Philadelphia Family Magazine

http://phillyfamily.com/2015/02/success-story-from-a-baby-step-adoption/

 

Success Story from A Baby Step Adoption

Stephen and Brian always knew having children was in their future. In 2008 they bought their first home together in Montgomery County, PA, and two years later the couple was united in a commitment ceremony. Shortly thereafter, they decided that they were ready to start a family. They did extensive research, considered surrogacy and foster care, and in the end decided that adoption was the right fit for their family. The decision to adopt was easy. They knew the financial challenge would not be as simple.

Stephen and Brian researched various adoption agencies. Following a very disappointing failed adoption, they chose to adopt through A Baby Step Adoption Agency. The liked A Baby Step because it was one of the few agencies that allowed them to screen and pick which birth mothers could see their profile. They created their profile and started the matching process, and in the meantime began investigating every option available to fund their adoption. Stephen got a second job, Brian worked extra hours, and little by little they started to save money … but in the end they knew it wouldn’t be enough. They were going to need some extra help. Stephen and Brian researched every adoption grant available, and time and time again, they came across grants that would not consider applications from same-sex couples. They wrote to celebrities and local businesses owned by supporters of the gay community, sharing their story to see if they would help them with their family dream, but were repeatedly met with silence. It was a frustrating and endlessly disappointing process.

Finally they were thrilled to be awarded a grand from HelpUsAdopt.org, an organization that is very supportive of same-sex couples hoping to adopt. A Baby Step Adoption has an in-house resource program to help families fund their adoption, and often refers clients to the non-profit, which was founded by an adoptive parent. Their friends and family also surprised them by throwing a large fundraiser to help them meet their financial goal. They were extremely touched by the 200+ friends and family who came out to support them, and the money the event raised, combined with the grant money they were awarded, allowed them to achieve their goal and adopt a baby.

Their son, Colton, was born on December 18, 2013, and has been a joy since day one. Stephen and Brian describe him as an easy-going, happy baby, and they couldn’t be more thrilled to be a family. They are forever grateful for the unbelievable support from family and friends, and for the organizations that helped bring their son in to their lives.

A Baby Step Adoption Agency is celebrating 10 years of building forever families through adoption. The Philadelphia-based agency, with offices in Rosemont and Reading, has helped thousands of families across the country to overcome medical and financial obstacles to bring home a child to love and nurture forever. Many times our families describe this as nothing short of a miracle. Small miracles are an every day occurrence at A Baby Step Adoption Agency. Let A Baby Step Adoption Agency create your own family through the miracle of adoption.

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ABOUT A Baby Step Adoption

A Baby Step Adoption is a Full Service Adoption Agency Specializing in Domestic Infant Adoptions. We have over 27 years experience with adoption services of domestic newborns and children. A Baby Step Adoption works with all types of adoptive families, including single parents, same sex couples and LGBT families, and helps you through the contract, match process, casework, and legal process and support services. Our experienced caseworkers complete Home Studies, Post Placement Visits, and provide support and counseling throughout your entire Adoption Journey.

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12 month photos

Cute pictures from the first year

Finalization

May 2, 2014 day of finalization in court. Today, we are finalizing your adoption. This was with Judge Grimm at the Bucks County Court House. Kim Hawthorn was with us today, to help celebrate. The Judge was very nice. He is an adoptive parent himself and specializes in adoption cases. The whole process lasted about 20 minutes. Judge Grimm asked both your dad and I about our routine with you and if we felt you are better off with us. It was not nearly as stressful as we thought it was going to be. It is interesting, the judge saw where I went to college, which was down in NC and he stated he is family friends with the professor that I had for my senior seminar.

After every thing was done, the three of us were officially a family! The three of us went out to lunch to celebrate.

The BEST day EVER!

Today is the day! It started with us driving to pick up your mom in center city at 6:30am.  She stayed with a friend that night in order to be closer to the hospital. She needed to be at Jefferson Hospital by 7am. Your dad and I were very anxious all morning, in anticipation of you. Around 10:10am, your mom was taken back for the C-section and Daddy Brian went with her. As I was pacing back and forth in the room alone, as I was waiting for news of you, a nurse came by and shared her story with me. She adopted her son about 20 years ago. She lite up as she talked about her son and the adoption. She congratulated us and talked about how special adoption is.

You were born at 10:36am, at 19 inches, and weighed 6.1 oz. Your dad came back to the room first, with a smile from ear to ear. Within a few minutes, the nurse brought you  to the room. You were sooooo tiny and the most wonderful thing your dad and I have ever seen! All this time waiting for you and you were finally here! Daddy Brian held you next to his body for a while. Nona and Djai were at the hospital and were able to come back to meet you. Shortly after, your mom then came back to the room. Everyone was healthy.

You were then moved to the nursery. The doctors needed to make sure you were okay. For the next three days you stayed in the nursery. The first day, we spent 17 hours at the hospital with you, we just didn’t want to leave you. We went home to sleep and then came back the next day. It wasn’t until the end of the second day that you opened your eyes and got to see your dads. We sat with you for your time in the nursery, holding you and just staring at you in awe! The nurses were nice and helped us learn how to change diapers and how to feed you.

