Describe your childhood:
Adoptive Mom?
My childhood was great, and I have many wonderful memories. Our family was very close and we spent a lot of time together. My brothers (one older and one younger) and I spent countless hours playing together outside using our imagination, building snow forts in the winter, playing sports and just being kids. My mother was always there taking care of us, cooking and planning the next family dinner or special occasion. Dad was fun, yet strict. We had a special bond. Mom and dad had a great relationship - perfect role models. Holidays were always very special and memorable as my parents went all out with decorations and details.
Adoptive Dad?
My childhood was active with lots of great experiences. Sports were my passion, and mom and dad spent a lot of their time supporting me. My dad even coached a few of my teams. My sister is four years older, and showed me all of the cool music, clothes and trends. We traveled as a family and experienced many different places together, including skiing in the mountains, swimming in the ocean and visiting landmarks like the Grand Canyon and DC. Education, manners and hard work were core values in our family.
Tell us about your home?
We have a lovely four-bedroom home on a cul-de-sac in an active, family-oriented neighborhood near family and friends. We play in the yard year round, from soccer, baseball and water toys in the summer to making snow angels, snowmen and sledding in the winter. We cherish our family time, so we have meals, read and watch movies, and spend quality time together. Our favorite is our lower level filled with fun activities like an inflatable jumping house, kids’ games, coloring, open play areas, and workout equipment.
When you have a 3-day weekend, what do you like to do?
Usually we start with a jammie day with a big family breakfast, games, playing and watching a movie before bed. The next day we spend at a park, museum or fun attraction. We use the extra day to spend quality time with family and friends. Sometimes we plan a quick trip like skiing/snowboarding, shopping and exploring a fun city or spending time at the lake.
Do you have pets? If so tell us about them?
We don't have any pets.
What do you hope to teach your children?
Unconditional love, kindness, respect for others and the importance of family are core values in our home are a big part of what we teach. No matter what, they can always come to us. We show this through how we treat each other and they learn from watching our actions. We were lucky to have been taught these values by our parents and are committed to passing them on. Manners are also important, especially saying please and thank you, looking others in the eye when talking to them and greeting people warmly. We hope our children will grow up to be grateful for what they have, be kind to others, confident in themselves, hard working and loving.
Describe your neighborhood?
Our neighborhood is active and family-oriented located close to great schools, parks, healthcare and shopping. There are many young kids, there is always something fun happening (everyone is invited). Holidays are a real treat. For example, everyone loves Halloween because we have a neighborhood parade followed by a big costume party for the kids with jumping houses, face painting, games and activities.
What will you tell your child about their birthmother?
We will tell her what we know of her, and most importantly that she is incredibly loving and strong. That she is a great, selfless person that blessed us and cared so deeply for her child that she made sure she found a couple that would provide a great life, endless opportunities and unconditional love.
It's Daddy's day - what activity do you want to share with your child?
I like to immerse myself in whatever the child enjoys. Whether that means a princess tea party or playing soccer outside, I’m in. I enjoy experiencing the world from a kid’s perspective and finding opportunities to teach something new. Most important… laughter, lots of smiles and some cuddle time.
What kind of education are you hoping to provide for your child - Private or Public?
Our child will attend great schools, and we’re lucky to have choices between leading private and public schools in our area. We will make the decision between private or public, and which specific school, based on class size, overall program, feedback from neighbors/friends and the feel. We are fortunate to have options, and will do our best to match our child’s personality and needs to a specific school and teacher.
How did you come to the decision of adoption?
We always wanted a family whether biological or through adoption. We knew many people that were adopted and had built their families through adoption, so when we learned we could not get pregnant, we immediately started the process. Three years ago we were blessed to adopt our first child, Madeline Grace. We were so excited, and still are. We have committed ourselves to being the best parents we can be.
What faith will you raise your child?
Catholic.
What kind of a relationship do you hope to build with your birthmom through her pregnancy?
We want to be supportive, get to know the birthmom and make sure she knows how much we care. We want to understand what she wants for her child, and share with her our plans and unconditional love.
How did you meet?
