The Amazing Amaya (Part 3 of 3)

Did you miss Part 1 and Part 2 of the Amazing Amaya story? We recommend you read those first!

You whispering to Blue Bear. 1 Month Old.

It was 10:30am November 14th and mommy was working in her office when papi got a phone call. She couldn't hear what the conversation was about but somehow, from the tone of papi's voice she knew exactly what the phone call was about.

Tummy mommy had gone into labor and we were to get to the hospital asap. We weren't packed or ready in the least bit - and we were still in our pjs. We ran around the house like crazy getting everything together, Googling things like “what do you take to the hospital for a baby.” Our counselor told us there was a possibility that we might be spending the night at the hospital, so we took a change of clothes. I called Granny Shanny, and she was beside herself asking us whether she should come right then or wait or what.  We didn't know what to tell her!

Before we left, your birth grandma was already texting us letting us know how things were going. She told us to meet your birth daddy in the waiting area.

On our ride over, we were calling all the immediate family to let them know that we were on the way to the hospital. Los abuelitos and your tias were all very excited. Grandpa, had an interesting response though. When he picked up the phone we said, “Guess what!? We’re on the way to the hospital!” He responded, “That’s funny. Because I’m on my way back from the hospital.” He had just broken his collarbone.

We got there as fast as we could - and saw S and your birth grandparents in the waiting area. Your birth grandparents met us very briefly before going back to the room to support your birth mom. They didn't want your tummy mommy to ever be left alone during her labor.

We sat down with S and had our second match meeting as best we could - none of the counselors were available. We ended up talking with S about all sorts of things - they have lots of friends who all wanted to come and support E, and he had been holding them at bay until she would be ready for them.

Your birth grandparents came back out for about a half an hour to chat with us while E was with her doctor. It was a great conversation - your birth grandmother is a very friendly, warm, woman who is very passionate about her Catholic faith. She grew up in Michigan and they have a cabin near Traverse City. Your birth grandfather was a bit quieter, but also very friendly.

Later, the hospital social worker, Anna, met with us, and told us that we would have a room in the hospital to stay in with you. Which was a huge blessing and surprise to us!

Around 2:30pm they showed mommy and papi to the room next door to where your tummy mommy was birthing you. Your tummy mommy wanted us to have you as soon as possible after you were born - she wanted the best for you. She knew that those first few hours after you were born were especially important for bonding and she wanted you to have that with us.

We waited with the door open to our room. We had been told that you would be brought to us right after you were born. For the next two and a half hours we jumped at the sound of anything rolling down the hallway. Unfortunately for us, we were also right across from the refuse room, so there was constantly something coming down the hallway, slowing as it approached our room.

Not you.

Not you again.

And.... still not you.

A nurse stopped by a bit before 5pm to ask what kind of formula we would like to use for you. I told her we did not have a preference, but that because I would be nursing you after we left the hospital that I did have a special kind of bottle for you to use. The nurse exclaimed "Oh! Well then you should nurse right away!" I asked her what the hospital policy is on that, since I know that most hospitals won't allow an adoptive mother to breastfeed. She said she would look into it.

It turns out the nurse asked your tummy mommy if it would be ok, and your tummy mommy and birth family were thrilled that we would be able to have that extra bonding and nutrition for you! They wrote it into the medical release so I could feed you even while were still in the hospital. Your mommy really wanted the best for you.

Then - we had an amazing thing happen - they didn't bring you to us.

Your tummy mommy asked for us to come to them.

When we walked into the room where your tummy mommy had had you, your birth daddy was holding you. He asked us which one of us would like to hold you first. I practically pushed papi out of the way and said "ME!" (In my defense, papi had a cold, and was afraid to hold you.) They all laughed at that.

