40 Weeks

Exactly 2 years ago, Charlie's birth mother was 40 weeks pregnant. Her due date. I'm speculating here, because I don't really know, but my professional guess is that she was induced at 41 weeks. I know for sure that Charlie was born at 41 weeks, and, because the risk of stillbirth rises quite a bit between 41 and 42 weeks, labor induction at 41 weeks is a common practice.

I imagine baby Charlie, all curled up in her belly, one week left with his birth mother. I wonder what she was thinking. Was she sick of being pregnant, just wanting it over with? Or not really wanting the pregnancy to end, since she knew delivery meant giving up her child?

She has to be thinking of him now, though. How could she not? I imagine she thinks about him all the time, but on the eve of his birthday, she must be thinking of him more than usual.

We are thinking of her as well. When we celebrate Charlie's 2nd birthday on Christmas Eve, we'll think of her. We'll drink a soju toast for her (oh yes, we will...family, be prepared. We are already planning a stop at H-mart in Atlanta, and this year will spend more than $3 on the soju!). We'll take photographs for her, and send them to Seoul. We'll thank her, as we do often anyways, for giving him a good start in life, and giving us our son.