Adoption Update - I

I have a ton of information, not much of it good. Are you ready to follow?

1. The birth mom liked us, but still isn't sure what her decision will be. Even though she told us she knows the right decision would be placing the baby with us.

2. Birth moms who are sure of their decision to place, once they hold the baby in their arms, very likely change their mind and keep the baby.

3. Adding those two together, a birth mom who is not sure, once she holds that baby, I don't think there is a chance in the world she'll place her.

4. Birth father has been notified of his rights. He has until May 7th to sign the putative father registry. If he does, he will parent the baby.

5. If he does not, and the baby is born before May 7th (and she is due May 2nd), the 30 days starts over and he has more time to sign the registry, or file paternity with an attorney. This is considered a "legal risk" adoption, which is pretty common. And actually was the case with Hannah.

6. Birth father's parents would like to adopt the baby, but are refusing to do a homestudy. So they may convince the birth father to sign the registry so they can raise the child and save the $17,000 it would cost to adopt her.

7. Birth mom stated she would talk to the birth father and get him to sign consent.

8. Best case scenario? Birth mom gets him to sign consent. Or she doesn't go into labor until after May 7th (not likely, as a risk of teen pregnancy is delivering early), and birth father doesn't sign registry.

9. Worst case? Birth mom gives birth before May 7th, places the baby with us, then birth father hires an attorney. That is when Matt and I would have to decide if we are going to hire an attorney also to fight for parental rights, or if we would just let the father have her (there is no good way to state that without making the baby sound like an object.)

So we have let the Lord know we would like this baby (in case He didn't know already:)). However, we are just going to begin crossing bridges when we get there.