On December 21st, we were able to take you home. You were cleared by the doctors and we were all ready to get you home! On the day last, Djai and Nona were there, along with Kayla, the case worker from the agency that helped up get you. We took a lot of pictures and then got you home! Once we got back to the house, Nona, Djai and Uncle Brian were all waiting for you, to welcome you home.

Over the following weeks, so many friends and family came by to meet you. Everyone had been waiting for years for you, and now that you were here, everyone couldn’t wait to meet you. I stayed home with you for the first two months and then you were to grandparent daycare.

Over the next three months, we would have a social worker coming out to the house every 30 days to check on you. She would ask questions about how you were doing eating, sleeping, doctors appointments and how your dad and I were adjusting. She was a very nice woman.

A baby will make love stronger…

From Aunt Kate

A change in your birthday!

Your birthday has changed so many times since we found you! At first you were going to be born mid-November and then it was mid-Jan. We were then told that you would be coming early, 37 week and Dec 21st would be the day. It was then altered to be the 26 and as of yesterday, the c-section was pushed up and scheduled for Dec. 18th! You are 20 days away from being here!!! OHMYGOSH! I am filled with so many feelings right now. We are so excited that the LONG journey to create this family is going to come to an end, that you will be here with your dads! I am also feeling very anxious, concerned that I don’t know what to do with a baby. I have dreams about you almost every night. Some of them I am messing up with you and unable to comfort you. Others are of the three of us doing family things together, reading books, having meals, over at Nona and Djai’s house and some are you and Brady playing around the age of 5 together.

You will be here very soon!

We are meeting your mom for the first time next week! We are excited to meet her and learn some more about her. We are also going to be going to the doctor’s with her on Dec. 6th and we will be able to see the ultrasound of you!! That will be an amazing experience!

Your dad’s co-workers were so thoughtful and purchase gifts for you! They wanted to create a library for you with all kinds of books and they have signed the inside of the books for you with little personal messages.  There is a onies that was signed by all for you and a “Pathway Library” was created by Aunt Kate and Aunt Erin for you! There was also a diaper wreath created by Carmen H. for you, which is so cute!  You have no idea how supported and loved you are by so many!

Love you!

47 Days!

You will be here in about 47 days!! We cannot wait any longer! We heard from the case manager at the agency this week that you seem very healthy. Your mom went to the doctor’s this week for a scheduled appointment. The case manager was with her. It was said that you are the perfect size for being 30 weeks old. You are 3.9 pounds and have a heart rate at 150. The doctor says you are doing very well. The c-section will be scheduled for 37 weeks.

We are meeting your mom (Tracey) for the first time on Wednesday night. We are not too sure what to expect but are looking forward to meeting her and getting to know her. We will try to get family history for you; information about her; a picture of her for you and see what we can learn about your biological dad.

On another note, your dads were legally married in the state of Delaware, (11/6/13) this week. Your grandparents were there with us.  We will still use our wedding date as 7/16/10, for this was the wedding that really had meaning for us. But now we are legally joined, which will be important in relation to you.

Seeing pictures of Uncle Greg and Aunt Carolyn with your cousin Brady, has only made us more excited for your arrival! I heard from Uncle Greg that Nonna (grandmother in Italian) is already talking about you and Brady staying over for weekends with your grandparents. Nonna and Djai Djai (grandfather in Polish) are anxious for your arrival too.

We made some changes to your room too!

Can’t sleep

It is 4:30am and I can’t seem to sleep. I was having a dream about you. I was home during the day with you and Holly was here with us. (She has 3 young kids, which I am hoping you become good friends with.) In the dream, anything I could be doing wrong with you, I was doing wrong but luckily Holly was here to save you from me and correct all the mistakes I was making.

Your cousin Brady was just born which has been very exciting! Seeing his cute pictures and hearing Uncle Greg and Aunt Carolyn’s excitement has just made us more excited for you! I know you and Brady are going to be great friends. Uncle Greg and I have already talked about you going down to DC for weekends and Brady coming up here for weekends.

We are about 7 weeks away from your birthday now!! Your dad and I are so ready for you to join us! We have been talking about you for the last 5 years now. We have been trying to figure out what you are going to call us. Neither of us like the idea of being called Pops, it is just old sounding. I have been doing research and no real answer out there. We also don’t like Papa because that sounds like a grandfather. Some people just go by their first name or both go by dad and when the child wants a specific parent the parent’s first name is used. Probably dad and daddy could work for the first few years. The common theme in what I was reading is that parents left it up to the kid and what they felt comfortable with. So, I guess you can decide when you get older.

On another note, we are meeting your mom for the first time in two weeks. We received a picture of her for the first time last week. She has very nice blue eyes, red hair and pale skin. I think her hair was colored red though and she might actually have brown hair. It will be exciting to meet her. We can get information on her for you, for when you are older.

Well, I guess that is it for now.

Love ya,

 

Date of arrival

Received a call yesterday with some great news! Maggie (birth mother case manager) went with your mom to the hospital for her check up, see how you are doing. The ultra-sounds looked great and you seem to be doing well. We were originally told that they thought you were going to be a girl but now it has been confirmed that you are going to be a…BOY!!! The due date was said to be Jan. 11 but the doctors want to schedule a c-section at 37 weeks. This would place your due date around Dec. 21st!! You will be the most AMAZING Christmas gift ever!! Your dad and I are hoping the next few months fly by! We can’t wait to meet you!

Love you already!