Elizabeth (Ellie) Hayley Johnson
April 13, 2013 at 7:32 pm
5lbs 10 oz and 18.5 inches
I am an aunt again! It has been a crazy ride. Tyler and Ashley were married in August of 2009. They decided to start trying for a little one about 6 months later with no luck. After a year of trying and no success they started talking to doctors and found there were some hormone problems but the doctors thought they could fix it. After another year they started talking about adoption. Last September (I think) they had decided against adoption. They told mom this and then Aubrey convinced them to take her to a movie. I don't know what movie it was but they came home feeling like they needed to get the adoption process started. They social worker told them to post that they were hoping to adopt on facebook. Within a few weeks someone in their ward said they knew someone that they thought would be a good fit. A while later they met Dontie Shaw an amazing women who wanted more for her baby than she was able to give. They meet with her many times and wanted her to be sure that they were the right family for her baby. On New Year's Eve Dontie let them know that she would be placing her baby with them they also found out that they were expecting. They decided that they really felt like Ellie was supposed to be in their family and so they decided to go ahead with the adoption. Unfortunately they miscarried a couple of weeks later.
Dontie started having false labor pains back in March so we thought she might come early but luckily she waited until a week before her due date. Ty and Ashley asked me to be there for the delivery. It was an amazing experience. Dontie was incredible and only pushed twice. I was honored that they would ask me to be there and even more honored when they asked me to stay the night and help.
It was an interesting experience. I was able to see both sides of the adoption process. I have become friends with Dontie and really care about her. She found an amazing boyfriend in January and is in a better place to care for little Ellie but she had felt all along that this baby was meant for Tyler and Ashley. As a mom I can not imagine giving up my baby as I watched Dontie I knew that she was giving this baby up because she loved her so much and wanted her to have a family. It was so hard to watch the pain and longing in her face but mixed in there was joy and peace. I also watched Tyler and Ashley. They have hoped and prayed for a baby for years. Watching the love that filled their faces when Ellie was born was incredible. They love that baby even if she isn't biologically theirs. I am so grateful to Dontie for giving Tyler and Ashley their baby. She will hold a special place in our hearts forever.
