Fast Forward: Meeting Baby J in AZ

I'm still behind on posts but I want to fast forward to a more recent event that was really exciting. Earlier this month, we took a last minute trip to Arizona to meet Joey's brother and family where they were adopting a newborn. They live on the east coast but the birth mom was in AZ and she went into labor several weeks early. They boarded a last minute flight out west and were there in less than 24 hours. Baby J was born later that night but ended up in the NICU for a few days for monitoring.

We drove out a few days later and spent the weekend with them - mostly taking trips back and forth to the hospital to be with the baby and spending a little time at nearby parks for Jack and Zachary (their 2 year old) to get some energy out. By the end of the weekend, baby J was released from the hospital and home with his new family! We had a great time just spending time with them and being a part of this amazing life event. Adoption is so amazing. We are so happy for them!

Here are some pictures from our visit.

First time meeting baby J in the NICU with the proud new mom....

and the proud new dad!

In the meantime, the boys played outside.  They got along so well!

Then we went to a real park for them to really stretch their legs!

And back to the hospital. So cute! What a perfect little face. 

The little guys weren't allowed in the NICU so we had to take turns entertaining them in the lobby. 

And then back to the park. You get the idea. 

Then finally on Monday afternoon, baby J got to come home! Here I am photo bombing this important moment. I was just happy to be a part of it!

Admiring the newest addition to the family - big number 13!

Big brother Zach meeting his new little brother. So sweet. 

Then it was picture time! 

The happy family. 

Snug as a bug in a rug in the moby wrap. 

My turn to hold the little guy! It's always good to be around newborns when pregnant. It makes me excited!

Joey got a turn too. 

So sweet. 

Group shot! (minus Joey) Jack is into a saying "cheese" phase, which is hilarious but doesn't always make for the best photos.

The guys. :)

And last but not least, a little cousin hug. 

What a great weekend! It's hard for us to make a lot of family events being on the west coast so we were just so happy we could visit!

Congrats guys!