The First Days

We returned yesterday to the Hospital to complete the paperwork.  The main issue was the unusual fact that the mother (me) was not present in the country when the birth took place.  I signed the birth certificate form and we will pick up the actual certificate next week.  At this point we will be able to apply for a US passport.  As for the UK situation we are still waiting to hear from the lawyers, who are still waiting to hear from the Home Office.  Most likely what will happen is that we will register the birth at the UK consulate in San Francisco although the best outcome would still be that they would allow us a temporary visa to come home on the US passport since this can be obtained far more quickly.

It's a worry but it's something that will just have to get dealt with and compared to all the problems we could have had there is nothing too serious about which to complain.  Sleeping beautifully in her cot, all wrapped up snug and tight, is a healthy and happy little girl.  

Our main wish for being back in the UK is of course that we want to show her off to family and friends.  A small consolation has been our celebrity status in the hospital so that when we went in to the finance office to settle the bill for Harriet's stay (thanks to her rude health a mercifully small amount in the context of US medical bills) we were immediately surrounded.  People desperately wanted to see her and were so enthusiastic and warm.

I have caught up on all the details of the birth and I am so pleased that it went so well.  The hospital have a protocol for surrogacy and while it was a bit of a new area for some of the staff they caught up quickly.  Harriet was treated completely as our baby (and was admitted as such to the hospital once she was born) and Jay was treated as the mum.  Jennifer never took her eyes off him during the birth because that she was concentrating on what she has always seen as her role: not having a baby but making us a family.  She is well and is back with her children and Jay talked lots and heard such encouraging and wonderful things from her.  Jay met her mother and father and we have received supportive messages from other members of her family.

 In short, my absence aside, everything was perfect.

I was there the next day and arrived just after they had been discharged.  It has been a magical few days with a perfect little girl.  I cannot wait to show her to everyone to let you see for yourselves.  Words are not enough.