Little Miss Magic

Last weekend was our regularly scheduled monthly meeting at our consultant's house. It was our turn to present (aka tell our story and show off the Wee One) and we wanted to do that when the weather was still nice enough for an outdoor meetings.

We chatted with our consultant a few days before about some of the things we wanted to cover and some of the things she wanted us to cover. She gave us our instructions for what to bring (several bottles of champagne and some of sparkling juice). We were excited to introduce the Wee One to the whole community.

It was an incredible day.

The weather was perfect. The garden looked amazing. Our presentation part went well. Everyone was so very excited to meet the Wee One.

There were two very special people there that the Mister and I were beyond thrilled to see: the NPL and her mom.

Long time readers might remember our very first NPL. If you've started reading more recently you can select the category related to adoption to the right and get all caught up. Sorry to be so lazy and not do proper links but I'm trying to get this all written while the Wee One takes a wee nap in her much loved swing (thank you Auntie Liana and bff-to-be Zara).

We haven't seen the NPL since before her son was born. We skipped a couple of meetings out of deference to her needs. She's been at a few more recent meetings but we happened to be out of town for those.

So when I saw her smiling face I was just so very happy I broke into tears. So did she. We knew she'd been thinking about us a lot and always asked about us. We'd done the same with her. But to see her again and reconnect was just so wonderful.

She saw the email that we planned to present and was so excited for us she changed her schedule so she could attend. Her mom was also thrilled for us and there were more tears when we greeted each other.

She showed me pictures of her son and caught me up on her life. She held my daughter. It was one of the most healing and touching moments I've ever experienced.

She lives even closer to us and offered to babysit. I can't believe we haven't run into her around town but maybe this was how it was supposed to be (don't tell the mister that, he *hates* any talk of "meant to be"). We were so honored she wanted to share in our joy.

She set the bar incredibly high for what we hoped to find in an open adoption situation. Every time things didn't work out we went back to the NPL and our connection and hoped we'd find something like that. I think what we have now with Ms FoodNetwork is very similar to what might have been with the added possibility of more information and an eventual relationship with the birthdad.

So there was much celebrating last weekend and it was a beautiful thing. 

Finally a few photos (that likely won't last long) and name stuff.

Here is one of my favorite photos. Look closely and you'll see the Wee Ones feet, then Ms FoodNetwork's hand, my hand and the mister's hand.

Now on to the naming story. First, I must say she has a much longer name than we originally intended.

Her last name is my family name (I'm the last in my extended family to carry it). Ms FoodNetwork changed her own name to another family name when she came of age so she understood why it was so important to me. When we were talking about names when the wee one was a few days old and I said I was the only one besides my parents with my name she said "Not anymore."

Her second middle name is a family name from the mister's side. It's similar to his last name but more feminine and American sounding (his is very VERY Scandinavian sounding). It's similar to a popular name that means inspired by grace (eloquence or beauty of form, kindness, mercy, favor), which is derived from the Latin gratia (favor, thanks) according to the Namepedia.

Her first middle name is a family name from Ms FoodNetwork's side. It's also a word that has two entries in Merriam-Webster: as a noun it means "a group of related individuals,one's relatives,family relationship"; as an adjective it means "of a similar nature or character, like or of the same ancestry". What could be more perfect, right?

Her first name was on our short list for a long time but seemed perfect for this situation. In my family tradition and somewhat commonly in the South, one daughter is named after new grandmothers. We were lucky in that one name honored three of the Wee One's grandmothers (and was in all family lines somewhere). It means bright shining one and that is certainly true. It met all my crazy naming requirements and we all agreed on it. It's a serious grownup name with some totally cute nicknames.

Comments

[Angela]

Beautiful!

[Portlairge]

Congratulations Millie, to you and your family. Eleanor is beautiful. Your whole story from day one is beautiful.

[erin]

Beautiful!

[Joy]

Oh, she is just stunning! I love the name Eleanor, so elegant and timeless.

[zhl]

Eleanor is just beautiful! She's growing so much already. So happy for the meeting with NPL. What a great ending and beginning!

[Rachel]

Awwwwww to the 1000th power! Congrats again! So glad to see you On The Other Side of all this.

:D

[K]

She is gorgeous. I love her names. I am so happy for all of you.

[Kellie]

She's just beautiful. Congratulations. Finally.

[Heather]

Eleanor is beautiful!! Love the name!

Both of the photos are great!

[Not On Fire]

She is so beautiful! I am so happy for you.

[Krista]

Yay... I can finally say CONGRATULATIONS. I didn't want to say it earlier when things were so full of questions and then when it was so hard to say good bye to Ms. Food Network. I am so happy for you and so happy that this story unfolded just as it should. She is stunning and I am looking forward to hearing all about her as she grows up!

