This is our story....of love, life, and adoption

Friday, February 22, 2008

THE CALL

It has just hit me again, so I thought now was a good time to write about it. Thanks for putting up with the last post, it really was fun!! So in my head I had a vision: I would get the call, I would be very calm, and reserved. I would write down all the information, keep quiet, go home, buy the blue or pink(but I was really thinking blue) booties, wrap them, sweetly wake up Jon and present him with the booties. We would cry, sniff, sniff, hug, love, love. We would buy flowers for both our mothers and balloons for our fathers, we would wait for them to be delivered. Then and only then would we announce it to everyone else.


This is what REALLY happened. I was at work, so that means frumpy green scrubs, blue clogs, hair up in an OR scrub hat with frogs on them(get the picture), I just finished scrubbing out a friend, I was back at my desk, which by the way is in the back, in the supply room..sorta office space style. I was putting an instrument tray together, getting frustrated, when in the left pocket....vibrate, vibrate....who could that be?.....it's an out of state number.....it can't be...that's not Bonnie's number(We know we're waiting for a call from Bonnie)....do I answer and hang up, like I do with wrong numbers, or answer.....I stare at the phone, lean back, answer....
hello
Hi Ann, this is Bonnie from FHSA
(still calm)is this "the call"
yes, this is the call.....

OH MY GOD**the following are gathered accounts from witnesses, because I really don't remember much**
I come tearing out of the room running, sobbing out loud. Now let me just explain, this was not the single tear running down a cheek. I'm talking snotty sobbing, out loud sobbing, screaming sobbing, heaving sobbing screaming and I apparently didn't know what to do..so I was running/pacing up and down recovery room. They actually heard me on the adult side and one girl came out ,found me leaned up against the wall sobbing, started hugging me and telling me it's going to be okay....
"We have a baby, we have a baby"
more hugging, "okay, so this is good crying!!"
"yes, yes, we have a baby!!"
By that time all my friends have come out to see what happened, and basically who died.
"This the call we've been waiting for" more sobbing
meanwhile, Bonnie is trying to get the fax number
Now I tried really hard to give her the fax number, but apparently, so I've been told, I was not well understood, I wasn't making any sense...so I just handed off my cell phone to my friend.
She then finished talking with Bonnie, who got the fax number and told her to tell me that when I calmed down and could breath, to call her back.
I then got on the phone to call and try and wake up Jon. I called four times, no answer.
Finally I screamed/sobbed into the answering machine that he needed to get up, he needed to call me, why was he not answering the phone.
Welp...he heard me on the machine...again thinking that someone had died...he bolted out of bed, and later we would come to learn, he popped a rib out of place....got to the phone, called me back...
"we have a baby!!"
He thought that something terrible had happened and at that point was in a lot of pain.
so then I looked down on the piece of paper that I had written down ALL the information on the baby and all I saw was.....
IT'S A GIRL!!!!!! But you see that right, that's all I wrote. That's all the information I had...at that point the fax started coming through. I'm on the phone people are gathered around me. My SIL who sometimes works on my side is walking up from lunch, sees everyone gathered around me and me sobbing and thinks something horrible has happened to Jon. I just put up that piece of paper with "girl" written on it. GIRL...can you believe that. So Jon asked me what her name was and I proceeded to give him the wrong birthdate and the social workers name(thinking it was our baby's name). I was shaking and so NOT calm. So when Jon started passing on information it was wrong. I am such a total dork!!!
Then I found out that they had put a patient in the back room, which is right close by the room that I came screaming out of. Luckily a coworker explained to the family what was going on. Because I am sure that all the screaming and sobbing scared the family. It's a Girl!! We have a daughter. All this time we thought little boy. I was and still am absolutely stunned that we have a daughter. We already had the medicals examined and accepted last night. I'll let everyone else know what's next in another post. We anticipate photos in 2-4 weeks. It's all really a blur. I wish I could tell the story better. I am just so overwhelmed with happiness.
I my minds eye I thought I was be so pulled together. I would be calm, cool, and collected. Let me just tell you that I was so far from cool. I so lost control. I just couldn't hold back all the emotions. It's been a long time coming. We have tried for so long to start a family. So so long. And after all the years of tears being shed out of sadness...I had some making up to do and had just as many tears shed in joy!

