Adoption Updates

[scarlett873]

We're getting ready to send off our application for the homestudy now! DH is out of town at the moment, but we'll get it in the mail as soon as he returns!

I hope little Kiara comes home soon! She's a cutie!!

JadenLayne...I hope the next few months fly by and that the wait minimizes and that you'll meet Ariel-Grace soon!!

Kim...I was just thinking about you the other day...glad to hear your update!

 

[scarlett873]

Each year, DH and I buy an ornament for one of our trees. We mark it with the year so that we remember when we bought it. I have been looking for something either China or adoption related and have come up emptyhanded so far this year. Well, today I hit the jackpot! If you've never been to this website, I would highly recommend it!! They have quite an assortment of adoption themed Christmas ornaments...Even tree toppers!!

 

[scarlett873]

Just wanted to wish all of my fellow adoptive mommies out there belated Holiday Wishes!!

Christmas was hard on me this year...we received a lot of China related stuff for gifts from my family. It was just a reminder that she's still not here...and then I lost it watching the Disney Christmas parade. Every kid they panned the crowd for appeared to be of Asian descent...I actually left the room because I couldn't take it...

Dorissa got her very first Christmas present though! She got a Disney My Baby Princess Mulan!! My mom got really lucky when she found this one at her WalMart...I can't find her anywhere!!

We're switching agencies already. DH in a little freaked about China imposing new rules and he's afraid that if we don't get our dossier to China in time, that we'll no longer be eligible to adopt from China. He's afraid that if we go with a China-only agency, that we'll lose a large sum of money that we wouldn't be able to come up with again. So we're switching to an agency that offers other programs...just in case. We can switch to another country should China's rules knock us out...without having to start over from scratch! The application gets dropped off today!! Woooooo!!!

 

[kdibattista]

Yeah Brandie

That's probably really smart about the agency. Although I'm not up to date about the new rules in China I know that a lot of people are concerned. I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers that you make it before the deadline

I know what you mean about the holidays. I had a hard time too this year especially being with my niece and my cousin's baby who are about the age that Gianna will be when she comes home. I have to stay positive though.

After this morning... I appreciate you guys more and more

 

[scarlett873]

Yeah Brandie

That's probably really smart about the agency. Although I'm not up to date about the new rules in China I know that a lot of people are concerned. I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers that you make it before the deadline

I know what you mean about the holidays. I had a hard time too this year especially being with my niece and my cousin's baby who are about the age that Gianna will be when she comes home. I have to stay positive though.

After this morning... I appreciate you guys more and more

The rules...the only one that is questionable for us, at least, as of right now anyway, is the previous marriage stuff. No one can seem to decipher the rule. Some agencies say that no more than 2 previous marriages per couple and others say it's per spouse...between the two of us, we have 3 divorces. So if the rule is per spouse, then we're ok...but we would have to wait until September to submit our dossier because the new rule is that if you have been married previously, your current marriage must be 5 years or longer. Our 5 year anniversary will be September 10, 2007.

The other rules are ok...we're married, not single...we're healthy...we meet the net worth requirement (phew!)...we're under the maximum age...it's just that danged previous marriage part...lol!

right back at ya Kim...Would you mind posting those links for attachment here for me? Now that things are moving along, I need to start researching a little bit more than I have been!

 

[kdibattista]

right back at ya Kim...Would you mind posting those links for attachment here for me? Now that things are moving along, I need to start researching a little bit more than I have been!

Here is one specifically geared to China adoption: http://www.attach-china.org/ as well as this online support group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/attach-china/ . That's more for people experiencing problems but I think it's always best to be as prepared as possible.

Others I have found helpful:

http://www.a4everfamily.org/

http://www.olderchildadoption.com/rad/RADdescripNG.htm

http://older-child.adoptionblogs.com...-adopted-child

http://www.adopting.org/adoptions/do...ial-needs.html

Hope you get everything in on time

 

[Tink&SquirtsMom]

Hi Everyone,

I am new to this thread (although a number of you responded to my thread awhile back with suggestions on where to start). Dh and I have just chosen an agency and a homestudy agency and are about to get the ball officially rolling by mailing in our apps. We have a 4 and 6 year old at home and are hoping to adopt a toddler boy from Ethiopia. I've really enjoyed reading all your updates. This whole process is so new and intimidating to me, it helps to know there are others out there navigating these waters too!!

 

[rie'smom]

I can't believe that I never saw this thread!! Our DD is now 12 years old. We brought her home when she was 1 week old. She's been a joy from the start. It was my dream from the age of 4 to adopt a child. When DH and I discussed adoption,we knew that we wanted a daughter. We already had 2 sons, I had grown up with 4 brothers and my DH had 7 brothers! It was such a roller coaster and very difficult because we had 2 children. After 5 years,our wait was over.
It is an arduous process but the joy is worth all of the pain. Good luck to everyone!!

 

[kdibattista]

ETA: Welcome Tink&SquirtsMom and rie'smom!!!!

Hey everyone... hope you are all well!!!! Just wanted to share that I bought Gianna's (or Isabella's ) first Christmas present. I know that sounds really crazy but it makes it sooooo real. I found it at Target during their 75% Christmas clearance so I ended up getting him for only $5.00 . It's never too early to get her into Disney .

 

[Tink&SquirtsMom]

kdbattista- Thanks for the welcome.

I know what you mean about it being more real. We are nowhere as far as you guys in the process, (I wrote my check and signed my app today, mailing it as soon as I can buy a stamp tomorrow), but at the Disney Store clearance sale the other day I couldn't help buying my future little guy his first Mickey. It's one of the really soft baby ones. I've been keeping it next to my bed. Having something that is "his" does make it feel more real.

