I was in the kitchen at my parent’s house last week, rooting around in the fridge for something to eat, when my cell phone rang. It was our agency, calling to tell us that a baby girl had been born the day before. On Sunday. The Solstice.
“Her parents can sign off on her tomorrow,” the agent told me, “and if they do, she’s yours." That was Monday morning. I don’t remember anything after that until Christmas day, when I woke up at the house of D's aunt in Dallas with a beautiful baby girl asleep between me and D. I know that at some point we bought baby stuff at Wal*Mart, because it is here and D keeps talking about how we went to WALMART on Christmas Eve Eve. I know we went to Toys 'R Us as well, because that is where my mother called when I thought, incorrectly, that I had lost my wallet. I know that I drove to Texas, because I am here, but really, the world seems to have frozen itself on Monday and started itself again the moment I first held this new little person.
Our world, as we are often reminded, is not black and white. Darth Vadar, for instance, can be three feet tall and enjoy drawing shapes with a protractor. Darth Vadar, can, in fact, be a girl. And a good guy. And sleep with her new Eli Manning football helmet (because it’s handy if she bumps her head in the night, she confided to her grandfather). Reality is flexible.
Our world may not be black and white, but to a newborn everything is. Food is good. Warm is good. Cold is bad. The warm squishy person who does fast diaper changes and brings food is good. Life, in fact, is good.
Even though I miss Moonpie something fierce, I am enjoying getting this time alone with our new daughter.* A friend once told me that with her last child, she found herself holding him longer and enjoying him more because she realized he was her last. That is how I feel when I hold her – we are meant to be a family of four. I feel, at last, that all the pieces of the puzzle are accounted for, and that we can now put together the picture even if we don’t have the box top for a guide.
And what a beautiful picture it is turning out to be.
* Moonpie remained with her grandparents for Christmas, until I get approval to take the baby** across state lines.
** I can't keep calling her "the baby"! Now I need help coming up with a name for a puppy and a new baby!
Holy CRAP CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!! I am so excited for you - wow, miracles can happen.
Posted by: Meredith | December 30, 2008 at 03:36 PM
Congratulations! I'm in tears reading about your happiness!
Posted by: Rosanne | December 30, 2008 at 03:45 PM
Well, presuming that Moonpie is blog-named after a marshmellow and chocolate treat, how about keeping with that theme and calling her S'More? Or ChocoPie? Mallomar? Peep? (Not so much chocolate with the Peep, but, in keeping with the marshmellow?)
Congratulations.
Posted by: Lawmommy | December 30, 2008 at 03:53 PM
Yeehah! Congratulations!
Posted by: OmegaMom | December 30, 2008 at 03:55 PM
I think four must be the most beautiful word I have ever read on this here blog.
Posted by: Annika | December 30, 2008 at 03:57 PM
I think you got the best Christmas present EVER!
Congrats to you and your family (of 4!!!)
Posted by: Amy | December 30, 2008 at 03:59 PM
Best. Christmas. Post. EVER!!! Congratulations! Wonderful, fantastic news. I am so happy for all 4 of you!
Blessings,
StacyG
Tampa, FL
Posted by: Stacy | December 30, 2008 at 04:04 PM
That is the most awesome Christmas gift ever. ;)
Congratulations to all of you!
Posted by: Katy | December 30, 2008 at 04:04 PM
I'm all sniffly with happiness. Congratulations.
Posted by: uccellina | December 30, 2008 at 04:06 PM
How in the world do I tell you how happy I am for you? Christmas blessings to you all, and may Moonpie be over the moon about her new baby sister.
Posted by: Jill | December 30, 2008 at 04:07 PM
Congratulations! I'm so happy that you've been able to complete your family.
Posted by: Amanda | December 30, 2008 at 04:10 PM
Awesome, Soper - that is just awesome news! I am thrilled for you, D and moonpie!
I'm so glad you got to "4" before 2008 was over!
