And, in the category of “it’s about time”…
We have a TA.
Yesterday afternoon.
Day 38 since LOA.
Day 142 since LID #2.
Day 184 since LOI.
Day 217 since seeing The Bee for the first time.
Day 252 since LID #1.
Year 1, Month 3, Day 11 since beginning IA.
Year 1, Month 8, and Day 11 since The Bee was born.
Year 13, Month 2, and Day 19 of my trying to become a parent.
Right now, we plan on leaving next Friday, April 20th, and meeting The Bee on Tuesday, the 24th, but I’ll post more concrete plans as I know them.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
To celebrate this momentous occasion, I thought I’d post about where R. and I were the day that The Bee was born. I haven’t actually seen many bloggers post about this, but it interests me in the way that all metaphysical issues interest me–not that I think our parenting of The Bee was metaphysical before the fact, exactly. Not that I don’t. I have no idea. It’s just important for me to think about what I was doing at the moment when my daughter entered the world. Reverberations across the universe notwithstanding.
What I do know is that on August 1, 2005, R. and I were not at home. We had gone to the Star Valley of Wyoming the week before to see R.’s parents, who used to drive their RV up there every summer for a month or so and park at a RV place that my FIL refers to as “The Colonel’s Place” because a brass-chested guy he used to know from the Marine Corps played golf there every summer. The night of July 31, 2005, was our last night in Star Valley with R.’s parents…the morning of August 1, 2005, we transitioned about an hour’s drive north, to Jackson Hole, where we were meeting my parents and my sister and her family for a few days of vacation with them.
The Bee was found after dark on August 1, 2005, on the courthouse steps of a small town. Her umbilical cord was still attached and in such a condition that they are pretty sure she was born that morning or afternoon. China being a half-day or so ahead of us, we are probably talking about the evening of July 31st here as the time when she was actually being born. I refuse to guess about The Bee’s own situation. It’s not productive for me to speculate about her first family and first hours with them, so I won’t, especially here.
July 31, 2005, was our last night with R.’s family, and we decided to celebrate: we took his parents out to eat at an old inn in the valley that included dancing–outdoors, on a wooden floor that had been set up under some large pine trees, in front of a gazebo, in which an oldies-swing band played. I remember two things particularly: the sun took a long time to set and had that incredible, northern-latitude summer glow to it for a good part of the evening…and there was a disco ball suspended over the outdoor dance floor from a wire, and–as the night wore on and got dark–the disco ball looked as if it had suddenly been lowered out of the Milky Way to hang over our particular little summer crowd.
Can you see the disco ball?
In an earlier incarnation (early 20s, east Texas), my FIL was a dance instructor with Arthur Murray, and he fancies himself quite the teacher. He likes to talk about the “sweet spot” on a woman’s back that allows him to maneuver anyone around the dance floor with deftness. My MIL won’t usually dance anymore, so he likes to test his theory on various, unsuspecting women (in front of MIL, of course):
After dark, though, R. got his mother out on the floor for a slow number:
And that’s really how I remember this night, when The Bee was being born on the other side of the world from the spot where a mirrored ball hung from the heavens above us.
Congrats!!!!
Hooray!!!
Comment by: Johnny - 04.13.2007 - 3.32 pm
OMG OMG OMG SO SOON! WOOO HOOO!!!!!
Comment by: Anotheramy - 04.13.2007 - 3.49 pm
Congratulations again!!!!!! How incredible that you remember a night almost 2 years ago so vividly, and not only that have photos to show for it! I’m sure the Bee will treasure your memories of the night she came into the world.
Oh, and have I said what an incredibly good-looking family you are? All of you!
Comment by: new girl - 04.13.2007 - 4.03 pm
Great post - it is wonderful to know exactly what you were doing when The Bee made her way into the world. I think that the nursery needs a baby disco ball……
So happy for the Bird & Bee Family. XOXO
Comment by: wzgirl - 04.13.2007 - 4.30 pm
Woohoo! Yay! Yippee! Congratulations! Go get that girl and bring her home!
Comment by: OmegaMom - 04.13.2007 - 4.39 pm
wonderful, magical memories, that I’m sure your daughter will love to hear one day.
