After getting married, Kevin and Nicole Barattini had their sight set on starting a family. They dreamed of having children together and were excited at the idea of getting pregnant. But like many couples, it didn't happen right away. They kept trying and hoping to get good news, but it never came for them. Still, the Barattini's didn't want to give up their dream of having a family. When considering other options, a friend offered to do something amazing. Everything seemed like it was meant to be, until things took a turn that no one expected.
They Were Having Trouble Getting Pregnant
Kevin and Nicole had been married for a few years, during which they had tried to get pregnant to start a family. They kept trying, but with no success. They never gave up, and were willing to try anything.
They couldn't have known how things would turn out, and the road to starting a family ended up being rougher than they could have ever imagined. Still, they knew in their hearts that this is what they wanted to do.
Lianna and Shaun Have Five Kids
The couple were friends with Lianna and Shaun, who lived in East Moriches, New York. Just as Kevin and Nicole were trying to get pregnant after their wedding day, Lianna and Shaun wanted to start their family right away. Together they have five children and love having a big family.
After five pregnancies, Lianna considered having more children with her husband. Little did she know that she would end up being pregnant sooner than originally planned. And this time the child wouldn't biologically be hers.
Lianna Wanted To Help Her Friend
Having no luck getting pregnant, Nicole and Kevin considered finding a surrogate to carry their child. Although they were unsure of what that relationship would be like, they knew that if they wanted to start a family, they would have to trust the woman to keep them in the loop.
Lianna shocked everyone when she announced that she would be willing to help the couple have a child by becoming their surrogate. For Nicole and Kevin, this was the best case scenario, since they were already close-knit friends with her.
Lots Of Love & Support
Surrogacy is a unique experience. Dr. Richard Klein was the obstetrician who implanted the embryos in the procedure and said that it was "so much fun" having both couples appear at the doctor's appointments, contributing so much love in hoping for a baby.
It was July 2016 at this point, and the embryos had been implanted. Both couples arrived at the doctor to hear whether the embryo had taken, and whether Lianna was pregnant with their child.
Waiting For Good News
In the days leading up to the appointment, both couples were nervous, but especially Nicole and Kevin. They had prayed for a baby for so long, they wondered how much longer they could hold on to hope. Lianna had done everything correctly, going through the procedure of having the embryo implanted. Now all they had to do was wait.
Finally, the big day arrived when they would find out, and everyone's emotions were running high.
Hoping To Start A Family
The Barattini's were hoping for a baby ever since their wedding day in 2010. The happy couple looked forward to their future together, and wanted to raise their children in Smithton, New York, where they lived.
But time after time, Nicole still wasn't pregnant. She went to the doctor's to find some answers that would help her conceive. But the news that she received was not what she was hoping to hear. It seems that the Barattini's plans were not going to happen.
Health Issues From a Young Age
Back when she was 16-years-old, Nicole began noticing small bumps appearing on her skin. A few small bumps turned into bumps covering her entire body. When she went to the doctor, suffering from a fever and fatigue, they discovered that her eyes had also turned jaundice.
The doctor took blood samples and found that her level of platelets was dangerously low. While the average adult has between 140,000 and 150,000 platelets in their blood, Nicole only had 8,000.
Diagnosed With An Autoimmune Disease
After seeing the doctor, Nicole was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease called thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, or TTP. Still just a teenager, Nicole was shocked at the diagnosis, which could be fatal. TTP causes blood clots to form around the body and Nicole was in immediate danger.
After her diagnosis, she stayed in the hospital recovering. She was lucky to have made it tot he doctor in time to be treated, as things could have ended up being a lot worse.
TTP Is A Rare Blood Disorder
So just how much at risk was Nicole? Blood clots caused by TTP have a 95% mortality rate if they aren't treated immediately. The rare blood disorder increases blood glycoprotein in hemostasis, which causes different parts of the body to experience blood clots.
Nicole's symptoms of fatigue, fever, and bruises all match up with TTP, which affects 1 out of every 100,000 people. Most of whom are adult women. Nicole was part of the 10% of this population whose case begins before adulthood.
It Affected Her Later On
Thankfully, the doctors were able to find suitable medication to manage Nicole's TTP. Because of it, she was able to live a normal life and not worry about waking up with a fatal blood clot. Because of this, her condition wasn't on her mind often.
