One Family's Story
January 2002

Hi everyone, Hope you are all well and happy this holiday season. As many of you know we have had quite a year, filled with lots of highs and lows and ending with the very biggest high anyone could imagine.

For those of you who do not know the whole story we would love to share the story of Michelle with you.

We began researching and beginning the adoption process about two years ago. Not knowing where to begin we called United Children and Families in Plainfield, the agency I was adopted through some thirty-some years ago. They put us in touch with a support group called CPFA, Concerned Persons for Adoption. After lots of research we chose domestic adoption.

We soon located Adoption Services Associates, an agency in San Antonio, Texas (Texas is a more adoption-friendly state than New Jersey). We had received some recommendations from people in our support group who had used this agency and came to find that they handle so many adoptions in New Jersey they hold a meeting and reunion here yearly. We were able to meet many of the staff before signing on.

After having our home study completed we were ready and just waiting to hear of a birthmother who wanted us to adopt her child. The first match came in January of this year. The birthmother was due to deliver in February so we quickly prepared for what we hoped would be our child. At the last minute the birthmother changed her mind and just couldn't part with her little one. We knew that this one just was not meant to be and prayed for another match to come quickly.

We got our wish in April when the agency called and said they had another match and this birthmother was due November10th. The months that passed seemed endless. Waiting, hoping, and praying that this time we would not be disappointed. Finally November 10th had arrived and then passed. We found out on the 12th that the birthmother had indeed delivered and like the first, changed her mind. We spent the next three days mourning our losses and wondering if it was ever meant to be that we would have a child. We had lost a great deal over the past year and were doubtful we would even be able to try again.

Our agency urged us not to give up hope and said that another birthmother and father were interested in us and she would deliver in early December. We were in the process of regrouping and looking over the paperwork when on Friday, November 16th we got the call. The birthmother was in labor and they were sure they wanted us to adopt the baby. They urged us to fly to San Antonio as soon as possible. So on a wing and a prayer we boarded a flight from Newark at 7:00AM Saturday.

With our hearts in our hands we arrived in San Antonio Saturday evening after several delays, security checks and general holiday airline chaos. We proceeded immediately to the hospital where we found the baby girl had indeed been born by emergency c-section the day before. We held our breath as we entered the hospital room to meet the birthparents. Almost immediately all four of us knew it was a match made in heaven, as the couple handed us our beautiful baby and asked what we were planning to name her.

We spent much of the next two days getting to know each other (all five of us). We have a wonderful story to tell our daughter, Michelle, about the great love her birthparents have for her and how well we all got along. We are sure we will keep in touch through the agency as we know they will want to hear about milestones and see photos as Michelle grows. As we shed tears and shared hugs we said good-bye. When the papers were signed, Michelle Elizabeth-Sierra Greco (Sierra was the middle name chosen by the birthparents and we decided to keep it) was released from the hospital to us on Monday, November19th.

When adopting in a different state the interstate compact must be completed before you are allowed to take the baby out of state. This could take up to a week for both states to complete the paperwork. We fully anticipated a long holiday weekend in the San Antonio hotel, eating Thanksgiving dinner from a paper bag. On Wednesday night our agency once again, miraculously called us with the news they had received verbal permission for us to return home.

At six days old Michelle had her first plane ride and returned to New Jersey in time to celebrate the best Thanksgiving dinner ever at Grandma and Grandpa's house.

We are so happy to be able to share our joyous story with all of you and urge anyone thinking about expanding their family to look into adoption. There are many different avenues of adoption to explore, not just the road we chose. We would love to share what we have learned with anyone who is interested.

As we celebrate this very special Christmas season we are especially thankful for our miracle baby Michelle and wish you all a healthy, happy and Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year!

Love,
Stephen, Susan and Michelle