Adoption Day!

We have been waiting for our Adoption Day since Isaiah was born. He was already our son, but we just wanted it to be final and legal.

Unfortunately, our hearing was scheduled right when Isaiah was due for a nap, so he was a little cranky. Being that it’s family court though, they understood and things moved pretty quickly.

Adoption Day Selfie

We went into the court room with our attorney and it was just us, the magistrate, and the court reporter. We decided months ago that just the three of us were going. Our families were a bit disappointed, but it’s something we wanted to do. Joshua and I had to take an oath that we would raise Isaiah to the best of our abilities, that we would care for him, provide an education for him, and love him (how could we not!?). We each had to answer a series of questions about where we were born and if we followed the specific procedures of the adoption case. And just like that, we were done. It was faster than our wedding ceremony.

With dad before court.

Also a small bummer, Isaiah is teething and his spit up has been back in full force, so I couldn’t get the bib off of him for anything. Even with it on he managed to get some on his clothes and both of us. As soon as he went back in his seat he was out.

First time wearing shoes.

We had family over to our house for pizza and cake. We’re not huge celebrators. Every year for our birthdays we have family over and I make dinner. We enjoy it because we don’t have to go anywhere or wait in a restaurant with a large group…and it’s cheaper. I was kind of a fail on an Adoption Day celebration and hadn’t planned ahead because every day I’ve been super exhausted at the end of the day during my “me” time. The night before we decided to tell the head of each family coming to bring a pizza. My mom brought a cake, and even though there was a mistake on it, it tasted delicious.

If only cakes had autocorrect

Me and Josh were laying in bed that night talking about this occasion, and both decided that life feels remarkably unchanged. Before we got married we had been together so long that we didn't think anything would feel different, yet it did. This though, doesn't feel any different. He's our son just like he always has been, and making it legal hasn't changed that. It is nice to move on though, and not worry about upcoming proceedings. The only thing still pending is his birth certificate. Up until now his legal name has been "Infant Male," and I cannot wait for the Board of Health to send his certificate.

The emotional reaction from me didn't come until the next day. We went to the library to pick up some books I had on hold and when we got to our last name, I almost cried telling Isaiah that it was his last name now too. Then when it was time for me to put him in bed, I didn't want to. I just wanted to hold him forever. I cried because our Decree of Adoption says that we, the petitioners, filed to adopt "Infant Male." I hate that he didn't have a name, and even now that he does, it feels so wrong for a child to not have a name, let alone that name. I cried because on the last page it says that "Isaiah is to be given the same rights as a biological child and heir," because that's what he is. He is our child. It's the most beautiful thing I've ever experienced.

The realization that this ten month journey we've been on is finally over is crazy to think about. We've been on pins and needles most of the time, and now we're a family of three. Forever.

I've also thought a lot about his birth mom since we finalized. I feel sadness for her along with my happiness for us. I often wonder if the bittersweetness of adoption ever goes away.

So now we all have the same last name, and the paperwork to prove it. It took us three years to get to our permanent family, but here we are. We took a completely different path than we expected, but we wouldn't change a thing about it.

What did you do to celebrate Adoption Day? If you don't have an Adoption Day, feel free to celebrate with us!