I just cannot sleep!!

It is just past 3:00 am and I cannot stay asleep.  This is, without question, the biggest day of our lives.  When we started on this path over four years ago, I never dreamt it would take this long and I never dreamt so many hills and valleys would come along. I just knew that Denise and I loved children and wanted to start a family. I still remember when Ken, our home study social worker, asked me why I wanted to adopt. I told him that I had 11 nieces and 1 nephew (which has since expanded) and had been "Uncle Dan" since I was twelve years old. I was ready to be "Daddy."  I have never been happier than when spending time with my nieces.  Dancing the tango with a 10 month old Katie, singing La-La-La-La-Lasagna with Rachael, being chased by a tiny monster named Amberly who waved her hands and moaned "Wooow" over and over, watching Jenna spin and twirl on the dance floor at our wedding reception, seeing Taylor dressed as a baby lion on Halloween, watching a variety show performed by our little drama queen Marie Grace and Katie (who made us smile alot alot), seeing "little Mo" ride "It's a Small World" the first time and then imploring every character in Disney to "hug Zachie,"her patient big brother, watching Ryleigh open presents one tiny rip at a time, watching Emily use her eyebrows and attitude to stare down grown men, Tegan leaving a phone message asking if she should hold onto her lost tooth a couple days till Easter so the tooth fairy and the easter bunny can meet, and watching Bryce tromp Godzilla-style through Ryleigh's teaset. These are some of my most treasured memories. To know that I will begin making a lifetime of memories with my own daughter in a handful of hours is thrilling and humbling all at once. I am so sad that my father did not quite make  it to this day, but I know Papa Jerry will be watching over her forever, along with Nana and Papa and Grandma 'Nette, aunts and uncles (both through blood and through friendship), and dozens of cousins who have been eagerly anticipating this day right along with Denise and I.  I can only pray that we can raise a wonderful daughter like Jen & Doug, Joe & Suzie, Liz & Ron, Joseph, Michael & Carolyn, and Steve & Brooke have.  I love you all and cannot wait for Gigi to meet every member of her crazy, wonderful new family!! Love,    Uncle Dan (and in about 11 hours..).Gigi's Daddy    ----- End of message -----