 

[ALittleDisneyFan]

Hi all..

I'm having one of those days... well nights.. I miss my daughter so much & it has been terrible waiting. We have been waiting 107 days to get into PGN (the final court) .. The waiting is getting very, very, hard. We purchased her crib the other day, and it came-but it was chipped. So FedEx picked it up tonight to return it. I'm just all around BUMMED! My daughter will be 5 months on the 19th.. We should have been in PGN 2 months ago.

Anyway. here is a picture of my sweet girl.. I miss her, did I mention that?

 

[kdibattista]

Hi all..

I'm having one of those days... well nights.. I miss my daughter so much & it has been terrible waiting. We have been waiting 107 days to get into PGN (the final court) .. The waiting is getting very, very, hard. We purchased her crib the other day, and it came-but it was chipped. So FedEx picked it up tonight to return it. I'm just all around BUMMED! My daughter will be 5 months on the 19th.. We should have been in PGN 2 months ago.

Anyway. here is a picture of my sweet girl.. I miss her, did I mention that?

She is absolutely beautiful!!! Do you have a name picked out? I hope PGN comes soon for you

 

[scarlett873]

hi all!

We get assigned to our adoption specialist today from our agency! Woo!! My heart's kinda racing as it just feels weird to finally be underway in bringing Dorissa home.

Kim...that bear is cute!! Dorissa actually got two Christmas presents this year from her Grandma and Grandpa! One was the My Baby Princess Mulan (she is so stinking cute...I want to open the box and play with her!) and the other was made by my Mom. It's a white shadow box and inside is an adorable silk placemat and chopstick set that she bought when they were at Epcot a few weeks ago! The placemat and chopstick set is so cute...it's red and has pandas all over it! I'll have to try and take a picture of it for you all to see...Mom made it with the intention of us adding something to it. I'm not sure what...but I'll know it when I see it!

School starts back up for me next week. At least that's some distraction with this wait...if all goes according to plan, we will be DTC around the beginning of April! Phew...this is gonna be quick...lol

Thanks for those links Kim...I'll check them out!!

Welcome to the group rie'smom and Tink&SquirtsMom!! We're a friendly bunch always ready to lend an ear when it's needed!!

Hang in there ALittleDisneyFan!! She'll be home before you know it!!!

 

[scarlett873]

Well...it's officially on!! I just spoke with our adoption specialist (social worker) and our first appointment is Monday!! EEK!!!! I'm in such shock at the moment. I mean, I knew that we would be doing this, but it seemed to be in the planning stages for so long that it began to feel like this weird dream that would never actually come true. And now...it is!! Our adoption specialist seems to be so very nice and put me at ease right away.


HOLY COW....this is really happening!!!!! I wanna laugh...cry...jump up and down...hide under a rock...lol

I'm gonna be a Momma...

 

[kdibattista]

Well...it's officially on!! I just spoke with our adoption specialist (social worker) and our first appointment is Monday!! EEK!!!! I'm in such shock at the moment. I mean, I knew that we would be doing this, but it seemed to be in the planning stages for so long that it began to feel like this weird dream that would never actually come true. And now...it is!! Our adoption specialist seems to be so very nice and put me at ease right away.


HOLY COW....this is really happening!!!!! I wanna laugh...cry...jump up and down...hide under a rock...lol

I'm gonna be a Momma...

I've always wanted to use this one and now seems appropriate

I'm jumping up and down with you

 

[belle&beast]

I'm not an adoptive parent, but I have 3 friends going through the adoption process right now. One is getting 2.5 year old twin boys from Russia and they are waiting for the call that it is time to make their first trip. Another is waiting for a picture of their sweet baby girl from China and the last one is waiting to hear that a domestic birth mom has chosen them. I have learned so much from these three women and am amazed at their strength. I wish all of you the best as you create or expand your families!

 

[skoi]

Welcome to everyone new, and wow
Congratulations to Brandie!

Our one year anniversary is coming up with Madalyn- January 19!

We're waiting on permission to travel from Kazakhstan to get our son. And we'll be going to a city called Aktobe. Here's our website:

http://slightlyoffthesilkroad.blogspot.com

Kim- good luck with Kyrgyzstan. If our paperwork wasn't sitting in Aqtobe right now, we'd be considering that option! You guys will be pioneers!

Julie

 

[kdibattista]

Julie... that's awesome!!!!! Any ideas when you will get your invitation to travel? I'm so happy for you

 

[skoi]

Julie... that's awesome!!!!! Any ideas when you will get your invitation to travel? I'm so happy for you

Well, since Christmas there was just Sunday, maybe the LOIs will start coming out next week? We're hoping sooner rather than later. It's pretty warm there- the city we're going- Aktobe- had a high of 12 degrees F the other day! Usually it's in the below zero range this time of year.

Our dossier has been in the region for a little over a month, but there were a couple holidays holding things up.

Julie

 

[Tink&SquirtsMom]

Congratulations Brandie on getting started. Skoi how exciting. You are soo close!!

We mailed our apps Friday to both the local homestudy agency and the placement agency (WHFC) and are just waiting to hear the agencies accepted us. We did find out that my dh's ADD might be a potential stumbling block. One of the meds he is on for it, is commonly used to treat depression (although not in his case), and I guess thats a big red flag in some countries. We are hoping that just a well written letter from his psychiatrist (who oversees his meds) stating that his meds are only used to help control his ADD and do not impact his ability to parent will be enough to get past that.