I'm Gonna Be an......

[BernardandMissBianca]

AUNTIE!!!!!

My brother and his girlfriend are in the process of adopting a little girl!!!!! They are looking for a girl about DD2's age, so I am super thrilled about that. I am so excited, I didn't think he wanted kids. He's not 100% sure (scared), but heck who is when they decide to have kids. By the time they get through all the home studies and classes and such it will probably be this time next year before she comes home. I hope it goes by quickly!!!! It's going to be a state adoption, not sure if that is open or closed??

I already told them I was taking her to WDW asap, much to his dismay.LOL He is very anti commercialism and such but his GF said I could. He hates to fly too so he either needs to get over it or drive down.


I'm going to start gathering notes and ideas on life with a toddler, and I think I am going to start a scrapbook. I can't wait for the Gotcha Day!!! Him and GF had never heard of that day before. so I explained it was the day your adoption was final.

YAY!!!!

 

[party of 3]

CONGRATS auntie buffy!!!!

my girlfriend is also in the process. she is doing a state adoption too. her and her dh are trying to adopt brother and sister. they are so super excited. it's just such a wonderful thing. they (my friends and your brother) are giving a child a life that they probably would never have. i was talking to my friend about doing a scrapbook and she said that was part of the process per the adoption. that they had to do one on their family right now and then add the kids on.

it will be so nice for your daughter too!

 

[AlexWyattMommy]

I know of two families who both adopted from China. They both created "Life Books". Here's explanation:

Q. What is an Adoption LifeBook?
a. the best gift in the world for a foster/adopted child
b. a simple, powerful tool which promotes trust and attachment
c. required by law in Pennsylvania for every foster child
d. proof of ones life story
e. something many adult adoptees wish they had growing up

F. All of the above:

"An Adoption Life Book is a record of a foster/adoptee’s life that uses words, photos, graphics, the child’s artwork, and memorabilia. An Adoption Life Book includes information about the child’s birth parents and reason for leaving them. It always starts at the child’s birth. Plus the fun part of when the adopted child first joined the family.

An Adoption Life Book is more than a life story. It is a unique opportunity for parents to honor every minute of their children’s lives. It is the single most meaningful piece of "paperwork" that any social worker can complete. And foster parents? You can give an adoptee/foster child a sweet childhood memory.


Q. What are some of the benefits of an Adoption Life Book?

An adoption life book provides:

A concrete tool for meaningful conversation
An adoption security blanket
Attachment rituals
Structure for difficult material (such as reasons for the relinquishment)
Ways to normalize adoption language
Ways to reduce fantasy about birthparents (could this help with paying attention in school?)
A front-load for adolescence
Opportunities to create positive identity and ethnic identity
Space for future events

 

[StitchIsOurHero]

That's WONDERFUL, Buffy! Congratulations to you and them!!

On the DISigns board, someone made some different "Gotcha Day" T-shirt designs. They might work in the scrapbook, too!!

 

[Kim1964]

Congratulations!!!

 

[aroyer]

That is so awesome! I have goose bumps! And a few tears in my eyes.... Congrats!

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

Thanks for the info AWM and SIOH. I will see if they have to make books. My brother is not very creative but his GF probably is. Maybe it is something we can work on together.

I wish they could move the process along. The social worker was already out to their house, now they have to finish the forms on what kind of kid you want. My brother was surprised at how specific it gets. Next up they have 10 weeks of classes to take.

so we have been explaining car seats, and beds, and clothes. etc... this is all foreign territory to them. only 1 couple from their group of friends has a kid. She's the same age as DD too. Their whole lives are going to change, LOL.

 

[New England Eeyore]

Congratulations! That is such a wonderful thing. A few of my cousins are adopted. I know it was a long process for my aunt and uncle, but worth it in the end. The oldest came to them as an infant, but the second and third were 5 and 3 (brother and sister) when they were adopted from Russia.

Good luck to them!

 

[Lisa]

That is so exciting! Congratulations to them. Perhaps a weekend with the Princess would help them get ready.

I've never heard of Gotcha Day, I've always heard people remembering when they got "the call". And how much that one call changes their lives.

 

[mmkk]

What a wonderful thing that they are doing! There are so many children that need good homes, its great that they are providing a home for one. What a difference they can make in one life, that can lead to a difference in several. I hope the adoption runs smoothly for them!

I worked with foster children before I became a mommy myself and it was such a great opportunity to try and make a difference in their lives. i loved each and every one I came in contact with.

 

[ksjayhawks]

Congratulations!

DS is adopted from Korea and our "Gotcha Day" is celebrated on the day that he arrived at the airport and became a part of our family, not the day of the final adoption hearing. Most of the families that adopted through our agency--and many other friends that have adopted--celebrate that way (some call it airplane day or something similiar).

We still celebrate every year!

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

That is so exciting! Congratulations to them. Perhaps a weekend with the Princess would help them get ready.

I've never heard of Gotcha Day, I've always heard people remembering when they got "the call". And how much that one call changes their lives.

yep, they plan on renting DD on occasion. I plan on bringing her to their house so she can help baby proof.

Congratulations!

DS is adopted from Korea and our "Gotcha Day" is celebrated on the day that he arrived at the airport and became a part of our family, not the day of the final adoption hearing. Most of the families that adopted through our agency--and many other friends that have adopted--celebrate that way (some call it airplane day or something similiar).

We still celebrate every year!

In CT, the day the bio parents terminate their rights they have 1 year to change their minds so nothing is official until the court date. Or at least that is the way it used to be, not sure if the laws have changed. Since it's through the state I assume the child will already be in the system though so I'm not sure if that changes anything.

 

[ksjayhawks]

In CT, the day the bio parents terminate their rights they have 1 year to change their minds so nothing is official until the court date. Or at least that is the way it used to be, not sure if the laws have changed. Since it's through the state I assume the child will already be in the system though so I'm not sure if that changes anything.

Wow! Talk about a year of living on pins and needles, wondering if the parents will change their minds! You would think everything--counseling, working to keep families together, etc, should be done before they terminate, wouldn't you? Tough on the adoptive parents and the kids as well. Just doesn't seem right in many ways.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

It does seem wrong but I guess the mom's that are young may change their minds. I think you still have to go to court though to prove you can take care of your kid. Not really sure. Plus I don't know if the baby was removed from her home or given up by the parents. It's through the state, not Catholic Charities or a private adoption agency so I get the feeling it will not be an open adoption either.
I wonder if the children stay in foster care longer since they have to wait the year for it to be official, with day visits and then a few overnights. I don't know, we'll have to wait and see.
It will be an interesting process, I wonder if my parents and I will be interviewed too.
And my younger brother doesn't know yet either, because he is working in Japan. His reaction will be interesting (he's 11 years younger than me).

DH and I had considered adoption because we didn't think we would ever have a girl, but that was going to be down the road a few years, after the boys were in HS and college. But then DD made her surprising grand entrance.

 

[PrincessNancy96]

Congrats.. Big hugs to my adopted brother too!!!
How neat is this going to be.... I think the idea for a book is awesome..and I love the "gotcha day" or "airplane day".. I've never been around anyone that has adopted (well no one that I am close too) to actually witness how they have handled things...

Congrats again!! What a wonderful gift they are giving this little girl!!!

 

[lewdyan1]

That is so exciting!!! I hope the process goes quickly and smoothly!