Posted by: sherrylt | December 30, 2008 at 04:11 PM
YAY! YAY for wonderful news and being so happy and wonderful things that make you forget how you got there!!
Posted by: VHMPrincess | December 30, 2008 at 04:13 PM
Well *that* was unexpected. Congratulations on The. Best. Christmas. Present. EVER!
Posted by: SarcastiCarrie | December 30, 2008 at 04:19 PM
I was just thinking about you yesterday, never met internet friend, and wondering how you were doing. Tell me, do you find yourself thinking "so this is why!"
Sugarplum for baby girl.
Posted by: Amy | December 30, 2008 at 04:26 PM
Yay! What a lovely solstice you've had!
Posted by: Pronoia | December 30, 2008 at 04:31 PM
Wow, I was really not expecting that, fantastic news!
Posted by: Jenn | December 30, 2008 at 04:32 PM
Oh, finally! Hooray!
It's just like people say... As soon as you adopt a failed adoption puppy, you get a baby!
Posted by: Cat, galloping | December 30, 2008 at 04:32 PM
Yay! Congratulations!
Posted by: AmericanFamily | December 30, 2008 at 04:33 PM
Holy crap! Congrats! talk about a fab Christmas! WOOOOHOOO! er I mean, woohoo, as she may be sleeping... :o)
Posted by: Katrina | December 30, 2008 at 04:36 PM
Fantastic! I am thrilled to bits for you!
How about Gracie? Something makes me think that is OMD's real name though.
Posted by: Lala | December 30, 2008 at 04:38 PM
Talk aobut a fantastic Christmas suprise! Congratulations!!!
Posted by: 4katnap | December 30, 2008 at 05:21 PM
Am crying.
THANK YOU for the update, and congratulations to all FOUR! of you.
Back to crying now.
Posted by: Kira | December 30, 2008 at 05:29 PM
YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!!
IT'S ABOUT FREAKING TIME!
Okay, now that I've got that over with, I am so very happy for you all, and so thrilled that you've got your beautiful girls. Many congratulations, and the very best wishes for a wonderful new year and even more years of parental bliss.
Posted by: Jen | December 30, 2008 at 05:38 PM
tears of happiness for you!!!!! i actually got chills when i refreshed your page tonight...congratulations to the FOUR of you!!!!!!! (i'm sorry about the exclamation points but i am just so damn happy for you)!
Posted by: jayne | December 30, 2008 at 06:00 PM
Congratulations to all four of you - what wonderful, wonderful news.
Posted by: Robin | December 30, 2008 at 06:04 PM
Congratulations Soper. I am so happy for you and your family.
Posted by: Ama | December 30, 2008 at 06:06 PM
congratulations to all four of you. this is wonderful, wonderful news.
Posted by: Thalia | December 30, 2008 at 06:46 PM
Oh, honey. That is amazing! I am so happy for you!
Posted by: Cecily | December 30, 2008 at 07:12 PM
What wonderful news! Congratulations!!!
Posted by: Heather | December 30, 2008 at 07:26 PM
The first time I read this post I skimmed it quickly, rushing to the end to make sure it wasn't a dream you were having and was recounting to us.
The second time I read this post I read quickly and jumped to the end to make sure that she was safe and sound, still with you.
The third time I read this post I took my time, savored every word and promptly burst into tears and the end.
Doesn't matter that we don't know each other...I am overjoyed for you, thrilled...estatic. Congratulations on your lovely new daughter. Can't wait to hear more.
Posted by: Donna | December 30, 2008 at 07:36 PM
Holy Shit! What a terrific post...I can't say it any better than Donna did above me.
Posted by: Lee | December 30, 2008 at 08:31 PM
I got all sniffly reading about your good news. Congratulations. What a wonderful Christmas gift.
Posted by: FishFace | December 30, 2008 at 08:33 PM
Holy crap!!! This is the best Christmas present ever!
It is about time you guys get a (good) break. Moonpie will make a wonderful big sister (and I love the name Gracie...).