But when she went to the doctor to find out why she wasn't getting pregnant, Nicole learned that if she were to get pregnant, her TTP medication would most likely harm the baby. Due to Nicole's condition, it would be unsafe to go off the medication as well.
Nicole Shares The Bad News With Her Husband
After learning that pregnancy would be too risky for her, Nicole went home, devastated by the news. A while later, her husband Kevin came home, and instantly knew something was off.
He recalls, "I got home from work and Nicole had that look on her face like something was wrong and I'm never going to forget it. I said, 'What's wrong?' and she said, 'The doctor doesn't think we can have children.' And you know, nobody wants to hear that." She explained the risks and he knew it was true.
Pregnancy Would Be A Huge Risk
The difficult part for Nicole was knowing that she could in fact conceive, but the pregnancy would be very high risk, both for her and the baby. She explained, "I was able to conceive, but I wouldn't be able to have a healthy pregnancy. And it would result in death of myself or the baby."
It was clear that it would be too dangerous for Nicole to fall pregnant, and she would need to find another way to achieve her dream of having a family with her husband.
Nicole Thought About Taking The Risk
Nicole was absolutely heartbroken that she wouldn't be able to carry her own baby, and it took her a while for the news to sink in. She was incredibly frustrated that she was able to get pregnant, but that the doctors told her not to.
She even told Kevin that she was willing to risk everything, but he said no. Nicole was grieving a loss and the couple took time to cope with it all.
Searching For A Safer Option
Through it all, they were still trying, emotions running high. Eventually they decided to stop trying to conceive, and face the facts they were presented. They needed to calm their hearts and listen to their heads, because this was a very serious decision.
Then, Nicole decided to freeze her eggs and think about searching for a surrogate, since it would be a safe method of starting their family. They also considered adoption.
Adoption Is Expensive
One of the first options the couple was considering was adoption. For Nicole and Kevin, the most important thing to them was that they had a family, and whether or not the children were biologically theirs, wasn't the most important aspect.
They quickly found out that adoption is incredibly expensive, and that they didn't have the funds to make adoption a viable option for them, especially since they would need to save money to raise the children, too.
Legal Fees Through The Roof
There's no question that there are lots of children out there who need a loving home. But the way the system works, makes adoption an extremely expensive option for couples. Part of what makes adoption so pricey is the legal fees involved, going through the process.
According to Adoptive Families, international adoptions finalized in 2015 and 2016 cost an average of $42,000. Domestic adoptions for newborns averages at $37,000. While their hearts said 'yes,' the couple's bank account wasn't ready for this cost.
Thinking About Surrogacy
Adoption appeared to be too expensive for the couple, so they turned to their next option: surrogacy. They switched gears and started researching the process. Right away, they were devastated by the price tag - more than $75,000. As it turns out, surrogacy is even more expensive than adoption.
Still hoping to make it work, Nicole contemplated who would be willing to carry the couple's child for free. She said, "We had heard stories that sisters carried and mothers carried, but I don't have a sister, and my mother is over the age."
NYC Was An Expensive Place For Surrogacy
New York state's laws on surrogacy came as a surprise for Nicole and Kevin. They had no idea that it was illegal to pay someone to act as a surrogate in the state. To work around the law, they would need to pay someone who lived out of state to carry the baby.
But this was also a problematic option, as it would be expensive to travel to and from doctor's appointments, and they really wanted a surrogate who they could be close with.
Surrogacy Is The Best Option For Nicole
Still, the couple decided that they wanted to go with a surrogate. The medical process includes creating an embryo by IVF, and implanting it into the surrogate. The embryo includes the mother's egg and the father's sperm, so although another woman is carrying the child, biologically, it would be related to the couple.
Like many other couples, this is what Nicole and Kevin saw as their best option. They still needed to find a way to do it, however.
Her Friends Show Interest In Helping
No longer a secret that it wasn't safe for Nicole to get pregnant, the couple shared their dream of finding a surrogate to carry their firstborn. They were amazed at the supportive response from their friends and family. Many of them even offered to become their surrogate!
It seemed that things were looking up for the couple, once they put it out in the universe that this was what they wanted. However, they were just as quickly disappointed when they found out through initial testing that the women who offered weren't fit to carry.
Lianna Had Just Given Birth Herself
Lianna was a friend of Nicole and Kevin's. She and her husband Shaun have five children together and the couples had known each other for 20 years. Lianna loved being a mother and couldn't imagine life without her children.
