Tiny Toes

We took the official hospital tour. 

As we walked down each corridor, this dawning realization hit me.  This is really happening.  The nurses were extremely kind and congratulatory.  We learned where we will stay, how the delivery will unfold and how baby gets to stay in our room with us.  That itself was amazing news. 

Then we turned down another hallway and approached the transition nursery.  Peering through the glass we saw the very reason families everywhere struggle for years through fertility treatments, uncertainty, basal charts, foster care, adoption and any other possible method of becoming parents - a tiny, newborn baby.

Baby was bundled up save for his small, delicate feet.  He was calm, observing the nurse standing at his side.  I stared at him with wide eyed wonder.  A few moments later, a woman in a hospital gown shuffled out of the nursery with baby at her side.  She looked exhausted, uncomfortable.....and unbelievably happy.  We congratulated her and she smiled widely. 

At one point we heard a scream echo down the hall.  This scream was one of pain and anxiety.  It was easy to tell what that sound meant.  The nurses at the station told me to ignore those yells, and I simply smiled and said I was adopting so someone else was going to experience that on my behalf.  They all laughed.  Still, it was another strong reminder..This is really happening.

The appointment went smoothly.  Every question was answered, every concern addressed.  The hospital is beautiful and well appointed.  Everything has been arranged and scheduled.  We are to arrive two hours prior to the delivery.  One nurse pointed out several vending machines and a refrigerator where we can keep our own food, but to be honest it was the last thing I could consider.  On that morning I will be frantic.  Food will be my last concern.  Once our daughter is safely in our arms and we can officially begin our lives together, then I will worry about everything else.  At that point I'll likely be famished.

Before we left, we stopped by the doctor's office where Holly was getting her latest check up.  As we walked in the doctor smiled at us and said, "Hi mom and dad!"  We just looked at each other.  I think it's the first time in our lives we've truly felt the weight of those words.  In just over two weeks, we really will be mom and dad.