The day I met my son is a little different than the fairy-tale birth story you see in the movies. My husband and I had just finished our certification to become foster parents on Monday when we received a call on Thursday that there was a baby in the NICU that needed a family to take him home until the county could find a foster home with a family who was familiar with caring for a child with medical needs. Nathan was 13 weeks old the day, my husband and I were ushered into a room at the Children’s Home of Pittsburgh and introduced to our son. Although he was 3 months old he weighed just a little over 7 lbs and looked just like any newborn baby you may see in the hospital nursery.
Though we were told about his medical issues, nothing really can prepare you. As we were shown into the room, I remembered feeling overwhelmed with the amount of wires and tubes he was attached too. Now, looking back, I realized there really wasn’t many wires, but to a 25 year old naïve mom, I was taken back for a moment. As I sat in an old hospital glider, the nurses placed him in my arms, and I knew immediately that the little bundle in my arms was meant to be our son. My husband will tell you that he tried to distance himself emotionally from the baby at first but within weeks Nathan had him wrapped around his fingers. Although I told myself to keep my heart guarded because he would only be with us temporarily, all it took me was one snuggle into my chest to melt my heart. Though it took another 20 months with many ups and downs to make him officially our son, in my heart he was mine starting that day. It doesn’t matter how you become a mom, whether it be thru traditional or non-traditional ways, the emotional of becoming a mom are indescribable.
