[skelley2002]

Our son was born Thursday, Sept. 18. And we brought him home (sort of) from the hospital yesterday. He's 7 pounds 7 ounces and 20 inches long, has a full head of jet black hair and brown eyes that will make you melt. His name is Felipe Elias. He is beautiful and wonderful and a testimony to how special this process can be when the stars align, fate intervenes and God blesses you.

I will write more when we return to our home in Alabama (once the interstate compact clears). Our process was unique and I learned much that may be helpful for parents who are looking to adopt now.

We have a marvelous relationship with the baby's birthmother and plan to go to dinner where she is living with the baby later on this week. That scared me when we first agreed to an open adoption. Now I can't imagine what this adoption would be like without contact. We spent two days at the hospital with the birthmother and the baby and a Spanish/English dictionary. We all know each other very well, and she is as much a part of our family now as the baby is.

Now the real fun begins. I was up all night feeding, burping and changing diapers. My wife had that duty today. Will write more later... thanks for all the moral support and suggestions. They came in real handy. Btw, parents have way to much crap to cart around. Should have followed the advice about making a crib out of a chest of drawers!

Sean, proud pappa!

[lizzi]

Congradulations!!! It is more work than you ever will expect, but then the rewards are far greater than anything else. Hope that everything continues to go well. I am so happy for you.

[dulce_suenos]

Congratulations! Now the real fun begins. Hope you all are home soon. Can't wait to hear your update.

[tobeafamily]

CONGRATULATIONS and best wishes to you all. Yes, it is truly amazing how much stuff babies use and how everything takes an extra 27 steps to do now :-).

The first weeks are very challenging as you adjust to life with a very demanding infant. I remember by the time Ryan was 4 weeks old thinking "What have I done? I HATE this!" 2 weeks later I got my first true looking-in-Mommy's-eyes smile and that was, as they say, that.

I'm so glad your open arrangement is working well so far, it really is worth the challenge when you realize how much this means to your son.

Hang in & again, congrats! Now go have that big dang baby shower y'all have been putting off.

:-)

Regina, AMom to Ryan Joshua Thomas

[amom4life]

AWWWW he sounds adorable! Congratulations Sean!! I can't wait to be in your shoes!
Judy