Posted by: sheilah | December 30, 2008 at 08:58 PM
I don't think I can find the words to express how I felt reading this. I am very very happy for you. I must go and wipe the tears. Congratulations.
Posted by: Sparky | December 30, 2008 at 09:00 PM
Congrats!!! That is the best Christmas gift ever!
Posted by: Shannon | December 30, 2008 at 09:11 PM
Hooray! I am doing the happy dance for all of you! What a way to end one year and start the next!
Posted by: Sara | December 30, 2008 at 09:31 PM
Wow. Oh wow.
I have tears in my eyes, and chills, and am so very, very happy for you.
Posted by: Cheryl | December 30, 2008 at 09:32 PM
Now that is a merry Christmas! What a wonderful blessing for your family. Congratulations!!!
Posted by: Summer | December 30, 2008 at 09:39 PM
WOW! Congratulations! Truly a Merry Christmas to all four of you.
Now why haven't I received a phone call since, after all, you are here in Dallas? I let you off the hook a few months ago, but not this time, missy.
Eh, it's the holidays, I will be selfless since you are a tad busy with a newborn. Yay! I'm so happy for you!!!
Seriously, you have my email address. If you need anything I am not too far away. :)
Posted by: ashley | December 30, 2008 at 09:46 PM
This is such wonderful news! I am so glad that you finally found the baby who will complete your family, and I wish you most joyful of times as you spend your first days together.
Posted by: Rachel | December 30, 2008 at 10:45 PM
Congratulations!! This is great news to close out 2008! My best to you and your family.
Posted by: Danielle | December 30, 2008 at 11:09 PM
Oh WOW! Congratulations!!!
Posted by: Jenn | December 30, 2008 at 11:17 PM
Oh my gosh! That is the BEST Christmas present ever! I am so, so happy for you! What joy! Best wishes for you and your happy family of FOUR!
Posted by: Nancy in Redmond, WA | December 30, 2008 at 11:20 PM
Amazing and wonderful. Sigh.
Posted by: dawny | December 31, 2008 at 12:17 AM
My heart jumped in my throat and took my breath away when I read this! Oh Soper!!! I am beyond thrilled for you and the family!!! Congrats!
Posted by: Karen | December 31, 2008 at 01:04 AM
My heartfelt congratulations! I know when one (or 2 or 3...) painful doors close, another one opens and can change your life. Can't wait to read more about your new daughter.
Posted by: Wendy | December 31, 2008 at 01:36 AM
P.S. Maybe you could refer to her as Winter???
Posted by: Wendy | December 31, 2008 at 01:39 AM
CONGRATULATIONS!
Posted by: Courtney | December 31, 2008 at 01:57 AM
That is so so wonderful. Congratulations to the Mama, Papa and new big sister!
Posted by: Anna | December 31, 2008 at 02:52 AM
I am so happy for you, my hands are shaking as I write this. How perfect and it is such a wonderful feeling when you know your family is complete, you guys are a terrific family with a new bundle of joy!
Posted by: courtney | December 31, 2008 at 08:16 AM
Congratulations!! I am so happy for you guys! So, so happy!!
Posted by: Jennifer M | December 31, 2008 at 09:13 AM
Congratulations. What a wonderful solstice surprise.
Posted by: susie | December 31, 2008 at 09:24 AM
WOW!!! Huge congratulations!! So incredibly thrilled for the four of you. *sniffle*
Posted by: Heather | December 31, 2008 at 10:29 AM
Soper I am so happy for you that I want to cry. Tears of Joy!
Congratulations! I hope Moonpie enjoys being a big sister, it's a great ride:)
Warning, Moonpie will have grown when you get home, in a good way.
Congratulations on being a family of four, YEAH!
Posted by: MotherLawyer | December 31, 2008 at 10:41 AM
OMG OMG OMG!!! Congrats!!! Soper is a mom of TWO!
Posted by: Spacemom | December 31, 2008 at 10:45 AM
Oh my goodness! What a lovely, lovely, lovely Christmas gift to your family -- now of four! (*weeping unabashedly*) Bless all of you.
