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| Jenn | Posted: Apr 13, 2007 01:15:15 PM
Hi Angel, welcome to the forum!
| | Angel | Posted: Apr 10, 2007 08:28:04 PM
Hi every one I am new With AA. my husband and i just had our home study last friday on the 6th. we cant wait to become active. we have to wai for my husband to get insurance on the 7th or may since he started a new job in feb. but we are hoping the home study will be done and approved by then. we did lvl 2 theraputic foster are for 2 yr and then took a 1yr and a half off befor we desided to go forward with private adoption. I am so hapy for all you new mom and moms to be that have een matched. I and a controll freak and hate waiting . so the adoption is one of the hardest things I have ever done since I find myself unable to speed things up, since they are out of my control.I am wandering if any one has flowen after adopting and how they delt with security and baby formula and other supplies. I also think having some sort of adoption survial reunion would be very nice. :)
| | Jenn | Posted: Apr 09, 2007 03:59:52 PM
Thanks, Lisa! You know, we have an anonymous email account where we've been emailing back and forth with our birth mother. I'm thinking that perhaps it is okay to post that here for you all to be able to use. The latest word is that our BM is going to the doctor on Tuesday so we should hopefully get some more info then, and we'll likely have one more conference call before the delivery. We are DEFINITELY getting anxious now!!!! Happy Easter to all of you!
| | Lisa | Posted: Apr 05, 2007 09:58:22 AM
Jenn,
I love both of the names that you have chosen. You guys must be climbing the walls!! It is almost here. The countdown is definitely on. In a few weeks you will be home with your son/daughter trying to remember your life before the baby. It will all be worth it.
I love the idea of sharing e-mails so that it is easier for all of us to communicate. I know that you and I are both waiting patiently (LOL) for our calls. I know that you too are now in the T2 program. Hopefully we won't have to wait much longer. Now that spring is here I am getting quite antsy. DH and I are going on vacation so I am hoping that I will be able to relax and get away from everything. We are looking forward to it.
I am off tomorrow so I wanted to wish all of you a Happy Easter!!!
| | Whitney | Posted: Apr 04, 2007 04:53:09 PM
Jenn - glad to hear things are going well so far. You are so lucky to not have to wait long after being matched. I pray all goes well for you and Trish with the birth and travel and everything. Just think, in a month you will have your baby at home and wonder what you ever did before that. I do think it would be nice for us all to keep in touch. It is nice to have women to talk with who understand what it is like to go through adoption.
| | Jenn | Posted: Apr 04, 2007 10:23:07 AM
Yes, our family is very excited and most of our family lives in our state. Our parents live very close by. I think they are almost as anxious as we are. We have finally made our name selections. We're keeping them a secret from our family and friends but since they don't read this forum, I can go ahead and let the cat out of the bag here. :) We've selected Haley Elizabeth for a girl (we still really feel like it's a girl for some reason) and Jensen Daymond for a boy. Our BM asked us about names on the conference call. When we told her, we kind of held our breath b/c we were afraid she wouldn't like them (esp. Jensen b/c it's different), but she did! Whew! Trish, you must be just about climbing the walls by now. I know I am sooooo ready to get the "in labor" call at this point. We still don't know when exactly we'll be traveling but we've got all the baby stuff packed just in case. I'm hoping for an early delivery just b/c I'm so anxious!!! But April 15th isn't that far away, if she does go the distance. The idea of an adoption reunion sounds nice. It would also be nice if we could all exchange personal email addresses. I wonder if AA could send our email addresses to the people on this forum if we authorize it. Well, I'm off to check a few more things off my to-do list at work (hoping to start my vacation soon!!!). I won't actually be taking my family leave until we get the call so I don't know yet when that will be. Lisa and Whitney, hang in there -- you know it's coming sooner than later now. :)
| | Lisa | Posted: Apr 04, 2007 08:38:19 AM
Trish,
First and foremost I would like to congratulate you and Jim. I know that you have waited a long time for this moment. I am very happy for you. You only have one more month!!! I am sure that you are extremely busy getting ready. Do you have names picked out? Our profile is under Matt & Lisa. I see that you live in PA, we live in NJ. Your idea of having a reunion is great. I know that it sounds strange but I feel like I know all of you. We are in the T2 program and have been waiting 7 months. We are getting antsy. Hopefully our call will come soon. Please keep us posted as to how things are going for you. Again, CONGRATULATIONS & BEST WISHES!!!!