We met in college, unexpectedly. We attended different universities in different cities, and were introduced by a mutual friend when I was in Rob’s college town visiting friends. I ended up getting separated from my friends in a city I didn’t know, and Rob came to my rescue. We hit it off instantly. We danced and had fun. He showed me the city and made sure I got back home (to my friend’s house) safely. We’ve been best friends and completely in love since then. Now our neighbors joke that we like each other too much, and well, maybe they’re right!
What was your relationship with your parents like?
Great! We were both lucky to grow up in close families and have great relationships with our parents and siblings today. My dad traveled a lot for work, but was very involved in our lives, and my mom was there for everything. Rob’s parents supported him unconditionally and were great role models. We are very close with our parents and they are excited to be there as we build our family through adoption.
What attracted you to each other?
Rob says he noticed me because he thought I was cute, and I thought the same. Still do. He was so genuine, smart, and interesting (he knew and experienced different things). Rob says I was fun, smart, witty and had beautiful smiling eyes. We were very comfortable with each other right away. We both liked sports, dancing and going out. We started long-distance dating, so we really got to know each other through writing, phone calls and getting together every other weekend.
Please describe your personalities:
Adoptive Mom?
Rob says I have the biggest heart of anyone he’s ever known and he always knew I would be a great mom. That’s my favorite description of my personality… ever. I am sentimental and romantic, but also type A take charge and organized. To keep up with my brothers, I had to play tough and show my strong will. That translated into being a protective and loving mother. I am so enamored by all of the little things kids do and love it all – from wiping runny noses to tickling toes and tying shoes. I really love being a mother.
Adoptive Dad?
I am easy-going, patient and nice, but driven. Amy describes me as a nice guy with relaxed intensity. Growing up I always worked hard, played hard and was very competitive. But I have always been a little shy and reserved, and am a romantic at heart. As a daddy, I like to be the fun guy by being very animated, making funny faces, chasing the little ones, rolling around on the ground and playing on my knees to be eye-to-eye.
What are your hobbies (please share those you enjoy as individuals and those you enjoy as a couple):
Together we like to travel (preferably sun, beaches and spas), try new restaurants and experience new sites. We have been many great places together with wonderful memories. We stay active by walking, hiking, playing tennis and spending time at the lakes near our home. At home we have coffee together on the patio on weekends and barbeque often for family dinners.
Adoptive Mom?
My hobbies are working out, shopping, reading, gardening, decorating and finding fun toys and outfits for my three-year-old adopted daughter.
Adoptive Dad?
My hobbies are sports (soccer, snowboarding, hockey and water skiing), yard work, playing with our daughter and planning family vacations.
When you close your eyes and see yourself holding your precious baby in your arms what are your thoughts regarding the birthmother?
Grateful. Incredibly and unbelievably grateful. Admiration. I think of her selflessness and strength.
How will a child enrich your life?
The excitement of hiding Easter eggs, sprinkling Christmas cookie crumbs on a plate/floor to show Santa came, throwing on rain boots to jump in puddles after a Spring shower and countless other little things we live for and through the eyes of a child. It’s not always sunshine and roses, but the sweet smiles are enough to get us through the sleepless nights. We have so much love to give and we have already been blessed to experience adoption. A baby is the best gift we could ever be given, and we are dedicating our lives to return that gift by being the best parents we can be.
Why did you each choose the career path you decided on?
Adoptive Mom?
I always planned on being a full-time mother, and I could not imagine life any other way. Parenting is the most difficult, rewarding and challenging job ever. My parents taught me the value of home and hard work, and the importance of balance. Before adopting our daughter, my career was developing skin care products. I was lucky to find a career I loved. It was very rewarding to take an idea to a finished product. But nothing is more rewarding than teaching your three-year-old the letters of her name.
Adoptive Dad?
I wanted to build a career leading teams and teaching others with flexible work hours and good work/life balance. It was also important to make enough money to be secure and take care of our family. I worked very hard and made a lot of sacrifices to make that happen. Now I lead a successful sales team at a software company, work from home and have the flexibility to be involved in family life every day (like swimming lessons and daddy days at school). We are financially secure and now the focus is on family. We take family trips to DisneyWorld, skiing, beaches and great places throughout the world. Family is what is really important in life, and while we have our share of adventure and excitement, the key is to spend quality time together no matter where or when.
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