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Renee Swope

Encouraging and equipping moms to parent with God's grace and confidence.

Meeting Aster

My baby girl and me!

Our meeting with Aster this morning got bumped to 3pm this afternoon. It was a day of anticipation and also much needed rest. We actually went back to bed after breakfast and slept until 2pm. It was just what we needed!

It’s what Aster needed too. When we got to the orphanage we found out she had a fever and a really bad cough. Two of her caretakers said she had the flu. This was very concerning with all that we went through last week with Andrew getting so sick, but I knew God wasn’t surprised. I was so thankful we were taking Tamiflu as a precaution, which meant we could hold her without concern if she coughed on us.

She was so lethargic and and warm. I kicked into “mommy” mode asking them what her temperature was. if she’d been seen by a doctor and if anyone had listened to her lungs. They tried hard to reassure me that she was ok but I didn’t have peace about it until the nurse came in and took her temperature. It was 100.4 under her arm. Then they handed me a baby Tylenol suppository to insert in her little bottom, and that was my introduction to mommy 101!

Bless her heart, she was so sleepy and unhappy. Not exactly the best condition for a baby who is being bombarded by the love and affection of four people she’s never seen who act like they’ve known her forever! She kept looking at us like we were crazy. But we didn’t care; we just kept holding her and loving on her.
Aster took an afternoon nap while we went to get something to eat and then we took her for a walk around the compound as we toured the orphanage. She wasn’t happy at all and eventually started crying so we took her back to the baby area. That is when she started reaching for her two nannies. It was so sweet to see how much she loved them and found comfort in their arms.

As much as that could hurt my feelings, it TOTALLY didn’t! I was so thankful she had bonded with them and was having separation anxiety. That is such a healthy emotion for a child who is being adopted. That assures us that she is able to bond emotionally and not too long from now she will feel that way about us.

The only thing I was concerned about is that Aster would not smile. Not at all. Not for anyone. No matter what we tried of how hard the caretakers tried. It broke my heart and made me wonder if something is wrong. Even if there is, I know God is sovereign over that too.

Aster is ours. God chose us for her, and her for us. That is one thing I know for sure.

God knew what I was thinking and wondering in those quiet places in my heart and He gave me a quick glance into the possibility of her smile. Right before bedtime I was feeding her a bottle and she started crying. She was looking around the room for Amanish. I gave Aster to her and she started playing with her and making her smile. Such a gift to this momma’s heart!!


We decided it was best for Aster to get to know us over time and let her transition into our family so she is spending the night at the orphanage. We will go back there first thing in the morning and spend the whole day with her there. I can’t wait to watch God transform her hesitant heart into a heart of joy and security because she knows she belongs to us, and ultimately that will lead her to the Love she longs for because she belongs to HIM!

Update: Please pray. Andrew is sick on his stomach. Joshua and I are also very nauseous. It was a long night with not much sleep. Took tamiflu on empty stomachs so praying that is the cause. Headed to orphanage and checking into guest house there. May not have internet the rest of the week but we’ll try. Hugs!!!

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Comments

  2. Renee,

    What a beautiful and exciting adventure God has you on. Your precious little girl is such an amazing gift from Him.

    Will be praying for you all through this transition.

    Much Love and Prayers,
    Melissa

  3. Just wanted to let you know that I prayed for you this morning and will continue to pray for your new family! Thanks for sharing what God is doing!

  4. Found you through Lysa's blog – what a beautiful baby!!! Praying for you all to be well today. God bless you for being obedient – our God reigns!

  5. How absolutely AMAZING – to see all of you with your sweet, sweet baby! You are so careful and thoughtful in your love for Aster. I'm so excited for each of you. Praying for your journey.

  6. Aster is beautiful…and you look so happy holding her! I am praying for an easy transition for her and your family.

  7. Oh my goodness!! She's absolutely PRECIOUS! I will be praying for a speedy recovery and LOTS of smiles for her Mommy!! This is what I worry about..we go to visit our daughter in November, but can't bring her home till February..I worry about the winter months spent in an orphanage..and whether she will get sick, etc…

    Renae

  8. AHHHHHHHHHHH!!! SO beautiful!!!! Poor little sick baby girl!! I can't believe you gave her a suppository – oh, yes. Not the storybook meeting you had in mind huh!! But SUCH a mommy thing. Your initiation.

    Yes, we are at the very beginning from adopting from ET – we are requesting an infant of either gender so hopefully we will be where you are (sans the suppository) by spring of '11.

    I am SO happy for you Renee!!

    Love and prayers for well babies who smile!

    Missy

  9. Thanks for sharing this special day with us Swope family! I know meeting your little girl has been a long awaited moment. The joy that all of you are feeling leaps from the photos!

    What a Happy Day! What a Miracle!

    Rejoicing with you!!! And praying for Aster's health.

  11. Just had to post a comment to my cuz, JJ — what a proud Papa! Little Aster will be calling you Mama and Daddy in no time! Thanks for sharing all the great photos and updates. We're praying for all of you as you continue on your journey!!

    Shari

  12. Oh Renee…the pictures speak volumes. Thanks for sharing them. I love the one of you holding your precious daughter. The delight on your face cannot be expressed in words.

    As you continue to reach for the Lord and trust His guidance on this journey, Aster will be reaching for you. Praying the Lord will help her little heart make that transition. She's so precious.

    Love, hugs and continued prayers,
    Joy

  13. Love, love, love these pictures. Praying for God's provision to cover you in every circumstance and to heal your little Aster. She is beautiful and you are beautiful with her. Thank you for sharing this blessed journey.
    Ann

  14. Oh my goodness… she is so beautiful and you all look so happy too! Aster is definitely smiling in those last two pictures. No doubt the fever and cough must have her a little droppy though. No worries, Renee. Aster will have plenty to smile about when she gets home. Many happy moments await all of you.
    Love & miss you!
    Leah

  16. Wow! I have followed your adoption journey for a while now and it is amazing to see Aster now a part of your family. Your love for her is obvious as you made the decision to give her time to get to know you. I am in tears seeing the beautiful pictures that God carefully construed.

    JD

  17. Oh Renee she is so precious! I've been praying for you…for Andrew to get better…and for your trip. She is darling..just darling! I think she's gonna be tall like Aunt Shari! You look so happy…all of you do…wow…amazing…we'll keep praying….love you!

  18. Oh Renee! She is just beautiful!

    I loved seeing the smiles on all the Swopes faces! What joy! And Aster Swope will be grinning ear to ear and finding comfort in the bosom of her parents.

    Praying she is 100% soon!

    God gave you such wisdom today. Thank you for sharing your heart so honestly.

    Much love and prayers
    Sharon

  19. I am just amazed! What a blessing….2 days ago praying for Andrew and then your luggage…and well, now look. It's Aster with her family. She is beautiful and loved her smile. I'll keep praying!

    Love,
    Melissa