We are finally PARENTS!!

Well, where do we start?!? At 6:00 Monday morning (Feb 18) we received a call from Cori saying that she was pretty sure she was in labor and that I should "wake Daddy up and head over!" Needless to say, a frantic scramble followed while we threw some last-minute stuff in the car (we have been packed for a while now!). About an hour later we received a call from a friend of Cori's saying that Cori was dilated to a 10 and she didn't think we would make it on time! (We were about five hours away from where she was having him). About two minutes later I got a call on my cell phone and what should I hear on the other end but this teeny but strong cry! I immediately started bawling and Wes couldn't hear what I was telling him (we were driving through a canyon and his ears were plugged up). So, sadly, we missed seeing him come into this world, but, thankfully, Cori wasn't alone. So basically from her first contraction to when he made his appearance was just over an hour and a half! He came out at 7:28am weighing 5 lbs 2.8 oz and measuring 19" long! When we finally arrived (around 10:30) it was obviously very emotional for all of us. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I had no idea that babies can come out that perfect. I always scoffed at love at first sight until I saw his sweet face looking up at me. Unfortunately, all of the meeting and hugging and "figuring out" had to happen while Kolton (that's his name!) had to get a series of tests done. He got poked and prodded and was not super happy about it! After that we were able to go into Cori's room and get re-acquainted with her and get newly acquainted with Kolton. There is a 24 hour legal period in which the birthmom has to wait to sign the relinquishment papers (it is a Utah State law) and Cori was amazing during that time- handling it much better than I think I would have. Finally, yesterday at around 6:30pm we were able to meet with Cori and her case worker to finish the placement process. I'm not going to go into that too much because it was probably the most sacred experience of my life. I don't even think words could express how incredible and hard and emotional it was. We left the hospital with Kolton safely in his car seat (per the nurse's patient instructions!) around 7:30 last night (on the 19th). They let us discharge him 12 hours earlier than they normally would since he was doing so well, even for his small size, and also since we had such a long drive ahead of us and a storm was going to be coming in the next day. After a couple of stops (WHY do gas station bathrooms have to be so COLD?! He did NOT like getting changed in there!) we finally arrived home around 1:00am. We were in bed by 2:00am and he woke us at 4:ooam and then again at 8:00am, so it was actually very nice (the first night in the hospital he didn't want to sleep at all!). We will see how things go tonight. Right now he is watching a basketball game with Wes and his eyes are wide open and alert! He hardly ever cries and has the sweetest disposition. We really don't think life could be any better at this point for us- we are so very blessed. Thank you all for your support and love. We had many MANY visitors today and so many people who have shown excitement and love for our little family. We want to do a "shout out" to Cori, whom we dedicate this entry to. We love you and hope the Lord blesses you as he has blessed us through you!

Love,

Wes, Tabitha, and Kolton