Gabi's Birthday

Birthmom Annette went into labor on Sunday night, January 27, 2013.  When she went into the doctor on Monday, and they saw that baby girl was breached, they sent her straight to the hospital for an emergency c-section.  When our adoption agency tried to call Debbie, they didn't have my updated school information.  Our adoption advisor reached Jon at work who called my correct school and said, "I need to talk to Mrs. Cohen NOW!"  Once I heard that, I knew it could only mean ONE thing - We were having a baby!

While I had told the teachers and principal at school, I hadn't even told my students yet, so after collecting my students from all their intervention groups around the school, I told them I had "happy, crazy, and sad news."  I explained to them that Mrs. Cohen and Mr. Cohen were having a baby, and we were having a baby TODAY.

We talked about how usually, Mommies who have babies grow a big belly; "Has anyone noticed Mrs. Cohen's tummy growing bigger?" (My mom acknowledged that was a risky question...)  I explained, "There is another Mommy, Ms. Annette, who DOES have a baby growing inside her belly, and Ms. Annette loves her baby so much that she knows she can't be the best Mommy for her.  She wanted to pick a Mommy and Daddy who could take really really good care of this baby, and guess who she picked?!?!" My students were on the edge of their seats with anticipation, ANXIOUSLY hoping Ms. Annette picked Mr. and Mrs. Cohen..and she did!!!

My students had some very sweet questions including, "Can you bring the baby to school tomorrow?" "Why can't Mr. Cohen take care of him by himself?" "Are you going to be back for the 100th Day of School?"

We had to quickly throw anything we could think of as fast as possible into suitcases and our car, and left Fletcher, NC for the LONGEST 4-hour drive of our lives!  We arrived at Piedmont Mountainside Hospital in Jasper, GA at 4:45 pm, 3 hours after baby girl had been delivered, met Birthmom Annette briefly, and then were quickly brought to meet our daughter!  Gabriella Daphna was born on January 28, 2013 at 1:44 pm, weighing in at 5 pounds 12 ounces, measuring 18 and a half inches - pure perfection!

First look at Gabriella Daphna

Daddy's first cuddle

Mommy's first cuddle

The hospital staff was amazing and quickly provided us with our own labor suite to enjoy beautiful Gabi in private.  We quickly learned how to feed her (she liked our cooking!), and she had some visitors who just couldn't stay away.

Nana and Zayde