The Days After Your Birth...

In the days after your birth, you were surrounded by so many loved ones--friends and family of the Stratfords and the Pectols who couldn't wait to meet you...

Katie's gradma, Edna

Katie's brother, David

Katie's dad, Mark, with her siblings, Carly and Thomas

Katie's sister, Amber

Drew's mom, Shanea, who made you this beautiful quilt

Drew's aunt, Savannah

...and so many more!!  You truly are the most loved baby on the planet!

Grandpa Nielson also came to meet you in the hospital.  You were so alert while he was visiting.

We got to spend some time with you in our hospital room as well.  You are the best cuddler!

On Tuesday, August 2nd, Katie and Drew signed the papers that legally made you our son.  It was an emotional day for everyone.  We couldn't possibly express in words our gratitude for their selfless choice, so we decided to give them some simple gifts to try to capture in small part our enduring love for them.

We gave Katie a quilt that your Grandma Nielson made.  It is the same pattern as your quilt (though it's different fabrics).  The inscription reads, "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you."  Philippians 1:3. We couldn't think of a better scripture to better explain our feelings about Katie.

We couldn't figure out what to get for Drew because we knew he probably wouldn't want a cutesy quilt. In the end, we decided to get you and him matching Vans shoes.  He seemed really excited about it. :)

  

Katie and Drew kept you in their room for the rest of the day, and then that evening, shortly before you and Katie got discharged, all of the families got together for you to receive a special priesthood blessing.  Your dad, Katie's dad, and Drew's grandpa encircled you and laid their hands on your head, while Katie held you in her arms.  Mark voiced the blessing and promised that the love of your birth parents, and all of the people who were in the room, would go with you throughout your life.  That is an incredible promise!

 After the blessing, Katie and Drew spent some time with you alone.  When they brought you to our hospital room, it was time for them to say goodbye, and tears were streaming down both of their faces.  As Katie placed you in my arms, I hugged both you and her at the same time, and I promised her that we will always take good care of you.  She said, "I know that, or I wouldn't be able to do this."  Then Ryan and I hugged Drew, and we were all crying.  My heart was breaking for them because I know how much they love you.  They made the ultimate sacrifice because they want you to grow up in a home with a mom and a dad who have been sealed in the temple and who are ready to support you.  They were willing to break their own hearts in order to give you the life that they think you deserve.  They are amazingly brave and selfless.

After they left our room, we hugged you and hugged each other, and then we put you in your car seat and left the hospital as a family of three.

It had been an incredible three days, and we knew there was so much joy ahead for our family in the coming weeks, months, and years.  We are so blessed to have you, Noah!