NOVEMBER 2012 CHAT THREAD

[Msheidiann]

How is everyone? Our appeal period is dead and we are just waiting for the state to sign off on everything so we can do our official adoptive placement! Hopefully finalization will be this month!

[FindingMercy]

Originally Posted by Msheidiann How is everyone? Our appeal period is dead and we are just waiting for the state to sign off on everything so we can do our official adoptive placement! Hopefully finalization will be this month!

That would be fabulous! So exciting for you guys.

I took the DS app off my phone, so I'm not around here as often, on purpose. Makes me more in tune to my non-online life. It's been good for me and my kiddos.

Abraham is still doing lots of follow-ups at the hospital. They are still concerned about his growth. He's hardly gaining any weight (3 oz. in a couple weeks). So we're still working with GI. They are going to try him on reflux medication since he does spit up a lot. She is hoping it will help him want to eat more and keep more down. If in the next week he doesn't show some improvement, she wants to do a scope. I'm really hoping we don't have to do that. More stool studies are in the works too to rule out a parasite and to see if he still has high levels of fat in it. If he does, that could be part of the weight gain problem. We'll see what happens.

I'm tempted to go off all allergens again just to see what happens even though we've already ruled them all out most likely.

I'm just ready for all this to be a thing of the past.

[Kimmyann]

Not much going on my end of things. The agency I am using has been on partial shutdown since Hurricane Sandy hit. They haven't gotten their power back yet but are still able to use the phones remotely at least. Perhaps in 9 months NJ will experience a baby boom of sorts..with so many people in the dark and no power there isn't much else to do I guess.

[isabelsmomma]

Hi everyone! I have been lurking for a while and decided it's time to introduce myself. So here's my story:

DH and I have been married for 10 years, together for 15. We have a bio DD who is 4. We have struggled with infertility (mostly unexplained, though we suspect it's mostly caused by hormone imbalance in me) for years. Tried Clomid- nothing. Now on first cycle of Femara, about a week til AF is due. We have been seriously discussing adoption for about 6 months. I know we are supposed to have more kids. Our DD really wants to be a big sis and she would be amazing. My DH is the best dad I have ever known. We have room in our home and lots of love to give. We started out considering domestic infant adoption, then considered international. All along we were trying to pick the "easiest" route, but at every turn God has revealed that what's easiest in our eyes is not necessarily what He had it mind. At first we were not even considering foster to adopt, but now we've really felt called to not only consider it, but pursue it at this time. Yesterday we met with an amazing couple who has an adoption/foster care ministry at their church. They were the most amazing source of encouragement to us, prayed with us, shared all about their story and answered all of our questions. They told us repeatedly that we don't have to go through this alone, that they are here for us as support, encouragement, just someone who's been there and done that. I met them through a mutual friend and to have them take such an interest in us to drop everything to meet for several hours on a saturday afternoon really blows me away. I am so incredibly thankful for them.

So- we are going to apply to become foster/adopt in our state with a Christian agency. We want to maintain the natural birth order in our family, so we will only foster/adopt children who are younger than our daughter. I know this may limit us, but we feel strongly about it. Of course we are praying to only get adoptable placements, but we know that things are never set in stone (until the judge signs the decree of course).

What words of wisdom do you have to share with a newbie?

[Msheidiann]

Welcome!!! My only advice is to roll with the punches. It's not an easy journey, regardless of straight adoption or foster/adopt. The women in this group are amazing! It's worth the journey in the end!

[Msheidiann]

The state "acknowledged" or accepted all the paperwork for Thomas today!!! All parental rights and appeal periods are over and we are signing our official adoptive placement on Wednesday and finalizing on the 29th!!!! YAHOOOOO

[isabelsmomma]

Originally Posted by Msheidiann The state "acknowledged" or accepted all the paperwork for Thomas today!!! All parental rights and appeal periods are over and we are signing our official adoptive placement on Wednesday and finalizing on the 29th!!!! YAHOOOOO

Congratulations!!! That is wonderful!

[isabelsmomma]

We set an appointment with the licensing specialist for an orientation visit for the week of Thanksgiving! Then we can start our classes in Jan!

[luvbeingmomma]

Originally Posted by Msheidiann The state "acknowledged" or accepted all the paperwork for Thomas today!!! All parental rights and appeal periods are over and we are signing our official adoptive placement on Wednesday and finalizing on the 29th!!!! YAHOOOOO

Congrats!!

[Kristi26]

There's a whole lot of drama going on around here but none of it looking as though it will lead to an adoption for us.

BM for Gwen (who was stillborn in December) is pregnant again, 33 weeks today. She still is under the impression that she will be keeping the baby though she and her baby's dad AND her whole family (5 total, not counting the baby) are all living in one tiny motel room right now. Her baby's dad actually ASKED DH if we'd be their "backup plan" if the state wanted to take the baby. He said no. And honestly, I don't know if I'd want to go along with it either...praying that God won't ask us to get involved with that anymore than we already are...seems to me she'd be better off with a family that isn't so connected. It would give the baby a better chance...

I've also been taking another BM to dr appts. She's a teenager and quite sure she's also keeping her baby. I think, based on my experience with her thus far, that it would be very hard for her to give him up. I am not convinced she could do it, though it would probably be better for him in the end. His dad is into some not so good things (think illegal and has been in jail recently) and his mom is 16, still a freshman in high school...she's on a tough path. I'm praying that the right things happen here, I just don't really know what the right things ARE.

I'm really struggling with the waiting. I want another baby right now. But at the same time, I am so very overwhelmed with all that is going on in our life right now that NOW would probably be bad timing. Thankfully, I know God knows what he is doing and what is best for me so I am praying for HIS timing and that HE will change my husband's heart in this. DD (6, almost 7) has been crying about a little sister again which doesn't make things easier and Gwen's birthday is fast approaching...I really prayed hard last year that we would have another baby filling our arms at that time and it's not looking good for that...I may have to just deal with the day some other way. I am so thankful for the babies I already have...I just don't feel done yet.