Posted by: Tine | December 31, 2008 at 10:59 AM
P.S. I've got the perfect code name for your new daughter. It's gotta be Sun-something. (Sunshine, Sunny, Sundog, whatever.) She came to you on the winter solstice, which marks the end of the darkness and the return of the light. This is true both literally and figuratively, no? AND...a sunny screen name would match Moonpie's lunar one nicely. :)
Posted by: Tine | December 31, 2008 at 11:06 AM
Mazel Tov on your new daughter!!! How wonderful - that is a solstice miracle!!!!!!!
Posted by: Toni | December 31, 2008 at 12:38 PM
That's wonderful. I'm so happy for you. May you have the best New Year ever!
Posted by: jeanette1ca | December 31, 2008 at 01:12 PM
Oh my god, I'm shaking with happiness for you. What a wonderful, lovely miracle.
Posted by: amalah | December 31, 2008 at 01:19 PM
Congratulations!
(I like Mallomar, too.)
Posted by: Jody | December 31, 2008 at 02:30 PM
Oh, fantastic! Now THAT is a happy solstice. Wow.
Posted by: ccr in MA | December 31, 2008 at 03:07 PM
Chills. Chills. This was so meant to be. I'm so sorry for everything else that 2008 dished out to you, but this is so amazingly wonderful. Will we get a picture? Even if just a teeny foot :)
Posted by: wavybrains | December 31, 2008 at 03:08 PM
Awesome news! What a wonderful start to 2009. Congrats!
Posted by: Laura | December 31, 2008 at 03:32 PM
Oh, wow, WOW, wow. I am so thrilled, and a little teary. Congratulations, you lovely people!
--Bugs
Posted by: Dead Bug | December 31, 2008 at 04:09 PM
Congratulations on your miracle!
Posted by: elizabeth | December 31, 2008 at 04:28 PM
congratulations!!!!
Posted by: Jessica | December 31, 2008 at 05:23 PM
Congratulations! I just found your blog recently and am thrilled to have done so smack dab in the middle of a celebration!
So happy for you!
Posted by: Carol | December 31, 2008 at 06:27 PM
I am just sitting here with the stupidest, most idiotic grin on my face. It won't go away. I am so ridiculously happy for all of you-- a sweet, squishy little baby girl to complete your family of four (plus pets) . . . it just doesn't get better than that. Congratulations, Mama. It's about damn time!
Posted by: Andrea | December 31, 2008 at 06:38 PM
Wow! So happy for you! Congrats!
Posted by: Lisa | December 31, 2008 at 07:37 PM
Happy Solstice Miracle Soper.
Posted by: elle | December 31, 2008 at 08:18 PM
Holy wonderful Christmas, Batman! Congratulations!
Posted by: Heather Ann | December 31, 2008 at 08:26 PM
Hallelujiah!!! Moonpie is a big sis, you're a family of four, amazing and what a great end to 2008!!!!
Posted by: JessicaAPISS | December 31, 2008 at 09:04 PM
Hallelujiah!!! Moonpie is a big sis, you're a family of four, amazing and what a great end to 2008!!!!
Posted by: JessicaAPISS | December 31, 2008 at 09:05 PM
a Solstice baby here, am just thrilled and in tears for your family of 4
Posted by: trish | December 31, 2008 at 11:36 PM
Holy wow! What awesome news and what an incredible holiday 'gift' you and the family got this year :-)
Congrats on your newest addition and your new status as a family of four. May your lives be filled with more love, laughter, and joy than you know what to do with.
Posted by: Dee | December 31, 2008 at 11:49 PM
Wow, I have to admit to skipping to the end to make sure I was reading what I thought I was reading. Congratulations to all four of you!! Knowing your last is your last is a gift, I'm so happy for you that you finally get to fully enjoy it. Can't wait to hear your continuing adventures as a family of four :-)
Posted by: gkk | January 01, 2009 at 03:07 AM
Ahhhh. Well. That right there is just about perfect.
