Our Long-Awaited Little Princess

By Patty & Don K., Celebrate Adoption Cincinnati members and parents of one adopted princess

After going through treatments for infertility and suffering three miscarriages in 14 months, we decided to adopt a baby. My husband and I investigated several different adoption agencies and decided to apply to Adoption Connection. We applied in September of 2003 and began the home study process in November of 2003. After months of study and education our home study was completed in June 2004. We then wrote a birthparent letter that told about us. We turned it in and then we were put on the waiting list to adopt a boy or girl.

We waited 13 long months until that wonderful day in September 2005 when I (Patty) received a phone call from the social worker saying that we have a baby for you to adopt. I began to cry tears of joy and noticed that my co-workers were staring at me. When I told them the good news, they all began to jump up and down for joy. I called my husband and told him the news and he was shocked. I told him that they needed us to go to the adoption agency ASAP to review all the information given by the birthmother.

We arrived at the adoption agency and reviewed all of the information on the birthmother and her family with the social worker. The birthmother was not interested in meeting us or seeing the baby. She already had a large family and thought it was best to make an adoption plan for her child so that the child would have a good home. At 3:15 p.m. on September 23, we agreed to adopt the baby. We were so excited we had to go out to celebrate and inform everyone that our baby would be born in a few weeks.

On September 28, 2005 the social worker called and said that the birthmother was 4 cm. dilated so the child would be born soon. The next call we received was at 11:47 p.m. on October 4th telling us that the birthmother was in the hospital getting ready to give birth to our child. We rushed to Good Samaritan hospital and arrived there at 12:30 A.M. and waited patiently in the waiting room. The nurse and midwife came back to talk to us before delivery and said that the birthmother is a wonderful person and that we would love her.

Around 2:15 the nurse came out to tell us that she had the baby at 2:08 and that we could come back to see the baby now. At this time, we did not know whether it was a boy or girl. We went back to the room and were surprised to see this tiny baby. The birthmother’s other four children were all at least nine pounds so we were expecting a much larger baby. Then they told us the baby was a girl. I was the happiest mom in the world. I was so happy I cried. I had always wanted a girl and my wish was granted. I would have taken either a boy or girl but I had always hoped to have a girl. Don and I were so amazed by the sight of our little girl. We got to hold her 15 minutes after birth. We held her wrapped in a blanket with her birthmother’s blood still on her and watched her get her shots and footprint taken. Then we had to choose a name for her. We had to decide between Andrea Elizabeth or Rachel Elizabeth. After taking off her hat, we both decided she looked like a Rachel Elizabeth, our little princess.

I fed Rachel her first bottle and then they took her up to the nursery where we watched the nurse clean her up. She seemed to handle it well. After they cleaned her up, they gave her to us in her little bed. We took her down to the old nursery and this is where we spent our daytime moments with her for three days. The first day we just stared at her in amazement that we had such a cute little baby. We were hoping and praying for this day to come and it had. We couldn’t believe it until we held her in our hands. When she went to sleep in our arms, we both fell asleep since we were up all night. Later in the morning, I called everyone to tell them the good news.

When we arrived home that night, after spending some wonderful moments with our new little girl, the house was decorated with balloons, streamers and signs saying “It’s a girl.” It was a beautiful sight. I then went into the house and started washing what few things we had and washing her sheets. We crashed early because we were so tired.

The second morning we went to the hospital a little later because we had gone shopping to buy an infant carrier. When arriving back at the hospital, the nurse told us that the birthfather had called to find out information about Rachel. We were told he saw that the birthmother had given birth. The nurses said that they did not give him any information because the birthmother had not given him permission to see the child. I was a little relieved, but still worried.

When we took our Rachel down to the old nursery, I noticed that someone made her a special little nametag on her bed that says Rachel Elizabeth-Class of 2023. We were told that volunteers make those for the new babies. Now, it is on the door to her room so everyone knows that is her room. We spent the day changing her diapers and feeding her bottles. It was so amazing to be holding this wonderful tiny little bundle of joy. What meant the most to me was seeing my husband (Don) enjoying her as much as me.

We were not too worried about if the birthmother would change her mind. The social worker told us she was sure of her decision because she already had a big family. We went home at night to get some sleep since we knew we weren’t going to get very much sleep when Rachel did come home.

We came back the third morning with the infant carrier awaiting the moment to take her home. While waiting the nurse came in to tell me that the birthfather came up to see if he could see Rachel but they did not give him any information or let him see her. I was a little upset that they didn’t tell me this until the morning we came to take her home. I had to call the social worker and tell her and she contacted the birthmother and they said not to worry about it. Then the moment had come, we were able to take our little girl home. The birthmother had signed the letter surrendering her parental rights.

This was a very exciting time for us. We arrived home with Rachel. Rachel’s grandparents, aunts and uncles were waiting for us with movie camera, cameras, presents, cake and dinner. Each and everyone were very excited to hold a little one for the first time. Don’s parents were very excited since this was their first grandchild.

With sleepless nights for the first 5 months, we had managed wonderfully. Each day from then on has been filled with lots of excitement watching our little princess grow. She started out tumbling around nine months and to this day she is still doing tumbling in her gymnastic class which she started at eleven months. She is now 4 years old. She also now has joined the choir at church because she loves to sing and dance. She goes to preschool twice a week. For as little as Rachel is she is, a very bright and lovable child. She adores all her princess dolls which in turns makes Rachel our amazing little princess.