A New World For Joey

Joe and I were excited to bring Joey home to his new world. In our minds we had created a place that a child would love right off the bat. Our friends threw us a baby shower and Joe and I decorated Joey's new room with zoo animals in pastel colors. I just knew everything would be better once we were home. We touched down in Tampa with a sense of relief that the flight was over. At home things were more relaxed. Joey was feeling free and happy as he explored his room. He seemed a little wobbly for his age but I reminded myself that he was a preemie and that it was normal for him to be a bit behind. As day turned to night Joey started to scream as he wandered through the house looking for rooms he couldn't find, rooms that he remembered but no longer existed. We felt helpless...

Do I Look Like My Baby's Grandma?

Grand Parents? Those words kept ringing in my ears. Do I look like my baby's Grandma? I impatiently waited for this day and I wanted to be happy but now I was second guessing myself. During the flight our tired little boy couldn't sleep even though it was obviously nap time. During our ten month wait Joe and I took numerous trips to Maryland so that Joey would know us, yet he was miserable during most of the flight. Was it his ears? Was he off schedule? Was he afraid? At sixteen months and only twenty one pounds, his small frame was in constant motion on Joe's lap. Our girls were different when they were this age. They would be content to take a nap during a flight. Everyone says boys are different. Maybe little Joey was tired of being restrained, after all he was still a new walker. The trip home was awkward and we were obviously out of practice, after all it had been over twenty years since we cared for a baby.

The Decision

We made the decision to adopt my nephew at my brother Paul's funeral. My aunt Lois (Joey's foster parent at the time) was holding him. At the time his name was Vincent and he was five months old. I think everyone felt a tug on their heart at the sight of my aunt holding Paul's son. This was the moment that I knew I would raise this baby, and to my surprise Joe felt the same way. I wish the decision was made sooner. Up to this point I thought the idea of starting over with a baby was ludicrous, we were too old and our daughters were grown.

This baby needed parents. Joe and I are good parents. I know that Paul wanted us to raise his baby. Now I wish I could have told him before he died.

Life Change

It was a day that would change our lives forever. Joe and I were bringing Joey home from Maryland to Florida where he would live with us as our child. He was sixteen months old. As we waited at the airport for our plane to board we couldn't help but notice we were surrounded by Asian families. During a bit of small talk we found out they were part of a large group going to Florida to take a Disney cruise. When it was time to board we proudly scooped up our little boy and took a place in line. It took us ten months of red tape to get to this moment and we were very excited to get home and start our new life. As we stood in line an Asian woman looked over and smiled and then she said "Grandparents?"