Saturday, March 7, 2009

It's A Match!


I can't believe I'm blogging this...but I am. We are matching! I don't know how or why, but the situation closest to perfect has dropped from the sky and landed in our living room. The woman we were emailing yesterday has picked us. She actually picked us before we even spoke to her, she's that sure. I still don't want to give to many details out of respect for her, but I think I can give you a general outline of the situation. First, there are no drug, alcohol, or smoking issues at all. Second, she is mature, 29 years old, and sounds educated. Next, she had her family members involved in making her decision and they back her all the way. She has full medical coverage, and is adamant that we are going to be the fathers of her baby. She had already made an adoption plan with a family friend that fell through, and so she called the IAC. They sent her a pack of 50 letters, and she said ours caught her eye right away. Ugh how many posts did I do on that letter and the turmoil that went into it! The rewrites, the picture selections, printing it, ugh how I grew to hate that letter and everything around it...that wonderful, glorious letter that caught her eye! She said they kept grabbing other ones but still kept coming back to ours. They all talked it over and decided it was meant to be us. She said she wanted her baby to be surrounded by diversity and she could see how diverse our family was. She wanted lots of kids around and loved the pictures of our neices and nephews. She said we looked fun, and really liked our picture.

She lives in Los Angeles, a quick 4 1/2 hour drive from here, and California is the "Golden State" for gay adoptive parents. Even though we live in Arizona, they will allow us to come back in six months and finalize the adoption there, which will result in a birth certificate with mine and Gregg's names both on it! Full adoption for both of us! Arizona would only do one of us, and the other would have no more rights then a family friend.

When I told her we'd be happy to come out next week, she kind of laughed. She was like, you can do whatever you want, but you're not getting it, I'm picking you guys, it's already decided. We clicked on the phone and had a great conversation. We really felt good during and after the call.
Here's the kicker...she's due in the next four weeks or so! Ouch that is going to go fast! And it is....Drum Roll...Taa Daa...a GIRL! Thankfully the nursery is almost done. She actually apologized for not being able to give more notice!

Right now we're both on cloud nine. We've only been technically waiting three weeks, we're going to officially match with the IAC on Monday, and should have a baby by early April...all with minimal drama. This is just unreal. I'm almost embarrassed to write it. Some of you have been waiting so much longer then we have. We're not out of the woods yet though. We've already called our families, and they are happy for us.

Here's a favorite video of mine, that still makes me cry when I watch it...

25 comments:

Kate said...

Congratulations- I am so excited for you guys.

Now you better get shopping- you have a lot of stuff to buy in the next 4 weeks.

Anonymous said...

Wow! A girl. Congratulations. Wow again. Yay.

john said...

OMG....what great news. Im a big lucy fan too......whats with all the gay men getting girls? have you joined dadblogs yet. You got to.

Jenn said...

Wow!! Congrats!!! Four weeks will fly by!

Heather said...

Aww! Oh wow! Hooray! So many emotions and so much excitement I can't get them all fown in writing. But it all comes down to - I'M SO EXCITED FOR YOU (pl)!

And your video choice is PERFECT the one I've had in mind our whole ttc journey. The perfect choice.

And a girl? It's just too much excitement - I'm SO SO SO happy!

Kathryn said...

Holy Cow! Wow! This is amazing, wonderful news! I'm so happy for you both!!!!!


YAY!!!!

Unknown said...

For once my humor has abandoned me...I usually have the witty comment ready but you guys have tears rolling down my face. It's stupid cause I don't really know any of you but I feel like we've all become such good friends. Thank you so much!

jaysinwantsu03 said...

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Congrats to you guy's..... an easter baby you so have to name her Shelby like in Steel Magnolia's.. Just Kidding... I'm So Excited for you Guy's.. SO what are the Name's you are thinking of...

Anonymous said...

Congratulations!!! Any names in mind?

Michelle said...

Oh my gosh, Im so freaking excited. A GIRL! Little girls are fun then you know your in for. Trust me. I have tears in my eyes for you. My heart is going a mile a minute. It's all to familiar to me. You are so in for it. This girl is going to steal and capture your heart and your going to love like you have never known love before. I am just beyond thrilled for you. This gave me goosebumps.

2momswithaplan said...

Words can not even describe how happy I am for you guys! I am crying tears of joy right now. Its amazing how it works when its meant to be. 4 weeks! Wow! Do you have any names picked out yet???

welcome2ourworld said...

You don't know me. I don't know you. I live "far far away" in Germany. But as I read this, I am soooo happy for you guys...you and the birthmother/baby girl will be in my prayers. Again: wow !! This is amazing !! All the best, Jennifer

Tim and Louie said...

Bobby and Greg, congrats!

Just keep a level head and try not to let emotions drive you too hard.

Anything can happen (and has to others) between now and actually having your baby in your own home, safe and sound.

