A gay couple from North Wales have spoken of their adoption journey and why they decided not to use a surrogate.
Rob and Dan - who did not want to reveal their surnames - welcomed their two new children into their family this week.
The couple who married last year had always dreamt of becoming fathers, and now two years on from the initial adoption stage, their dream has finally become a reailty.
After the arrival of the two siblings this week, Rob and Dan say they "couldn't be happier" that their home will now be "filled with the noise of two growing youngsters and their toys".
To mark Barnardo's Adoption Week, the couple have spoken candidly about their adoption journey.
"We may have missed seeing them take their first steps, but there will be so many other milestones for us to share," Dan said.
"The first time I saw this little hat approaching from across the playground and realised this could be my child I had trouble not crying.
"From that first moment I just felt, they were our family.
"I thought, the next time we see them we’ll be Daddy and Dad.
"My mum couldn’t stop crying when I told her we had been matched with the children. She can’t wait to have two new grandchildren."
They also revealed how they have always wanted to be parents, and why they decided not to use a surrogate.
Rob, who works as a chef, added: “We had thought of surrogacy and fostering, but we felt adoption would be the best.
"There are so many children who need loving homes.
"We had talked about it for a year before we applied. We also discussed things with our own families and we have a great support network.
"We are both from large families and we think there has been peace and quiet in our house for too long."
The couple have completed multiple courses to prepare them for parenthood, while Dan is currently studying Open University courses in child psychology, attachment, play and dyslexia.
Once they had applied to adopt, they were visited by social workers before being invited to a Barnardo’s Cymru adoption course, which explains the implications of adoption.
Here, they were able to meet someone who had already adopted who shared her experiences.
Dan added: “We had transition boxes for them which were given to them when the social worker explained we were to be their new family and started preparing them to leave their foster carers.
“They contained books with our photos so they could start getting to know us and we bought them each a teddy. They will be able to choose outfits for them when they come to live with us.
“We have so many things planned for them. They’ve both got go-karts and they’ll be able to ride them along the prom.
"We’ve been told they love history and there are dozens of castles for them to visit across Wales.
"Rob’s a chef and we like cooking and baking so we’ve bought them aprons and chefs’ hats and hope we can get them cooking with us."
Jamie Baulch, Olympic medallist and ambassador for Barnardo’s was adopted at six months old.
He said: “Three hundred children in Wales are in urgent need of adoption and it’s important for me to step forward and say how amazing adoption is.
"It’s a fantastic thing to do.
"Barnardo’s hold your hand all the way through the adoption process and afterwards.”
Jason Baker head of the Barnardo’s Cymru Adoption and Fostering Service said: “Adoption can change the life of a vulnerable child forever.
"Unfortunately some children have a very difficult start in life but adoption can provide the love and security they deserve and of course it is so rewarding for adoptive parents."
Today, there are more than 300 children in Wales currently on the adoption register.
For more details on how to adopt, visit here