Comment by: lisa - 04.13.2007 - 4.47 pm
Good story. I wrote Lina (well the baby that was yet to be named Lina) a letter on the day she was born. It was the first time I had done anything like that. It started out “Well, when I got up this morning I was filled with the overwhelming feeling that you were on the earth….” or something like that. I can’t wait to hear all about your first meeting! These are the best days of your life coming up.
Comment by: christie - 04.13.2007 - 4.48 pm
Congratulations!!!!!
Comment by: Brooklyn Mama - 04.13.2007 - 5.35 pm
That is wonderful news! I love your story and the wonderful day you had.
Keep smilin!
Comment by: Doris Clark - 04.13.2007 - 6.02 pm
Congratulations! Great that you were able to work out what you were doing on her birth date, that’s really special!
Comment by: Emma - 04.13.2007 - 6.39 pm
About damn time!!! I am sooooo thrilled for you all.
SBird’s going to China! SBird’s going to China!
Comment by: Jessi - 04.13.2007 - 7.52 pm
All good things include a disco ball…. at least thay should. You have been on this journey to parnethood for a very long time. Am so happy for you that your time has finally come. Congratulations.
Comment by: M - 04.13.2007 - 8.27 pm
Oh yes!!!! I’m so freakin’ excited and happy for you. Can’t wait for you to finally meet your girl!
Comment by: Shelba - 04.13.2007 - 9.43 pm
Yay! Yay! Yay! It’s about damn time. I’m so happy and excited for you.
Comment by: zgirl - 04.14.2007 - 6.19 am
What a great memory for you… I’m so happy you finally have that bit of paper that allows you to get that sweet baby.
Comment by: Carolyn - 04.14.2007 - 7.08 am
Woohoo! Major congrats to you!
That is so awesome that you remember so much about the day Bee was born. I’m glad it was such a happy and fun day, even before you knew that little Bee was headed for you.
Comment by: Aimee - 04.14.2007 - 7.35 am
Oh, this is the best news EVER, and such a special story, too. I am so glad to hear this. Congratulations to the SBird family!
Comment by: atomic mama - 04.14.2007 - 9.29 am
Yay! What completely awesome news! Woo hoo!
Comment by: Mrs Figby - 04.14.2007 - 11.43 am
You have just made my day! Congratulations and safe travels to the Bee! (say hi to China for all of us)
Comment by: joelle - 04.14.2007 - 12.35 pm
Great news that you’re getting ready to travel and meet the Bee. And how cool that you remember what you were doing the day she was born. You’re right, people don’t post about that much. Probably people don’t remember or maybe they just don’t think about it. I can’t wait until we know that day for our daughter. After reading this post, I know I’m going to think about it. Thanks!
Comment by: Cavatica - 04.14.2007 - 5.15 pm
Congrats on your TA! BTW-Aug 1st is our anniv. (’98) and also the date (2001) we submitted our application to adopt our dd who has been with us 4 years today.
Best wishes for speedy and safe travel.
Comment by: Theresa - 04.14.2007 - 8.57 pm
Congratulations. Life is always better with a glitter ball, no?
Comment by: FDChief - 04.14.2007 - 10.50 pm
Cool post. Getting quite excited for you over here.
Nice to have been dancing when your child was born, rather than say in bed with the flu.
How was the Amarone?????
Comment by: Secret agent - 04.15.2007 - 5.59 am
I think she will need a disco ball in her room. I am so happy for you Linda and Reuben! This is going to be fun watching your adventures.
Comment by: Nicole - 04.15.2007 - 7.02 am
Sweetttt!!! Congrats and I hope this week flies by!
Comment by: Jenny - 04.15.2007 - 4.26 pm
Such a lovely post. And I’ve never read one like it. Oh, how I want to look at my calendar, to see what we were doing the day our daughters were born.
But this isn’t about me, it’s about The Bee!
The Bee The Bee The Bee
meets her fam-i-ly!
Hurry, hurry, clock and calendar. Bring these three HOME!
Comment by: walternatives - 04.16.2007 - 10.05 am
Yay! Have a wonderful trip.
Comment by: WendyN - 04.18.2007 - 9.32 am
Hot damn! So glad I was able to FINALLY get caught up with you before you left. So so happy! Can’t wait to follow along and meet The Bee. But dammit. So very close to getting to me you guys in person. So close.
But oh, happy day!
Comment by: Jacquie - 04.19.2007 - 8.37 am