Today was a roller coaster of emotions. Originally we had been told that we would probably be ready to head home at the end of this week, but mix-ups with paperwork meant that we weren’t sure if we would be leaving tomorrow – or in another two weeks. In the end, all the elements fell into place, and we fly back to California tomorrow. We are so excited to bring Brendan home – to proudly introduce him to all our friends who are so anxious to meet him. To finally complete the nursery with the one little person who it was made for. To watch our favorite dog fall in love with her new buddy. To watch our house get cluttered with baby things – and feel it really become the home we always dreamed of. At the same time, we are leaving the woman who made all of this possible. And for her family, this day does not hold the same type of anticipation that it does for us. They have done an incredible job of making us feel welcomed, and loved – and trusted. We will truly miss them. We will miss Iowa in so many unexpected ways. In some ways, this can’t help but feel like a goodbye – it is the end of this magical time of bringing Brendan into the world – but we know, and in their hearts we hope they know, that this is only the beginning.