| | Whitney | Posted: Apr 03, 2007 05:00:04 PM
Wendy and Carol - thanks for sharing. I love to hear adoption experiences and I am glad you all had such good ones! It gives the ones of us who are still left hope. My first experience was great and I hope the second is too, if it ever happens. We started before our daughter was 2 and now she is almost 3. I had wanted them to be closer in age if possible. At least she is now pretty much potty trained, so only one in diapers. :)
| | Trish | Posted: Apr 03, 2007 04:20:07 PM
Congratulations Wendy and Carol!!! Thank you so much for sharing your stories! I was really hoping you would. Wendy, I love your idea of a "baby honeymoon". I was thinking I would be anxious to get home after the baby is born, but it's true we probably won't have much alone time at first. Our family and friends are so excited for us, they can't wait to meet the newest addition. Carol, thanks for all the details, I loved reading it! I'm really glad you both had such a great experience. Jenn, I am so happy for you! Its great that you don't have a long wait now. What name did you finally decide on for a boy? Lisa, welcome! Its great to see a new name on the boards. Is your profile "Andrew and Lisa"? I have really loved getting to know everyone here. I understand now why some folks plan regional reunions from time to time. Most of the regular posters are on the east coast, maybe we could think about doing this next year sometime? My best to all of you!
| | Lisa | Posted: Apr 03, 2007 12:06:53 PM
Jenn,
I am so happy that your conference call went well with your BM. I knew that it would. I am sure that all of you were very nervous but now that the ice is broken I am sure that all of you are at peace. You guys must be sooo excited. It must be hard to contain! I knew that you would be ready and packed quickly. It sounds like you are leaving this weekend. If she is excercising I bet she will go early and hopefully it won't be a difficult labor. May I ask the names that you have picked out or are you keeping them to yourselves until the birth? Do you have family that live close by that will be at your house waiting when you return? I am sure that they are just as excited as you and Daymond are. Are you officially on a leave of absence from work beginning next week? Please keep us posted. We are all dying to know every detail!!!! Good Luck!!!!!!
| | Jenn | Posted: Apr 02, 2007 01:42:19 PM
Wow! The board IS full of lots of news lately ... wonderful news! Congratulations Carol and Wendy!!!! I loved reading your stories and am SO happy for both of you! We can only hope ours goes as smoothly. Lisa, to answer your questions ... Our conference call on Friday was rescheduled for today at noon. We had a great little call. It was only about a half hour and it flew by. We have been emailing a little so that helped to break the ice. Although we were a bit nervous, it went just fine. Our BM is sweet and we look forward to meeting her in person at the hospital. I think she is/was as nervous as us, so that makes it a little easier. She mentioned on the conference call that she's going to the gym this week so we think there's a good chance she'll deliver a bit early (she's technically full term now so it doesn't matter). She also seems to think the baby is coming soon ... but soon could mean tomorrow or in 2 weeks. At least it *shouldn't* be any longer than 2 weeks at this point. Although our BM is willing to find out the sex for us, she hasn't gotten to the doctor yet so we're doubting we will find out before the birth. It doesn't matter to us and we have a name picked out either way, so we'll be thrilled no matter what. We got everything packed and ready to go this weekend, so now we wait ..... (again). ;)
| | Lisa | Posted: Apr 02, 2007 09:50:17 AM
Ladies,
What a busy board lately. Congratulations Wendy & Carol!! Thank you for sharing your encouraging stories. You give me hope. I know that you both have waited a long time. I keep saying to myself that good things come to those who wait and you are both proof positive to that saying. Thank you!! I know that you are enjoying every minute of it. Please keep us posted and let us know how things are going. Congratulations and best wishes again to you both.
| | Carol | Posted: Apr 01, 2007 12:07:16 AM
Hi girls!! I am so excited to share with you that we have a new baby girl in our household. We named her Abigail Lynn and are going to call her Abby. She was born in Kansas on March 17th weighing 7 lbs 15 oz. It was love at first sight when we got to see her!! I can honestly say that we had the most amazing experience with the entire process. We received the call at 6:00 am on the 17th and it was an 11 hour drive for us. We had most of our stuff already packed but had to finish some of the basics. Unfortunately, we didn't make it to the delivery as our b/m went through labor extremely fast. Thanks to our adoption specialist, Sara Dippel, she kept us informed the entire drive and called us with the news our daughter had arrived (Thank God for cell phones). We arrived at the hospital and within 5 minutes the b/m's mother and a nurse brought us our little girl. We had previously had 1 conference call with the b/m and the b/m's mother and father and we all had an amazing connection and a feeling of ease with each other. At the hospital things proceeded in the same way. The b/m and her family were wonderful!! From the moment we arrived at the hospital until the moment we were released with the baby, the b/m allowed us to have the baby in our care. The hospital also gave us a complimentary room for our entire stay and we kept the baby with us in it. The hospital also taught us how to bath and feed the baby and lots of other informational training on babies. The b/m and her family also bought several gifts for Abby and the b/m's mother made a beautiful keepsake blanket for her. We truely couldn't have asked for the b/m and her family to be anymore gracious to us!! Once we were released from the hospital, we were able to travel to American Adoptions in Overland Park and meet some of the staff as well as our attorney. Our total travel time was for 9 days but it went by quickly with us. We are still in shock of the whole experience. Once you get the call, things will roll so quickly so make sure your packed and ready to go. And, don't forget to pack a cooler for baby formula...(even though we had several at home, we had to go buy one for the traveling on the road). Trish...I hope this gives you a good idea of the amazing experience you will get to have. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask! Jenn....I just wanted to tell you CONGRATULATIONS!! You are about to have the most amazing experience of your life!!!! To all you other ladies, you are still in my prayers and just trust that it will happen in God's timing for you!!
