If you would like to read part one of Jacob's story, it is HERE. Jacob was born in Kentucky. We knew it would be about a 10 hour drive, but that was a better option than trying to fly, rent a car, and get to where he was born. Additionally, we would need to travel with all the kids, as my parents were out of town, and Brian's family, is, of course, in CA.
As soon as Brian got home, we packed up the car and headed out. After a quick stop to McD's, we were on our way. Neither of us had ever been to Kentucky. Jacob was to be born on the Eastern edge of the state, where Kentucky, West Virginia, and Ohio meet. In fact, it is known locally as the "tri-state area!"
Not long after we had gotten on the road, we received another call. Jacob's birth mother was in distress, and he was going to have to be delivered by emergency c-section. We had anticipated being able to be at the hospital when he was born, but this was not to be the case. As we drove through the night, I prayed the entire way.
We arrived at the hospital around 7a.m. Brian and I agreed that I would go up to the maternity ward and he would take the kids and get checked into our hotel and then come back.
Apparently, the adoption had caused some confusion in the maternity ward. Because Jacob's mom only knew our first names, and thought that we would arrive sometime in the night, the staff was not quite sure if there was an adoption plan in place, so the hospital social worker was called. I was able to meet Jacob's mom, and talk to her for a little bit, but was not allowed to see Jacob until after I had met with the social worker.
Meeting the birth mother for the first time must be one of the hardest, and also most awkward, things I have ever done. I mean, she is a complete stranger, yet she is willing to give you her child. How do you start that conversation? She was just glad that we had arrived, and happy to meet me. She was obviously tired and in a lot of pain from the c-section the night before. We didn't talk long, but she gave the nurses permission for Brian and I to see Jacob. Then it was off to meet the social worker-I was more than a little nervous about!
As it would turn out, the hospital social worker, Annie, was one of the nicest, most helpful people in the adoption process. She became our go-to whenever we needed help, particularly with anything related to the KY medical system.
Then, after all of this, I finally got to meet Jacob. Our tiny, 4lb 10oz baby, who found his way to our family by the grace of God, who completed our family unit.
As soon as Brian got home, we packed up the car and headed out. After a quick stop to McD's, we were on our way. Neither of us had ever been to Kentucky. Jacob was to be born on the Eastern edge of the state, where Kentucky, West Virginia, and Ohio meet. In fact, it is known locally as the "tri-state area!"
Not long after we had gotten on the road, we received another call. Jacob's birth mother was in distress, and he was going to have to be delivered by emergency c-section. We had anticipated being able to be at the hospital when he was born, but this was not to be the case. As we drove through the night, I prayed the entire way.
We arrived at the hospital around 7a.m. Brian and I agreed that I would go up to the maternity ward and he would take the kids and get checked into our hotel and then come back.
Apparently, the adoption had caused some confusion in the maternity ward. Because Jacob's mom only knew our first names, and thought that we would arrive sometime in the night, the staff was not quite sure if there was an adoption plan in place, so the hospital social worker was called. I was able to meet Jacob's mom, and talk to her for a little bit, but was not allowed to see Jacob until after I had met with the social worker.
Meeting the birth mother for the first time must be one of the hardest, and also most awkward, things I have ever done. I mean, she is a complete stranger, yet she is willing to give you her child. How do you start that conversation? She was just glad that we had arrived, and happy to meet me. She was obviously tired and in a lot of pain from the c-section the night before. We didn't talk long, but she gave the nurses permission for Brian and I to see Jacob. Then it was off to meet the social worker-I was more than a little nervous about!
As it would turn out, the hospital social worker, Annie, was one of the nicest, most helpful people in the adoption process. She became our go-to whenever we needed help, particularly with anything related to the KY medical system.
Then, after all of this, I finally got to meet Jacob. Our tiny, 4lb 10oz baby, who found his way to our family by the grace of God, who completed our family unit.
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