Today I did something I never imagined myself doing. I was part of someone’s birthing plan and helped welcome a baby girl into the world. What a truly amazing experience to be a part of.
This was especially awesome and special as this baby is the biological sister of my son.
We adopted our son in 2014 after being his foster parents for almost 3 years and chose to have an open adoption. For us, this means that we share pictures and updates with his biological mother on how our son is doing and plan an in person visit 2–3 times a year. It was during one of these visits where we learned she was expecting another baby.
The way our family has formed and grown has not been traditional. Our two children were adopted through foster care, but our family isn’t just the four of us. We also cared for and then reunited another foster son back with his biological parents but are still able to have a deep relationship with him and his brother — considering them our kiddos as well. And, by an extension of all our kids, their biological families are also part of our family, just with more boundaries.
To be candid, when I was asked to be present for this new baby’s birth, I was freaked out. Having never given birth myself, I had no idea what to expect or how I’d be able to add any value. I thought I would be uncomfortable, scared, nervous, and everything in between. Side note — I have since shut up about all that since I’ve seen what the actual person giving birth goes through. I have mad respect for anyone who has gone through childbirth. Ouch.
Adding another element to this freaking out came from talking with the mom’s various caregivers and social workers and learning that there might be a question on how and where this baby will be raised, and by whom. We have even been asked if we would take this baby in and care for her if that situation presented itself. We have been put on notice for something that may or may not happen. That’s the thing about being a foster parent: you have to be comfortable — or at least accepting of — being in limbo and not knowing for sure what may or may not happen. So time will tell what will happen with this baby.
It truly doesn’t matter who takes this baby home from the hospital, or who ends up raising her in the coming years, the reality is that this baby girl is part of our family. So, I’m putting it out there for as many people as possible to send a lot of love, prayers, angels, and any other good mojo you have her way, that she is safe, nurtured, healthy and loved.
And that maybe she takes after her awesome big brother!