| | Wendy | Posted: Mar 31, 2007 10:43:19 PM
Jenn and Trish!!! I knew it would happen for you soon. Congratulations to you and everyone else that is matched or welcoming a baby home. I AM A MOMMY!!! I still cannot believe it!!! We have the most incredible little boy!!! I am loving every second of this. For those of you still waiting - IT IS WORTH EVERYTHING AND THEN SOME!!! I know that is what eveyone says, but it is so true. Keep the hope that something wonderful will happen for you. We are still so in awe of his birth mom and how this situation was so perfect for us. He even looks like us! His birth mom was incredible and went out of her way to make sure that everything went smoothly for us. Jenn - I feel the same way about contact. His birth mom has not pushed for a lot of contact and I love sharing pictures and letters with her. I also loved spending time with her over his birth and will always cherish those memories. He was born a couple weeks early, so even though we prepared for several months it was still a last minute whirlwind. We got the call that she was being admitted to the hospital and to get on the road as soon as possbile. We waited all night for him to be born and he was finally delivered by C-Section. I got to be in the OR when he was born and got to spend his first moments with him. He is such a sweet natured baby!! We were discharged in 48 hours and spent the next week at the hotel. The time at the hotel was so special. It was just the two of us learning to know him without any other interuptions! Cherish that time and don't feel rushed to get home! It felt like a "baby honeymoon" : ). We are home and all settled in and it is just so wonderful. I still feel like I am dreaming. I am really excited for everyone and cannot wait to hear updates!!!
| | Lisa | Posted: Mar 31, 2007 09:28:44 AM
Jenn,
Thank you for your kind and encouraging words of wisdom. I have to and I will remain positive. You give me hope. It means so much because you have gone through exactly what we are currently going through.
Did you have the conference call with your BM? How did it go? I am sure that she loved you both and now that she has spoke with you I am certain that she is at peace with her decision. I am truly happy for you. I have been following this board since last September and even though I hadn't posted until recently I feel like I know all of you that do post. All of your stories are truly inspiring.
Do you know if your BM is having a girl or a boy?
When are you and Daymond leaving for Maine?
I am sure that you have a million things to do over the next couple of weeks, but please keep us posted.
Thank you and Congratulations!! You have waited a long time for this moment. Enjoy every minute of it.
God Bless you.
| | Whitney | Posted: Mar 30, 2007 11:03:03 AM
Even though I need to remind myself more often lately, I agree with Jenn. When it happens, you forget how long you waited, and realize it is worth the wait. With our daughter, we could see how she was the daughter God had planned for us. One of the reasons the birth mother picked us is because my brother is adopted. She grew up with a friend who did not know she was adopted, but many others did, so she wanted a family who would be open about it. Meeting her in person before the birth was wonderful and amazingly easy. We love to send pictures so she knows how Kaitlin is doing. We have waited about 11 months in the Trad. I and recently changed to Trad. II, so I am anxious. It is easier the second time, but there are so many people waiting less us and it is hard sometimes. Of course when it happens, it will be clear as to why we were meant to have that baby.
