Thursday, June 26, 2008

Family Court is good for something afterall!

Squeak's adoption is final!

For some families, this is a big event, but we weren't all that excited by it. We feel that Squeak has been ours since the 30-day-wait was over, last April. Since then, there has been no doubt who he is and who we are to him.

The weird part was going into the Family Court. The same court we've been to with Niblet. The same court that screwed her over numerous times. The same court that, hopefully, will make it as right as can be and leave her with her aunt and uncle and cousins. I imagined, eons ago, that we'd be in that court some day finalizing Niblet's adoption.

Fortunately, we were in front of the 3rd judge, the one we've never met, so it was easy to focus on the present. We met our lawyer there (for the first time) and she gave told us what to expect, and then all 4 of us went into the courtroom. There was nobody else there, just us and the judge and the court reporter. I think I expected a county representative, for some reason! The judge asked verified that we all were who we said we were, said hi to Squeak, and then "made it so". It took about 62 seconds. No biggie. We hadn't brought a camera (because we didn't really care about memorializing the day), but the lawyer apparently did, so we posed with the judge for a picture.

The exciting part came after we left the courtroom. The lawyer was packing up and said the new birth certificate should arrive between 6 week and 6 months and to let her know if it didn't. fostermama asked if, by any chance, there was a way to get a copy of his original (real!) birth certificate. She said "well, if I have it, I'll give you a copy" and then realized that she probably had it on her, if she had it at all. After shuffling through our file, she pulled out an official birth certificate, told us to wait a minute, and went to make a copy.

And that was that. The paper that we aren't supposed to have, the paper that is no longer official (because, officially, fostermama and I "gave birth" to Squeak - um, there are so many levels on which that's impossible), is now in our possession, laminated and ready to go in our safe deposit box.

Although we knew Squeak's birth name and his mom's name, we now have his time of birth (estimated, I'm guessing, as he was born at home and then transported to the hospital), and his mom's address at the time of his birth.

We still send pictures, etc., through the agency, and his mom didn't want any contact with us, but it's still interesting to have her address. It might come in handy when Squeak is older. At the very least, we can visit the address and show him the neighborhood where he was born.

Anyway, we already received the adoption certificate in the mail, and we're planning on keeping copies of it with us, in case we ever need to prove to someone that we are a family. But anyone who sees us can tell. Just one look at Squeak's little face when he's running towards us is enough for most people.

8 comments:

Yondalla said...

Congratulations!!

StarfishMom said...

FINALLY!!! SO excited for you ALL. Congratulations!!!

Amanda said...

Yay! Congratulations - both on the finalization AND on getting the original cert.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations!!! Very happy for all 3 of you!!

Tricia said...

And another, Congratulations!!

Such a formality- still, nice that it's done.

art-sweet said...

Yipppeee! So sorry I hadn't read this when I saw you the other day - I could have congratulated you in person! And bravo for getting the original b.c.

Jessa Fee said...

Belated but elated congratulations! I get what you mean about Squeak being "yours" from the instant your lives connected, but it's still a big happy milestone (and one for which I would saw off my right leg to get to experience). YAY Squeak, it's official!

Anonymous said...

Congrats on Squeak, and my heart cries for you and Niblet. My partner and I have an 11 year old via I.A. and have been fortunate to adopt 3 bio siblings from foster care. Our first placement and then his baby sisters. He was just a month old and the girls from birth. I would have died if we had lost them. Some relatives were going to with our son and they decided to go to bat for us and then other grandparents for one of the girls, but they backed off at the prospect of a home study. We are still foster parents, but have adopted all the kids, we stay certified but don't have any room right now for anymore kids, plus these four keep us plenty busy!!! Anyway many blessings for you and yours.