There is one song by Creed called "Arms Wide Open" that always brings me to tears because of what the song says:

"With Arms Wide Open" by Creed

Well I just heard the news today
It seems my life is going to change
I closed my eyes, begin to pray
Then tears of joy stream down my face

With arms wide open
Under the sunlight
Welcome to this place
I'll show you everything
With arms wide open
With arms wide open

Well I don't know if I'm ready
To be the man I have to be
I'll take a breath, I'll take her by my side
We stand in awe, we've created life

With arms wide open
Under the sunlight
Welcome to this place
I'll show you everything
With arms wide open
Now everything has changed
I'll show you love
I'll show you everything
With arms wide open
With arms wide open
I'll show you everything ...oh yeah
With arms wide open..wide open

[Guitar Break]

If I had just one wish
Only one demand
I hope he's not like me
I hope he understands
That he can take this life
And hold it by the hand
And he can greet the world
With arms wide open...

With arms wide open
Under the sunlight
Welcome to this place
I'll show you everything
With arms wide open
Now everything has changed
I'll show you love
I'll show you everything
With arms wide open
With arms wide open
I'll show you everything..oh yeah
With arms wide open....wide open

Here's a link to a YouTube video someone made of the song, much better video than the original:
http://tinyurl.com/cn3xvd

Be sure to have some tissues ready...

- Louie

Daddy Times Two said...

This is wonderful news! Good luck with your soon to be little addition.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations Guys! We are so happy for you! Four weeks will fly by. Enjoy each day now, and experience the ups and downs and live each moment. Each moment from buying diapers, to driving to the hospital, to hearing her cry for the first time is something you'll treasure forever.

Unknown said...

Hurray! She's a lucky little girl to be joining your family! Great news in response to so much of your love circulating out there and seeking another wonderful little being to bestow it on... how lovely!

All the best,
Christine and spirit of Mingus

Andrew's Daddies said...

This is GREAT news....It could not have gone so easily for you two. A baby girl????? How exciting!!. Let the birth mom know you have this blog and maybe she would love to share her thoughts in it.

I can't tell you how happy we are for you two. Congratulations!!!!

Anonymous said...

Way to go! I am so happy for you. I read your blog often but have never commented before (I am Michael's husband and Chrisopher's dad). Enjoy this time before your little girl is born, and try not to worry too much. It's definitely a roller coaster ride of emotions, but being a dad is worth all the angst and sleepless nights. Get some rest and good luck getting everything ready for your little girl. Do you have a name picked out already? And if you haven't listened to Arms Wide Open yet...do so as soon as possible...you will cry like a baby :)

C.I.W. said...

OMGOMGOMG!!!!

THIS IS SO EXCITING!!!!!

Four weeks?!?!?!? Get crackin'!!!!

Congrats!

Casey

Dana said...

I'm delurking to say Congratulations!!! Absolutely wonderful news!!! Four weeks will be here before you know it and it could possibly be sooner, depending on how she's delivering. So very happy for you guys!!!

Anonymous said...

Hi guys. I just linked over from 2 Moms With A Plan to say CONGRATS! I am so glad you are going to be the proud papas of that baby girl.

Jennifer said...

Congrats! Now for the hard part, agreeing on a name in only 4 weeks, yikes!

And you need a baby shower..make sure you get a baby shower!

Lucy said...

LOVE that I Love Lucy clip! So sweet!

Congrats on your baby girl. I will keep checking your blog for latest developments.

Nice to "meet" another Lucy fan and parent-to-be in blogland!!

Erika said...

Hi Bobby,
I found your blog through a google search. I don't even remember what search terms I used! A brief intro: my wife Jenn and I live in Wisconsin. In February 2009 we started the Special Needs/foster-to-adopt process here and, last month, we were entered into "the pool" to wait for a placement. During the course of our process, we've grown disillusioned with the bureaucratic mess of the foster-to-adopt system and have changed our preference for what type of child we want to adopt. (We thought we wanted an older child, but now know we want a newborn.) Our experience with our worker hasn't been the best, which hasn't helped us maintain any degree of faith that this process will work out for us. Long story long, we googled and found your blog and then the IAC. We have an appointment to do the initial info session with IAC next week. We haven't exactly abandoned our foster-to-adopt route yet, but we're thinking of doing so and going with IAC. Your story is truly amazing. Especially this post...do you guys just pinch yourselves with how perfectly this part of the process went for you?! Anyway, I wanted to try to connect with someone -- anyone --who'd gone through IAC. I'm wondering, if you're willing to share, what led you guys to choose IAC? How has your experience been with them? How did it work with the interstate component, i.e. did you have to hire your own attorney, or did IAC facilitate that part of it?
I'm so glad to have found your blog...and I'm so happy for you both on the impending finalization of Sabrina's adoption. Congratulations!!
Thanks for listening...and sorry for the long comment!
Erika

Erika said...

P.S. Forgot to include my email address in case you'd like to respond. (It's okay if you'd prefer not to respond, too. I won't be offended.)

It's begayaboutit [at] gmail [dot] com. Thanks! :)