Three Hundred Twenty-Nine Shares (and Our First Baby Shower)

Chapter Six: April 2019

“If you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20 ESV

Little did we know that our ‘yes’ would have such a ripple effect. In fact, it was not our yes that has made any real impact, it was hers.

April was a month of festivities and making many more memories.  Though I have said it before, I’ll say it again, getting to be a part of all the activities associated with this pregnancy is a gift I will cherish forever. The love that is documented via pixels and posts will be invaluable as our son begins to understand what makes his story so special. And oh, how special his story truly is.

The second weekend in April was pure bliss. It is not lost on me how lucky we are to get to see sweet Baby K every month via ultrasound. Though the appointments have become routine, seeing his face and hearing his heart beat makes my heart skip a beat each month in sheer anticipation. Those tiny toes and clearly defined facial features steal my heart every single time.

Then, the fun began to grow exponentially. Words cannot adequately describe the moments which made those photographs so beautiful. They are characterized by courage, selflessness, grace, compassion, personal sacrifice, joy, excited anticipation, nervousness, grief, friendship, but… most of all, love. 

While we knew these photos would make a lasting impact on the life our family, we did not know how powerful the response would be in the eyes of complete strangers. Our purpose in these photos was simply for the benefit of our son, but after our photographer shared a single photo (with a link to the blog), the single post was shared over 300 times. We are so grateful these images of love and sacrifice have encouraged others who are in the midst of tough decisions. 

“If I can save even one life [by sharing my story], I’d be happy, and it is worth it!”; mission accomplished. -Adoption: The Perspective of an Expectant Mother

The weekend concluded with such an outpouring of love and support from our community at Baby Bracci’s Fort Meade baby shower. So many friends and family showed up and showered us with itsy bitsy, teeny tiny, baby gifts. The diapers stacked up and food disappeared. These are the people that raised both Austin and me, and I am hopeful we provide K with a life of love as great as the blessing these people were to us. One of my favorite parts of that day, in addition to the hugs and laughed shared, was the collection of fabric placed in a metal basket at the door. These individualized patterns, when stitched together, will represent those who were present that day and all their love and support for one extraordinary little boy.

Only one more month remains, and the days cannot pass quickly enough. While all these moments hold a special place in my heart, nothing will compare to the day they place him in my arms. That day, it will simply be the best.