It was a few weeks after that time when we were driving down the road that I said to Ben, "Why do we have to wait 'til we know if we can or can't have kids in order to adopt?" It kind of hit both of us, and we immediately started checking into agencies. We knew that adoption was what God had planned for us. There was a little boy out there who needed us. We then came to realize that if we wouldn't have miscarried, we would not have thought of adoption at that time. We knew that God had a plan. I was so excited; I could hardly sleep at night. It was like I was pregnant all over again.So the paper chase began, and we just kept praying for the little cutie that was waiting for us in Russia. When our referral call finally came, we were both beside ourselves with joy!!!
Our journey to see our little sweetheart was amazing. When I first saw him, all I could think was how tiny he was. He looked more like a baby than a 17-month-old. He was just adorable. We both fell in love with him right away. All he wanted for us to do was to hold him and cuddle him--we, of course, gladly obliged!!!!
The medical we got was filled with lots of Russian diagnoses. The Russian medical stated: "prenatal encephalopathy, syndrome of delay of static-motor functions development, delay of psycho speech development, hypotrophy of 2nd degree, progressive period, synechia of foreskin, rickets of 2nd degree, remain effects, post-vaccine allergy."
We still knew right away that he was the one for us. We knew that he needed us. We consulted with some trusted medical professionals and felt very comfortable with our decision.
The goodbye was horrible, but knowing that we had to leave in order to come back made it like a step in the process to check off. Four and a half months later, we finally got to go back to bring our little cutie home.
But when we first saw him on our second trip, both of us were shocked. He was even skinnier than before, and really looked like he had given up. He was just like a rag doll. When we would lift his arm up, it would drop down as if totally lifeless. It really broke our hearts. He hardly smiled, and just wanted to be held. They kept saying to us how serious he was. We were so thankful that we were actually going to be able to bring him home this trip.Well, the day finally arrived that we got to pick up little Andrew from the baby home. There really was an immediate change. Soon after we got to the hotel, he started smiling and laughing. It was amazing to see. By the time we got to Moscow, he was like a different kid. We could hardly get him to sit still. It was almost like he had been cooped up for so long that now he wanted to take in EVERYTHING. It was too cute!!
Now that we've been home for 6 weeks with Andrew, we just look back in amazement. It is like God performed a miracle right before our eyes! Upon arrival to the U.S., we took Andrew to the doctor for a thorough evaluation and received a "clean bill of health". He is now such a happy child, full of life and humor. He makes us laugh all the time with all the faces he makes and the cute things he does. He is definitely not serious anymore! His whole countenance has changed, and he has gained over five pounds since we've been home. Within two weeks, he started walking and then running. We are praising the Lord for His goodness to us. He gave us an amazing gift in our little Andrew.
The story isn't quite finished yet...we found out that I'm pregnant!!! God knew exactly that we needed Andrew, and that Andrew needed us. It all had to happen this way. God is good ALL the time!!!
--Christina Wagner for the Wagner family, TX
