Baby E came into our lives the day after she was born. She weighed 5 pounds and 6.25 ounces. We had a Graco SnugRide infant carrier that we had successfully used with many of our foster babies, but it didn’t fit E. E swam in that seat. I did everything I could to try to make the seat fit so she’d be safe. I’m a Child Passenger Safety Technician and I know what adjustments can be made to a seat without compromising the integrity of the seat. Nothing was helping to make the seat work.
A good friend of mine loaned me her Chicco Keyfit she was no longer using. E fit. I felt much better. E was snug and safe. The straps were tight. When Grammy and Papa visited, we traded in the old seat and stroller for a new Chicco travel system in pink.
It took a long time to really fall in love with E. We loved her immediately, but were a little reserved. The placement agency who called us to foster her told us she wouldn’t be staying. Out of the eight children we’d had in our home, we were able to adopt only one. None of them stay, so bring the baby over. Jessie took even longer to really accept the baby. Jessie had seen five children leave since she came to us and had good reasons to think E would leave too.
On Thursday, July 28, 2011, six days after E turned one, we adopted Emily. Emily is our forever child. The adoption ceremony was wonderful. The judge asked Jessie if she wanted Emily for her sister and she said yes. When it was over the judge told the room that it was the most fun he’d have all day.
Welcome to the family, Emmy.