Rob & Annette

The decision to start a family is one that is based on not only on logic and circumstance, but also on ones feelings. Our decision comes with a confidence, happiness and excitement that will stay with us and continue to grow as will the love and support we give your baby. We would be blessed if you would choose us to be parents for your little bundle of joy.

A Moment

Before we begin, we would like to take a moment to thank you and wish you the best while you work through this adoption process. We can’t imagine how difficult and confusing it must be for you, but stay strong and be confident in your decisions moving forward.

Annette has always had adoption as part of her plan. Being a part of the initial meeting of an adoptive infant at age 10, this moment was so moving that it has become her passion. Rob quickly recognized this passion and it became one of his own. Annette was a nanny for 2 adopted children for nearly 3 years. Once Rob was introduced to the family there was no turning back. He was able to see how diversity in a family is so important yet unrecognizable at the very same time. Over the years we have become “part of the family”. Both of the kids know that no matter what, Annette and Rob will still continue to be there for them as they face their journey to and through adulthood.

The Beginning

Our meeting for the first time seemed quite random. I (Rob) was outside on break at the store I worked at, and Annette was a customer. We caught each others eye as she entered the store, and upon her exit, I made an uncharacteristic move to strike up a conversation. After a brief but enjoyable chat (my break was technically over before I even approached her), I insisted she email me one of these days. “One of these days” came and after a couple weeks of emails, IM’s and phone calls, it was time I asked her out on a date. Getting a chance to see each other again, we both knew there was something special between us.

After about 2 years of dating, we moved from the east coast back to Annette’s home state in the mid-west so she could complete her degree. Then back to the east coast due to her acceptance to an internship program at a prestigious hospital. Shortly upon completion of the internship (almost 6 years ago), we both decided that we wanted to focus on paying off some debt, saving some money to buy a house and then starting a family.

We were married March of 2006 in Jamaica surrounded by a small group of family and friends. It was important for us to have an intimate wedding where our guests felt a apart of our special day, and an island wedding weekend was the perfect setting. Not only were we able to share our wedding with our friends and family, we shared a mini-vacation with them until their departure which allowing the honeymoon to begin.

Annette continued to advance in her field as a Dietitian, ultimately focusing on Pediatrics (she has loved caring for kids since… she was one herself!) and I continued in the field of computers and work for a software company. Two years ago we packed up and moved to North Carolina.

We have been together for 11 years now and have been married for 4 1/2 years. After finally purchasing a home last year, we are more than ready to get a family started.

I have worked for the same software company for over 5 years now. I love my job and am blessed with being able to work from home. My office is right upstairs and it allows me significant flexibility. Annette continues to work with children, helping get inspired to be healthy.

Our Home

When we were looking for our house it was important for us to be in a city, however maintain a small town feel since that is the way we grew up. We live in a quiet development that is culturally diverse. Our neighborhood also is one in which children gather and play. There is a wooded area across from our house which you can hear children playing regularly. Not to mention a playground that is very close as well.

Our house is two story, 4 bedroom 2.5 bathrooms with one of the bedrooms being my office. When we bought our house we focused on school districts, knowing this was a place we would call home for several years to come.

We have 2 cats that are very different. Zinc is very protective of his family and loves to spend his nights curled up in bed (and days curled up on your lap, wherever that happens to be). Flynn is very shy yet very aware of what is going on around him and in the house. When Flynn wants attention he is sure to let you know.

Family

Despite our own families living in different states, it is very easy to keep up with the daily events of either side of the family. We have also created our North Carolina family. If we are not travelling home, then we will still be a part of holiday gatherings with friends or neighbors. The feeling of family, celebration, and tradition is so important to both of us not to mention looking forward to creating and expanding on our own traditions as a family.

We travel north for Thanksgiving annually and take part in 2 thanksgiving dinners. Talk about walking away from 2 meals feeling absolutely stuffed! Then there is the Christmas preparation of candy house building that is an annual tradition on Black Friday (not to mention shopping). Followed by a lunch with old friends on Saturday. As you can see the trip is packed, however there is time for everyone that is important in our lives to be able to see us and spend some quality time.

We also really love football! Annette was born a college football fan and this is a tradition we cannot wait to share with our family. We go to Annette’s home state in the fall annually for football and family. This is the perfect time for family gatherings as we do not have to typically worry about the snow intruding in our plans. We also stay in close contact with family through phone calls, text messages and emails. We look forward to using technology to its fullest to be able to share our expanding family with our family that is not geographically close.

Fun Times

The one of the hobbies we do together is jogging. Annette accepted a challenge from a friend to run a half marathon over a year and a half ago, and the togetherness of Rob and Annette’s training was born. We run outside as often as possible and we look forward to having a baby in a jog stroller to enjoy the great trails in the city which we live in.

Annette is a board member of a children’s running program which helps inspire children to set goals and follow through. Both of us get much joy out of watching children complete their first 5k and how empowered they feel. Many of the children that have done the race before know Rob as the ‘pancake man’ and look forward to their post race treat!

Annette is a self taught cake baker, and enjoys the relaxation that piping a cake brings. Not to mention the joy it brings to the individual she has baked for.

Rob is “mister fix it” and loves to use his hands building things. From something simple as a shelf to a enclosed garden, he is very handy and loves to be outside building things which is a skill that his father taught him and he looks forward to sharing with our child.

Vacation

Before Rob and Annette met, Rob had little experience in travelling but now its something that we love to do. In the 11 years Rob and Annette have been together we have had vacations which have simply been loading up the car and exploring what is within driving distance or flying to places which require a passport. We also enjoy a weekend escape to the mountains or to the beach, which North Carolina makes all too convenient!

About Adoption

We thank you for your courage, not only for doing what you feel is best for yourself but also for your baby. The love, nurturing and opportunities we will provide your child are limitless. We hope that we can be the ones to provide you with the comfort of knowing your baby is in good hands and will be part of a loving family, which we intend on expanding on! While being an only child has its perks, having a brother or sister to grow up with will make for a wonderful journey. Best wishes on the decision you are facing, and God bless.

If you’d like to learn more about this family contact us by either calling our birthmother hotline operator at 1-877-890-4673 (HOPE) or by e-mailing us.