For some reason I can't seem to put into words how I feel right now. I am grateful. I am humbled by the path that has been layed before us, I am amazed. I am stunned. I am scared. I am in love with a child I have never seen. I am the Mommy to a baby girl!!

update @ 9pm: sorry guys I forgot to give any more details. She was born November 3rd, 2007. She is at Cathwel. She's healthy. Her name from us is being debated at the moment.

61 comments:

David and Janalee said...

WAAAHHHOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so excited for you and Jon! I love your story of "The Call" and laughed through my tears while reading it! I cannot wait to watch the rest of your story unfold and for that first picture of her in your arms! Oh Ann! A GIRL!!!! They are so much fun! Hugs to you and Jon, and paryers that since you waited an eternity for your call that you get to skip past the court wait!
Congrats new mommy!
Janalee

Amy, Ryan, Aidan and Lauren said...

What a wonderful story! I am beyond thrilled for you and Jon. I can't wait to hear more!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Anonymous said...

OH MY GOODNESS...I'm so freaking excited for you. I'm smiling and crying at the same time. You have waited so long and I just can't find the words to say how happy I am for you guys. Start thinking pink and buying lots of clothes. (for the baby that is) Congratulations.

Jan

The family of six said...

Whooppie!!! I was a total mess too when I got the call! Enjoy the feeling - I was on cloud nine for a week! Can't wait to see her picture - how old is she? What orphanage is she at?

Sarah said...

Oh my god. I'm laughing out loud and the tears are running down my face. My husband was freaking out wondering what's wrong. I'm so happy for you!!!!!!!!!!!! Okay, so how have you told the family?!?!?!?!?!? Oh my gosh. This is wonderful!!!

Redhot said...

I have goosebumps reading your story. I am so happy for you and Jon!

Dim Sum, Bagels, and Crawfish said...

Congratulations, Mommy! We are all so happy for you guys and can't wait to hear more about your sweet new DAUGHTER!!!! Can't wait to actually meet her and to see your first happy family photos together. Have a great weekend celebrating...pink!pink!pink!

Tracey said...

Ann, I am SO SO SO HAPPY for you and Jon! I am crying while I type this. I just happened to check your blog on a whim tonight and I was so shocked, happy, relieved, and joyful that the wait has finally come to an end. So Congratulations Mom and Dad are your baby girl. I anxiously await the details.

Tracey H.

-I even let my dinner timer keep beeping so I could get through your post. My dh finally said, "do you want me to get that?"

Jo said...

CONGRATS!!!! Reading your "call" story reminds me of ours.

Welcome to the world of baby girls!!!

Sherry said...

OK totally crying here!!! CONGRATULATIONS GUYS!!!!! You will both make awesome parents & I can't wait to see pictures of that precious little lady of yours. I so would have guessed baby boy. LOL! Now I'm off to have Sake & celebrate (out of champagne, wine, beer) so Sake it is this wintery day in MD:)

*** Can you imagine just how many of us fellow adoptive bloggers are toasting to you guys tonight?? I can imagine you have every state saying Wooohoooo! LOL!***

taiwanbaby said...

what a wonderful story!!!!! A GIRL. I wouldn't have guessed that either. sooooooo happy for you. your going to be a great mommy!!!!

Tisra said...

I'm sobbing too! Happy, happy tears over your BABY GIRL!!!!! Your story is just perfect, and will be lovely to tell your daughter someday. Ann, You. Are. A. Mother.

Congratulations on this big step toward finally having your child in your arms!!!!

Girl. Girl. Girl. Wow.

Tisra
waiting for referral

Monkey said...

Yay! Congrats on your new baby girl!!!


We need more details lol

Mommy Blogger said...

That is seriously some of the best news I have heard in awhile. Congratulations - I am so happy for you all!

ck said...

I am so very very very happy for you!

Congratulations!

TaiwanMommy said...

o.k.. so I got the year wrong.. but I got the GENDER right!!!

