2.24.2011

Waterproof mascara - Part 1

OK. I can't keep this in one minute longer.

We HAVE A REFERRAL!

Holy smokes. I can't believe it myself. We are totally beside ourselves with delight and joy. Our baby is a beautiful boy, with a sweet little smile and big brown eyes. He's a gorgeous little peanut who has succeeded in melting our hearts already.

We heard the great news on Thursday afternoon. I was in Madison, standing amid 35,000 angry protesters and trying to figure out how to capture the historic events I was witnessing. I was standing on the street, about to catch up with some other photographers when I pulled out my phone. Missed calls from The Man and a text message.

Call me ASAP.

I called and he was very casual. Like he was calling to ask where the new jar of peanut butter was. I was slightly annoyed. Until he said...

"Beth called. We have a referral."

And that's when I had the weirdest thought. Thank goodness I'm wearing waterproof mascara.

Because I've been crying ever since. What ensued after that call is the adoption version of the parents freaking out when a woman's water breaks.

Through our tears I tried to get a few details about our boy. But The Man was so surprised at the call that he forgot to ask for details! Yep, not a single one. He just hopped in the car and headed for the agency's office to pick up the referral package.

Meanwhile, I was standing on the street trying to grasp the fact that we were parents. I stumbled into the other photographers, probably looking totally out of my mind...tears running down my face and babbling that I was a mom and had no idea what to do now. My friend Tom knows we are in the process, and thank goodness he was there when I got the call.

Tom had a plan for me. "First, you are calling {our boss} and telling him you are heading back to Milwaukee." So I did. When my boss answered his phone, I just started shouting, "I can't stay here. I have to go, I have a baby". It took him a few minutes to understand who was calling him and what the hell I was talking about. Thankfully he totally understood what was happening and told me to get home and take care of business.

"Now, you are going to get a cab and have them take you to your car or you'll be wandering all over Madison for months," Tom says. Since I didn't have any cash, he walked me out to a cash machine where I input the wrong number 3 times before finally getting it right. And then aimed me towards the cab stands before he went back into the protesting crowd. He's a good friend.

The Man, meanwhile, was doing his own crazy daddy dance. He was trying to call our family members, take Gus out for a potty break, and then head for the agency. But he couldn't stay on task. He would pick up his car keys while talking on the phone, and then set them down somewhere when he realized he needed to take Gus out. He'd then take Gus outside, get distracted on the phone, return to the house and start searching for his keys. Once his keys were found, he couldn't remember if Gus actually went to the bathroom or not, so the entire routine started again. Poor Gus went out about 5 times in 15 minutes. I'm not sure if he ever did go or not.

The Man finally made it to the agency, and headed back home, calling me on the way to share more details. Our son is 7 months old. 17 pounds. Beautiful. Tears and sobs over the phone line as he tried to describe him and tell me his history.

Send a picture already! (Thank goodness for iPhones!)
 
And then I saw his face. He looked familiar, like we had known one another a long time ago and were finally reconnected. He looked just as I knew he would. He looked perfect.

I finally made it back to Milwaukee, despite the best efforts of every slow driver in the state who seemed to have convened on the exact path I was traveling. I busted in the house and jumped into The Man's arms. We poured over photos and our baby's referral information. Reading and re-reading.

And then sat on the couch, shell-shocked.

Holy smokes. We're parents.

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(Due to agency rules, we aren't allowed to post them here. But we can share them through email!)

39 comments:

  1. Congratulations!! You don't know me and I've never posted before. I found your blog about the time we recieved our referral in August and I've been reading ever since. I couldn't resist telling you congrats as I've been waiting with you for your big day! Such an exciting time! I'll continue to read as you join us in the hardest part of the wait, BUT the final part. We hope to go get our son in May or June. Congrats again!

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  2. YAAAAAAAY for you and your hubby! You are going to be fantastic parents :) BTW . . . I totally forgot my pin number on my debit card at that moment and still cannot remember it (I'd had it for THREE years). Somehow, I think that your brain is rewiring some important "parent" information up there!

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  3. OMG!!!!! I am doing cartwheels over here for you! I am so, so very happy & excited for you. A little boy....you are a momma! Congrats :)

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  4. I'm teary-eyed for you! I'm so excited! Congrats!

