Joss Stone is now opening up about the challenging path she and her husband Cody DaLuz took to welcome their newborn son Bear through adoption. This is a deeply personal and significant chapter in their lives.

The Heartwarming Adoption Story of Joss Stone and Her Family

Rocky Beginnings and Longing for Adoption

The 37-year-old singer, who already shares son Shackleton, 2, and daughter Violet, 3, with DaLuz, had always dreamed of adopting. As she recalls, when she first met Cody, adoption was a topic they discussed in the early weeks of their relationship. They had been trying to adopt for over a year and a half, facing setbacks along the way. There were moments when they were chosen but couldn't complete the process in time. It seemed like the dream might not come true. But then, that fateful call came, and it was a moment of pure joy. Bear's birth mother was incredibly kind, and the entire experience was filled with love.

Using Firsthand Experience as a Guide

During the adoption process, Stone and her husband used DaLuz's firsthand experience of not knowing his parents. They wanted to ensure that their baby would never have to go through that. By putting themselves in the position of being chosen by the birth mother, they created a loving environment from the start. Before meeting Bear's birth mom, they had some difficult experiences with other families, like the one where a birth mom had a whole facade and seemed to have other motives. But they didn't give up. They picked themselves up and continued their search because as parents in this process, they had to be strong.

The Waiting Game and Mantra

Waiting for the adoption to be finalized was a long and challenging time. Stone's mantra during those months was "she's not my baby until she's my baby." She would repeat this to herself almost daily, keeping hope alive. Adoption is a process that requires faith, and she's glad they had the patience to see it through.

Bringing Bear Home and Family Dynamics

After bringing Bear home for the first time, Violet was excited to be a big sister. She wanted to hold him and take care of him. Shackleton, on the other hand, was more focused on seeing his mom. But as time passed, they all adjusted to having a new member in the family.

Balancing Career and Newborn

On Dec. 20 and 21, Stone will be performing in Costa Mesa, Calif. But unfortunately, Bear, who was born 11 weeks premature with vulnerable lungs, couldn't accompany her. However, she's happy to see him progressing quickly. He now weighs almost 6 lbs., having gone from 4 lbs. when she first met him.

The Future of Adoption

This isn't the end of their adoption journey. Stone and DaLuz hope to adopt more kids. They believe that more kids mean more love, and these little rays of sunshine deserve all the love they can give.