TWELVE TWENTY NINE A.M

At exactly 12:29 AM three months ago Layla arrived. Kevin and I were restlessly sleeping or pacing the halls of the home we were staying at in California. We had no clue if Layla had already arrived or not. All we knew was that we had just driven 10 hours with excitement and fear fighting for a place in our hearts. The morning came, no news. The afternoon came, no news. I had a meltdown in the shoe isle of Target while Kevin lovingly tried to understand that I couldn't hold it together any longer. After 4 months of trying to hold it together and maintain my composure, I couldn't do it any longer. Three minutes later, the call. A baby girl was born at 12:29 am. and is in the NICU but thriving and doing well. 7 lbs. 4 oz, 20 inches long. Dark hair and dark eyes. We both wept. The next few hours and days were some of the most beautiful moments of our lives as well as some of the hardest and most emotionally draining moments. We knew the Lord's plan for Layla but physically ached for her birth parents as they suffered through the relinquishment process. And just under 24 hours after she was born, she became ours. We quietly, shyly crept into the NICU, washed our hands and cradled our newborn daughter until the night turned to morning.