[wavybrains]

Gorgeous!!!!! What a perfect, perfect story and perfect girl. You have earned every drop of this happiness. Thank you so much for sharing her name and her picture!!!

[Jill]

Oh Millie, she is beautiful, and you have a beautiful story as well. Yay for all of you.

[Susan (skim321)]

Melissa, Eleanor is just beautiful...I have never been so moved reading someone's blog.

[Carrie]

Look at that grin! so cute! LOVE the picture of all of your hands holding her feet... that is by far a beautiful picture and one to be cherished forever!

[cindy]

I am coming out of lurkdom to congratulate you on this new blessing. I have been following your blog for what seems like forever and secretly rooting for you two. You seem like an amazing couple and I am sure will make a loving home for Eleanor.

[Jen]

What a beautiful, beautiful girl!! I just love the stories of her names.

Crying happy tears for you--so thrilled that you are a mom at last.

[Paula]

Oh she's so beautiful! Congratulations to you all. Love the name!

[S]

Eleanor is so beautiful. But you already know that. Wonderful and best wishes to you and the mister.

[PBfish]

Oh, what a sweet little smile! She's beautiful! I love her name, my sister's name is Eleanor, spelled that same way, so I'm a little biased. Congratulations!!

[Sharon]

She is gorgeous and so is her name! Wishing you all many blessings and happiness!

[Orodemniades]

Dammit, you made me cry.

[Patti]

She's totally beautiful, congratulations!!!!!

[daysgoby]

Lovely, LOVELY little girl.

[Sue]

Also crying tears of joy for you. She is stunning.

[Tonya]

I just burst out into tears of joy. Elanor looks like such an old soul (and what a smile!). I am very, very happy for you!!

[Liana]

Gorgeous photos. Such happiness, peace and contentment in all of you.

Congratulations! Welcome Ellie!

[K]

She is beyond beautiful. Congratulations!!! So happy for all of you. Big Hugs

[Roni]

A beautiful girl with a beautiful name. I am crying with happiness for you.

[luna]

just beautiful! the day and the pix.

[Thalia]

She is gorgeous, and that's a lovely name. Gosh darnit you made me cry again!

[Boulder]

Beautiful photos, beautiful names, beautiful story, beautiful family!

[Kath]

Dear Millie, you made me cry... in fact I'm dripping happy tears on my brand-new laptop. She is gorgeous, and so is her name -- and her story. Congratulations, my dear, a million congratulations!

[kristylynne]

I am awed. What a beautiful child, and what a happy story!

[Sue]

Beautiful - baby, name, story and the photos. Thanks for sharing.

[Merlot]

Congratulations!!!! She's beautiful!

[Summer]

How wonderful you were able to share Eleanor with your consultant's group and NPL!

The pictures are simply fantastic. Love the feet and hands and the one of your beautiful daughter takes my breath away.

[Rebel]

OMG, she is perfect!!!! Congrats again, and to you a big hug for all the enduring that you have had to go through. I am so glad that you have little Miss Eleanor. You are truely my Hero Millie!!!

Hugs,
Rebel

[Tertia]

Beautiful, I am overcome with emotion, joyous emotion. congrats you two

[Kristina]

Absolutely beautiful name. What a beautiful sight!

[Susan in OR]

Welcome Eleanor!
The whole post brought me to tears, especially the naming section.
Well done!

[Pamplemousse]

I am so thrilled that you had your beautiful moment as a new family, presenting Eleanor to everyone who has been so supportive to you. Utter gorgeousness, all around!!!

[jen]

pure magic.... she is stunning.

[Sparkle]

Beautiful.

[zimmom]

ohmygoodness.. couldn't be a more perfect picture! congratulations!

[Selmada]

A perfect name for a perfect baby. congratulations!

[statia]

She's beautiful, Millie. Congrats to all of you.

[Nearlydawn]

So beautiful. The image of your clasped hands is so touching. *sniff*

I'm very glad to hear that you were able to meet up with NPL and reconnect in a positive way.

[Kristine]

A beautiful name, a beautiful little girl, and a wonderful new extended family. I am so happy for you! I have been reading your blog for years, and commented only once, several years ago, when I was still in the midst of my own infertility issues. You were so kind to respond to me by email, and I was so moved, and shocked, that I couldn't even figure out how to respond. But I have never forgotten your kind words.
I now have 13 month old twins conceived through IVF, and I am so thrilled that you and the Mister have Eleanor, Ms FoodNetwork and her family, and your entire support system. I honestly cannot think of anyone more deserving than you.

[Yellowgirl]

Wow! Just wonderful, Millie! Just wonderful! Do you have a PO Box I could send a little something Tar Heel-ish to, for Eleanor?

Yellowgirl