Instead of completely pulling out of the process we decided to put our names into domestic adoption as well (along with some of our money) and keep our name on the list with our agency just in case. Several weeks ago we received an email from our agency stating that although the Guatemalan congress had passed the Grandfather Clause they would not be issuing referrals because they were focusing on the families who were in process, something that I think is admirable.

However, last Friday, our social worker called in a panic…trying to get a hold of us (were were in a doctor’s meeting and were not answering the phone). To our surprise she had a referral for infant boy and wanted to know if we were interested. The only catches; we had to give her an answer immediately, we would be traveling blind, and we had to be there on the 26th.

So, without (okay, with a lot of ) hesitation we said yes…booked our flight and invited my parents over for dinner, as we needed to ask them to watch AJ. We waited to tell the rest of the family in person on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

As expected our family was ecstatic for us because they know how much this means.

Post from: Blisstree

How We Got to Guatemala

I also have two cousins who will give birth within days of each other in March and several adoption friends who are on waiting lists or awaiting court dates in the spring….it will certainly be a busy baby year.

I have tired of the traditional baby gifts, although many of the mothers are first time moms. I always purchase them something off of their registry but when baby or toddler arrives home I like to get them something special if I can. Or, I try to give a gift at a Baptism or Christening if they have one.

I have found that a gift like a baby album at Boutique Baby Albums at BabySakes is the perfect gift. I love the fact that they have fantastic adoption books and even have a beautiful adoption memory frame.

Post from: Blisstree

The Most Perfect Gifts

Unfortunately, it depends upon the country on decides to adopt from. Our first adoption was completed in Russia and ran into the upper 30’s with travel, adoption fees, and baby gear. With medical issues that surfaced after we returned home we are well into $50,000. Luckily we had/have decent insurance that covers most of our medical care or we would be in a lot more trouble.

Here, from the Adoption Guide is a work-up of intercountry adoption fees from 2005. Many of these averages have gone up significantly.

From the same site:
# The majority of domestic newborn adoptions cost less than $20,000, while more than 75 percent of international adoptions cost more than $20,000.
# The majority of adoptions from China and Korea cost less than $25,000.(I believe this has gone up due to the long wait times and paper renewals)
# The majority of adoptions from Guatemala cost between $25,000 and $30,000.
# The majority of adoptions from Russian and Kazakhstan cost more than $30,000.
# 29 percent of domestic adopters had at least one failed adoption before successfully adopting.
# The majority of failed adoptions cost less than $5,000. This is true of our Guatemalan adoption. We paid a registration and application fee of $5,000 and will lose that if our agency can not process anything.

For waiting and adoptive families I highly recommend getting a subscription to to stay up to date on ALL adoption news.

Post from: Blisstree

Adoption Costs: International

While standing in line and writing a check (again, something last minute. Are you sensing a pattern here?) I glanced at my Drivers License and smiled at the great picture. Ah, ten pounds ago. Umm, okay, 15 pounds, but I’m working on it. But, what was horrifying was my address.

It was wrong.

And it took me a year to notice that? Granted, it was only off by one number, er, missing a number. But I never noticed?

So, I walked over to the license department where, miraculously, there was no line. Obviously everyone is out spooking today and is not going to have their picture taken in a devil’s costume. The man I talked to was sweet when I asked him if I had to have my picture taken again. I blushed so nervously that he laughed. You see, I had no make-up on and probably still had tooth polisher stuck in my gums. Thankfully, he took pity on me and told me that I don’t need a new picture because they keep them on file. Whew. No Bride of Frankenstein here.

What have I been doing in the last year that distracted me SO much that I didn’t notice my own address was wrong on my drivers license?

Hmmmm…..
Well, I’ve been trick or treating with ducks and pumpkins, Grounding Ducks, trying to rescue brand new glasses and crocs from the river, sending a dossier to Guatemala, starting an Autism Blog with a bang of a post, contributing to Chicago Moms Blog, starting a domestic adoption when Guatemala closed, chelating AJ, dealing with Pinocchio, and trying to get the lead out and have a HUGE giveaway. And that is just the tip of the pumpkin.

What have you all been doing?

Post from: Blisstree

It Took Me a Year?

Anyway, I don’t know if she found me or I found here but the tag “adoption” can be a powerful one, as not many people search it. What really caught my attention on her blog was this post; Four Things.

You’re on my list now…you and your insight into adoption, your thoughtfulness to birth families, the way your heart goes out to those around you. Its almost as if you are on both sides of the situation.

Post from: Blisstree

Production, Not Reproduction