Our Adoption Journey - Part III

It was so nice to see N again. She was doing well considering she had major surgery a few hours earlier. Then a nurse came in with the baby. She handed Minnow to me and my heart just melted. She was beautiful, a perfect little angel! N was tired and sore, so after we talked to her mom and dad on the phone, we let her get some much needed rest. We were able to take Minnow to a room for NICU parents that was not being used. It was basically a hospital room without a bed. It had chairs, TV, and bathroom--not bad accommodations. We had several hours to start to bond with Minnow, it was an amazing few hours. She was awake most of the time, just studying us.

We spent almost every waking moment that we could in the hospital bonding with Minnow. We also were respectful of N and wanted her to have time with Minnow. She kept Minnow in her room at night and I know that was a memorable time for her. We enjoyed getting to know N better and are so thankful to her for giving us the best gift in the world—a daughter.

It was an emotional time in the hospital with N. She was losing something and we were gaining something. I was more emotional than Muskie Man, as N and I would go for walks in the halls and talk.

Minnow stayed in the hospital for almost 4 days. We finally got discharged and were able to take Minnow “home.” I know it was hard for N to see us leave with Minnow, we were sad and happy at the same time, which is hard to describe.

We stayed in Colorado for another week, waiting for the Interstate Compact to come through. We enjoyed our time in Colorado, it really helped us bond as a family. Had we been home, Muskie Man would have been torn between staying home and going to school to get things ready for the upcoming school year. Family and friends would have been visiting. We were able to bond as a family.

Muskie Man was and still is amazing with Minnow. He took care of her a lot those first few days as he knew he was going to be very busy once we got home. We went on a few excursions while in Colorado. We went to Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, the mall, and to Estes Park and got some nice photos by a mountain stream.

We finally got word that the Interstate Compact had gone through and we were free to go home. Once again, I got on the phone to book plane tickets. We had left home as a family of two and we returned as a family of three.

On the Road Again

Yes, we dared to travel with Minnow. . .again. This time it was the whole family, all 3 of us. We ventured to the Northwoods to visit my brother and his family for a long weekend. Muskie Man was excited because he got to do one of his favorite pastimes--muskie fishing. It was a tough weekend on the water, but he had a good time.

Minnow traveled pretty well. It is much easier traveling when Muskie Man is driving and I can help to entertain Minnow. It also helped that we had the portable DVD player in the truck. Minnow LOVES her PraiseBaby DVD's--we have 3 different ones. We heard each DVD at least 2 times during the course of our travels, that's alot of songs. I guess that explains why I have praise songs constantly going through my head!

Minnow had a fun weekend with her cousins, who always keep her entertained. She even took her first steps at their house, way to go, Minnow! She must like the Northwoods.

Traveling 250 miles alone with a one-year-old

Minnow and I traveled 250 miles to the Twin Cities to visit my sister and family for a long weekend. I had the trip planned out perfectly (in my mind, anyway)--we leave when Minnow is ready for a nap and she sleeps for the majority of the trip. She wakes up, I stop at the next McDonald's, change her, make her a bottle, treat myself to an Iced Coffee (totally addicted), and go the rest of the way with a well-rested, changed, and satisfied baby. WRONG! Part of the trip went as planned. Minnow slept for 2 hours, then woke up crying. We stopped at the nearest McD's, changed her, got her a bottle, got me an iced coffee (YEAH!) and started to drive again--then the screaming began.

What to do?! I had her backpack diaper bag next to me--what was in it? A toothbrush--I handed it back to her--silence for about 20 minutes. The toothbrush is then tossed and the screaming ensued. What else is in the bag? A book--hand it back to her--silence for a few minutes until the book is tossed. More screaming. This "game" continued for the remainder of the trip. I was down to the last item in my "arsenal," an empty water bottle, when the exit for my sister's house appeared. We made it!

We enjoyed 4 days with my sister's family and then prepared for the trip home. It began the same as the trip there with a nap, waking up, McD's (changed diaper, bottle, and iced coffee!), but then the screaming began and didn't stop. My well-prepared arsenal of distractions failed! I was even more prepared this time--more books, her doll, a photo album she likes. No luck, she screamed and screamed for 40 miles! Then, as we pulled into our town. . .silence. She sleeps.