When she heard of their situation, she was empathetic. She contemplated offering to carry their children, but she had just given birth, and wasn't sure if her body was ready to carry another child yet.
The Medical Bills Add Up Quickly
In order to qualify to become a surrogate, a woman must be entirely healthy. Because the process is costly, and the chances of becoming pregnant decrease as women age, a lot of factors are considered before the procedure takes place. And as Nicole and Kevin found out, not all women are a good fit to become a surrogate.
Once the woman gets the green light to become a surrogate, however, there's a good chance within three tries of implanting the embryo that they will become pregnant.
Their Plans Are Brought Up At Dinner
In December of 2015, the two couples met up for dinner one night. It was clear that Kevin and Nicole were going through a stressful time in their lives. Lianna and Shawn wanted to lift up their spirits, without prying too much into their situation.
Of course, the topic couldn't be avoided, and they soon started discussing having children. Nicole was visibly upset about not being able to have a child, and Lianna, a mother of five, wanted to help.
Are Five Kids Enough?
After listening to Nicole speak about their child bearing woes, Lianna said something completely unexpected. Kevin recalls what she said at the dinner table that night as, "Lianna goes, 'You know I have five children, Shawn and I want to have maybe one or two more.'"
"And [Nicole and I] looked at each other with a puzzled look, like, 'You have five kids, why would you want any more?'" What she said next caused everyone to tear up.
The Greatest Offer Of All Time
It would almost seem like throwing it in her face that Lianna was talking about having a sixth child when Kevin and Nicole couldn't even have one. They didn't know what to think. But Lianna kept talking. Kevin said, "And she goes, 'No, not for me, for you guys- I'd like to carry a child.'"
Nicole and Kevin were completely in shock. Kevin said, "The two of us, just forget about it. We just, we all started crying." Finally, the couple felt that they had found the answer to their problems. This was meant to be.
Sharing The Experience
Lianna knew in her heart that it was the right thing to do. She said, "I was blessed to have five kids, and they are all amazing, and I couldn't picture my life without them. And to see this family so deserving, it broke my heart."
It was the joy that Lianna got from being a mother that led her to wanting to give that experience to someone else, who otherwise wouldn't be able to have children.
It Was a Big Decision For Both Of Them
After giving birth to her fifth child in 2015, Lianna and Shawn felt that their family was complete. Lianna's heart was so full with all the love she had for her children that she felt she had more to give. She was considering becoming a surrogate to help another couple have a family.
Lianna brought the idea up to her husband, Shawn. She let him know that if she chose this path, it would require extra help from him in taking care of their children. He agreed with her idea.
Everything Was Looking Great
Through tears, Nicole and Kevin accepted Lianna's offer of carrying their child on the spot.They were over the moon about their friends' selfless offer, which would help them get what they've always dreamed of.
Lianna passed the medical tests with flying colors, making it official. The timing was right and everyone was on board. Nicole and Kevin couldn't have been happier with finding the perfect person to bring a baby into their lives.
Not This Time
After passing the medical exams, Lianna went to the doctor's to have the embryo implanted. It would only take one week to find out if the embryo took, but it felt like an eternity for everyone involved. Although they felt like everything was falling into place, the couple had been disappointed before.
They knew that nothing was guaranteed, and all they could do is wait and pray. The two couples went back for the follow up appointment, only to learn that Lianna wasn't pregnant.
Trying Again
Although it didn't happen the first time, neither couple was ready to call it quits. The doctor was optimistic and told them that this time around they would implant more embryos, increasing their chances of Lianna getting pregnant.
They had to wait yet another week to find out if Lianna was pregnant with the second round of embryo. Again, everyone was on the edge of their chairs, praying and hoping that this round would take.
Twins!
Once again, both couples arrived at the doctor's office to find out if Lianna was pregnant with Kevin and Nicole's child. This time, the doctor had good news to deliver. He told them that the embryo had taken, and that Lianna was pregnant!
He had even better news on top of that... they were pregnant with twins! Everyone was overjoyed and emotional as they heard the good news. Kevin and Nicole would be welcoming not one, but two babies into their family that year.
Sharing The News
Labor Day weekend rolled around and Kevin and Nicole thought it would be the perfect time to share the news. 60 of their closest friends and family were in attendance at a Labor Day celebration, and they were all about the hear the couple's big announcement.
