MarceloandClaudia

A match made in heaven is all I can say... We prayed for so much for so long. It almost feels unreal that so many prayers have been answered. From an almost closed adoption to phone contact with A then phone contact with her mother, to a trip to Houston prior to placement and everything in between. This is what makes adoption and the relationships built so special. We are so emotional right now and staying focused to provide a strong, loving home for our little princess. We will be spending time tomorrow with Maya's family who have now become our family. We look forward to continued growth in our relationships and all that the future holds for each one of us. Maya is a beauty and already put a twinkle in our eyes! I can tell she is already going to be a Daddy's girl as she follows Daddy's voice. We are overjoyed and can't wait to show Maya Simone off to our parents, brothers, sister, the rest of the family and our friends! Love, Claudia

Faith, Your feelings are those that many of us have faced. I am Mom to Dante, now approaching 4 and Nicole, just shy of 2. We were a childless couple when we came to Abrazo, but returned to adopt a second time. The wait was not long for either, but I know it can be. I truly believe not only in faith, but by seeing that the quote "not if, but when" is certainly true. Keep an open mind and heart and your child will be in your arms before you know it. When we place less restrictions on adoption, our profiles are so much easier to be shown and birthmothers have more parents to consider for their child. Hope this helps, Claudia

The media needs educating. He kept saying "giving up". I thought it was good to have the word getting out there and the focus on the process being nothing to be ashamed about. Trasformational is the key word... we aren't living in the stone ages and we need to get to the point where things make sense for our generation, although open adoption has truly been around for many years... much longer than the 1980's I think. I'm hispanic and Grandparent's raise their childrens kids, while the parent still plays an "open" role in the child's life. In my opinion, this is much like open adoption, except sometimes the paperwork isn't official. Claudia

Elizabeth, What a reminder that yes... it can be well with all of our souls. Thank you.

Today, I remember Dr. Carlos Mohamed, one of the OB Physicians I have known and had to pleasure of working with in the last 10 years of my nursing career. He fought the battle against pancreatic cancer, but it was his time to go home after 60 years of life. May he always be remembered.

Elly Mae, I wish you much peace and strength in your decision to place your baby for adoption. It's only now, that both my son's Birthmother and I can truly reflect on this journey we have all embarked on together... open adoption. We look back with tears, laughter and praise to God that he brought us in union with oneanother when we all needed eachother most. It was all for one reason "our" son Dante. He will always be the center and core of our relationship, but since then we realize and know very well that we were meant to be "family". Wishing and praying for what you need most now and tomorrow for your child who will enter this world with the peace from the love only you can give him or her. Thinking of you, Claudia

Me too, me too. This is the kind of PM I would love to be able to respond to. In a couple of years, I hope to be the one messaging the STORK. This child is going to be soooo beautiful! Someone, please respond!

Kristal, Thank you for loving your son so much that it wasn't only about you. We love you and wish you the very best! Hugs from the Rio Grande Valley, Claudia

I watched Juno for the first time this afternoon. Dante sat with me for part of it... I didn't know exactly what it was about. He ran and played with sister when I saw some of the shots. I bawled at two points in the movie. Gosh, it brought back so many emotions regarding our children's Birthmothers. Marcelo rented it for me and I asked him to watch again with me tonight. I hugged the kids extra tight this evening... what miracles. Thinking of all Birthmother's at this time... the feeling of separation gives me an ache in the pit of my stomach. Claudia

What news to return to... Blessings to your family Melissa. Claudia