adoption in trimesters...

 Going through the adoption process is exciting, emotional, and sometimes stressful.

When a woman becomes pregnant she goes through 3 trimesters as she prepares physically and emotionally to welcome her child. There are obvious signs as she anticipates and prepares for her baby: She goes through the morning sickness, growing belly, baby kicks, prenatal visits, ultra-sounds etc.
When parents are going through the process of adoption we don’t have the belly or ultrasounds to announce to the world that we are also expecting…

It can be sometimes difficult to just enjoy the process because the process itself can be so unpredictable, but that doesn't mean we are less excited! We just prepare to welcome our child in a different way.

Of course there’s the never-ending paper chase and the hurry up and wait until the next step we all have to go through but the end result is the same… our precious child.

For those who do not understand how parents can love children who are not biologically related we will say:  “real mother/father” are the ones who love, care, nurture, encourage and support their child even when they do not share the same DNA.

~Our Adoption steps in “trimesters”~

First trimester-

Find adoption agency & Complete formal application

Receive referral, Discuss medical conditions with specialist

Accept referral

Gather documents (birth certificate, marriage certificates etc)           

Complete home study

Pre adoption education

Obtain passports

Second trimester

Complete USCIS process (1800A)

Obtain approval from USCIS

Compile required documents, notarize and authenticate documents

Complete and submit dossier

Third trimester

Obtain Lid (Log in Date)

Obtain Letter to Seeking Confirmation (LOA)

We are pretty sure there are other documents we will need to get…

Receive authorization to travel

Prepare to travel

Travel to China-complete adoption

Oh my goodness, it sure is a crazy process but it's going to be so worth it!!!