A rare time

We took Amanda to the airport this morning. Her entire visit was amazing. On Thursday, she and I went to Apple Hill and we shared a carmel apple sundae. She continued to be very inquisitive, asking me lots of questions about us and our lives. I can tell she pays attention and stores in her heart all of the things she reads and hears about us. I also had many questions for her about her and her family. We joined the large dinner party at the Carrozzas on Thursday night, to celebrate Carrie's birthday. I think all three of us (Nathanael, Amanda, and I) felt a little out of place, since we were the only ones there who were not family! I frequently found Amanda watching me, and I would smile at her. I'm sure I did the same thing. Sometimes I just wanted to stare at her for a long time, and really let it soak in that the baby she is pregnant with is the one that she is giving to us. But that would be rude, and very obvious. We should have taken pictures, so I can just stare at those. But we didn't. We talked about that last night. We didn't take any pictures while she was here, and we should have. We'll have to do it next time.

Friday night I picked her up and brought her to the house, and I made chicken and cheese calzones. The three of us went to Babies R Us, where we picked out a crib, and Amanda paid for it with her voucher. That was so nice of her. We got a very nice convertible crib with an espresso finish. Nathanael put it together today. When we got home, we played Lost Cities. I think Nathanael and I were both treasuring those moments, sitting at the table, just the three of us. I don't know that either of us grasped the significance of that time. It was such a rare, and unprecedented event (for us and our family and friends, at least), wherein we were able to spend time getting to know the birth mother of our child. I am storing these memories in my heart, and I will pull them out and brood over them often. I suspect that as the days and months and years go by, I will find them to be more and more special; as I grow to love our son, I will continue to grow in love for Amanda.

Dana told me this afternoon that she is feeling very good about her choice and about being here. She seemed like she was at peace with it. And Amanda herself told me that this trip has given her even more confidence in her decision. So I guess we passed the test. :) I know it did for us too. In retrospect, I think it was so good for all of us.

She texted me when she got to Houston. I'm sure she was very happy to see Travis, and to be home. I'm so glad that we will be keeping in touch, and that I have had the pleasure of spending time with that sweet girl.