They stood in front of everyone and asked the guests to be quiet for a moment, that they had something they wanted to share. No one could have expected to hear what they would say next!
Welcoming a Son and a Daughter
On February 10, 2017 the twins arrived. Kevin and Nicole welcomed a boy and a girl. They named them Dominic and Luciana. Both babies were born healthy, and everything with Lianna's pregnancy went just fine.
The couple was overjoyed holding their newborns in their arms, and couldn't be more thankful to Lianna. "It's probably the most amazing thing," Kevin said, "because you think it's the end of the road, now here we are with two beautiful children."
They're Now Family
Of course, Lianna and Shawn became the twins' godparents. They had already been there through every step of their children's lives, and they would always be connected.
Nicole said of Lianna, "I don't have a sister, but I'd consider her like that. We don't hold back, we are open, honest, and I am constantly turning to her for guidance. Everything worked out. Nicole was able to stay on her medication to manage her TTP, and they were still able to welcome two kids.
Advocating for Surrogacy
They didn't stop there. Now having successfully started their family, Nicole and Kevin wanted to share their experience with the world, and advocate for surrogacy to become legal in New York State and beyond.
The couple began working with New York legislators and reproductive specialists to change the laws. Kevin said, "We are happy that our story went public to help others in the time of need." It's honorable how open the couple made their experience so transparent and honest, to show others that it's possible.
It Was All Worth It
Nicole and Kevin never take Lianna's kindness for granted. Without her, they couldn't have made their happy family. Nicole wants other women in her position to know that they too, can find someone willing to take the journey of surrogacy. And it's all worth it.
"There are people out there, like Lianna, that will do it out of kindness. It's easier to find them than it seems. It's never the end of the road." The couple continues to fight to legalize surrogacy.
A New Beginning
In her early 30s, Katie Page was living in Alabama, yet was feeling unfulfilled. She was looking for a new beginning to get out of the rut she felt she was in. Her marriage had recently ended, and she felt completely lost.
It was a time she has described as the hardest in her entire life. She knew that the only thing she could do was to start over entirely, and despite having friends and opportunities in Alabama, she needed to get out.
Making Crucial Decisions
Even after her marriage had ended, she was aware that there were still opportunities that she could take advantage of. So, she decided to figure out which ones were worth examining.
With so many options in front of her, she was hesitant but knew that whatever she did would help the situation she was in. At least, she hoped. It was at that time that Katie received a job offer that seemed like the answer to her problems.
New Job, New Life
Katie took the job and moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado, where she started working as an integrated service manager for the construction company GE Johnson. She was feeling positive that she had made the right decision in order to turn her life around and accomplish some of the goals she had.
She ended up purchasing a four-bedroom home that required a lot of renovation. Katie commented that "The house was a large four-bedroom home. I told my friends at the time that it was meant for 'more,' even though I really didn’t know what ‘more’ meant at the time."
She Was Focusing On Self-Care
Renovating a home, no matter what size, is not cheap by any means. So, Katie decided that she would take on the job herself, keeping her busy, and giving her a purpose. She stated: "The house I bought would require extensive work to transform into my vision – and most of which I would have to do myself in order to afford it."
However, she was doing some self-reflecting at the time too recalling, “I remember literally looking in the mirror one day and sobbing at the woman I saw, and I knew that I was not the woman my heart desired to be.”
She Still Felt An Emptiness
Katie was well-aware that her decision to remodel her home herself would be a daunting task. It was no light remodel either, she would even have to replace the floors! While she felt fulfilled while working on the house and was keeping busy, she still felt that something in her life was missing.
It wasn't long before Katie received a letter in the mail that would change her life forever. She realized she had been presented with the opportunity of a lifetime that she wasn’t going to pass up.
Finding Religion
After moving to Colorado, Katie became a deeply religious person, joining a local church. On that fateful day, Katie received a letter from her church about a seminar they thought she would like to attend.
It was about the opportunity for her to become involved in a foster program for children in need. She wondered if this was the answer she was looking for, and the longer she thought about it, the more confident she became. So, she agreed to attend her church's seminar.
Everything Started To Add Up
In the events leading up to Katie receiving the letter, she had been focusing on becoming the woman that she wanted to be. She moved across the country, started a new job, and became involved with her church.
Yet, she still felt that there was more she could so, not just for herself, but for others. Katie figured that the foster program would be an excellent way to help, and would bring her the satisfaction she had longed for. Looking at all the space in her home, she knew she wanted to put it to good use.
