Chasten Buttigieg

And then just like, boom, just like crayon on loud. Everything. Yeah. Jinxed it. You know, there was a time when, when Pete and I, uh, We were on a list, we were on an emergency placement list.

And then just like, boom, just like crayon on loud. Everything. Yeah. Jinxed it. You know, there was a time when, when Pete and I, uh, We were on a list, we were on an emergency placement list.

So that's where you sign up and say, you know, if there's a call in the middle of the night, in our case where a kid is left at the hospital, the hospital works with an adoption agency to make an adoption plan. So a parent might need to be called right away. So we had about 24 hours notice. They give you the call and say, hey, you're next on the list. We really need you. Are you stepping up?

So that's where you sign up and say, you know, if there's a call in the middle of the night, in our case where a kid is left at the hospital, the hospital works with an adoption agency to make an adoption plan. So a parent might need to be called right away. So we had about 24 hours notice. They give you the call and say, hey, you're next on the list. We really need you. Are you stepping up?

Yes or no. And you have a couple hours to decide. We had about five adoptions fall through in the span of a year. And the really hard part is they tell you not to plan the nursery. Don't buy anything. Because when one of those cases might inevitably fail, it hurts to look at the crib, to look at the room, to look at the nursery and have it fall through.

Yes or no. And you have a couple hours to decide. We had about five adoptions fall through in the span of a year. And the really hard part is they tell you not to plan the nursery. Don't buy anything. Because when one of those cases might inevitably fail, it hurts to look at the crib, to look at the room, to look at the nursery and have it fall through.

So we, you know, for Christmas and birthdays and stuff, like aunts and uncles and parents, I couldn't help themselves. Right. And so they'd start getting things. And it did. It always hurt seeing those things in the corner. You get the call in the middle of the night. There's a situation. Are you guys ready to step up? We'd say yes. And then, you know, it turned into 1 a.m., 2 a.m., 4 a.m., 8 a.m.

So we, you know, for Christmas and birthdays and stuff, like aunts and uncles and parents, I couldn't help themselves. Right. And so they'd start getting things. And it did. It always hurt seeing those things in the corner. You get the call in the middle of the night. There's a situation. Are you guys ready to step up? We'd say yes. And then, you know, it turned into 1 a.m., 2 a.m., 4 a.m., 8 a.m.

We wouldn't hear back. And then ultimately something changed. where you think you're going to be parents and then you're not. But then it works out. And, you know, whatever God you believe in or however you come to religion or belief, I think, like, the stars just aligned. And then one day you're standing in a hospital room and you're holding your kids. But there were multiple reasons.

We wouldn't hear back. And then ultimately something changed. where you think you're going to be parents and then you're not. But then it works out. And, you know, whatever God you believe in or however you come to religion or belief, I think, like, the stars just aligned. And then one day you're standing in a hospital room and you're holding your kids. But there were multiple reasons.

There were multiple nights along the way where there was some heartbreak. But then, my God, as you know, that moment you hold them, there's nothing like it. Yeah.

There were multiple nights along the way where there was some heartbreak. But then, my God, as you know, that moment you hold them, there's nothing like it. Yeah.

It's beautiful chaos now. You want it so bad. And we wanted to be parents so bad. And that's the thing that I felt like I kept saying to them. They had some health complications after they were born. We were in the hospital for quite some time. RSV? Before the RSV.

It's beautiful chaos now. You want it so bad. And we wanted to be parents so bad. And that's the thing that I felt like I kept saying to them. They had some health complications after they were born. We were in the hospital for quite some time. RSV? Before the RSV.

So after they were born, we were in the hospital for almost two weeks and we went home and then I got RSV and that's when Gus wound up on the ventilator. I just remember like holding them and thinking like, you're so loved. Like you are so wanted in this world. Like just... Just looking at them, they were like barely five pounds. They were premature.

So after they were born, we were in the hospital for almost two weeks and we went home and then I got RSV and that's when Gus wound up on the ventilator. I just remember like holding them and thinking like, you're so loved. Like you are so wanted in this world. Like just... Just looking at them, they were like barely five pounds. They were premature.

And just thinking how badly we wanted that and how loved that they were and that they were going to be. This huge community, excited to welcome them. And then, yeah, you fast forward. It's like, why is there a magnet tile under my pillow? You step on another Lego and you're like...

And just thinking how badly we wanted that and how loved that they were and that they were going to be. This huge community, excited to welcome them. And then, yeah, you fast forward. It's like, why is there a magnet tile under my pillow? You step on another Lego and you're like...

How does that work? Yeah, I was helping my dad and helping is doing a lot of work here. My dad with a floor in our basement and I needed to go to Lowe's to get some more tile. Sure. And I was driving to Lowe's. As one does in Michigan. Yeah. Right. Just me. Hammer. Hammer. Tools and stuff. And I get a call from the adoption agency and immediately panic.

How does that work? Yeah, I was helping my dad and helping is doing a lot of work here. My dad with a floor in our basement and I needed to go to Lowe's to get some more tile. Sure. And I was driving to Lowe's. As one does in Michigan. Yeah. Right. Just me. Hammer. Hammer. Tools and stuff. And I get a call from the adoption agency and immediately panic.