Charlie's Story

Our baby boy is two weeks old today. Already I'm feeling the time slipping through my fingers like sand. I am cherishing every single moment with him, but even so...some days I feel like I will never get enough. I've been contemplating what parts of Charlie's story I want to share on the blog, and exactly how to do that. It's important for me, as Charlie's mother, to realize that this is no longer just my story. This is now and always will be Charlie's story as well.

Our situation is somewhat unique in today's adoption world. Michael and I always assumed we would have an open relationship with Charlie's birth family; however, because our little boy came to us through the "safe haven" laws of Michigan, that is not to be the case. I feel a little bit sad about this, but I also know that Charlie's birth mother loved him very much. I feel extremely compassionate and grateful towards her. I wish her peace and comfort through what must be a very difficult time in her life.

Before being matched, I heard all the time that our baby would come to us "when the time was right," or when it was "meant to be." As you all know, those things are not easy to hear when you're waiting...but looking at the situation from this side of the fence, I can say they were absolutely true. Charlie's timing in our lives could not have been more perfect!

For one thing, you all know about my April "due date" on our baby registry. As it turns out, I was just a couple weeks premature with my prediction! I've also always had very strong "boy" vibes throughout this whole process. Maybe it was mother's intuition? Here are a few more reasons why I can now see that Charlie was 100% meant to be our precious little boy:

• We got "the call" when most of my family was right there with us.
• We waited exactly nine months and one week for our baby to find us.
• Even though we weren't physically ready for baby, I sort of always imagined it would happen the way it did. Even though it was a whirlwind like nothing I've ever experienced before, I like the fact that we didn't have to wait long between THE CALL and placement.
  
• Our baby was born 12 days before Mother's Day
• Charlie is the fourth grandchild for my parents, now there are two boys and two girls.
  
• My sisters two youngest children are close to Charlie's age. Ava is two and Lydia is five months old. My sisters and I have always wanted to raise children together, and now that dream is coming true!
• I just had a (difficult) conversation with my younger sister about how it would be really hard for me if she got pregnant before we were matched. She even said if that happened, her pregnancy would be one part thrilling and one part heartbreaking. Now neither of us have to worry about that! {Holly if you're reading this, bring on the babies!!}
  
• I just finished one of the craziest semesters in my entire college career! I will now have four months to spend with our baby before any alternative care arrangements will need to be made.
• Since the beginning of our relationship, 13 has been our lucky number. Charlie boy is the 13th member of our immediate family.
  
• About three months ago, we saved up the last big chunk of our adoption fund - just in time!
  
• I have lots of friends who have little ones within a year of Charlie, or who will be having little ones very soon (Rebekah!) so our baby boy will have play mates!

So far, with a little less than two weeks under my belt, I can say that motherhood fits me like a glove. I always knew I would love being a mom, but this is better than I ever imagined. Every time I look at my little boy, I fall in love with him all over again...he really is my dream come true!