Happy 'special day' Mary!

One year ago today...this little tiny pink bundle jumped into our lives and forever changed our world. In fact, this morning she woke us up at 6 AM crying to remind us just how much she has impacted out lives! We actually had a really nice morning...the whole family in bed. We retold Mary the story of her 'special day'...the day we first met her:


An interesting turn of events... :)
Oh my...where do I even begin this post? For starters, let me say the most important part: Kurt and I are parents!!! Yep, that's right...we're parents!!!

As I sit and type this Kurt is upstairs holding our sleeing, beautiful baby girl, Mary Emma Grace Hoeger. Today she is 10 days old (born May 22 at 6:01 AM). She is a tiny, little peanut and came into this world weighing only 6.1 lbs and measuring 18 1/4 inches.

So, now that I've dropped the bombshell, let me back track and tell you how this sweet little girl became a Hoeger.

Thursday, May 25th
Last Thursday was just about as ordinary of a day as they come. Kurt and I got ready and headed off to work. We ran late, which made me a bit crabby. I even told Kurt, "you know - today I have a lot of really important things on my plate" (referring, of course, to things happening at work). The morning proceeded as normal - running around trying to get lots of things done. Kurt and I were also trying to figure out how we would manage to get all of prep work done to spend the entire memorial day weekend camping with friends. We were making mental lists of groceries to buy and supplies to pack. Overall - we were running at full speed.

At about lunch time Kurt and I were talking on the phone, trying to plan an upcoming vacation to Montana (I'll be attending a conference out there in July, so we thought we'd go early and make it into a getaway for the two of us). We were arranging flights and deciding on accomodations, everything was nearly set. Just before we were to decide which type of car we'd rent, Kurt got another call on his cell-phone. He was sure it was a work call and said he better take it. I told him just to let it go to voicemail, "we need to get this arranged before my credit card information times out on the website." He let the call go, I pushed send - and poof, through the magic of the information superhighway we were destined for Montana. :) We said our goodbyes and that was that.

Until a few minutes later I get a call from Carol (our social worker at Bethany Christian Services). I could hardly believe when she told me the news, "Tammy, I just tried calling Kurt (that was her calling through when I told Kurt not to take the call)....I have news for you. There is a 3 day old baby girl waiting in Des Moines for you...come pick her up right away!" I was speechless....my body turned numb. This, I thought, this is what God had in the works us for us. Clearly...THIS is our baby.

Kurt and I finally got through to each other. He was already in the car heading to my work. "Let's go to Des Moines and get our baby!" We rejoiced together! Of course, however, there were some small details to take care of first. I had to call travelocity and beg to cancel our tickets we had purchased seconds earlier(the darnest situation, huh?). Thankfully they were kind enough to reemburse us fully. I also had to arrange some things at work (remember the 'big day' I talked about earlier...I had lots on my plate for the afternoon!). Fortunate for me, I work in a wonderful office with great people who celebrated with me and assured me that everything would get taken care of. I must admit that Kurt and I felt a bit like celebrities as we walked out of my office together. All my supportive coworkers were lined up smiling and waving! :)

So then we hopped in the car to rush to Des Moines...time to meet our baby. We drove too fast and prayed a lot along the way. I don't think it really set it what was actually happening. Reality hit soon enough as we pulled up to the Bethany office in Des Moines. We had to wait outside briefly, but were then ushered into the room where we met our precious little angel and her birthmother, Shawna. Shawna was very calm and she walked right up to me and placed Mary in my arms. She hugged me, she hugged Kurt, she said, "you look like good people, i bet you'll do a really good job." She hugged me again and I prayed over her. After we finished hugging she kissed Mary on the cheek, told her she loved her, and walked out. It was so quick. Quicker than I ever imagined.

When she left the room...Kurt and I just stared at each other. Oh my goodness...this is our daughter! We cried and held each other. Little Mary just slept peacefully. It was a moment I'll never forget.

A few hours later, after some appropriate legal work was signed...we were off for home! Thankfully Kurt's sister Traci was able to bring us a car seat to use (obviously we didn't have ours with us!). The ride from Des Moines to our house seemed to take forever. We just couldn't wait to get our little peanut home!

Which brings me to the present. Here we are...at home...one big happy family. Mary is a great baby - not fussy at all. She loves to be held and makes these sweet little faces when she's awake and feeling lively. She's eating a lot and gained 8 oz. over the weekend (The Hoegers know how to fatten someone right up!). I don't sleep much as she gets up every two or three hours. I don't mind though...I just kick back and watch a little "Mary TV" (a term I use for my new favorite activity...staring at my daughter for hours on end). We've had loads of visitors and everyone agrees with me...she is darn cute! I'll post some pictures so you can see so for yourself :)

On that note...I should probably run. I hear Mary fussing and I ought to go fix another bottle. Time for some more Mary TV.

God is so good and we owe all we have to Him! Praise His name!