Caleb Alexander
Hey folks!
We got home this afternoon, 72 hours after leaving here Saturday afternoon. Daniel & Hannah were VERY pleased to see us as was Michelle. All are very impressed with their new brother.
It’s been a long 3 days. We arrived in Billings Saturday evening & then Sunday morning met the social worker, Linda, and the birthmum for the first time. Both are very sweet people. After talking for sometime in the lobby of the hospital, which I have to tell you is a very well run & nice hospital, we went upstairs to meet Caleb in the NICU.
Caleb was born on Monday, November 16th at 36 weeks. He was doing fine for the first day but then his BM noticed that something was wrong. She immediately called the nurses who whisked him off to check. They thought he might have a heart murmur but everything came back clear there. He was put on oxygen & started to thrive. By the time we had got there the nurses had been trying him at several hours at a time without oxygen to see how he progressed but he would do well for a while then really need it again. Once we had talked with the doctor yesterday morning Richard & I really felt he should come home with the oxygen so that his lungs could heal in their own time so the staff started making all the arrangements. Here is a pic of Caleb taken yesterday morning without his oxygen but of course he still has the tabs on the side of his face.
Here he is after his bath last night:
Backtracking just a little, the BM is incredible. She loves Caleb VERY much but knew that due to the situation with the birthfather, which obviously I am not free to talk about, Caleb would be much better placed in a loving family. We really did “gel” together & so today was extremely tough for all involved. Richard & I had to spend the night in a hospital room last night with Caleb on his “going home” source of oxygen just to make sure everything was working & we were OK with all that this entails. This morning, we had the Entrustment Ceremony in the room, which is what the adoption agency provides for all it’s birthparents & adoptive families. Linda read a book by which time the three of us were in tears – Caleb was just wide eyed taking it all in, then Richard said a few things. Following that the BM officially handed Caleb over to us & Richard finished with a prayer.
From there we had to go back to the NICU to get Caleb his last few checks & official discharge. He is on a very tiny amount of oxygen (1/32) so we are not anticipating him being on it for a long time. We go to see our pediatrician on Monday. One more pic of him not liking the camera:
SO we now have five very precious children.
Talking of which, Michael called yesterday to say that his court date for yesterday had been postponed again as the judge’s nephew had died. Obviously not very nice for the judge but we were glad for the resceduling as we felt really bad that we were not going to be able to be there.
Thank you for all your lovely comments. Now just trying to catch up on all that’s got to be done tomorrow before the Thanksgiving Holiday.
Have a very blessed Thanksgiving,
Liz
November 24, 2009 @ 11:07 pm
Congratulations, Liz and Richard!! Caleb is beautiful – what a blessing!! So glad you got to take him home. My son needed oxygen for a while, too (his breathing was too shallow) – I’m sure all will turn out just fine. I’m so happy for all of you!:grin:
November 24, 2009 @ 11:11 pm
Oh, my goodness Liz…he is BEAUTIFUL! Congratulations and welcome home Caleb! I would love your address if you would share it with me!
November 25, 2009 @ 1:47 am
He is really a beautiful little guy. You are wonderful people to do this. Caleb is blessed.
November 25, 2009 @ 3:36 am
I’m so happy you’re all back home and in time for thanksgiving. He’s just beautiful!
November 25, 2009 @ 5:13 am
Thanks for sharing the pics and the story Liz. What a difficult decision for the BM and it must have been heart wrenching for you all but I know Caleb will be much loved and cherished and I’m sure the BM understood that too having met you. Hope his lungs are soon up to full power (even if that does mean less sleep for you!).
November 25, 2009 @ 8:01 am
Congrats on your new addition to your family! How lucky he is to be with you all! Happy Thanksgiving!
November 25, 2009 @ 8:44 am
Liz and family: I know boys are not suppose to be beautiful, but Caleb is BEAUTIFUL! Congratulations to you and the family, your Thanksgiving this year is a little fuller and much happier.
Lee
November 25, 2009 @ 9:54 am
Oh what a precious boy! Congratulations!
November 25, 2009 @ 10:37 am
He is so adorable! And Caleb is an absolutely lovely name. We went with the German spelling of Kaleb. What a blessing for your family!
November 25, 2009 @ 11:06 am
Now I’m in tears! I hope you keep the BM involved in Caleb’s life. Sounds like it will mean the world to her. Have a awesome Thanksgiving!
November 25, 2009 @ 4:28 pm
Congratulations…What a beautiful baby boy! It must have been a difficult decision for the Birth Mother, letting her baby go. It’s a wonderful beautiful thing you’re doing for the Birth Mom and for Caleb. May God bless you and your family, now and always.
Have a happy Thanksgiving,
Diana
November 25, 2009 @ 5:19 pm
Welcome to the family Caleb, you share your Birthday with my dear brother!
I can’t imagine how hard it must be to give up a baby – what a loving and selfless decision for the Birth Mother to make for him to ensure he has the best life she can give him – with you.
May God bless all involved.
November 25, 2009 @ 5:43 pm
Oh my – he is just perfect and so adorable! I know he will be so very loved and cared for. Congratulations and all the best as you embark on this new journey with Caleb.
November 26, 2009 @ 9:42 am
What a wonderful reason to be thankful! He is beautiful! Congratulation Liz and Richard!
November 27, 2009 @ 11:10 pm
Caleb is beautiful. How blessed you all are!
November 28, 2009 @ 6:14 am
My most heartiest congratulations on the arrival of Caleb. He is one very very lucky boy – and I couldn’t possibly image a better life that one spent with you all.
God Bless – and what a Thanksgiving to remember
November 28, 2009 @ 6:17 am
How adorable he is! Congrats to all your family, wish you loads of fun with your new bundle of joy – arriving just in time for christmas too! Best christmas present ever I’ll bet 🙂
November 28, 2009 @ 7:06 am
What a blessing – he is gorgeous.. Definitely a wonderful gift.
Lisa L.
November 28, 2009 @ 7:20 am
Congrats on baby Caleb Alexander!! He’s darling, love the name too! How lucky for him to have you
November 28, 2009 @ 9:58 am
How precious! Congrats on your new addition. What a lucky little boy (and new parents!). Well wishes to you all.
November 28, 2009 @ 4:30 pm
Congratulations on your boy Caleb….what a beautiful baby! Joy joy joy!!
Prayers continue for you all!
Blessed holidays!
Kim
November 28, 2009 @ 4:35 pm
Oh Liz, he is adorable. Congrats to you all!! Prayers for his continued good health and bless you all.
November 29, 2009 @ 9:51 pm
Congratulations! He is beautiful; blessings to all! Thanks for sharing your story and pics.