My Funny Face

It's so fascinating to see Madilyn change and grow even though she's only 7 weeks old. It's amazing the little things you notice on a daily basis. She's always been very alert and she's always trying to hold her head up on her own, but Scot and I have noticed over the past few days that she is definitely smiling more often (at us of course)!! Well I believe that she has started to imitate me as well. I'm sure I'll be sorry later, but I stick my tongue out at her and make funny noises and in return she will stick her tongue out too and coo. It's the most adorable thing.


At one time I was afraid to have a daughter. I have to admit that I enjoyed being the only "girl" in Scot's life. HOWEVER, I wouldn't change having a daughter for anything in the world. I'm embracing every moment I have with Madilyn. AND I know Scot has enough love for more than one "girl" in his life. And I'm sure I've said it once, but I'll say it again...I love watching Scot interact with Madilyn and he is the most wonderful daddy in the world. I know Madilyn will make us both better people!! Isn't she the most adorable angel??!!!!

A Treasure

As most of you know when you have a new baby there's not much free time. Madilyn is currently sleeping so I'm taking the time to post a new slide show for your enjoyment. There are pics of Madilyn with her cousins and daddy, and a few of her unfinished nursery.

Quick update...things are going very well. There are moments when Scot and I find out ourselves completely lost but we are figuring it out together. We wouldn't change any of this for the world. Madilyn is the most wonderful little girl!! Scot and I love when it's just the three of us spending a quiet time at home. I love to watch Scot with Madilyn. It's beautiful moments like these that I'll treasure always.

Madilyn is Officially in our Hearts and Home

Because I'm exhausted this post will be short and sweet. It was a very emotional and exciting day today. It's the beginning of the next chapter in our lives!! Our lunch with the birth mother Rachel went extremely well. There were so many mixed emotions. She's so wonderful and she will definitely continue to be a part of all our lives. I'm still somewhat in a haze and I know I haven't processed everything. It's still so hard to believe that the little girl we've had in our hearts this past week is now living in our home. The video I have included is our day at Gladney with the birth mother and the actual placement. Then the last few photos are of all three of us at home. I hope everyone enjoys the video.

Madilyn Peggy Smith

If you haven't heard or guessed from my title then you will be happy to hear that Madilyn Peggy Smith will be in our arms, hearts and home on Monday, June 15, 2009.

All day today I was furiously working to try and catch up on projects at work because I wanted to be able to hand off everything to my co-workers just in case we would be able to bring Madilyn home on Monday. So at 5:15 today (still working away) my cell phone rings and it's my caseworker Raquel. She so calmly says, "Hey Becca so how are?" I tell her I'm fine. She says, "Well Monday at noon we're all meeting at Johnny Carinos for lunch, then head to Gladney for the nursery time, take pictures, sign documents, make the payment, and you can take your daughter home with you." I think I was silent for a minute.........................................and then I said, "REALLY????!!!" As soon as we hung up I called all of my family members.

Later at home after talking on the phone all evening our home phone rings. It's the birth mother Rachel. She just wanted to make sure that we knew she had chosen us to adopt her daughter. Now I'm not a cryer, but I began to tear up as our conversation continued. She told me that she did not take this decision lightly. She looked at several profiles, spoke to a few other couples, but she knew immediately when she saw our profile that we were "the one couple" for her daughter. She went on to say that she knows she hasn't met us yet, but after talking on the phone Wednesday night she knew she had made the right decision. I told Rachel that we were so thankful to her for choosing and trusting us to love and protect her daughter forever and always. I told her that we knew this was not an easy decision and her daughter would know that she was adopted because her mother wanted the best life could offer her. Rachel is the sweetest, most sincere person I have ever met. Scot and I can't wait to meet her on Monday. We are so excited.

Madilyn was born May 7, 2009. She weighed 7 lbs., 15 oz., and was 21 inches long. It's so exciting because Madilyn and Kenna (my niece) are only be 13 days apart. My family is very excited and as soon as I have picture of her I will post them!!

Love and blessings to everyone!

My Niece Has Made Her DEBUT!

It was 7:49 pm on May 20, 2009 when my beautiful niece Kenna Cheryl Summers arrived. It was a very exhausting and emotional day for everyone, especially for my sister since she was the one giving birth. It was not surprising when my sister became upset when the Dr. told her she would have to undergo a c-section. It was wonderful to see everyone come together to reassure my sister Rachel that everything would be fine.

The surprise to me was my emotional state when we were told that Rachel would have to undergo the c-section. I suddenly realized that I would not be in the room when Kenna made her debut in this world. It was my one opportunity to experience the birth of a baby since I would never experience it myself. I did everything I could to hold myself together until Rachel left the room. Once she was gone I fell apart. I was embarrassed and ashamed of my feelings so I removed myself from the situation. How dare I think of myself at this joyous moment, but then I realized that it was okay for me to feel this way. I could be sad and angry for me and Scot. It was okay to grieve the child that I would never give birth to in this life. After pulling myself together, I returned to my loving and supporting family. Once we were able to see Kenna and Rachel, the sorrow was replaced by joy. It was so exciting to see my little sister become a mom for the first time, and that Kenna was the first grandchild on my side of the family.

I still have my moments that I wish I too could give birth. However, those moments are being replaced with thoughts of Scot and I receiving our little one through adoption. Those thoughts are more often when I see Rachel and Kenna together, when I hold Kenna in my own arms, or when I see the way Scot looks at Kenna while he's holding her. The love I have for my niece is indescribable. If my love is this strong for my niece then I can only imagine the bond and love I will have when I hold my child in my arms one day soon. I pray for that day to be soon and I know Scot does too. This adoption adventure is a process that will soon come full circle.

It's so wonderful to see Rachel radiating with love and joy. Kenna has to be the most wonderful thing that has happened to this family is a very long time. I know Rachel will be the most wonderful mother to her. Enjoy the pictures of my niece Kenna Cheryl Summers.