She Needed Support
After deciding to attend the seminar, she knew that she would need to talk through everything before she made such a life-changing decision. So, she called the person that she trusts the most, her mom. If her mom agreed with her decision, Katie knew that it was definitely the right choice.
However, at first, her mom was caught off-guard with Katie's proposition. She couldn’t wrap her head around why Katie was interested in becoming a foster mom. Her mom was well aware of how difficult it is to raise children but agreed to attend the meeting with her.
It Was The Right Decision
After speaking with her mom, Katie was surer than ever that she had made the right decision to attend the seminar. Once she got, there, she felt more passionate than ever about everything. She knew this was exactly what she needed.
During the presentation Katie learned the ins-and-outs of what it meat to be a foster parent, becoming inspired by the many stories she heard from those already involved with the program. Of course, she was also nervous, but this was a huge decision!
Something To Look Forward To
At this point, Katie had done just about everything to turn her life around. She moved to a new city, started a new job, joined a new church, and was fixing up her house! Now, she had this to look forward too!
Before receiving the letter from her church, she had never even considered being a foster mom. Now, she wouldn't stop thinking about it. Yet, that doesn’t mean she dove in head first. She knew what a big decision it was and didn’t want to mess it up right out of the gate.
She Was Diligent Before Making Ger Final Decision
Although Katie believed that being a foster mother was her calling in life, she was also aware of how much time and dedication it takes. This led her to feel both excited and anxious about the whole thing.
On top of that, she hoped that she would even be able to meet the requirements! She poured over the documents and looked at all the options available. After a final discussion with her family and friends, she decided she was going to do it!
She Completed Her Application
On Mother's Day, 2015, Katie completed and submitted her application for the foster program. After taking the proper amount of time to think things through, she knew she had made the right choice. With each step she completed in the program, she was feeling more and more fulfilled.
As she became more involved with the program, she also learned about all the ways she would be helping these children in need, only solidifying her feelings. Even though she was still scared, she wasn’t going to back down.
She Was A Certified Foster Mom
After completing the application process and the necessary training, Katie was a full-time foster mom. Her first few cases weren't infants either, but children who needed temporary housing after a traumatic event.
She cared for each child with all of her heart, providing them with whatever they needed while simultaneously being there for them emotionally. While she took her job incredibly seriously, over time, she began to feel that she wanted to be more than just a foster parent.
She Was A Natural
During her time as a foster mom, Katie had the opportunity to help four children in need. After just her first case, Katie knew that she was meant to help these children. Not only that, but she turned out to be a natural at parenting, making being a foster mom not even feel like a job.
While she was content with being a foster parent, another feeling began to grow inside of her. She started to think that she wanted to become an actual mother herself.
She Wanted Her Own Child
Not long after becoming a foster mom, Katie found herself wanting to adopt a child of her own. She had worked with young children that had grown up in abusive situations, however, they never stayed for long. So, she decided she wanted a child that she would never have to say goodbye to.
However, things were about to quickly get serious. Her next case would be unlike anything she had experienced before and would test if she thought she could take on full-time motherhood.
The Opportunity To Help A Newborn
Soon enough, Katie received a call from the foster program about a specific case. A mother had abandoned her child after giving birth to a baby boy at a nearby hospital and the hospital reached out to Katie to help care for him. Katie was currently fostering a 14-month infant but had never cared for a newborn.
Even though caring for these two babies would prove to be a challenge, she also didn't have a choice. The child needed help as soon as possible. The child was just four days old and had already gone through so much.
His Age Wasn't The Only Factor
After being discovered at the hospital's front door at just four days old, the poor baby needed help, and fast. As if his young age wasn’t bad enough, doctors soon discovered that the baby had been exposed to drugs in the womb.
Fortunately, after some tests, it was announced that the drugs would not have long-term effects on the child. But still, the newborn would experience withdrawal symptoms. Katie wasn’t prepared for this type of responsibility but knew it was something that she had to do.
Rising To The Occasion
Even though Katie was already taking care of a 14-month-old, she knew that she would need to give everything she had to care for this new and suffering baby. However, she knew that she needed to call her mother first, to give her some much-needed support.
Katie asked her mother if she could come and stay at her house to take care of the babies. Her mother agreed immediately. Within a day, Katie had moved into her mom's house, something she is eternally grateful for.