Happy "family of four" day. 2009 is going to be such a year of memories for you!
Posted by: Bump Fairy | January 01, 2009 at 03:21 AM
The Shortest Day (Susan Cooper)
And so the Shortest Day came and the year died
And everywhere down the centuries of the snow-white world
Came people singing, dancing,
To drive the dark away.
They lighted candles in the winter trees;
They hung their homes with evergreen;
They burned beseeching fires all night long
To keep the year alive.
And when the new year's sunshine blazed awake
They shouted, revelling.
Through all the frosty ages you can hear them
Echoing behind us - listen!
All the long echoes, sing the same delight,
This Shortest Day,
As promise wakens in the sleeping land:
They carol, feast, give thanks,
And dearly love their friends,
And hope for peace.
And now so do we, here, now,
This year and every year.
Posted by: Nan | January 01, 2009 at 09:19 AM
Sopher, in my last comment, I wished you peace; and it sounds as if you've found it.
Congratulations.
Posted by: exile on mom street | January 01, 2009 at 01:38 PM
OMG! CONGRATULATIONS!!!! I am thrilled for all of you.
Posted by: Jana | January 01, 2009 at 05:42 PM
SO Happy for you!!
Posted by: Journeywoman | January 01, 2009 at 11:27 PM
Alleluia! What a blessing. May it be a balm to your spirit. It brings me to tears on your behalf.
Posted by: jumperlass | January 02, 2009 at 12:57 AM
Alleluia! What a blessing. May it be a balm to your spirit. It brings me to tears on your behalf.
Posted by: jumperlass | January 02, 2009 at 12:58 AM
Alleluia! What a blessing. May it be a balm to your spirit. It brings me to tears on your behalf.
Posted by: jumperlass | January 02, 2009 at 12:59 AM
The BABY! OH, THE BABY!!!!!!!! Congratulations Soper & family - I am so, so SO very happy for you guys!!!
Posted by: Erica | January 02, 2009 at 07:24 AM
Congratulations!!!!
Posted by: Peggy | January 02, 2009 at 08:59 AM
A million congratulations to you and your family! (And kudos for battling WalMart on Christmas Eve!)
Posted by: Newt | January 02, 2009 at 12:47 PM
WOW! CONGRATS! What happy happy news!
Posted by: Tessy | January 02, 2009 at 01:06 PM
Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!But,but a puppy a moonpie and a baby? This is gonna be a crazy year for the five of you ;)
Posted by: Mijk | January 02, 2009 at 01:32 PM
Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!But,but a puppy a moonpie and a baby? This is gonna be a crazy year for the five of you ;)
Posted by: Mijk | January 02, 2009 at 01:33 PM
oh.my.word! that is so awesome!! here's another stranger to say that she is soooo happy for your family. :-)
Posted by: beckyk | January 02, 2009 at 02:30 PM
there are not enough exclamation points to tell you how happy I am to hear this! congratulations to you all. xoxoxo
Posted by: Ginevra | January 02, 2009 at 03:17 PM
Congratulations!! What a wonderful Christmas gift!
Posted by: Summer | January 02, 2009 at 03:42 PM
So Exciting!!! Congrats!
What a great way to start the New Year~
Kara
Posted by: kara_b | January 02, 2009 at 09:43 PM
So, so happy for you! Happy New Year, indeed.
Posted by: Stephanie | January 03, 2009 at 12:00 AM
Congratulations! Enjoy every second.
Posted by: Good Egg Hunting | January 03, 2009 at 01:55 AM
Oh Soper! I am so excited for all of you! What a wonderful Christmas gift. You've got me crying!
Posted by: nessa | January 03, 2009 at 05:20 AM
Wow, that seemed to happen rather fast! Huge congrats. My husband and I have been following your blog (mainly me and then I tell him the funny stories *lol*) and are happy to hear about this exciting news. We wish you continued luck and joy in the new year :)
Posted by: Cynthia | January 04, 2009 at 02:35 AM