a year in the life

[ulysses]

Friday night, around 8 o'clock. Ms Uly and I are making dinner (we tend to eat late) and having drinks. The phone rings. It's Eric. The baby was born a couple of hours ago.

Bear in mind that we've talked to this couple on the phone once, and emailed a couple of times. We had our hopes, but after the shit we'd been through in the previous three years plus, we weren't making any bets. Honestly, I wasn't even thinking about the possibility that they might place the child for adoption.

Then they did. And they wanted us.

It took a while. Christopher's birthmom checked herself out of the hospital early Saturday morning against medical advice (with good reason), and without a written adoption plan in place, the whole thing nearly went awry. The hospital staff wouldn't let us near him, and after the birthparents waived their parental rights, they wouldn't let *them* near him either. Meanwhile, this little newborn went through two and a half days of methodone withdrawal before we were allowed to hold him.

Monday came, and with it the regular duty nurse, who got us into the nursery directly.


three days old

Monday afternoon, we took him back to the home of the friends with whom we were staying in Columbia. Interstate adoption law required Ms Uly to keep Chris in South Carolina until the legal wheels turned - about two weeks in our case - while I went back and forth for work.


baby magoo in south carolina

Then we got to bring him home! Our friends from the adoption support group (all lesbian couples) had erected a sign in the front yard announcing his arrival while we were out of town. He was "on" already.


october, in grandma uly's arms

We quickly came to know his predominant sense of humor.



And then things sped up quite a bit. I grew my half-assed beard again to mark my passage into fatherhood.



In no time, we learned to love solid food.



He's walking now, inflecting his babytalk. He kisses whatever part of me is handy when I come home from work. He turns one on the 23rd, and I am completely entranced.

[Floogeldy]

1. You posted this stuff a year ago.

What is up with that?

[ulysses]

2. sorry.

I'd forgotten that the lounge is all about being up-to-date.

[BelleCarolinaPeridot]

14. Don't worry - not everyone saw it.

Thank you for posting/sharing such a sweet part of your life :)

Even if this was posted a year ago not everyone saw it - its something good and positive that is worth sharing again :)

[Name removed]

28. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[salin]

22. I think it is a lovely update (the pics)

whats up with the snark?

[fudge stripe cookays]

38. Kindly...

STFU.

If you don't want to look, Ignore is your friend.

[Richardo]

48. Thanks for being so consistent, Floog.

You've once again proven that the laws of internet assholery are as consistent and immutable as gravity. :thumbsup:

To the Uly family: Mazel tov! :toast:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. My dear ulysses........

To you and your beautiful family.....Congratulations on this wonderful first year!

What an incredible story........

All three of you are unbelievably lucky to have found one another!

Here's to many many more years of happiness!

Happy Birthday to your son........:party:

[ulysses]

4. thanks, Peggy!

How was your grandson's birthday?

[CaliforniaPeggy]

7. You're welcome!

We had a lovely time.......the house was full of kids and parents!

I'd forgotten how riotous all that commotion can be.........

Thanks for asking.....:hug:

[auntAgonist]

5. I've followed your threads with great admirations and

interest. Congratulations on your first year as a Father, and to Mrs U, for her first year as Mom. Your son is precious and so very fortunate (and deserving) to have you as his family.

May you always know happiness and love.

:applause: :hug: :applause:

:toast:

to long life, good health and happiness.


aA
kesha

[ulysses]

8. hi, kesha!

Many thanks, from Chris, Cheryl and myself. :hi:

[Arugula Latte]

6. That is one cute baby!

I'm so glad he got to be in your family! :toast:

[ulysses]

9. it's funny how it happens.

Chris suits us, as we are now, perfectly.

Thanks, Oregonian!

[Heidi]

10. Possibly the most beautiful DU baby ever.

I'm not a connoisseur of babies, but Christopher's got that special light in his eyes. :thumbsup:

[Zomby Woof]

11. It has been an amazing journey

And you ain't seen nothin' yet. So many milestones await your family, with the wonders never ceasing, never losing their depth, never diminishing. The joys and travails alike have given your lives such a rich dimension that will help you two guide Chris to a productive and happy future. :-)

We all impatiently await his birthday, and know what a great celebration it will be. :party:

[u4ic]

12. He looks like the Gerber baby

what a cutie pie he is!:loveya:

Congrats on a year, papa! :toast:

[Lex]

13. Beautiful story, beautiful family.

Very nice of you to share it with us. That kid has personality plus!

