James Willich Berg

Eric and I never really planned on adopting. We have a difficult time having children (seven pregnancies and two births), but we never considered our case difficult enough to warrant adoption, just heartache. However, the moment James’ birthmother called and asked if we would consider being one of her options we felt an overwhelming desire to welcome this little one into our home. We knew that this would be an entirely new situation for us in life but we were eager for the change and the challenge. When we talked to her again at Christmas and she told us that she had chosen us to be James’ parents we were overjoyed and felt so very blessed by her choice.

We had to wait another four months to meet our little one but on April 12^th at 12:48p.m. one of the most amazing, happy,  and handsome little boys  to ever grace this earth was born. We named him James Willich Berg.  James was a name chosen by both us (really me) and his birthmother. Willich is Eric’s mother’s maiden name. Since we have already honored both our fathers (Adam Logan and Caleb Todd) we felt that it was time our mothers got some appreciation as well. Unfortunately for our mothers we only have boys so Cheryl and Pamela will never be used. Maiden names as middle names will have to do.

Our relationship with James’ birthmother was such that I had the opportunity watch his birth from start to finish. What an amazing and sacred experience. I usually participate in childbirth in a much different way which includes me being cut open, stitched shut, and put on pain killers. This time I got to experience the joy of seeing a little one take his first breath and express his irritation at leaving his warm, safe home. I watched as they cleaned him off and I watched as they laid him on his birthmother’s chest and he clasped his hands together and stuck his thumb in his mouth. It was perfectly amazing and I will be forever grateful that I was allowed to be included in that blessed experience.

We brought James home the next day and, as it has been with the birth of all of our boys, our lives have been forever changed. There have been sleepless nights, a struggle to balance my time between all three boys, and the realization that no one will die if they fall asleep in a house that is not quite clean. There has also been joy as I watch Adam adoringly hold his new baby brother and peace as Caleb’s feelings towards him have changed from irritation to indifference to infatuation. More than that, I have watched one more little boy learn how to smile at the thought of a full tummy and grow calm at the sound of my voice. I am so grateful to once again be called mother. I am so blessed.

"Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward." - Psalms 127:3