Shannon Algeo and Pete DeLago, a Lansdale couple intending to adopt their children, became biologic parents instead. Despite the change in how they blossomed as a family, they’re now happily embarking on the unpredictable, funny, and often emotional road of parenthood. Anndee Hochman covered the clan in The Philadelphia Inquirer.

With their adoption paperwork prepped and a social-worker site visit completed, Algeo and DeLago assumed they knew how their future family would unfold.

Adoption was not a biologic decision; it was more of a social responsibility one.

DeLago knew its value; his brother was adopted. Alego felt compelled to do her part for a “…system is overflowing with kids who need homes.”

Then Mother Nature stepped in.

Algeo’s pregnancy had its worries, but she found the pandemic respite from her active job as Gwynedd Mercy University woman’s lacrosse coach a welcome break.

Labor, however, was long and difficult, but ultimately successful.

Sloan Bella joined the family. And eventually whetted the couple’s appetite for another of their own.

The second pregnancy was challenging, with a toddler in the house and onsite back-to-work schedules kicking in. In June 2022, Francesca Cadhla upped the family roster by yet one more.

Big sister Sloan took some time to warm to her sibling. Not long after the baby came home, Sloan would tell her, “Baby bye-bye. Okay, baby go home.”

Now, however, they have bonded tightly, echoing the closeness of their mom and dad.

“Becoming parents has been the most healing thing we’ve ever done,” Alego said.

The full story of the Shannon Algeo/Pete DeLago journey from adoption to biological parenthood is at The Philadelphia Inquirer.