[jus_the_facts]

15. Aww John....makes my heart smile for ya'll.....

....all the absolute best for you and yours...always...you can see from these pictures he's a happy boy!! :hi: :hug: :loveya:

My favorite one is of you with your half-assed beard...Sexy Daddy...I DARE say!! :D

[buddhamama]

16. He is beautiful.

It has been quite a journey with highs and lows, but all worth it. And everything as it should be. You have this amazing little boy and he has you and Cheryl. A Happy Family, a Loving family.

Thanks for sharing with your story... Chris is absolutely beautiful. You have to give those cheeks a kiss for me.

I am happy Y'All found each other...a lifetime of love.

Thanks again. :bounce: :loveya:

[haf216]

17. He is so beautiful!

Happy birthday to the little guy! Y'all look like a very happy family!

[Christa]

18. Lovely story

beautiful baby.

Kiss his sweet smelling neck for me.

[miss_american_pie]

19. Oh that is beautiful

Congratulations and Happy Birthday! :toast:

[Midlodemocrat]

20. Thank you!!! I missed a couple of those photos. He is beyond

adorable. I'm so incredibly happy for you and Mrs. Uly!

Christopher is one lucky little liberal baby!

:hug:

[ulysses]

21. *new photos*

I figured this thread would be in the archives by now. These are from this morning. :D







Thanks, y'all!

[GirlinContempt]

23. Those are great!

You're both so lucky :)

[ulysses]

35. yes we are.

Thanks! :hi:

[salin]

24. AWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!

Great pics! He clearly is joyful - receiving and giving joy.

Best to you all, Uly and Uly's family!

[ulysses]

25. thanks, salin!

:hi:

[buddhamama]

27. He is Precious !

and he looks so happy. thanks for posting. :)

[ulysses]

32. it's great fun to get into cabinets.

:eyes: :D

[Heidi]

29. A baby that happy

is a reflection of the love that surrounds him.

:kick: for Christopher!

[ulysses]

33. Heidi!

:hi:

[Heidi]

37. Hi, my friend.

:pals: Thanks for the photos of your boy; his joy reminds me of my own joy when I was little and surrounded by such immense love. :)

[jus_the_facts]

31. That smile is priceless.....

....he's always gotta smile on his cherub face.

[ulysses]

34. he just went down for a nap.

He turns into Grumpenstein when he's tired...:hi:

[jus_the_facts]

36. I bet that's cute too by the description....

....Grumenstein...too sweet..he looks like the happiest baby boy..that smile is contagious!:D

[SOteric]

39. What a sweet, big-headed baby-faced smile

And the kid's kinda cute, too.

What a richly blessed passle of people y'all are to have one another in your lives.

[ulysses]

42. *snerk*

You funny! :D :hi:

[Maestro]

41. Extremely happy little boy.

And handsome to boot!

[GOPisEvil]

26. I'm still so happy for everyone involved!

Particularly the ulysses family. :)

[ulysses]

30. mama is upstairs emailing the ones from today to his birthparents.

I think they're happy with their decision, too. :)

[Maestro]

40. Cool

I didn't realize you adopted. He's lucky he found you guys as parents or is it the other way around? :)

[ulysses]

43. other way round, definitely.

:hi:

[Broken_Hero]

44. Great looking kid...:)

You must be very proud...:) :toast:

[ulysses]

45. LOL - you could say that, yeah.

Anyone who thinks I post too many pics of him on DU should pity my coworkers. :D

[Bunny]

46. Your earlier stories of heartbreak were so moving.

When you finally got little Christopher, I remember thinking how insanely happy I felt for someone I knew only from the internet. I am thrilled that it has worked out so well for everyone. :bounce:

[bertha katzenengel]

47. Your son is gorgeous, Uly (and you're a good lookin' fella yourself --

the kinda guy I'd prob'ly dig if I liked guys)

Congratulations to you & Ms Uly for being persistent through the ordeal (oh, hell, how could you not be?) and giving that wonderful baby good parents. :loveya:

[av8rdave]

49. Congrats! I hadn't seen the original posting, so thanks for

the day brightener. What a good looking guy you have there!