Welcome Scarlett Grace Vaught!

We've been home since Monday, and I'm still in disbelief of the wonderful adoption story that unfolded over the weekend.  To say we are blessed....just doesn't seem to do things justice (and frankly, I think I say that phrase to much!)  But, honestly, I am blessed....and continue to be over and over again.

Now...grab some coffee...sit back...and enjoy (this is a long one....but an amazing one!)

I picked up Jenn at 7:00, so we could get her dog dropped off, pick up her cousin Abby, and get to the hospital by 7:30.  After getting checked in...the normal "induction" stuff commenced (computer charting, IV starting, lab drawing, medicine administering).  Unfortunately, Jenn's progression was slow...which for a hungry, pregnant woman...was miserable.  For me...I actually enjoyed being at the hospital all day....just visiting with Jenn and sharing pieces of our lives with one another, through stories and pictures.  Jenn met my parents (who will be Scarlett's Poppie and Bb), and my brother (Uncle Shawn), which I think gave her continued comfort....meeting the extended family that will be loving her little girl.

There was discussion at one point of possibly halting the induction, and starting again the following day.  But...things started to move along and progress....so off to the races we went.  I sent Chris home because we had no idea when things would REALLY get cooking, and I was to call him once it was "GO" time.

Jenn napped on and off...and I just laid there on my little cot...thinking of what was about to unfold.  The rush of varying emotions is not really something I can even explain on paper.  While thrilled and excited...I was also plagued with fear, anxiety and sadness.  I can say...it's quite overwhelming to be experiencing ALL those emotions at one time.

Fast forward to 1:30am....Jenn was now complete and it was time to start pushing and bring this little miracle into the world.  I called Chris and told him to make his way to the hospital (he didn't need to rush, as he was not going to be in the delivery room). Jenn's Aunt Susie, Cousin Abby, and myself were gifted with the honor of being in the delivery room with Jenn. She started pushing at 1:55am and Scarlett Grace entered the world at 2:13!!  She weighed 7 pounds 11 ounces...and was 20 inches long. 

As the I cut the umbilical cord...I was over come with tears and emotion, and my breath was actually stifled...as I had just been a part of an amazing miracle.  I had just watched one of the most courageous women I know....give birth to her daughter....MY daughter.

After taking picture, after picture, after picture....I left Scarlett's side to talk to Jenn.  They were still measuring, assessing, and cleaning Scarlett.  I told Jenn that I was going to go out to the waiting room to be with Chris and share this moment with him.  I told her to take the time she needed with Scarlett....and to have someone come get us when she was ready.

At approximately 3am...Susie (Jenn's aunt) came to the waiting room and said Jenn was ready for us. When we entered the room...Scarlett was so peaceful, sleeping in Jenn's arms.  Jenn looked at us and smiled, and then she spoke words to Scarlett I will never forget.  She said "Scarlett, it's time for you to meet your Mommy and Daddy."  Through tears, I told Jenn thank you and she handed me the most incredible gift...the gift of a daughter.

We stayed there in the delivery room...Jenn, Chris and I, and baby Scarlett....until they took us to our post-partum rooms.  Words were few, but the feeling was one of peacefulness, mutual respect, and love.  God was present...holding each of us in His arms....as that is the only way things could have felt that comfortable, that perfect.

For the rest of the weekend, we were allowed to have a room at the hospital on the post-partum floor, and Scarlett roomed-in with us.  Jenn was across the hall, and we visited each others rooms often....continuing to share in the joy of this little life.  Jenn was discharged home on Sunday, but I stayed in the hospital with Scarlett until Monday.  We requested the extended stay because that is when official paper work could be signed....so that Scarlett could be discharged home to us from the hospital.

Monday morning arrived...and it was time to take our little girl home.

 

After the paperwork was completed, Chris and I, along with Jen, her Aunt and Cousin, my parents, my brother and his wife, and another couple that happened to be there in support of Jenn....but are mutual friends of ours....all headed to the chapel in the hospital.  We were joined by a pastor that Jenn chose and we participated in a beautiful, heart-warming blessing ceremony.  A blessing ceremony that recognized...the joy of an amazing life, the new beginning of a growing family, the forever intertwining lives of birth parent and adoptive parents...as well as Jenn's sadness/ loss.  The ceremony concluded with each person in the room placing their hand on Scarlett (or indirectly on Scarlett by touching someone who was touching her) while beautiful prayers and blessings were spoken aloud and silently.

 

I have beautiful pictures from this occasion, but I have decided to keep those private and close at heart.  It's one of the most special moments of my life, and I look forward to sharing it with Scarlett when she is old enough and ready.

 

Scarlett Grace....my little girl, we have been praying for you and loving you long before we knew you!  Always know...you are God's child, perfectly and divinely made.  But for this earthly lifetime...you will experience unending, unwavering love....both seen and unseen.