Four Daughters!

On Monday morning, August 10, 2009, at 2:34 a.m. eastern time, Talitha Hope Broadway ("Tess") was born in NYC.  She was 19 1/2 inches long,  7 lbs., 5 oz., and in very good health. 

The five of us took the red-eye flight on Monday night to meet the newest member of our family.  Everyone traveled well, considering that we flew overnight (thank you Jet Blue!) and went directly to the hospital with all of our (considerable) luggage.  We were quite the sight, but found New Yorkers to be so friendly, and encouraging to us.  

Overall, our adoption experience in New York was the most smooth we have had.  In fact, all the necessary paperwork was filed, and we received permission to leave the state by Friday (amazingly quick). There were some logistical issues - like how we were going to travel around in NY when there were absolutely no mini-vans to be rented in the city (hard to believe, huh?!) - but there were many people who came to our rescue (thank you especially to Auntie Ruth and Uncle Stanley for helping to locate a vehicle for us - many hours of driving to help coordinate our travels - a couple of great home-cooked meals, and a home to rest in).  We were greatly encouraged by many calls and e-mail messages from friends and family.

Before we knew that we were going to be parents again, we had planned on having a family reunion in North Carolina.  We were to get to NC on Aug. 13 ... but when we found out about baby #4, we learned that the due date was Aug. 14.  We feared that our plans to introduce Becca to Scott's family back East would be disrupted.  As things worked out, however, we were able to make it to the Outer Banks on Day One of the family reunion!  God's timing is always better than we can plan.

Things have been quite the whirlwind, of course; and poor Tess has slept in four different places since she came home with us (with tonight being the first time she's slept in the same house since coming home from the hospital).  But, we are happy, and everyone is adjusting as well as is possible, we think.  We're enjoying spending time with family ... and looking forward to returning home in about a week, to make "introductions" on the West Coast.

Hope you enjoy the pictures!