I'm back!

And all went really well!!! We flew in Sun night and then got up bright and early on Monday to meet with our attorney. We did the generic contract review, payment of the retainer, adoption disclosure forms, etc. Then we packed up and headed over to the other attorney’s office.

There we met briefly with him so that he could let us know what to expect as far as actually meeting the birthmother. She was nervously waiting in a conference room for us while we chatted with the lawyers. We were terrified, especially since when we finally went in, we had to attorney’s watching us and listening to everything we had to say.

At first it was awkward, but once we started talking it went very smoothly. She started by asking a couple of outstanding questions that she had, then she segued into our questions by telling us what it was about our profile that made her choose us.

It was great to finally hear some live feedback on that. Basically it came down to a few things; 1) she thought we were very honest in our responses, 2) she liked that we weren’t in the area and that meant that her son would grow up knowing something different than she did; and that 3) we have adoptive family members so that meant the families were open to the idea (I have 2 cousins and a brother in law who were adopted).

We chatted for a while longer at the office then we took her to a couple of appointments she had (she doesn’t have a car) and then to pick up some pictures of her other children that she wanted us to see. At that point she took a look at our album and we gave her the small gift we had brought for her. She was so touched and kept telling us that we shouldn’t have.

Then we went to lunch at Applebee’s where we talked for another couple of hours. All in all it was a great experience, though I really wasn’t sure what to expect. I feel confident that this is a good fit all around and that she is solid in her adoption plans. According to everyone involved, the bf is also a very willing participant in the plans too. She really seems to have a good head on her shoulders and has chosen to make better choices for herself moving forward. She also assured us (a few times) that she is definitely going through with this.

Now we wait until she goes into labor. In her last (2nd) pregnancy, she went at 36 weeks, which is where she is now. And her labor only lasted 4-6 hours. So, it is possible that we won’t be able to make it down in time to see it. She does want us to be there but understands that it might take us too long to make the trip (even flying).

There are probably things that I am forgetting, but I am too tired to even think right now. I'll reread this tomorrow to see if there is anything I have forgotten.