May 26, 2009

the BIG surprise

A few weeks ago, there was a loud rap on the front door and I opened it to see our friendly UPS man with a package for us. We were not expecting anything.
Our apartment was quiet. Beau was sleeping and although friends & family were in town, they were out on a walk. Pierre and I sat on the carpet and used his key to slice the tape.

The box was full of pink tissue paper and an ultrasound picture lay on top saying "It's a girl!" My heart immediately dropped to my knees. Could this package possibly be for us? Maybe there's a mistake. I sure hope it's for us.

I'm not sure how much time passed while the two of us were starring at the little profile in the photograph before we realized that the package may hold more answers.

We pulled up the tissue paper and we both scrambled to grab the letter.
Dear Pierre, Sera and Beau,
...Congratulations! I'm writing this the night before my ultrasound so I have no idea what you are having
[This is when the gasps and tears began.] Most people reading our blog don't know this, but it is unlikely that we will have more biological children. When we found this out, we both felt impressed that our family could be blessed through adoption. We began the adoption application process last September.

So you can understand our total SHOCK when we received this package out of the blue from S. To clarify, we have known S (and her family) for a long time and we knew S was pregnant but we understood that she was definitely parenting.

Little did we know that S had actually chosen us several weeks earlier but decided to keep it a secret so she could also surprise us once she found out the baby's gender (she had her ultrasound and sent the package overnight.) Needless to say, we will NEVER forget opening that package and the rush of emotions. We have been on cloud nine ever since.
It is so magical to think that we could actually have a little girl in September!!! It is so humbling to think of S blessing us in a way we could never do for ourselves. S sent all this. (The bib says, "I love my big brother." The BYU onesie matches one Beau wore in a previous post. S is so thoughtful.) She also sent a DVD of the ultrasound! We saw her kicking like crazy and rubbing her eyes and even got to listen to her rapid little heartbeat.
This is her beautiful little face. See the little nose and the pouted lips?

32 comments:

Katy said...

Auntie Kay Kay and Auntie Polly are going to spoil this little girl silly!!

Dustinn and Valery, you thought it was bad with Bradshaw...just wait till we can buy dollies, tutus and princess outfits!

Cyndi said...

How exciting. What a special moment. What a great mom. Stefanie picked the perfect parents. I am so happy for you.

StefanieJinelle said...

YAY! I've been waiting for this post. :] I don't exactly know what to say though. I just know I re-read the letter I wrote you guys and I was like, "Man, I was REALLY tired when I wrote that." You guys deserve this. I can't wait until September for your cute little daughter. I had to hold back buying things for her at the mall today. Just know, I'll be sending things ALL the time. So you might know your friendly UPS man by name. Also, you're going to have to change your title of your blog to, "About a boy and a girl!"

Erika said...

You know that we are SOOOO happy for you and SOOOO excited to be officially connected to you! I know our little niece will be perfect in your family and I'm so grateful to know that she'll go to such a GREAT family and that we'll still get to be a part of her life! Thank you for deciding to say something!

Deanna said...

Thank you to Stefanie. And I agree Val, the name of the post needs to change! So wonderful. And Katy, remember the tiara!

Harrison - Party of Four! said...

Val- how absolutely wonderful!! No, we had no clue about how you may not be able to have more biological children or how you had started the adoption process. This was a wonderful post and had me in suspense while reading it! We are so happy for you and your family! Such HUGE news!! Thanks for sharing the moment!

Katie said...

Val,
Tears came when I read your post. Congratulations! I can't tell you how excited I am for you and your sparkling little girl on the way.
YEA!!!!!

Chris and Annalisa said...

Oh my gosh, what a sweet surprise! It brought tears to my eyes - I am so happy for you three! I've seen what a wonderful thing adoption is with Chris's sister who couldn't have children, and now she's been blessed with two wonderful boys. What a blessed thing Stephanie is doing for you!

Now you have to move back to Utah so our babies can be friends! :)

HunnyHull said...

Val,

I was so touched by your post. My heart is overjoyed at the thought of this experience you get to have. I am so so happy for you. Please keep me posted on how it all goes. I would love to send you a baby gift!

Cpt Naykid said...

