a baby named soleil

It has been a whiz-banger of a weekend. Liz and I received a call last week on Wednesday night while at the Claimjumper Restaurant. Tina was with us. The call went something like this. "Hi Mark, this is Jennifer. My water just broke and I'm on my way to the hospital. Have fun getting to Kentucky!"

The call was in regards to Liz and I going through the adoption process for several months now, and the call to get to Kentucky started the last stage of the adoption adventure. The birth mom, Jennifer Nicole Gray, who chose us as adoptive parents for her little girl lives in Kentucky. And we wanted to be there as soon as possible. So that night we bought tickets to get in the air, along with Tina, and get ourselves to Kentucky.

We spent the majority of Thanksgiving in two airplanes, two airports, and a rental Nissan Cube. But at least we were able to grab several Thanksgiving meals, including a burger run to White Castle later that night.

Our awesome Thanksgiving dinner in the Minneapolis airport.

At this point, I’m not going to really follow any chronological order for storytelling. My mind isn’t quite functioning in a linear fashion right now. So I’m going to post some pictures to tell the story.

We arrived at the St. Elizabeth Hospital in Edgewood, KY too lat to see the baby delivered. We tried, but the travel on a holiday just didn't allow for us to make it on time. But we did make it on the day of delivery, in the evening. We went in to the hospital and found Jennifer's room. We knocked, went in, and at this point my memory goes a little blurry. I'm told we all said hi to each other and smiled. I was a little nervous and in shock, I think.

My first holding of the baby, Soleil.

Liz holding Soleil shortly after we arrived. Liz was the first one of us to hold her.

Liz holding Soleil shortly after we arrived. Liz was the first one of us to hold her.

After a few hours of being at the hospital with Jennifer, we went to White Castle. We didn't start out with that intent, but everything was closed, so that's where we ended. Liz stayed in the hospital with Jennifer that night, and Tina and I went to our hotel to rest. The next day our heads were more clear and were able to digest the situation more easily. Among one of the main days events was shopping for a car seat and baby stroller. I found one and here it is!

The nice little hot rod stroller that I bought.

It was on this day that we were able to take Soleil with us. It was a long day in the hospital, and we were all honestly ready to go, most of all Jennifer. This was the first night we spent alone with Soleil. She slept hard, but turbulently.

Liz and Soleil checking each other out.

My hand and Soleil checking each other out.

The week is still going and Soleil is so exciting, but one of the highlights is meeting Jennifer Nicole Gray. She is the birth mom and is now a friend. She has made this whole process so much easier and bearable. I'm not sure how she's doing it. But we love her and hope she's part of the family for a long time.

Liz and Jennifer.

The family.

Me and my favorite Mother-in-law, Tina.

As I write this out, I realize that the week is hardly over. A lot of paperwork needs to be processed, things out of our control. We hope it gets completed quickly so that we can return home to California and begin our lives where we call home. But All we can do is wait. In the meantime, we get to spend time getting to know Soleil Avery Fowler, and Jennifer Nicole Gray. I'm not 100% certain how the week will end, but I know it will end as it should.

As I finish this post, Soleil has fallen asleep right on the bed.

Posted in: adoption,family,liz,soleil