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  5. Sorry, i know it shouldn't be funny, but I am howling over here picturing the scene. Thank goodness for friends like Tom. Yahooo!! I am so happy for you guys. Can't wait to see him! My e-mail is brooketormanen@yahoo.com if you don't mind sharing his picture!

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  6. Holy Cow!!! Congrats!!!! What a story... I'm so, so thrilled for you! YIPPEEE!!!

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  7. whohoo!!!!! congratulations!
    i've been waiting for this post!
    what an amazing story to tell your little guy...love it! will you email pictures to me? i'd love to see your SON!!!
    waitingwithgrace@gmail.com

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  8. WOOHOOOOOO!!!!!

    Love reading the story behind the story.

    Love knowing that you have a son!

    Love seeing this post and smiling from ear to ear.

    It's real.
    It's happening.
    He's yours.

    Time for paperwork, mama!!

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  9. Woohooo!!! I am so freaking excited for you! And I was just thinking about you today. I can't wait to hear more.

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  10. Congratulations, mama!
    That is one awesome story!

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  11. Congratulations Mama!! So so happy for you!

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  12. Congrats! I love your referral story!

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  13. Awesome!! So very happy for you guys!! Congratulations!

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  14. Congratulations! What a crazy moment in which to get your news.

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  15. Yeeee Hawwww!!! i haven't had time to comment in a while but i've still been following along....and anxiously awaiting this post!!! I am so very happy for you! Referral day is just the most amazing day and one you will remember forever! Congrats to you and your hubby! ( and so wish we could see that pic! :)

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  16. Just leave me your email (or mail me at curdsandkimchi (@) yahoo.com and I'll send you the link to the photos!

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  17. Congrats...so exciting!!

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  18. Such fantastic news! Hope to see you when we get to travel - if you are with ESWS? I have sent you and email for his picture.

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  19. Holy smokes!!! Congratulations!!! I am so, so happy for you! What a wonderful feeling, huh?! So excited for you, MOMMA!!!

    If you're sharing...amchambers2@gmail.com

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  20. How exciting!!!!!! What a day to remember! I am thrilled for you and your family! I can't wait to continue following your jouney to your son! Keeping you in my thoughts...

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  21. i love that this is only "waterproof mascara part 1."
    i'm wondering how many other parts there are? you probably haven't stopped counting, yet. i can think of at least one... ;)

    i've been checking ad nauseum to see if you'd posted... i am beyond thrilled for you and the man. your boy is so incredibly beautiful, pix.

    xoxo

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  22. Yay! Congratulations! What great news!

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  23. This is the best story I've heard in years!! You Rock! Your baby is very lucky!! So are we to be able to share this with you!! Love you Girl!

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  24. I love that emily said she has been checking "ad nauseum" -- me too!

    And good point - can't wait for part 2 and more :)

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  25. What an awesome story!!!! Congratulations MOMMY! I heard the good news from Grace today and saw pictures of your cutie. He is gorgeous. I am thrilled for you! Welcome to motherhood.

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  26. Congratulations! That's so exciting! Can't wait to hear more! :) Ooo - Grace has pictures?!? Hoping to see her this week - is it OK if she shares?!?

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  27. I emailed you, but I wanted to reiterate here how very happy I am for you guys. Such amazing news. :)

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  28. Hooray!!! Can't wait to here more about your little guy. Congratulations!!!

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  29. YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!! So happy for you!

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  30. Dude! DUDE!!! I cannot believe that I am JUST now reading this. Stupid jury duty ruins everything. :(
    But enough about me! You're a mama! A mama!!! I MUST see this deliciously chubby boy! Please email me his wonderful photo!
    EEEEEK!

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  31. awesome news!! you're a mama!!! i am so happy and so excited for you as you begin this next part of your journey WITH your son. (and i too love that this just 'waterproof mascara - part 1'!!)

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  32. What great news! Another Korean cutie coming to WI! Congratulations!

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  33. Congratulations! This is wonderful news!

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  34. I'm also anxiously checking and waiting for Part 2.

    Love you all, Mom

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  35. Awwww. so, so happy for you! Your story made me cry!

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  36. God love the creator of water-proof mascara! Hooray for babies! Many congrats to you!

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  37. Ooo - you have a new follower - ME! Congratulations on your fantastic news. This is such an exciting and completely hectic time in an adoptive parent's life! I am looking forward to following along as your journey continues. What a feeling!

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  38. OK this brought tears to my eyes - I can't wait until this moment!

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