And so, last week, I fell off the planet! Okay, not quite. I just birthed a baby. That’s right! Parker is here! His birthday was November 24th, which was only one week (and one day) early after all of our complications. (And just one day before my prediction!) He weighed in at seven pounds, seven ounces and was twenty-and-a-half inches long. My labor was rather long for a third one but worth it in the end!
Needless to say, as we came home last Monday, blogging wasn’t my top priority. We’ve been getting used to being a two-child home, learning about breastfeeding and being rather sleep deprived. Although, for some reason, the sleep deprivation doesn’t quite compare to the newborn stage with our older son. Is it because our new boy is a better sleeper or because we’ve already “been here, done this”? Questions that we may never know the answer to indeed!
That said, adoption wasn’t far from my mind last week. Much like after Nick was born, I told Parker about his older sister. I told him her name, where she lived and that she loved him very much. When I tell him about his family members, the Munchkin and her family are always included. While I will admit to being very focused on the new addition to our family, my heart is also filled with thoughts, memories and emotions regarding the Munchkin, her place in our family and the adoption.
And so, that’s why we’re going to be doing a double focus on the blog for the next few weeks. I’ll be finishing up my series on Post-Adoption Contact Agreements (which would have finished last week had I not been “sidetracked!”). However, we’ll also be adding in some issues that come up in the newborn phase of parenting after placement. I didn’t blog with regularity right after Nicholas was born and so this will be a way for others to witness my experience as well as a documentation of one birth mother’s trip through postpartum hormones and adoption issues. Sounds fun, no?
I thank my readers and fellow bloggers for the onslaught of e-mails over the past week and a half. I haven’t been able to reply to each and every one (yet!) but I’m sure you all understand the adjustment period that we’re going through at this time. It was very touching to hear from all of you and I hope to reply to each of them… soon!
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For more on Parenting After Placement, click here.
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Photo Credit: 2007 Jenna Hatfield.












CONGRATULATIONS JENNA! Glad to hear that both mom and baby are doing so well!
Congratulations he’s absolutely adorable
I’ve said it already but…
CONGRATULATIONS!!!! I am so thankful that Parker is here. What a handsome little boy. Blessing to you Jenna!
Congratulations Jenna — he’s beautiful and so is your photography!
Congratulations Jenna!
He is just beautiful, but that is no surprise, knew he would be.
Congratulations Jenna! What a sweetie!
Jenna,
He is an absolutely beautiful baby!! I hope you all get some rest soon. Hugs and congrats,
Erin
What a gorgeous picture! Congrats to the whole Hatfield family!
M.
Congratulations on the cutie.
Lisa S.
Congratulations Jenna!!! He is absolutely precious
He is so beautiful. I love pictures on blankets. The color sets off the red tones in his skin so well. I know it is hectic, but enjoy every minute of it. Their adults before you know where the years went.
Congratulations and welcome to your new little guy!
Okay I’m really late chiming in here, but CONGRATULATIONS!! He’s gorgeous (and I don’t know if it’s his actual name or a blogging name, but I love ‘Parker’!)
~Stefanie