She Named The Newborn
Considering that the baby had been abandoned at four days old, he didn't have a name, at least not yet. Katie decided to give him her favorite boy’s name, 'Grayson’ because by God’s grace she now had a son.
Katie had fallen in love with Grayson the second she had laid eyes on him and felt a connection that she couldn’t explain. She slowly began to realize that the feeling was true motherhood and she wanted to raise the boy as her own.
Looking For Answers
Since Katie had been caring for Grayson since he was just four days old, he had earned a special place in her heart. Katie and her mother looked after Grayson for 11 months while a social worker looked for his biological parents.
However, nothing came up in their search, except his mother's first name and date of birth, which was left on a bracelet on Grayson at the hospital. They were desperately hoping that they would get answers soon.
Grayson Didn't Need Biological Parents To Be Loved
Unfortunately, it was clear that they weren't going to find out anything about Grayson’s past anytime soon. It broke Katie’s heart that nobody wanted to claim such an adorable and bright baby boy. As sad as it was, Katie also saw it as an opportunity.
It meant that it would make adopting Grayson incredibly easy, something she had been considering for some time. Yet, she dreaded the day when she would have to tell him the truth that nobody had claimed him. But she had a connection with him that she couldn’t ignore.
Katie Finally Adopted Grayson
It became increasingly clear to Katie that Grayson was destined to be her son. She had acted as his mother since almost his first day alive, so the only thing that would change would be some paperwork.
Katie also didn't feel guilty since they had done everything in their power to find his mother. She made the decision to adopt Grayson, making him the newest addition to the Page family. He had just turned 11 months old and Katie couldn’t be more in love.
A New Member Of The Family
Although Katie felt like everything was developing so quick, she couldn't be happier. On May 25, 2017, she officially became Grayson’s mother! Her dream of adopting the beautiful boy had finally come true and it felt so good to call him Grayson Page.
Even though Katie knew that she eventually wanted to expand her family further, for the time being, she was content with just Grayson. She wanted to give him her undivided attention for a little while.
Grayson Had To Overcome Some Hurdles
Unfortunately, Grayson had some issues as a result of his exposure to drugs while inside the womb. What he was experiencing was not uncommon for cases like his, they resulted in developmental and physical problems. One of the reasons Katie didn't adopt Grayson sooner was because she was too focused on getting him the proper care that he needed.
Yet, a couple of weeks after Grayson’s adoption was finalized, Katie received a call from the foster agency. They had a baby girl with similar issues to Grayson, and they needed her to take the baby in.
A Similar Situation
After receiving the phone call about the baby girl, Katie knew she needed to help once again, even though she had Grayson to worry about. However, after talking to a social worker, Katie felt like she was having Deja Vu.
The little girl was four days old and had been dropped off in front of the same hospital as Grayson. The child's mother had also been using drugs when she was pregnant. While Katie knew that it was hard work, it seemed like some kind of sign that she would be faced with a similar challenge.
Too Big Of A Coincidence
It wasn't a walk in the park by any means and Katie felt overwhelmed. Yet, the similarities between the newborn girl and Grayson kept her going. She felt like she was meant to care for both of the children at the same time.
After seeing what Grayson had gone through, she knew that she wouldn’t be able to live with herself if she hadn’t welcomed the little girl into her home. She even somehow saw some of Grayson in the girl, making her feel even more connected to the child.
She Never Had Any Regrets
After the little girl was finally settled in with Katie, she knew that she had made the right decision. She cared for the baby girl much like she had when Grayson first arrived in her home.
While the other baby Katie was fostering eventually found a home, it wasn't long before she had two children under her care once again. She had done it once before, so she knew that she would be able to do it again. It also helped that her mother was still willing to help!
The Little Girl Had Been Through A Lot
When the social worker arrived at Katie's doorstep with the baby, the two had a long discussion about the girl’s complicated case. The longer they talked, the more connections Katie made between the little girl and Grayson.
Much like Grayson, the social worker knew little to nothing about the girl’s past, and the two babies medical conditions were similar as well. As soon as she took the little girl in her arms, something caught her eye.
An Interesting Detail
Now, Katie was officially the mother of Grayson and the foster mom to the little girl. While performing her duties as a single mother, Katie couldn't help but notice unmissable coincidences between the two children both in how they acted and how they looked.
