Random cuteness

Remi's first of many Hoosiers' outfits.  She is getting ready to clap and say, "Go IU!"

Remi and Mommy

Just plain cute

Playing with Daddy

First time at the lake

Love this onesie...and it is so true!

Rachael

We wanted to share some very special pictures.  This is Rachael, our birthmom.

Everything that is done in the world is done by hope.

-Martin Luther-

Remi in action

More Remi

Here are some more pictures.  We are having a blast being her parents! 

This last picture is Remi with her cousin Isaac; he is almost five months old!

Remi's first hours

While you are waiting...

While I am trying to figure out this picture problem, click on Tim and Shelby's blog over to the right.  Enjoy her pictures until I can get smarter than the computer!

Still experiencing technical difficulties...

I know you all are wanting pictures, but I'm still having trouble uploading them.  It's very frustrating because I want to show Remi off just as badly as you want to see her! 

Since I can't do that yet, how about the story of her birth?  It's an amazing and wonderful story, and something Michael and I were so blessed to be a part of!

It begins bright and early Wednesday morning, May 18th.  We arrived at the hospital at 6:00 am and met Rachael and her grandma, Sandy.  We all went to get prepped for surgery, and Rachael said I could be in the operating room during the C-section!  I couldn't believe I was going to see Remi's birth!  They wheeled Rachael down while I changed into scrubs, and Michael and Sandy waited in the waiting room.  As I walked into the operating room, Rachael's blood pressure crashed and the nurses rushed me out.  It was scary to see everyone scurrying around, and I was very worried about Rachael.  Thankfully, they very quickly stabilized her and I could see through a little window in the door as they started checking out Remi's vitals.  It was so amazing to see her little face and hear her cries! 

They brought her out and put her in my arms.  I started crying, and one of the nurses took our picture.  I couldn't believe she was here after all this time!  She was the most beautiful baby I had ever seen!  I got to carry her to meet Michael and Sandy, and then she was taken to the nursery to get cleaned up and checked over again.  Remi was perfectly healthy, and passed all of her tests.

When Remi was ready and we had made lots of phone calls, we all went to visit Rachael.  She was very sick from the anesthesia, but she held Remi and we talked for a few minutes.  The nurses were awesome and found us a room in the maternity ward to hang out and take care of Remi in.  We weren't sure this would happen because they were really busy with lots of new babies, but all three days at the hospital we had rooms to call our own.  At night we weren't able to stay at the hospital, so we got a hotel room and had to leave Remi in the nursery.  It was so hard to leave her after waiting so long to meet her! 

The three days we were at the hospital were spent learning how to take care of Remi, visiting with Rachael, and seeing lots of visitors - our friends and family, and Rachael's too!  We were more than ready to come home, but I would never change the time we got to spend with Rachael and the people who care about her.  It was amazing. 

The adoption won't be final until we go to court, but I will never forget any part of this...the adoption process, participating in Rachael's pregnancy, or the birth of our daughter.  Through all of the ups and downs, it was worth it in ways that I can't even explain.  It was all according to God's plan, and I can see now it was a perfect plan!

She's here!!

Remi Virginia Rigney
May 18, 2011
7:47 am
6 lbs. 11 oz.
20 in.

We are so excited by this incredible blessing!  She is amazing!  I will post pictures and the entire story later.  Unfortunately the wireless internet here isn't very good and it's not letting me update the blog like I want to.  Just believe me when I say she is the most beautiful baby ever!   Thank you for your prayers; we have certainly felt them!

One more day

Our doctor's appointment went well yesterday.  Rachael's blood pressure was much lower and she was feeling pretty good, so the C-section will continue as scheduled for first thing tomorrow morning.  We'll be at the hospital at 6:00 am to get started and surgery is set for 7:00!  We are SO ready for Baby Rigney to be here!!

Anytime now!

Mandi's mom made this very beautiful rag quilt for the baby. It even has argyle in it!  Love it!  Thanks, Mom.

We had what we thought would be Rachael's last doctor's appointment this afternoon.  But, her blood pressure is even higher than it was last time.  The doctor wants to see her on Monday, the 16th, and if it's still up, we will go ahead with the c-section then!  Rachael is also supposed to keep checking it between now and then and if her bottom number goes above 100, we'll go before!!  So, our baby could be here anytime between now and the original date of Wednesday, the 18th.  Needless to say, we have our bags packed and ready to go!  Rachael has been so awesome and open with us, we are beyond thankful for this blessing.

The last month is the hardest?

So, you know how you see month-by-month pictures of pregnant women?  I decided to do one picture in my (hopefully) last few weeks of being an expecting mother.  They say the last month is the hardest...yep, the 31st month has been a killer!  :)