Our Ukrainian Prince is 2 Today!!!

When we committed to adopting Jacob back in October, we were told when his birthday was.  My goal was to get him home before his second birthday!  We did not want him to spend more than one birthday in that orphanage.  Luckily, we got our wish.  Today was Jacob’s Second Birthday!  Happy Birthday Sweet Boy!! 

Before we adopted, and even during the whole process, I didn’t give much thought to his birth parents.  I mean, I did, but I didn’t.  I really didn’t care much about them.  I don’t blame them for what they did, and I don’t look poorly upon them or judge them for their decision.  If it weren’t for their decision, I wouldn’t have my son home with me.  In Ukraine, parents aren’t given much of an option.  There is no early intervention, no programs, no therapies, no services, no support groups.  The society there makes it virtually impossible for parents to keep their children unless they are “perfect”.

Today I thought all day about Jacob’s birth mother.  More so than I ever thought I would.  I wondered if she even remembered that two years ago today she gave birth to a sweet little 5 lb baby.  This same baby was whisked off because his breathing wasn’t great and every single day his mother and father would come visit him in the hospital.  Until the day when they got the diagnosis of Down syndrome.  They walked into the hospital before their visit with their son, they were taken into an office, told of the diagnosis, signed their rights of refusal to care for him and walked out, never to lay eyes on their son again.  I don’t understand it, but at the same time, as I said above, I do understand it.  If that makes any sense at all. 

So today I wondered if there were two mommies thinking of their son or just me, the one who wants him and can’t wait to watch him develop into a wonderful young man.  The one that is convinced that there is more to him than a diagnosis and that he is destined to do great things.  The one that will watch him develop his skills and be proud of every single milestone he accomplishes.  The one who schedules endless therapies and dr appointments to keep him active and healthy.  One who loves him unconditionally!  Or was the other mommy thinking of him today… the one who gave birth to him and the one who made the other mommy the most happy mommy in the world!  So today, I thank you…  the birth mother, who chose to give him life, because without you, I couldn’t be the mommy that I am!