We need checklists to stay on track
and make sure everything is taken care of before we bring our girl home. We
hate the "waiting time" throughout the adoption process, we want to
have our girl with us now! but the wait time gives us the time that we need to
prepare and get things in order before we complete our adoption. We know once
our baby girl is home things will drastically change and we will not have as
much time as we do have now. We know that once she comes home it's going to be
all about her :0) at least until we get the hang of a routine etc.
We will make sure we take
advantage of the "waiting time" to prepare as best as we can,
even-though we know that we will never be fully prepared for all the
changes that will take place. We understand that there will be times we will do
and learn as we go and that's OK...
The wait is very difficult and we
still have ways to go, so we will use that time to cross off as many
things of our list as we can before we travel to China.
Again we divided our list in
"trimesters" not only to make it
more manageable but also because it reminds us that this is not just more adoption-related tasks to complete... we are preparing to
bring our child home!
First
Trimester
Very important:
Make health and exercise a priority (*working on it)
Take vitamins and supplements (*throughout the process)
Learning is always ongoing but we will take time to learn more about;
China adoption process
Books I want to Read:
o
Adopting a daughter from China
o
The Chinese Adoption Handbook
o
A
passage to the heart
For Fun…
Do lots of fun dates (on going :0)
Second
trimester
Very important…
o
Take a look at our life insurance policy and see if anything
needs adjusting, discuss final details and finish living will
o
ask Godparents
o
Start arranging for work coverage (in preparation to travel)
o
Learn
about Re-adoption procedure, how to obtain social security card etc.
Preparing for baby…
o
Find out what baby will need (clothes, toys, baby gear etc.)
o
Do research for big baby items such as car seat, crib and
strollers and Start making purchases :0)
Health related…
o Research and interview pediatricians
o Discuss immunizations /re-immunization for baby
o
Vaccinations
before we travel :0(
o
Contact Early Intervention and learn more about the program
Learn more about…
o
basic Chinese words
o
baby sign words
Books I want to Read:
o
Toddler adoption: The Weaver’s craft
o
The Connected Child
o
20 things adopted kids wish their adoptive parents knew
For fun… Since I plan to take tons of baby pictures & videos, here some things I want to learn more about…
For fun… Since I plan to take tons of baby pictures & videos, here some things I want to learn more about…
o
how to use my new camera
o
how to organize digital pictures (working on it)
o
how to
Video format/edit/captions(working on it)
3rd
trimester
Very important
o
Narrow down baby names and make final choice about baby’s name
(yeah we know :0)
o
Start baby’s college fund (never too early :0)
Preparing for baby…
o
Baby-proof home
o
Get nursery ready (for now just her crib in our bedroom)
o
Order baby announcements
o
Get car seat
o
Start Baby’s Life Book
o
Purchase baby “must have” items for travel
Health related…
o
Enroll baby in health insurance policy
o
Schedule post-adoption checkup
o
Get prescription medication (antibiotics)
For fun…
o
Go on a baby-moon :0)
Books I want to read:
o
I love you rituals
o
When two become three
o
Stay home, stay happy
o
I also want to read my articles on parenting and traveling
with toddlers (Pinterest)(Pinterest :0)
Preparing to travel…
o
Start making purchases for our trip - toiletries /
gifts/"must haves" etc.
o
Start researching travel insurance, air fares etc.
o
Contact bank/credit card to let them know we will be traveling
to China and wire money as per agreement with adoption agency
o
Make
arrangements (home)
o
Make a list of questions to ask about our baby once we are in
China
o
.Ask agency (travel/province related questions)
o
Make a family video/album for baby
o
Pack suitcases :0)
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