Our Birthmom

So, I decided I should post some pictures of the beautiful woman who gave us our precious angel. Her name is Nekeita, and she is amazing. When Dustin and I first met her there was an immediate connection. She gave me the biggest hug, and from that second on there was this amazing bond between all four of us.

Gabral is Carter's older brother. He was 2 at the time and a pure delight to be with. I will always remember the first thing he said to me, which was, "Heeey!" It cracked me up and I fell in love with him.

Our first day together we had a great time. We came to Murray where we had to run some errands for Nekeita. We then ended up at Joe's Crab Shack. The food was fabulous and we were all able to put away some serious seafood.

We then went to Fashion Place Mall, and were able to buy Nekeita somethings she would need while completing her stay in Utah and at the hospital. While we were at the mall Nekeita asked what we would be naming the baby. We told her Dustin Carter, and she reached down, held her belly, and said Hello there Dustin Carter. From that moment on, we knew we were going to be the adoptive family for her.

We continued to spend the entire day together. We were able to talk and have some serious heart to hearts. Nekeita is funny, outgoing, loving, and one of the sweetest women I have ever met. I just feel like she is now so much a part of me!

When we dropped Keita and Gabral off that night, we had agreed to get together the next day to go to Logan to meet Dustin's family. Little did we know how much our plans would change.

Saturday morning Dustin and I were having a stressful day trying to figure out finances, plane tickets, etc. and all it was going to take to become parents within a week. When I finally got to the point of such frustration, we decided to just put things aside and head to get Keita for an outing. As we were pumping gas, I received a phone call, and Keita's water had broke. Drastic change of plans, head for the hospital. There were so many tears of joy from all of our family and Dustin and I braced ourselves, we were going to become parents that day.

After gathering all we needed, and giving Keita time to get to the hospital, Dustin and I headed there ourselves. When we got there Keita was ever so grateful to see us, and feeling a little overwhelmed. All she could say is, "Well, we are no longer going by my schedule, Carter thinks he has to come today!" So, several hours went by, and at 6:47 pm on July 26, 2008, Keita brought into the world our little man. I was by her side the entire time, and she asked me to cut my son's imbilical cord. As I saw Carter for the first time, tears filled my eyes. Well, Keita had told me no tears allowed, and was quick to cover me by saying, "Linds, did something get in your contact?" When I gave Keita a hug, there was so much unspoken love and appreciation between the two of us, no words will ever describe that moment between 2 mom's for the same child.

Keita was then gracious enough to allow Dustin and I to spend as much time at the hospital as we wanted. Which was almost all the time. We spent the first night together, all 3 of us in Keita's hosptial room. Dustin was a huge help, and waited on Keita hand and foot. He wanted to make sure she was comfortable and spend as much time with her as he could.

As Carter continued to be in NICU, Keita would call down and get updates. As much as I think it hurt Keita to have involvement, she knew the hell we would have been going through, not knowing how our son was doing. She was simply the best birthmom we could ask for.

As time came to say goodbye, we made sure only little items got into my contacts. There was a peace between the three of us as our time together drew to an end. Keita wanted to get back to her life, and Dustin and I wanted to start ours. So, as Keita was readying to leave the hospital there were many thoughts, pictures, and love between us all.

Our birthmom was a simple miracle for Dustin and I. She was exactly all, plus more, that we had hoped for. She was loving, understanding, and included us in everything, through it all! Keita, I only pray that one day our paths will cross again. Until then, we love you and thank you...for giving us the best gift in the world!

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