Kuoting Merri: It's About Love: An Adoption Story

Monday, October 25, 2010
It's About Love: An Adoption Story

My beautiful sister, Katie, after becoming pregnant, made the decision to place her baby boy for adoption. She chose a wonderful family, whom we know really well-they also adopted their daughter, Azlyn, from Katie, just 21 months ago.

********************************************
It was a party in the delivery room! Katie had quite the support team-myself, Dara-the adoptive Mom, our Mom, our sister Natalie, our sister Tiffany-via skype from Colorado, and good friend-Tamy. There was a lot of LOVE in that delivery room!

Katie is one tough Mama! She handled labor great! Here she is getting her epidural with Dr. Putnam.
Thumbs up = Good stuff!!

Baby Liam's heart rate looked great all through labor!

Two hot mama's! Dara & Katie can't wait to meet Lil' Liam!
When Katie got tired of wearing her pulse oximeter on her finger, Dara gladly did!

Dr. Alperin made Dara an offer she couldn't refuse! She got to deliver her own baby!

It was an incredibly spiritual experience witnessing the birth of this precious baby boy....and I've been present at A LOT of births. There was a calmness that came over all of us-especially Katie. We all watched in awe and silence as he made his way into the world....
And here he is....Welcome to the world Liam James!
Born: October 19, 2010 at 2:47am
6 lbs 14 oz, 19" long

The love of two mothers....

Baby Liam & Katie visiting with Tiffany in Colorado....

We're so glad he's here!

Dara & Liam....Doesn't she look proud?!

All 6 pounds 14 ounces of him....

Finally, room to stretch....

Katie's after delivery treat....McDonald's french fries and a Code Red Mountain Dew!

After a LONG drive down from Utah, Jim finally arrived. Here he is meeting Liam for the first time....

First family picture.....Jim, Dara, Azlyn, & Liam.

Look at that smile! Who cares if it's gas....he's happy!
Katie & Baby Liam had lots of visitors!
Here's big brother, Kade....
Ryan was so sweet with him....

Rylee LOVED him!

Our family talking to Liam....We love him so much!

Pop & Grandma....

I got to spend the night with Katie & Liam in postpartum. That was a special night! Lots of junk food and baby cuddling!

Kade loved to hold Liam....He was so gentle!

Natalie & Justin....Don't they look good with a baby?! (Hint, hint)

This is one of my favorite pics....

What a precious baby he is....

Here's Big Sis Azlyn getting acquainted with Lil' Liam....

Dara's parents got Kade a "Big Brother" shirt. He was so proud to wear it and match Liam....

Azlyn, Kade, & Liam....Aren't they darling?!
Katie & Dara....and their precious babies....

Heading home together....
After Katie & Liam were discharged home, everyone got take-out and came over for lunch.

A proud Mommy & Daddy....

We spent a fun afternoon together, visiting, holding, laughing....

Kade loved to help....

That evening we all went to the LDS Family Services Birthmom Support Group. Katie was proud to introduce Baby Liam and his new family to her friends....

Oh yum! Mom & Dad sent Katie and I this beautiful "Edible Arrangement". It was SO good!
Placement Day:
It was a beautiful day. Our friends and family gathered to support Katie as she signed the documents to officially "place" Liam with his new family. The Spirit was so strong as we took turns holding Liam and expressing our love for him. We were each given an opportunity to share our testimony and our thoughts. There wasn't a dry eye to be found!
Here is our Angel Katie.... Words can't even begin to express how amazed and impressed I am by her and her selfless actions. She loves this sweet baby so much, that she's able to give him a family with a Mom, a Dad, and a big sister who all love him too.

We love you Katie! You are so strong!

Our Mom and Katie...

What love!
I love this picture....

In the words of Michael McLean: "From God's arms, to my (Katie's) arms, to yours (Dara's)....
This baby is so lucky that he has two mother's who both love him so much!

After the official "placement", we had a sleepover....

Now how many birth/adoptive moms are comfortable enough to do that?! I am so glad that Katie & Dara are!!

Aunt Natalie holding Rylee who's holding Liam....

Sweet baby boy! And now he's going to be famous! Just today, he was chosen by a very talented photographer to be Baby Jesus in her new art collection. So exciting!

Liam, we love you so much! And we can't wait to watch you grow, and learn, and be all that our Heavenly Father wants you to be!

This adoption story: It's ALL about love....