12 AM.

We will receive Elliot in less than twelve hours.  I am trying to remember what this time felt like in Micah's adoption, because I don't think it has completely sunk in yet.  We have been so busy over the past three days loving on children at the orphanage and then traveling to Antigua today, I honestly haven't had a lot of time to think about it.  Tonight as Amelia and I checked into the Westin Hotel, it started to sink in, but it is so different then our experience at the Marriot when we met Micah.  I would have to imagine that we do not feel much different from a family which is about to deliver a baby biologically (except for the gowns, funny hats, bad food, and a lot of physical pain for the mother).  We don't know what to expect other than the fact that we will love this child with all of our hearts.

 

I know that when we were in the adoptive process with Micah, the reality of parenthood did not sink in until we took the second trip to actually bring him home.  It was probably several days after we brought him home that we realized, "WOW...we have a son!"  But now, I have a difficult time remembering what our life was like before we had Micah.  He has brought so much joy to us.  As I prepare to go to sleep the night before I meet my second son, my heart is filled with amazement and wonder.  I cannot even imagine how blessed we will be to have the honor of loving Elliot.  Good night.

 

2 PM

We received a phone call promptly after 10 AM and went to a room on the first floor to meet Elliot for the first time.  Everything about this process has been so different from our experience with Micah.  Micah was asleep when we first met him...and consequently slept the majority of the time he was with us.  Micah could barely hold his little head up and felt so fragile.  Elliot is a different story.  We walked into the room and there was little Elliot with his foster mother.  He was awake, alert, and full of smiles.  We spoke with the agency representative and learned all about Elliot's typical schedule.  Amelia held him and he just coo'd and smiled at her.  The first thing we noticed is how "solid" this little Mayan warrior is.  When I say solid, I don't mean fat....I mean muscular.  He looks like a mini body builder, with broad shoulders and thick arms and legs.  He is actually standing on his own.  He is very interactive and loves to be touched and talked to.

 

After saying thank you and goodbye to the agency rep and foster mother, we walked up to the family room in the Westin and played with Elliot, as our room was being cleaned.  I am amazed at how strong he is.  He looks so different than Micah.  micah had a head full of thick curly hair - Elliot has very Mayan features.  He has the Mayan eyes, nose and chin and his hair is straight.  It will be fun to watch them grow together.  I have called Micah my "little mister".  Elliot is more like a "little bruiser".

 

We came back to our room to change his diaper.   I had the honor of the first diaper change.  I just can't get over how muscular he is...WOW!  He had some gas and was crying for a bit, which by the way is much different than Micah also.  Elliot has powerful lungs too!  He is calm now and resting.  I wish time could just stop.  I love watching Amelia holding him.

 

Thank you Lord for his precious little life.