I held you close to me. They read out a medical release thing and E, S, and papi all responded at the parts they were supposed to. But I was so distracted I didn't hear a thing they were saying. You were looking up at me, sucking your fingers because you were so hungry. I was talking to you, complimenting you on you already being able to self-soothe. Born with such great skills already! You looked like you were soaking in the whole world around you, so alert.

We put you in your hospital cradle to be wheeled to the next room with us. Everyone hugged with real big hugs. There were tears with mixed emotions by everyone. Your birth grandmother told us "This is really hard, but knowing you makes it easier."

We wheeled you to the next room and the nurses had me sit on the patient bed with warm blankets with you all snuggled up with me. And you latched on just like a champ.

We got you just 2 hours after you were born and I got to feed you your very first meal.

This is all stuff that I know you'll be like "Ugh, mom!" but someday, you'll know how important all this stuff is.

Anyway, papi was all teared up while texting everyone in his phone's contact list while I fed you.

Just after you got your first meal.

After feeding you for about 40 minutes, we wheeled you upstairs for your first bath and hearing test and all that. The nurses were so happy for us, and congratulating us on both the adoption and on having such successful nursing.

All nice and clean after your first bath!

They showed us how to order dinner - we were so enamored with you we had forgotten that we would need to eat at some point. We were so excited that we could hardly understand the menu. Somehow mommy ended up ordering literally just a piece of meatloaf and papi got a wee cup of chicken noodle soup.

Finally, we got to our room and the wonderful nurse Stephanie taught us all sorts of things, like swaddling and sucking boogers out of your nose. I sent your birth grandma a text letting her know what room we were in, and that they were more than welcome if anyone in your birth family wanted to see you or for us to bring you to them..

That night papi went home because he was not feeling well. We wanted him to get better asap so he needed a good night's rest.

That night, you and I had a girl's night in. It was magical. I hardly slept, I just couldn't stop talking to you and snuggling with you. And smelling your sweet baby smell.

In the morning, Granny Shanny came. It's a good thing I was nursing you, because otherwise I would have never gotten a chance to hold you again after Granny Shanny got there. Papi got there in the early afternoon. 

Granny Shanny wasn't very good at sharing.

Birth grandma let us know that your tummy mommy wasn't quite ready to see you again - she was dealing with some more medical stuff - but that she appreciated the offer.

That evening Tia Myrna and Prima Zara came to visit. Zara wanted to hold you like all the adults, but she was too little (only 2 1/2 years old)! 

Tia Myrna and Z visited you in the hospital.

Unfortunately, because your bilirubin was high, you had to spend the next night under the phototherapy lights. You looked like you were at the beach while you were hanging out under the lights, with your little sunglasses. You would put your hands behind your head, and look like you were sunning yourself. While other babies cried under the lights, the nurses said you were "setting a good example" to the others as you were just perfectly content.

You had to go under the phototherapy lights for the better part of 1 day and 2 nights.

The next day, abuelita came to visit. Your birth daddy came to visit you in the evening as well. He brought your blue bear to you then. He didn't want to hold you because you were so peaceful in your little hospital cradle.

Granny Shanny had to share you with abuelita.

That night, your tummy mommy texted us, and we arranged for her to come see you in the morning. She and your birth grandma came. E held you for a little while. She wanted to see you again because the last she had seen you she was still recovering from the birthing.

Unfortunately, she didn't get to hold you for long though as you got hungry again and I had to feed you. They were very happy that I was able to do that. We all exchanged hugs again and promised to stay in touch.

We got to take you home that afternoon. It was unreal hooking you into your carseat and putting you in our car!

You were so small in your carseat going home!

Per her request, we sent Tummy Mommy a text to let her know we had gotten home safe and told her we would also send a picture on Thanksgiving. To which she replied:

“Thank you so much! I hope you all have a wonderful first night together – the first of many, many to come! It warms my heart to think of the three of you together. Can’t wait to see everyone ready for their first Thanksgiving! Sending you and Amaya all of my love!”

And it was a great first night with you, the Amazing Amaya.