After a whirlwind ride, Matt and I are finally able to claim the title "Parents." That Thursday morning, we didn't know anything about little Emma. But our lives were about to change. Friday morning, a few phone calls and a couple of photos later, we were told that we were chosen to adopt a little girl that had been born late the previous night. Saturday morning we hopped a plane to Florida and Sunday morning we met our little miracle.
It all started in this hospital room in Titusville, Florida on January 14, 2010. Emma was born late Thursday night, weighing in at 6 pounds, 8 3/4 ounces and 18.5 inches long. We spent a few hours in the hospital with her Sunday and got to take her home (to the hotel) from the hospital that afternoon. We had to stay in Florida until we had clearance (12 Days!) to take her home, but we had our baby girl!!
Here is our caseworker and a nurse signing papers that released Emma into our custody.
Here we are about to leave the hospital for Emma's first ride in a car. She sure looks tiny in that car seat!
Since we had Emma with us, we really didn't get away from the hotel much. This is pretty much the only site-seeing we did while in Orlando. We passed this one day and I made Matt turn around to take a picture.
How tragic!
Emma at one week old. This proves to be a pattern. Emma always has her hands up by her face and often looks like she's posing for a photo. I guess she's just starting early.
While in Florida, Matt and I celebrated our 9th Anniversary by ordering take-out from Olive Garden and eating in the hotel. No complaints here. We loved having Emma with us and it didn't really matter where we were.
We arrived home to find that our friends and family had prepared our house for us. Matt's brother-in-law and sister gave us their crib and other essentials. They even took down the old bed and set up the crib in Emma's room for us! Matt's other sister made an adorable sign for Emma in her room and some of our friends decorated (mildly, thanks!) to welcome Emma to our house.