I read the book, LifeBooks : Creating a Treasure for the Adopted Child, and gathered as much information I could about AJ, and his history, our process, our first trip, and so forth. However, on our way to the Arkhangelsk airport to head home we were in a car accident. Luckily, no one was hurt badly but I tore the cartilage in my right knee and our in-country representative broke her knee cap.

So, between trip one and two I attempted to coach track (I hobbled and took stats while the kids ran), went to therapy, and just three weeks before we traveled to bring AJ home for good I had knee surgery to repair the cartilage.

I certainly could have completed his lifebook during my recovery period but I was in so much pain (I’m pretty whimpy) that I did not do much.

Ultimately, this book is the best out there on lifebooks and adoption. “This book is by far the most enlightened, meaningful and relevant book out there. I have already bought several copies for my friends and for our homstudy agency. Most so called lifebooks focus on scrapbooking concepts. This is the only one I have found that talks about CONTENT. Not only what to write about, but WHY certain information needs to be included. It’s really a “How-to on Lifebooks” AND a “Talking About Adoption” book rolled into one.”

Resources:

• Scrapbook Kit In A Stack 12”X12” Pad-Travel
• Expo Expandable Organizer- Clear
• Scrapbook Kit In A Stack 8″X8″ Pad-All Occasion
• Super Deluxe Scrapbooking Kit
• Scotch Double Sided Scrapbooking Tape
• Ribbon Glue ;
• Photo Corners 250/Pkg-Clear
• Scrapbook Tool Kit 13Pc-6-Paper Shapers, 4-Punches, 3-Crimpers

Post from: Blisstree

Book of the Week: Lifebooks

Upon returning home the wait begins to return to bring your child home. But what are you supposed to do for 6 months? 8 months? 10 months? Most parents who are expecting know that they are going to a hospital on said day, giving birth to an infant, and bringing the infant home several days later. Adoptive parents, however, can assume nothing. Sure, we may have a referral for a child of a particular gender from a specific country but the time frame for bringing that child home is completely unknown. And what is more difficult is that even if we know the age of the child we are bringing home their size and their development may not match their age.

Waiting can be VERY difficult for some parents, especially those who are adopting the first time. I know that the wait to bring home our first son seemed much more difficult than this one because I did not have a little one to keep my mind active. I had 90 middle school kids pestering me for 15 hours a day but it certainly was not the same.

There are plenty of things to keep adoptive couples busy during the wait time, no matter how short or lengthy it may get.

Prepare the Home

1. Prepare the home by baby-proofing. Include items like the Outlet Cover, Gates, Drawer and Cabinet Locks, Door Knob Covers (a MUST HAVE on almost EVERY Door), TV Guards for the Adventurous Toddler, and Cord Wind-ups for Blinds.

Look at everything from a toddler/baby point of view. Get down on your hands and knees and try to open every door, every cabinet, every window, every toilet. If you can see chemicals, dangerous items, or can open anything that you would not want your toddler getting into…baby-proof it (or just have a friend’s toddler come test it) Remember that if you are adopting a child from an international country they will not be speaking your language and will not understand you quickly enough to stop doing something dangerous. Baby-proofing will be imperative to both your sanity and your babies health.

2. Additionally, remove any and all clutter/knick-knacks that your child can get into and break. Many children will investigate everything (very impulsively) and research has shown that low stimulation, and basic surroundings are best at first. Remember that many of these children are coming from either institutions or foster homes that have bare surroundings.

Register for a Shower

3. A shower can be one of the most exciting things that a couple can have when expecting a child. However, it can also be difficult when adopting, as many people feel that it should happen AFTER the child comes home. In my opinion, this can be very difficult because once the child comes home the parent’s focus is on the child and getting the child to adapt to his.her surroundings. Many parents “hibernate” for attachment reasons, thus making a shower even more difficult after returning home.

Nonetheless, parents can register at Pottery Barn Kids, Target, Babies R Us, and even places like The Land of Nod .

Medical and Childcare

4. Add your future child to your health insurance policy

5. Adjust your life insurance policy or your income tax withholding,

6. If necessary, choose a pediatrician, making sure to interview several,

7. Find out how to enroll your child in his or her new school or daycare,

8. Find several local sitters to provide you some much needed respite when you need to run to the store or have a doctor’s appointment.

9. Take a CPR class (if not already required by your homestudy)

10. Don’t forget to get your immunizations if you need them.

Prepare your Adoption Announcements

11. This may sound a little tedious and a tad funny, but do the research now so that you know exactly what cards you are ordering (or making) and have it ready to go. You WILL be exhausted when you return home and people will probably expect an announcement. You usually want to see a baby announcement within the first month, right? Check out Hip, Modern Birth Announcements & Other Baby Stationery! (they do have adoption announcements), Classy Announcements, Photo Innovations, Stork Avenue, and my absolute favorite…2peas1pod.

2peas1pod even lets you pre-order and gives you a 10% discount…they send you the envelopes to pre-address while you are waiting.

Clean (you will never get it done again!)

12. Clean out old closets, the garage, cabinets, the refrigerator, and even have the carpets and furniture cleaned if you want (we didn’t have the furniture done but we were sure glad the carpets were done because AJ was all over it!)

13. Donate what you have not used, pitch what can’t be donated, or host a garage sale to raise money for the adoption. You won’t believe how much you will accumulate in the next few years.

Cook

14. Prepare and freeze some non-perishable dinners (or head to places like Super Suppers and have them help you may some fabulous dinners for when you come home.

Read

15. Don’t keep your head in the dark. Read up on the potential challenges you may face with attachment, medical issues, sensory integration, developmental delays, etc. And, read up on the many joys of adoption as well. I will post a list of recommended reading later this week.

Decorate the Baby Room

16. By the time you read this you probably know the gender of your child…so go ahead…decorate that special room. Take your time and make it absolutely perfect. But, remember my tip from Dr. Federici and keep it simple.

History

17. Track down and purchase copies of local and national newspapers and magazines published the day and week of your child’s birthday.

18. Start a scrapbook, otherwise known as a Lifebook, for your child. Track down information on his/her birth place, orphanage or place of foster care, etc.

Shop
19. One of the best things I did when waiting for AJ (and I have already started doing this for the Bebe) is shopping! I hit ONLY the best of the best sales and shop ONLY in sizes I think he may be in when he comes home. ie: I just recently purchased about 10 winter items from Gymboree for under $50. And, I got an entire outfit (pants, shirt, and sweater) for $5 at Target.

20. Shop garage sales if you wait during the summer and stock up on travel clothing. We actually purchased several outfits for our Russia trip and had no problem throwing away soiled clothes that we purchased for $.25.

Take Time

21. Take time for yourselves. As much as you can…take a vacation to somewhere you have never been and enjoy it.

22. Eat out if you can afford it, don’t just order in.

23. Spend time with friends and make sure they know you don’t want to lose touch with them.

24. Get TIVO…it will save your life.

25. RELAX.

26. And, for my Guatemala Trip friends here is a link on how to knit a full body suit while you are waiting.

What tips do you have if you are waiting (or have waited)?

Post from: Blisstree

25 Things to do while you wait…