Visits with the Pectols and the Stratfords

We are leaving Utah tomorrow, so we spent this afternoon and evening with Katie's and Drew's families.  It was wonderful to see them again.  They love you so much.  And how could they not, when you're this adorable???

First we went to Drew's house, where you spent time with his family:

Drew, Katie, Hallie, Shanea

Look at how adored you are...you have fan clubs wherever you go! :)

Then we went to Katie's house, where you were surrounded by all of her younger siblings! :)

Amber, Thomas, Katie, Ella, and Carly

Elizabeth, Sarah, and Katie

 You love Katie and Drew, and they love you:

It was a good but emotional day.  It was hard to say goodbye--but we will see them again in October!  We love open adoption!

So Many Visitors!

Since we've been home from the hospital, you've had so many visitors.  It seems like the whole world is excited that you are finally here!

Uncle Derek and Uncle Cole were waiting for you at the condo on your first night home.  They couldn't even wait one day to meet you!  It really meant a lot to us.

Admiring you 

They couldn't stop stroking your feet.  They said they were the softest thing they'd ever felt. :) 

They came back to see you a second time later in the week.

The next day, your dad had to fly back to Colorado for work, so Grandma came back to see you (and to help me), and she brought Aunt Ashley along.

Aunt Ashley made you this onesie!

A few days later, your Bapa and Aunt Laura arrived for the weekend.

Bapa loved your floppiness.  "He a hunchback" he kept saying.  "He have curvature of the spine." :)

Aunt Laura couldn't stop kissing you!

I don't blame her!

And your favorite visitors of all...Katie and Drew!  They've come to see you twice since you've been with us. :)  They love and miss you so much.

Drew showed up wearing the shoes that we gave him! :)

And these photos don't even include our friends who came to visit you.  You are one popular little guy!!

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!