| | Jenn | Posted: Mar 29, 2007 10:56:07 AM
Thanks, Lisa! We are thrilled!! We're nervous and a little scared too, but thrilled more than anything. There most definitely is hope, but like I'm sure you realize, it's only easy to say that from this side. I know how you feel and I know that no matter how many people tell you that it happens as it should and it's only a matter of time, it still feels like forever to you and there's still that small part of you that wonders if you'll be the first to never be picked! But I too can now say that it does feel like this situation was meant to be, even though we initially had to make a choice as to whether to proceed b/c one element was a little outside our APQ. Looking back, we wonder why we ever gave it a moment's thought. Do be flexible, as is the mantra of American Adoptions (but of course be comfortable too). Whatever you think it will be like or what you think you want for your adoption, throw it out the window. Everything changes once you get the call. To be honest, we initially thought the "ideal" adoption would be a closed adoption where we all went our separate ways after the hospital discharge. We figured we'd do the pictures and letters as a requirement but didn't give a whole lot of thought to it beyond that. Now, we feel completely differently and it's bizarre to me that feelings can change so much so fast. I almost immediately felt a special bond with our birth mother, who we hadn't even had contact with yet. There is something very special about being picked -- selected among all the others by this woman who is giving the ultimate gift -- it really feels like an honor. She immediately took a special place in our hearts. We've exchanged one email so far and we have our conference call w/ her scheduled for tomorrow. Each day we seem to grow more fond of her. Although it is up to her whether she wants to continue emailing after the birth, I rather hope she does! Our BM indicated on her info form that she didn't want letters and pictures (the agency still requires you to send them to them to be put on file). I secretly hope she changes her mind! I think she may but who knows. I am a control freak so the end of our waiting time got to be almost excruciating at times. Now I still have absolutely no control and I actually don't mind. This is really bizarre for me, but I have no problem letting our BM call all the shots. I also thought the wait time for the delivery would be unbearable. There are times when I feel like I may burst with excitement and anticipation, but generally, it's going fine b/c we're so busy. Of course, it helps that we're having a relatively short wait (~3 1/2 wks from the official call to due date). Hang in there, Lisa, and have faith that your time will come and there will be a reason why your wait was as long as it was. If the agency isn't recommending changes to you (to your APQ or profile), this is all you can do. I'll keep you posted as things progress. Keep praying all goes well for us! Thanks!! :)
| | Lisa | Posted: Mar 28, 2007 12:20:05 PM
Jenn,
I have been following your posts (along with everyone else's) since we became activated last September. I am SOOOO happy that you finally got "the call". You and DH must be on cloud 9!! Do you know what the birth mother is having? We too are in the T2 program and have been waiting for almost 7 months. You give me hope that there is a birth mother out there that will pick us. Thank you!! Please keep us posted and let us know how everything is going every step of the way. Congratulations & Best Wishes.
| | Jenn | Posted: Mar 23, 2007 05:53:43 PM
We received our official match call today!! :) Needless to say, we are very excited but still trying to remember that nothing is definite until the court says so. Our birth mother is in Maine, which will be about a 9 hour drive for us (and we love New England so what a great state to go to!). We are SO relieved that we won't have to fly and deal with trying to get all the baby gear where we're going. She is due April 15th and we don't know yet whether the doctor expects her to be early, late, or on time. So much to do to tie up loose ends at work and around the house! I think we're pretty well prepared for the trip though -- we already bought the basic necessities for that. Anyone else have any exciting news?
| | Trish | Posted: Mar 23, 2007 11:36:15 AM
Jenn, that is fantastic! I hope this works out for you. April is only a week away, so your wait will now be a short one. I am really happy for you! Are you putting the house plans on hold for now then?
| | Whitney | Posted: Mar 22, 2007 07:42:08 AM
Jenn - that is great news that she picked you all. I will keep you all in my prayers that it all works out. Keep us updated as you find out more information.
| | Trish | Posted: Mar 21, 2007 01:33:46 PM
Congrats Carol!! I see your profile was removed. Please tell us how you and your new little one are doing, and as much of your experience as you care to share. Were you in the delivery room? I wish you all the best!
| | Jenn | Posted: Mar 21, 2007 11:49:26 AM
Well ladies, I am guardedly excited to report we have finally received a call -- not THE call, but A call. We received a call last week regarding a possible match, one that had one element slightly outside our APQ. The birth mother had selected us before they found out something was outside our APQ. We gave the go-ahead but now we're waiting for the official call. She came to them late in the pregnancy, so they're still working on the adoption plan, getting insurance set up, etc. We are, needless to say, on pins and needles waiting to hear what happens. She is due in April, but we don't know yet exactly when. In the meantime, we are at least still being shown to other birth mothers. We are really excited about this situation though, and really hope that it works out with this birth mother. We know very little but what we do know sounds good. Everyone please pray things work out!!! :)
| | Whitney | Posted: Mar 16, 2007 06:21:12 AM
I am excited about all the new babies! I want to hear all about everyone's experience. Wendy - how does it feel to be a mommy? Trish - Our travel experience was easier than expected. We left a day early so we could split up the drive, and it was a good thing we did because the birthmom went into labor a day early and we got to the hospital 2 hours before our daughter was born. On the drive home, Kaitlin did so well for being 2 weeks old. She slept 10 hours straight that night, which was a blessing from God as it helped make the drive easy. Other than that we stopped every 2 to 3 hours and fed her and ourselves and it all went real smooth. The hospital gave us alot of those little premade bottles of formula which were real useful. We were real prepared with most things, and got everythingelse we needed at Target and al-mart when we got there. Good luck to all!
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