Update

We are here at the hospital, waiting to sign papers to make a beautiful baby girl legally ours. I cannot express how hard the last 36 hours have been. First of all, we thought we had two weeks until the birth, and second, we just can't wait until the uncertainty period (will the birth mother sign, won't she) is over. We want to take what we hope is our baby home.

We are not the only adoptive parents here. In fact, most of the rooms on our hall are for mothers placing babies; you can tell because they put a little gift package sign on the door. It's heartbreaking and amazing all at the same time. Here are these women doing the hardest thing they will ever have to do, and here are couples who are getting the gift they have been waiting for, in some cases, their whole lives.

The birth mother is wonderful. I almost feel I have bonded more with her than with the baby. Of course, that may have something to do with the fact Ryan won't put the baby down. The birth mother is smart, talkative, funny, and opinionated. I adore her. Last night we sat and trash talked TV shows until the nurses kicked Ryan and me out. Through all of this I really hope she knows how much we love this baby, and how grateful we are to her. We will always remember her, and not just because the baby has her dimple when she smiles.

Thank you for all your kind words and offers to help. I will post pictures when we get her home. Ryan will be in all of them.