Katie thought she was crazy at first, but it turned out the girl’s birth mother had the same first name as Grayson’s. So, she decided to dig deeper and went to the hospital to look at Grayson’s discharge papers.
More Clues
Katie poured over every document that she could get her hands on about each of the children. She wanted concrete evidence before she would claim her suspicions to be true.
While researching, she discovered that the birthday for the girl's biological mother was just one day away from what Grayson’s had listed. Could the two babies have the same mother? Katie thought it was too big of a coincidence to be possible, but also something she couldn’t ignore.
Taking A Deeper Look
Now completely invested in uncovering the truth, Katie really got to work. After months of research and hypothesizing, she finally got in touch with the girl's mom and sat down to talk with her.
During their conversation, the mother admitted that she had indeed given birth to another child, prior to the little girl. She also claimed that she had given up the baby without any records so she couldn’t be traced.
Things Were Starting To Get Real
After some discussion, Katie convinced the woman to sit down with the children's caseworker to see if they were indeed siblings. Still, Katie couldn’t imagine it was possible that she ended up with siblings randomly.
Of course, she also knew that there was too much evidence for her to stop now. Katie commented, "There were features on the babies that were very similar. They both have a chin dimple and the other feature is one that only a mama would see because it’s covered by their diaper!"
The Call She Had Been Waiting For
Finally, Katie received a call from the children's caseworker. She had spoken with the suspected more and the caseworker said: "Katie, I think you’re right…" The social worker was equally as stunned and was sure to double check all of her evidence.
In the end, everything added up with the social worker saying, “Her story breaks my heart and I can’t believe it, but I am 90% sure you’re right and this is a miracle.”
The Final Piece Of Evidence
While the social worker claimed to be 90% positive, the next phone call confirmed their suspicions. She discovered that the two children were indeed siblings after she finally found the last name for both of their mothers. Amazingly, it was the same.
Neither Katie or the social worker could believe what they had uncovered. Not only did Grayson have a little sister, but they had both found their way into Katie's care! Katie now knew that everything had led up to this point.
The Next Step Was A DNA Test
Although Katie and even the social worker were fully convinced that the children were siblings, she wanted scientific proof. So, she took the children in for a DNA test, and the results were exactly what she thought.
The two shared the same genes which made Katie break down in tears of joy. It was obvious what Katie needed to do next and got straight to work on the paperwork needed to adopt the baby girl. There was no way she was going to let the siblings ever be separated again.
The Newest Addition
Katie knew there was a reason she was so drawn to the little girl when she first held her. After learning her true identity, she adopted the girl on December 28, 2018. She was now the proud mother of two siblings, and their story is nothing short of a miracle.
She named the girl Zoe Hannah Page and the two children bonded like any other two young siblings. However, they definitely aren't the same person. Grayson is a lot calmer than Hannah who has a lot of energy.
Katie Was Right When She Signed Up For The Program
Since Katie had first heard about the foster care program, she was drawn to it for a reason she couldn't explain, and now she knows why. After making her discovery, people praised her for solving the mystery about her two children even when social workers were doubtful at first.
She started out with little to no information, but her determination and love for her children proved to be worth it. Now, she has two beautiful children and quite the story to tell about their family!
Another Curveball
Katie eventually met her children's biological mother once again, only to discover that she was pregnant once again. To Katie’s dismay, she learned that the woman planned to do the same things she had done with her first two children.
Luckily, Katie learned of her plans beforehand and intends to adopt the child immediately after it’s born. Although this will add a whole new level of responsibility, she believes that all of the siblings should grow up together. She’s now taking the time before the baby’s born to prepare.
Katie Won't Leave A Sibling Behind
For a time, Katie thought that the children's birth mom was trying to take her children back. However, after seeing everything Katie had done for her children, and the love she has for them, she realized Katie is their true mother.
The siblings’ biological mother gave birth to a boy 13 months after Zoe was born and Katie is in the process of trying to adopt the child. Although Katie has not released any information about the newborn, she has every intention of being the mother of all three siblings.
Katie Couldn't Be Happier
Katie has had quite the journey since she first decided to move to Colorado Springs, but it all worked out in the long run. Yes, she had her ups and downs at times, but her determination to better her life and the lives of others brought her where she is today.
Now, she's the mother of two beautiful children, and hopefully soon a third! Her story shows how quickly your life can change if you’re willing to step out of your comfort zone and open your heart.
