Baby Girl!

Temple gave birth to a healthy baby girl sometime around 6:00 pm Georgia time tonight. Both mother and baby are doing well. The case worker believed the baby to be 7 lb, 5 oz but will get confirmation in the morning.

Temple wanted some time alone after the birth, so the case worker was not able to see her this evening. However, they did speak by telephone just a little bit ago. From what the case worker can gather, it seems that all is well and Temple is still planning to place. Temple has not, however, told her mother yet about the adoption (and possibly not about the pregnancy - some mixed info on this). When the case worker asked Temple how that would all work out, Temple just said, "It will work out." She is very quiet, but the case worker said she sounds fairly confidant about this, at least over the telephone. However, there is still that red flag out there.

Since the case worker could not actually see Temple tonight and have a face-to-face conversation, she has advised us to wait until at least tomorrow morning to travel. Tomorrow morning Sandra will talk with Temple in person. If that meeting goes well and Temple seems confident in her adoption plan, then the case worker will call us and advise us to start our trip. I don't expect that to happen until at least 9:00 am or 10:00 am our time.

If she is still feeling certain about the adoption plan, Temple will sign surrenders sometime after 6:00 pm Georgia time tomorrow night. I believe the ten-day revocation period begins at that time. But revocation becomes statistically less likely at that point.

Temple will likely be released from the hospital tomorrow sometime. It's disappointing because we so much wanted to be there for her. We do not know yet whether the baby will go into a "Caring Home" at that point, or whether she'll stay at the hospital an extra night so that we can get there and avoid having her transferred to an interim care situation. That will remain to be seen and may depend somewhat on our expected arrival time. I've heard nothing but wonderful things about the Open Door Caring Homes, but we'd certainly prefer that she comes straight from the hospital into our arms if we can make that happen.

So much to think about. We're off to say our night prayers... for Temple and the new baby.