We got to be there the night before and the day she was born. I got to be in the delivery room. I watched the contractions, saw the pushing, can vouch for the pain endured, and witnessed the birth. I cut the cord and saw them weigh her. It was a little bit later before we got to hold her but I marveled at her beautifully formed face, her full head of hair, her tiny fingers, and her tiny toes.
Birth moms who chose adoption show great sacrifice. They are sacrificing their body for 9 months, with all the weight gain and ailments that come along with that, out of love for this child that they know they won't raise. They're enduring the pain of labor and birth, for this child. I remember a text from the birth mom the next day...as we marveled at how perfect this baby girl was. She said: "She was worth it!" I will always relay this message of love and sacrifice as this baby girl grows. That she was well loved and chosen. One of the nurses who cared for mother and baby while at the hospital commented on how well loved this baby was....between her birth mother and new adoptive parents. Her exact words were, "She was meant to be." I agree.
Although I think that adoption in our country is a broken system....I have thought many times about how at least in our country if a mom knows she won't be able to take care of her child...that she can make a plan for her She can choose a family for her. She has choice. She won't have to end up in foster care or on the street. Around the world mothers are forced to abandon their children. But here there are options for birth moms. For that I am grateful.
Baby Girl
DOB: May 1st, 2014
Time of birth: 9:58 am
Weight: 6 lbs. 6 oz.
Length: 19 inches
After the birth mom signed consents for the adoption, there was a 5 day "revocation period" which means she could have changed her mind in that time frame and chosen to keep the baby. Today that revocation period has expired. We can breathe a little easier and start to really consider R as our daughter.
More posts to come. Right now we are down South staying in the birth state. All 5 of us :)
"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:17