Adoption in America

My aunt recently sent me a link to a 6 part docu-series about adoption in America called "I'm having their baby" .  These heart-wrenching stories are all told from the perspective of the birth mother.  As I watch, I know I'll shed many a tear reminiscing about our experience and thinking of all the sacrifices our birth mother has made to ensure we became Emeline's parents. 


Here's a look at what you can expect from the series:

Adoption may be something that nearly everyone is familiar with, but fewer may know what the process involves and just how difficult it can be for those involved. Oxygen Media is now attempting to fill that void with a new six-part docu-series entitled “I’m Having Their Baby,” which offers an inside look at the world of adopting a child, including the story of the birth mother and her experience in letting go and making such an important decision. 

“We are always looking for stories that haven’t been told, and this type of story had never really been told before because in the past adoption has been shrouded in secrecy, it is a lot more open now,” producer Michael Rourke told FOX411’s Pop Tarts column. “We are telling these stories from the perspective of the birth mothers. These are all incredibly remarkable, compelling stories.”

On that note, this week Oxygen released a study conducted by Lightspeed Research aimed at shedding light on the insights of women and men regarding adoption, with the findings indicating that there is indeed a new openness among Americans surrounding the deeply complex and often controversial issue. The survey, which interviewed more than 1000 people between the ages of 18 and 49 concluded that women are still slightly ahead of their male counterparts when it comes to embracing adoption.

86 percent of women polled indicated that they are open to single parents adopting a child (compared to 77 percent males,) 73 percent are open to gay and lesbian couples adopting, versus 62 percent of males, and similarly 90 percent of females feel it is more socially acceptable to adopt children of different races than in previous times, while 84 percent of males surveyed felt that way.

An outstanding 97 percent of both genders agree that adoption is a good adoption for those who can’t have biological children, 90 percent feel the main reason to adopt is teen pregnancy, and 91 percent of participants noted that adoption gives the child a chance of a better life.

But what is it really like for the birth mother who is having her child adopted?

Each hour-long episode of “I’m Having Their Baby,” documents the journey of two pregnant women who have decided to give their baby up for adoption, capturing the emotional struggles and reasons why they have chosen that path. And while each scenario is vastly different, each birth mother shares the commonality of wanting a better life for their child and for themselves. However, the biggest challenge was winning the trust of the subjects involved.

“Any time you approach someone in that time in lives it is hard, it took a long time to gain their trust, for them to trust us to tell their story,” Rourke continued. “But once they jump in, they really let us inside. They all wanted to put a face on birth moms and show adoption as a great choice. It was a great privilege to be allowed to tell these stories.”

Rourke hopes the series not only teaches audiences a thing or two about the process, but leaves them inspired by the heart-wrenching, deeply personal stories.

“I didn’t know how radically different adoption laws are in each state are, and the strength of the women blew me away. I know I shouldn’t have been surprised by that, but it was just extraordinary,” he added.

“I’m Having Their Baby” premieres Monday, July 23 at 11pmET/PT

Read more: 
http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2012/07/20/oxygen-network-takes-unprecedented-look-at-adoption-in-america/?intcmp=features#ixzz21do1VHL5

Hope you can tune-in and learn a little something about adoption.  I'll sure be watching.  Enjoy!


P.S. I realize I'm a little late in sharing this since the series started on Monday (sorry!), but hopefully you have DVR and can record it!

1 Month Old

Dear Emeline,

It shocks me to think that just a month ago we were praying tirelessly for your arrival and for the day we could bring you home.  And today, I'm holding MY beautiful thriving baby girl.  It's been a whirlwind of a month and those days in Dallas waiting to bring you home feel like a lifetime ago.  However, for your sake and for mine, I vow to never forget the struggles that led to finding you.

Every single day you change and when daddy comes home from work, he swears you have grown up while he was away.  And in some ways, you have.

  In one month here is your progress:

• You were always good at tummy time albeit you don't enjoy it.  Your neck control is unbelievable for your age.  And mommy still does tummy time for as long as you will let me.  However, most of your tummy time is on my tummy!
• We have noticed in the last week, that you are able to look up now.  You have been able to look side to side and down, but recently you started to look up at us when we hold you facing forward.  It's the sweetest thing because you have the chance to see the world around you and you still just want to see me.  
• You are your happiest in the morning. In the morning, we snuggle on the couch with the today show playing in the background and just 'talk' and sing.  Finally a week ago you began 'talking' back!  Every day, you coo more and more!  
• You are trying so hard to smile, but we haven't experienced anything other than a gassy smile.  We think you will master it any day though.  I just pray you are a happy baby!  Everything we do is for your happiness.
• For a while, almost every night, you would have a fussy period from 7-8 ish.  Those days are few and far between now.  See you are growing up!  During those fussy periods, daddy and I would turn up Cory Morrow and dance the night away with you.  And you would fall right into a deep slumber.  You love music by the way. 
• In your first two weeks home you loved the swing,  but as time goes on, I think you have a love/hate relationship with the swing.  You sleep very well it in, but if we put you down in the swing awake you aren't so content.  You would so much rather be in mommy or daddy's arms.  And that's okay.  
• Your umbilical cord didn't fall off until you were 15 days old, so we had lots of sponge baths (every other day).  You absolutely loved them.  No tears what-so-ever.  Your favorite part seemed to be when mommy washed your hair and gave you a scalp massage!  Now we have transitioned into baths and every day is a bit different.  Some days you cry a little, and some days you are completely content.  I think you will grow into loving them very soon.  I can just see you kicking and splashing about so happily.  
• Speaking of kicking... You LOVE to kick.  You're leg muscles are so unbelievably strong already.  You kick, and squirm and push off of us with your legs.  You can even lock your legs and 'stand'.  We think you are a gymnast in the making like mommy.  
• You love to be on-the-go.  Anytime we are in the car, you are right to sleep.  You sleep your best naps while we are out and about.  We try and get in at least one outing a day and you are such a trooper.  With that being said, you are a great shopping partner and addition to mommy and daddy's date nights.  You are wonderful anywhere we tote you around to!
• It's pretty clear that you love to be pampered already.  You are so happy when mommy or daddy brush your hair and when we rub your head.  You are not phased by us at all when we trim your nails and you let mommy clean your face at least 15 times a day ;) 
• During the day if we stay home, you just power nap 15 minutes here and 15 minutes there.  Mommy can get nothing done but snuggle with your sweet self and that's alright with me.  You are only this small once and I cherish every second of our time together.  I will be honest though and say, that in the first week I really struggled with this.  I've learned that it's okay to let my house go and all the many other things that I no longer have time for.  This was my hardest lesson as a new mom.  
• You've always been a great eater.  You started out eating 2 ounces every 2 hours and now you eat 3-4 ounces every 2-4 hours (you tell us when you are ready!).  
• Sleep oh glorious sleep!  We've certainly had some tough nights where you were awake every hour and a half and then we've had nights where you wake up ever 3-4 hours and we were so thankful.  But after your 4 week birthday, you decided to grow up just a little more and SLEEP THROUGH THE NIGHT.  It's now been two nights in a row and daddy and I think this is becoming your new normal.  You go to bed between 10-11 and wake up between 5-5:30.  We feed you and 30 minutes later you are in another deep slumber and don't wake up until 8:30 or 9!  I told daddy that you are your mommy's daughter.  Prior to your arrival, I rarely woke up before 9am!  

Here are your stats over the last month:

Birth:

7lbs 8oz

20 inches 

1 week old:

8lbs 1 oz (56%)

20 3/4 inches (81%)

2 weeks old:

9lbs (67%)

21 1/2 inches (85%)

1 month old:

You don't go back to the doctor until you are 2 months old, so per the scale at home - 9lbs and 12oz

We don't know your length, but I will say, you are a tall little lady.  You are very quickly growing out of your newborn clothes in length, but I still put you in them because they fit every where else.  So what if your pants look like capris!

My little love, you are amazing in every single way possible.  In one short month, you have enriched our lives and brought so much happiness to not only us, but every one who has followed our story and/or awaiting their dream to come true.  You bring hope.  You are our dream come true, our happily ever after and God has blessed us far greater than we ever imagined.  One day I will tell you how many people have prayed for you and for our family.  People we have never met have sent such thoughtful and sweet gifts for you and mommy and daddy are deeply touched.  You are loved beyond measure by so many people it brings tears to my eyes.  To simply say you are special would never be enough.  You are our whole world and everything we do in this life is for you.  And just as we promised, we love you with our whole hearts, our entire being, forever. 

We love you beyond measure,

Mommy and Daddy

What a difference a year makes.

July 2011

July 2012

“Life is full of beauty.  Notice it.  Notice the bumble bee, the small child, and the smiling faces.  Smell the rain, and feel the wind.  Live your life to the fullest potential and FIGHT FOR YOUR DREAMS." 

Happy Birthday America!

Emeline's very first holiday was a success!  We went to a late lunch on the water with family and then Kris and I picked up some frozen yogurt and toted Emeline to the park to watch her very first fireworks show.  She slept right through it!

Momma got a little emotional during the firework show.  Listening to the patriotic songs and watching the beautiful display of fireworks, all while having my miracle next to me; got me.  I was filled with so much pride and feeling so very blessed.  I was reminded how very lucky we all are to live in America, the land of the free and the home of the brave.  And because of those freedoms, I have a daughter.