Oh Annie- I'm SO happy for you. We cried tears of joy at your post.. we, I say, because I read every single word of it outloud, and SCREAMED the word "GIRL!!!" tears flying down my cheeks!

God bless you and Jon as you embark on this most joyous of journeys.

Hooting and Hollaring in Colorado-
Val

TaiwanMommy said...

Annie-

That's the day after the twin's birthday!! Yay!

Here is a post from you, last March:

Now the good dream. I wasn't going to blog about it, but I want to document it, just in case I need a reference when we finally get our referral. Most of you know we have not specified gender on our request. We were told by our agency that that means we'll probably get a boy, but you never know. After having horrible dreams about my inabilities as a parent, I was very refreshed by this one. And after reading how women before pregnancies or their referrals had dreams about their children...I thought more about this dream....
--So for documentations sake.....I was holding a baby girl(!!!!) and Jon was next to me. This child was ours and for some reason I knew she was ours. She was fully Asian(not like me) and I just "knew" this. She was our daughter adopted from Taiwan. Her name was Gracie. And I was a little jealous because her first words were "dada". But then as I was holding her, she looked up at me and said "Mommy, I love you". I remember being very overwhelmed by this and felt like I was crying in my dream. Oh and she was a super genius because I felt like she was very young and she was talking to me!!! So there it is...we'll see when that referral rolls in.


I think you oughta name her Gracie..

Love you-
(still hootin) Val

Tisra said...

Oh. My. Goodness, Val....wow. Way to go on looking through the archives!

shelley said...

I truly couldn't be happier if we ourself had received the call. How absolutely wonderful for you. As the mother of 2 girls....you are in for such a wonderful ride!!! I so wish for speedy travel. Thanks so much for letting us in on the news.

Sarah k said...

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!
CONGRATULATIONS! A GIRL! A LITTLE GIRL! PINK AND PURPLE PRECIOUS LITTLE GIRL! CLOUD NINE KIND OF PRECIOUS AND MOMMY AND DADDY DESERVE TO BE THERE BABY GIRL! Mommy and Daddy prayed for you, cried for you, ached for you, thought about you until it tickled their insides, dreamed of you until they could almost touch your beautiful face and kiss your soft cheeks! They have fought the good fight to find you, patiently waited in a LONG LONG line of other prospective families just to reach you. They have waited for you and they have talked about you and now they will know you! They will soon see your face for real in a wonderful sweet and beautiful picture. They will touch your picture everynight and kiss you in their mind until they can finally come to Taiwan and get you baby girl.. you wonderful baby girl. You take care of your mommy, she is awesome and so is daddy. They have been strong for you and eachother and they deserve all your hugs and kisses!
Congratulations Special Girl!
Name yet to be given and MOMMY AND DADDY! (sounds so good doesn't it?)
I can't wait to see the rest of this so awaited story to unfold!

Annie said...

Ann, I am SOOOOOOOOOOOO excited for you and Jon. I just scanned down to the part where it said "girl" before jumping up shouting with joy and telling my Mom, who promptly kicked my Dad off the laptop so she could visit your blog. Kai Wei was wondering what on earth was going on, but I couldn't get any farther than "our friend" before my Chinese gave out, and besides, I hadn't finished reading your whole post.


Yeah! It's about time! I'm so happy for you!

Anonymous said...

Dear Ann and Jon,
Praise God! I am so happy for you and crying! What wonderful, great news! I had a feeling you might have a girl in store. That is so absolutely wonderful I can't wait to hear more details and see a picture.

Annie just came running in from the other room saying "Ann got a referral" and it was like I couldn't believe it. Just what I always imagined--that Annie would find out and be SO HAPPY to share the news.

I'm glad you couldn't stay calm--it's such an awesome story! :-) I hope you have a really fast court process. If I get back to Taiwan before you go maybe they will let me take a picture or something!

This is just totally awesome and wonderful news!
Many blessings, Debbie

William's Family said...

Yay! Yay! Yay! Oh I am just thrilled for you and Jon. I think yours is the best Call day story I've heard in a long time. Can't wait to see the pictures when you get them. We are celebrating right along with you! Yay, Ann!!!

