Saturday, April 30, 2011

Introducing Kaitlyn Emily



Just a little over a month ago, Steve and I were given the opportunity of a lifetime: adoption.

We got the call that our baby was being born on Monday, March 21, but bad weather in Brevig Mission kept me in town until the next morning (it was an agonizing night of waiting).


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While I was traveling, this little lady was born.


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I got to the hospital in Anchorage about six hours later, and she looked more like this.

As the adoptive mother, I got to stay in the hospital with Kaitlyn. We had matching identification bracelets. I slept in a bed next to her bassinet. I got to wake up to feed and change her. I loved it.



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I had to buy a carseat so that I could take her home from the hospital.

Note to readers: please don't judge me because I let my daughter go home from the hospital wearing hospital-issue clothes. Thank you.



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The scariest part of the trip was the flight from Nome to Brevig Mission. I was wearing Kaitlyn in a baby carrier under my jacket. I was terrified that I was going going to smother her. I was also afraid to check on her because I didn't want her to get sick from the cold. I spent most of the flight praying like crazy and straining to hear her breathe.

Needless to stay, we made it home safely.




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Daddy came home for lunch to meet his little baby.



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It was love at first sight.



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We aren't the only ones who love Kaitlyn. Her birthmother is from Brevig Mission, so there is a host of grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins that adore her. People have been bringing over clothes and gifts (including the hat in the above picture) since we got home. It's amazing.



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To prove we are first-time parents, Steve and I do things like take take pictures of the first time we changed her clothes...






And taking nearly identical photos of Kaitlyn sleeping and sending them to the grandparents.



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We also think that every little thing she does is cute enough to warrant preserving for posterity.



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Even her crying is cute...



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But we certainly prefer moments like these.



Mommy and Kaitlyn

We are tired. We are thrilled. We are grateful. We are happy.

Look for more Kaitlyn posts in the near future.

21 comments:

etreiersen said...

Congratulations Steve and Angie! Kaitlyn is beauiful. How neat that you got to be there in the hospital with her. I am a big fan of adoption, it is a great thing for both the parents and the child. You and Steve are going to be great parents. Thanks for the update and pictures of your baby girl. We look foreward to seeing more pictures!

Trisha (Clark) Reiersen

Karma said...

Congratulations...I can't tell you how happy I am for you and that beautiful baby girl.

Breezi@ Not Your Average Fairytale said...

Kaitlyn is beautiful!!

I'm so happy for you guys. You're going to have so much fun being parents :D It only gets better!!

Sending hugs!

Brynn said...

Congrats! She is SO beautiful!

Ryan and Michelle said...

Did you think you'd have 2 posts in a row about you adopting?
What a sweet girl! I'm so excited for you guys! (p.s. Austin is 3.5 and we still take way too many pictures of him. Thank goodness for digital!)

Jennifer Harris said...

She is so precious! I loved the story about the flight home. I didn't have to do that, but I would get out of bed every hour to make sure Scarlett was breathing and Wes made sure she was the warmest baby in the Rocky Mountains! Congratulations! Kaitlyn is so lucky to have such fun parents.

Rick, Erin, and girls said...

Congratulations! You will LOVE her so much more, even though you don't think it's possible now.
Let the blogging begin!

Amber said...

Congratulations. Lucky parents! Lucky girl! She's beautiful.

Mrs. Black said...

Congratulations again you guys! I want to meet this little girl someday!!!

Missy! said...

She is adorable, beautiful, and all sorts of cute! congratulations!

Mark & Bek said...

Oh, my gosh, congratulations mom and dad! She is unbelievably cute.

Don't worry, the first three months are the hardest -unless you have one of those super sleep through the night at 2 weeks old kids- but it just gets more and more fun. Although there is something so special and unmatched about having such a perfect innocent pure spirit in your arms and home. Congratulations!

Chelsey said...

Congratulations on the new addition to your family, she is absolutely beautiful!

Also, thank you for your advise and comment. I have been reading your blog ever since I found the link on Lauren's page and it has been such a joy to read.

Missy said...

Wow! What a beautiful baby! Congratulations to you and Steve :)

Nick and Brent said...

I have been DYING for a blog post about your new baby girl! I can't even begin to tell you how happy I am for you and Steve. She is so BEAUTIFUL, Steve needs to be prepared for all the boys who will come flocking after her! What an adventure, I can't wait to hear more stories. And yes...everything a baby does needs a photo/journal entry...it seems we have millions of pictures of our babies in the same positions, doing the simplest things. :) Thanks for the card, we love it!

Cailin O'Connor said...

Angie! I'm crying a little bit, what a gorgeous baby. All my heartfelt congratulations to you and your husband.

Best,
Cailin O'Connor

Jill said...

CONGRATULATIONS!!! I am soooo excited for you guys. And she is absolutely ADORABLE!

Melissa said...

Congrats Steve and Angie we are so happy for you both and know you will make great parents. This is Nate and Melissa Pitcher (Steve's old roommate from Ricks). We would love to have your address so we can add you to our christmas card list. Keep the pictures coming and congrats again.
Nate and Melissa Pitcher

Jilene said...

Congrats! She's adorable! Girls are so fun and emotional. :) (At least mine is way more emotional already at 1 1/2 than my little boy was at that age.) Enjoy every little moment---it goes by too fast.

JEM said...

I am soooooo out of the loop here. Please forgive my delayed response. I just noticed your facebook photo with a BABY in it and had to investigate. OH MY GOODNESS. Congratulations a million times over! She is so beautiful and so lucky to have you and Steve! This is the best news ever. We are so delighted for you guys! (Oh, and your haircut is really cute, btw.)

BrittWilk said...

oh my heck!! i'm so happy for you guys!! she's beautiful and so lucky to have 2 parents who obviously adore her! :) congrats!

Alaskan Darlings said...

Congratulations. She is SOOO.... Beautiful. What a precious little Girl. This totally made Seths and my day to see that you were able to adopt such a beautiful little girl. Enjoy being a mother.