Congratulations! Erika and I are so happy for you and think that Stefanie made the best decision in giving you her baby. I know Bradshaw will just be thrilled to have a baby sister.

Oh Dustinn, I helped do some gardening at my dad's house, and we used a "Mantis Tiller" to till the ground. Mantis, Brantis...good times.

Take care and Congrats again!

pennylutz said...

I'm so excited for you! I cried all the way through your blog. I can't wait to meet your little girl.

Nonnie said...

I have read this post 4 times today.... and cried every time. Bless you Stefanie, we are so grateful for this wonderful answer to our many prayers. This little girl will be so loved. She is already so lucky to be going to such wonderful parents and sweet big brother. Love you already little girl xoxoxoxo Grandma Nonnie

Anonymous said...

That is the best surprise ever! How wonderful that Stefanie is going to be able to help you add to your family. What a neat expereince for both y'all and her. It's true, she is picking one fantastic couple to raise her baby.

V said...

aww thank you everyone!

Russell and Aya said...

What a wonderful and an exciting news!! We are very happy for you. You,Dustinn and Bradshaw will make a great home for this precious little girl. Congratulations!

V said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
V said...

B&K, I think we were very good at keeping all of this a secret. haha. Um, more seriously, it was just too heartbreaking to talk about.
Adoption on the other hand was like a ray of light! We didn't mention applying for adoption only because we thought it might take a couple years.
...We are SO EXCITED!!!

D said...

It makes me happy to read all of your support. The weeks just keep dragging on as we want September to come already. We are so excited for our family to grow!

D said...

PS: Bradshaw is a shoe-in for Big Brother of the year! You can tell already that he will be very loving and gentle with his little sister. It makes me so happy to think of Bradshaw and his little sister playing together and giving eachother hugs.

. said...

Congratulations!! You dont have to wait 9 months, breast feed or be pregnant! That makes it even better. I am really happy for you guys!!!!!! YEAH!!

StefanieJinelle said...

Hahaha, the last comment made me laugh. Valery doesn't have to go through 9 months of pregnancy, BUT I DO! Haha, WHAT THE HECK?! Just kidding. But it is really cool to read all of the comments. I'll be making my blog public so friends and family can read how it kind of came to be. :]

Amber said...

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek! Seriously. I wanted to just shriek out loud when I read your post! We are soooo so so so so excited for you. It couldn't happen to better people, either. This little girl is going to be so blessed to be part of your family. A big thanks to Stefanie...the Jacksons are some of our favorite people, and we know this makes them so incredibly happy!!!!

Now, Val...baby girl shopping?!!? When when when! :)

Jodi said...

oh my goodness oh my goodness
My jaw is about on the floor.
Congratulations!!!!! and I want to take many many pictures! And now I finally have someone to hand my baby girl clothes down to! Woohoo!
Oh that little girl is so lucky to have you guys as parents. Seriously.

Julie Bird said...

If I can see through my tears to the keyboard, I'll try to keep typing :) I am SO happy for you! Stefanie sounds like a sweet angel! And a GIRL!!! YAY! I love your story! The miracle have started! I need to call you!!!

Elisa said...

What a special story! I'm so happy for you guys. Congratulations!

Rob and Christina Watson said...

How cool you guys! What exciting news! Congrats. It's no surprise you were chosen- what a perfect couple!

The Wildes said...

My heart is bursting!!

Pancho said...

The little sun dress is just ADORABLE! I look at this post like, every day so I figured I should say something... YAY!!! I love you Val!

Lindy said...

I wish I could express to Stefanie how grateful I am. I honestly wouldn't choose anyone else to raise my children, you guys are the perfect couple, group of friends and family. This makes me so inexplicably happy. I love you!

Amy said...

WOAH! Congrats!! i had no idea you guys were adopting! What a wonderful belssing! I am soooo happy for your little family! I LOVE having a boy and a girl!

Jones said...

Hey Valery! I feel like an idiot not knowing that you're "expecting". What a beautiful way to find out! Congrats, and now that I have your blog I'll try to stay posted.

Kristin (Salter)

Anonymous said...

Awwww this totally made me ball! Sooo sweet! Stefanie is awesome :]