ok, so here’s the big news

We’re having a baby.  Yep.  No, wait, let me clarify.  We HAVE a baby!

Charles Landon Sublett came into the world tonight at 10:52 pm, weighing 7 pounds, 6 ounces, and measuring 18.25 inches.  He’s healthy, and beautiful!

There’s a lot of backstory to share, and I am pretty beat, but let me give it a shot.

Several months ago we got a call from Megan, who was part of our ministry during her time at Penn State.  Megan and her husband Neil had recently invited a pregnant 19-year old girl into their home.  She had no place to live, no job, and was unsure about what to do regarding her pregnancy.  They began to talk about the possibility of adoption, and she was open to the idea.  Knowing our bent towards adoption, Megan wondered if we knew of any families who might be interested–and we did!

Over the past few months we have gotten to know Amanda (the birth mom) through skype and phone calls.  We love her!  Amanda came to visit us in our home, and we had some great talks, letting her get to know Team Sublett, and sharing our hearts with her.  We took some time at the beginning of our vacation in June to hang out with her in VA for a couple of days, and got to meet her mother.  Amanda is an incredible young lady who is making some good choices, changing her destiny, and beginning to follow Jesus.

We helped her move to PA about a month ago, where she is able to get a fresh start.  She went into labor early this morning, and we headed to Harrisburg this afternoon.  Kim was with her all through the delivery, and I actually got to cut the umbilical cord!

They kicked me out of the room around 10:15, and he arrived on the scene at 10:52, so the delivery was quick!  Thanks to all of you who were praying for Amanda and us.

There’s a lot more to the story–praying about adding another child to Team Sublett, stepping back into the baby-stage, working through how we can continue to love and support Amanda, processing how an open adoption will work.  We have a lot of it figured out, but, just like most of life, we’re taking it one step at a time.

We haven’t told very many people about this adoption.  To be honest, our lawyer told us not to get our hopes up.  She says that less than 50% of this type of adoptions actually happen.  Amanda has been absolutely sure of her decision all through the process, however, even tonight as she was holding Charlie.  She told us (with tear-filled eyes) how happy she was about finding us, and that she is excited about us being Charlie’s family.  (Only she calls him Landon–that was her name for him!)

We’re thrilled about the opportunity that God and Amanda have given us to raise this little boy.  All of Team Sublett is rallying around the chance to have a baby in the house, and we’re geared up for late night feedings, changing diapers, and carrying around a ton of extra gear wherever we go.

Here are a couple of pictures from this evening.  He’s got some goopy eyes from the stuff the nurse put on them, and there’s one of Kim feeding him his first bottle–all 1/4 ounce of it!