[AMom2Two]

When we were placed with our daughter, her birth mother was already calling her by a name she choose. She told us that we didn't have to use it and she seemed embarrassed that she let it slip out in front of us. At first, I really disliked the name she gave her but then I thought about it and I realize, it's part of who she is and where she is coming from. It was a name given to her by her birth mother, and she choose it because it reflected her hertiage, meaning it was an Irish name. I never want to take any thing away from our child. I only want to add to her life and I felt like I would be taking something away from her to not use the name at all. When we took the baby home from the hospital we told her birth mother that we are keeping her name and using it as her middle name. She was so touched and so honored by it. The look on her face was worth a million bucks.

As far as the 20/20 show, I don't know of many adoptions that are like that. I have an open adoption with both birth parents and we only see each other once a year. This is their decision, not mine. I would like to see them more, but I respect their wishes.

Please keep your heart open. You could always start with semi-open adoption and then move it to fully open, if the birth parents are willing.

Good luck to you!