JEff said...

We are so happy for you! Thanks for finally sharing. We can't wait to see your sweet daughter's face. What a wonderful experience for your family!!!

Anonymous said...

Oh Ann!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have been checking your blog every couple of days for so long now just hoping that it would be soon. I checked it and saw the post I have hoped for you guys and went running to get my husband Matt with tears in my eyes...."Ann got the call!!!" and he came running to read about it with me. I cannot even say how very, very happy we are for you guys. You were waiting when we began our journey to adopt our son Malone over a year ago and now you have your daughter.....just amazing! It astounds me how adoption can unite people across states, countries, the internet, cultures.....congratulations!
Molly and Matt and Malone and now Mattox

Unknown said...

oh Ann crying tears of happiness for you! A baby girl! A Girl! Your dream has finally come true - YOU ARE A MOM!!!!

Congratulations a million times over!

Andrea
Miranda's Mom

Precious Wonders and Little Monkeys said...

Helloooo MOMMY! Okay we got a bawler over here! You are the cutest darn OR nurse EVER! I so would have loved to see that. I'd probably be bawling even not knowing ya and whooping it up in the hospital with ya! This is SOOO AMAZING and ABSOLUTELY PERFECT! Poor hubby... he okay? Ahh he'll be fine... YOU HAVE A BABY.... A Precious Baby Girl... yours forever to cherish! CONGRATULATIONS beyond measure! Thank Heavens to Betsy as my momma used to say. You are such a trooper... you didn't faint! I think I woulda! This is the best delivery story EVER! With much love, Sara/Sofa

Tish said...

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

I was JUST thinking about you on the way home form the grocery store...and here it is!!!! YOUR REFERRAL!!!! YOUR BABY GIRL!!!! I am SO VERY ELATED for you! Can't wait to see photos! Can't wait to hear her name! Save that paper with "girl" on it...BEAUTIFUL!!!!

COngratulations Mommy!

Kelly said...

You are so adorable!! I am so so happy for you and Jon. YOU HAVE A DAUGHTER!! That is amazing. You deserve this so much. Congratulations over and over again.

Anonymous said...

OMG!!!!!!!!ANN and JON Congratulations!!!! See all that waiting had finally paid off. I really love the story. I think you were just so overwhelmed and especially that it happened at work and you were not expecting it and it caught you off guard but nonetheless it's all good coz' all what you had prayed and dreamed on your dreams finally came true!!! It's a girl! Love it! Can't wait to see her in your arms. Best wishes, Malou

J+Di Di said...

Congratulations!!!! I am so lost for words, but my heart is filled with joy and happiness for you and your baby "GIRL"!!!!

NikkiM said...

I am sobbing as I read your emai and post... sobbing, snivling, so so SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooooooo happy for you guys all 3 of you!! My dear friend, your patience has finally paid off and as I wipe my nose I am as speachless as you are. COngrats Mummy :D

Rebecca Lily said...

Ann!!! CONGRATULATIONS to you and Jon!!!!! This is SO exciting and I am THRILLED to pieces to hear about your beautiful DAUGHTER!!!! You've waited SO long to hear about your little one - I would have been screaming too!! Happy, happy, happy day!!!

Blessings,
Rebecca
http://blessingsfromchina.blogspot.com

redmaryjanes said...

WOOOHOOO!!!!
A girl! That is fantastic! Now, where are some photos???

amazing grace said...

WOOOOHOOOOOOO!!!!! YEAH!!!! i AM SOOOOO EXCITED FOR YOU 2!!!! YEAH!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

PERFECT! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

HEATHER (KAZ MOMMY)

Tiffany said...

CONGRATULATIONS and a little girl!! Oh Ann this is so fabulous! We are so excited for you, we can't stand it! You so deserve to have a "call" story you'll remember forever and this one definitely is :)
I betcha you and Jon are just over the moon right now! Enjoy every second (I know you are) and start thinkin PINK :)
YEAH!!!!!!! Can't wait to see the first pic of your beautiful daughter!

Tiffany
www.sweetnsassysophia.blogspot.com

Nikki said...

