SWEETNESS FOLLOWS

It's been around three weeks ago, I think, since my brother Clark and his wife Tiffani were contacted by a friend of a family member, about a girl she knew who was due to have a baby. This girl was planning to place the baby with an adoptive family, but the family she had chosen fell through, and were Clark and Tif interested in meeting her. They did meet with her along with other prospective couples. According to Tiffani, during these past few weeks she has had daily conversations with the birth mother and the decision had been reached that if the birth mom decided that adoption was what was best for her baby girl, Clark and Tif would be her choice. Last Friday was the big birth day! The weekend for Clark and Tif was spent primarily at the hospital with so many ups and downs and emotional unrest that I can't even imagine how difficult it has been. Birth mom went into labor still unsure of her decision. Then the birth father showed up at the hospital in violation of birth mom's instructions to the hospital staff, and in violation of the terms of his parole (as I understood it).

Tonight after three sleepless nights, many heartfelt talks and decisions, birth dad's arrest and trip to jail, new Baby Girl is on her way to her new home with mom and dad, big sis Tiani, and little, big brother Sam. All this family has asked for in the next couple of days is a lot of time to rest and sleep, and for a couple of days to just be by themselves together. I have not been able to talk to them directly, but got word from my dad. I am inclined to honor their request (even though I'm dying to see her) to have some space and privacy. As soon as they are up to visitors though, we will meet our new neice and cousin, and I will post some cute pictures of her. Oh, and I'm sure I will have a name to reveal! I do feel for the birth mom tonight too. I really believe that the choice so many young mothers make to let go of someone so connected to them, because they feel their baby will have a better life, is incredibly brave and selfless. Clark and Tiffani are great parents and they will give this new baby a wonderful life. I am so happy they were able to bring her home tonight. I know they are so grateful for the wonderful gift they've been given.

Congratulations you guys! We love you!

BABY RYKER

Baby Ryker decided to make an early arrival on Tuesday, July 15th, at 8:24 p.m. At two weeks early he weighed in at 6 lbs. 8 oz. and is 18 1/2 in. long. He is so tiny and cute! He has Joe's ears, nose, eyes, and hair. He has Keely's mouth and chin. It's funny when you see little babies and can pick out the features from each of the parents, it kind of reminds me of playing the Wii, picking out your Mii. Kaylee couldn't wait to hold him, and I couldn't stop thinking about miniature ketchup and mustard bottles the whole time we were visiting... sometimes I wonder, on a scale of 1 to 10, how demented my brain actually is! Brit graciously allowed Kaylee and I to hog all the baby holding time, somehow though, I don't think it was that big of a sacrifice for him. I've noticed that boys and men are more hesitant to hold a new baby. Why is that, I wonder?


This is Joe's second boy, and Keely's first. She had been in for a scheduled dr. appt. just hours earlier and her dr. joked, after examining her, that she was just really resisting having this baby. I think Keely was kind of wishing to hold out until her mom was to arrive from Minnesota on the 26th. Keely went home to take a nap, lay down on her bed, and POP! Her water broke. After only a couple of phone calls to try to confirm her suspicions, the contractions started. At 2:30 p.m. she left for the hospital, at 3:30 p.m. she was in her room, and at 8:24 p.m., another tiny Miracle arrived. She had a great delivery and everyone is healthy and happy. Except Keely's mom, who is still in Minnesota feeling sad she missed the birth of her only daughter's first baby.

Congratulations Joe and Keely!!!