Baby Blythe is 3 weeks old!(Adoption Update)

I have been meaning to post an update, but with lack of sleep and settling in it has taken me much longer than I hoped. And, to be honest I have probably been pushing back so much of the emotion that we experienced in our goodbyes. A sweet follower from Atlanta let me know tonight that she would love to hear an update, and I think it will actually be freeing to talk about how the goodbyes went and what we are feeling today.

In the last post we were preparing to say goodbye to the birthmother. As I stated before, we knew it would be heart wrenching and had really tried to prepare, but nothing could prepare us totally. It was one of the most emotional processes my husband and I have ever gone through. For us we had joy and the birthmother had sorrow. And, when you are part of something like this you feel like you can only have but so much joy because the other side of hurting so deeply.

We spent about 3 hours saying our goodbyes with the birthmother and her family on the morning that we checked out of the hospital. It is a time that I don't think I will ever forget. I dressed Blythe in her going home outfit and wheeled her next door to the birthmother's room so she could spend some alone time with her. Reggie and I loaded up the van and I tried not to talk because I was holding back the tears that I knew would spill over at any moment.

The adoption agency's social worker came to our door and let us know it was time for all of us to sign the parental rights paperwork. I had no idea how the birthmother would be emotionally during the process, but she wanted Reggie and I there for the entire process. After the paperwork was signed we spent a wonderful time together sharing Bible verses that had spoken to us during the entire adoption process and I got to speak heart to heart with the birthmother about the connection she and I will always have through Blythe. Reggie ended our time in the hospital room with the most beautiful prayer.

We wanted the birthmother to be wheeled out holding Blythe so we followed beside her as we all left. I didn't say much except to reassure her that her decision was for Blythe and that we were going to love her so much. As we waited for the final goodbye I wanted to flee. I couldn't believe we were part of something so big and special. My heart broke as I watched what seemed like millions of tears fall from the birthmother's eyes. I kept putting myself in her shoes and wondered if I could have had such maturity at her young age. And, because I was blessed to have already been a mother God used this experience to help me understand the true sacrifice that was taking place.

The hardest and most emotional moment was when she handed Blythe to me. That was her final goodbye and she watched as I placed her in the car seat. How do you drive away with the biggest blessing ever and know that the birthmother would get into her car empty armed? Reggie and I didn't talk for the first 15 minutes of our drive home. All we could think about was what just happened. The day we had prayed for was finally here and the somehow it was so much harder than we imagined.

We had a 2 1/2 hour drive home and had lots of time to talk to one another about how we were feeling. We looked forward to Rhett meeting his baby sister and capturing that reaction on video and just being home as a family.

Throughout the entire process we had such wonderful support. My girlfriends made the process truly special with their excitement and love they had for Blythe before even meeting her. My sweet friend Danielle kept Rhett for the time we were in the hospital and met us before t-ball practice so Rhett could meet Blythe for the first time. It was a sweet time. I had the video camera ready as he hopped in the van to catch his first peek. His face lit up and he wanted to know "Where is her price tag?" Don't you just love what kiddos think up! My other sweet friend Melanie was so excited to see Blythe she to drove to the t-ball practice and hopped in the van for a peek. So, because the wind blowing and it was so chilly there was me, Blythe, Rhett, Danielle and Melanie all huddled in the van to give Blythe her welcome home!

The next several days felt unreal. Was there really a baby in our house?! We still had a 7 day waiting period that the birthmother could change her mind so I tried to not become too attached in case we received that dreaded call. Reggie feel head over heels right away and never thought twice about that happening. The seven days came and went and we officially got word on Reggie's birthday that Blythe was our daughter forever. That's the biggest birthday anyone could ask for.

The last 3 weeks have been filled with updates to the birthmother to hopefully help her healing process and just getting to know Blythe. Rhett has been going through a transition, but each day I can tell he is learning more about how to be a big brother and we are learning how to balance 2 kiddos. I have put homeschooling on the back burner for the last few weeks and we have just been hanging out together and having fun.

Here is some of what we have been up to:


A few days after we arrived home my super talented friend Nicole Rogers came to our home to take the photos I had dreamed about for years. I will cherish these forever!


Of course, there have been lots of firsts but we had the best time at Blythe's first trip to the pumpkin patch when she was only 11 days old. Rhett and his Buddy Riley made sure to pick out a pumpkin for Blythe!

This past Saturday my girlfriends hosted a Sip and See shower in honor of Blythe. It was a special time as so many who had prayed for our adoption and the special child that God had chosen for our family were there to meet her for the first time. All the hugs and kisses she received wore her out as you can see.


We are enjoying getting to know her and can't wait to make many more special memories with her!