Hey Ann!
Congrats again!
That is the best news EVER!
And you thought you were going to remain calm? That makes me laugh.

Anonymous said...

Spectacular Spectacular! This is a great event! Vonne Barnett

Deb said...

Well at long last!!!! Congrats! I'm so happy to see dreams do come true!!!!!
Sending a big hug your way!!!!!!!!!

C's Mom said...

At long last! My heart is just about to pop with happiness for you.

Congrats, mom and dad on your baby girl!

Cindy said...

Congratulations Ann & Jon! This is such wonderful news...and such a delightful story you will be able to share with your daughter some day. Here's hoping for a speedy court process...I look forward to hearing your daughter's new name and seeing pictures of her soon, too. Best wishes!

Cindy
http://adopttaiwan.wordpress.com

Lisa said...

CONGRATULATIONS MOMMY & DADDY!!!!

I am so very happy for you and Jon.

GOD BLESS!!!!!!


Lisa

nobbit said...

Congratulations! I've been a lurker on your blog for some time now and figured this was the best time to comment! Yours was the first Taiwan adoption blog I found after my husband and I began to discuss international adoption. I was so excited to follow the story of another Florida family. It is so joyous to see your dream quite literally come true. My family puts a lot of store in dreams. I'm so happy for you and Jon and your little girl.
Cheers,
Beth

Rydley said...

Huge congratulations! I've been hoping and hoping for you guys!

4D said...

That is wonderful, wonderful news!! Congrats!

Keep smilin!

Unknown said...

Wow...that was a pretty calm response by my standards :). Congratulations and much happiness to you and your family!

JackieMacD said...

I read every word you wrote outloud to my DH—we're both so happy for you! Of course, I'm reading and crying at the same time. It's so funny you say you don't have the words, meanwhile your post was so vivid, it was like the rest of us were there!!!

Congratulations, Mommy!

-Jackie
taiwanlucy.blogspot.com

Hegemom said...

Congratulations, girl!!

So happy for you! Can't wait to see lots and lots of pix!

Stacey

redmaryjanes said...

I came by to see if any photos have arrived : )

Jodi said...

Congrats! I'm so very excited for you and your daughter. You've waiting a long time for this, and deserve all the joy I can see in your post. I can't wait to hear more and see pictures!

Kristi said...

A huge congratulations to you and your husband!

You'll love having a little girl.

Anonymous said...

I am a lurker, but wanted to saw CONGRATS! I cried thru your whole post. I am so happy for you!
Elizabeth

Just Us said...

Yippeee....finally got a chance to visit your blog and wanted to say congratulations on your baby girl. I knew your referral was coming and I'm over the moon for you two. Can't wait to see your little girl. Kristie

Judy said...

I had a giant smile and tears in my eyes as I read your post. Great story!! I look forward to following your journey. Congratulations!!! Girls are precious and not to mention the wonderful clothes and accessories! Your wallet will be on a permanent diet:-)

Judy

Karin and Rob said...

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! We are so happy for you and can't wait to read more about your precious daughter!

Steve n Coco said...

Oh my! A HUGE congratulations to you guys and your little girl! You have waited so long... I am in tears reading your story!
Blessings,
Courtney

Anonymous said...

I'm "Eggrolls and Chopsticks" cousin and I've been following your blog since it started. Congratulations to you both, you've been incredibly patient, finally you get your reward. Andie

Anonymous said...

yeah. finally. I am so happy for you.

Kristin said...

ANN!!! I read this last week on a computer that wouldn't let me comment. I was seriously overwhelmed with emotion for you! You have waited so faithfully for your child and now your time has come!!!! I am so excited for you that your baby is a girl. I can't wait to see your little princess's face someday very soon!!!!
Love,
Kristin

R&H said...

OMG Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's FINALLY your day!!! Wooohooo! I am so so so thrilled for you! I know you waited a very long time for this but trust me, all the waiting, all the hard work, all the tears will be so worth it. You will see once you have your daughter in your arms. It is a perfect match. You were meant to be together.
Congratulations!!!!
Heather
tovietnam.blogspot.com