, big happy family!
Congratulations!
And can I just say that this line of Noah’s,
“I decided that she didn’t have to be my sister for me to love her.”, might just be the sweetest thing ever.
You have beautiful children, in and out.
Sarah
Congratulations! She is simply beautiful.