2016 Adoption & Foster GTNY & Check-In

[persianmaman]

Lots of new people here in the community. This board has been a little quieter of late (of which I am also guilty) but I miss a lot of the faces we use to see around here. I'd love to know how folks are doing, if they have any plans coming up for the next year, and get to know those of you who are just starting on considering adoption or fostering. Answer any or all - no pressure.


What part of the triad do you represent (adoptive family, birth family, adoptee):

Where are you in the process:

Favorite moment from 2015:

Biggest hope for 2016:

Got any New Years resolutions:

Last thing you drank in 2015:

First thing you ate in 2016:


I'll start off with a post myself below.

[persianmaman]

What part of the triad do you represent (adoptive family, birth family, adoptee):
DH and I are prospective adoptive parents in our almost-30's.

Where are you in the process:
Way too many months in. We started visiting agencies in January 2014 and only just got our dossier to South Africa this past November. We're expecting a possible match something between Jul-Dec of 2016.

Favorite moment from 2015:
I'd saying getting the dossier finally done, but I was exhausted and it was 11pm at night when we mailed it. So for being HAPPY during the moment, probably graduating in May with my MLS.

Biggest hope for 2016:
Starting that family. And possibly a vacation.

Got any New Years resolutions:
Lose a little weight and up my cooking/baking game.

Last thing you drank in 2015:
Sparkling cider. We gave a little to the bunny as well, she enjoyed it more than us.

First thing you ate in 2016:
Fresh bread & butter at a steak brunch we went to with our friends.

[lbey]

We are an adoptive family. Our daughter is 7 and just got pplaced with us right before Christmas.
Biggest Moment was when we met out daughter, of course
Last think I drank was Brazilian Caipirinha.
First thing I ate was...I think potato chips. ..
Resolution: My biggest goal is to find the right services for our daughter and get into a "normal" life...

[ceejay]

Thanks for starting this, persianmaman!


What part of the triad do you represent (adoptive family, birth family, adoptee): Foster family (hopefully adoptive family in the future!)

Where are you in the process: We got our foster care license in August 2015. 3 weeks later, 2 little boys (now ages 2 years and 5 months) were placed with us. They are a foster only placement for now but we hope they may become available for adoption in the future.

Favorite moment from 2015: Meeting our foster sons! And the entire week after that of getting to know them and receiving way more support and encouragement than we even expected from family and friends.

Biggest hope for 2016: Hoping to get pregnant with a biological child if possible this year. 

Got any New Years resolutions: Not really. I need to get back into exercising and running regularly, but it's not really a resolution.

Last thing you drank in 2015: A beer.

First thing you ate in 2016: Leftover tacos for lunch.

[frenchteachermama]

Thanks for the check-in persianmaman !

What part of the triad do you represent (adoptive family, birth family, adoptee):

We are hoping to adopt in 2016

Where are you in the process:

Our profile went "live" with our agency on 12/7/15...so now we wait for a match.

Favorite moment from 2015:

My husband and I treated ourselves to our first vacation with just the two of us in 10 years. We spent 4 nights in Aruba and it was perfect.

Biggest hope for 2016:

That our family grows through adoption. I can't wait to meet our baby.

Got any New Years resolutions:

Yes, my first resolution is to take better care of my body. After 3 years of infertility treatments and lots of self-medicating with delicious food and drinks, I have gained 20 pounds and am at my heaviest weight. I'm starting the 21 day fix on Monday to kick start my new healthy me.

Second, I need to take better care of my spirit. I've made a lot of professional decisions over the past 3 years that I'm not happy about and I am tired of doing things that make other people happy. I need to make a change.

Last thing you drank in 2015:

Water, after too many glasses of wine

First thing you ate in 2016:

Healthy oatmeal

[pinkie]

Jan 1, 2016 15:57:34 GMT -5 persianmaman said:

Lots of new people here in the community. This board has been a little quieter of late (of which I am also guilty) but I miss a lot of the faces we use to see around here. I'd love to know how folks are doing, if they have any plans coming up for the next year, and get to know those of you who are just starting on considering adoption or fostering. Answer any or all - no pressure.


What part of the triad do you represent (adoptive family, birth family, adoptee):

Where are you in the process:

Favorite moment from 2015:

Biggest hope for 2016:

Got any New Years resolutions:

Last thing you drank in 2015:

First thing you ate in 2016:


I'll start off with a post myself below.

We are an adoptive family

We have finalized adoption for our 2 sons. Both were DIA and placed with us as newborns. They are almost 3 yrs and 14 months old

Favorite moment - finalizing the adoption for our little guy

Biggest hope for 2016 - trying to restore some normalcy and calmness to our lives. The past 3 years have been wonderful but full of change (two babies plus moving to a new state). Also one of our dogs has been really sick but improving and I hope he's on the mend.

Resolution: trying to be more patient

Last thing I drank in 2015- too much beer and sangria

First thing I ate in 2016 - a bagel

[alaskadee]

Jan 1, 2016 15:57:34 GMT -5 persianmaman said:

What part of the triad do you represent (adoptive family, birth family, adoptee):

Adoptive family through DIA

Where are you in the process:
Our sweet baby boy was born on 11/24/15, which we were present for. We are very lucky to have a beautiful open adoption with Mr's birth mother and her family. We still need to have our post placement visit and we expect our finalization hearing to happen within the next month or two.

Favorite moment from 2015:
The moment I held Samuel. Instant unconditional love.

Biggest hope for 2016:
For my husband and I to start the process of building our home.

Got any New Years resolutions:
Not really. Just eat healthier and attempt to be more organized.

Last thing you drank in 2015:
Champagne with our toast.

First thing you ate in 2016:
Pretzels. Apparently it was something my husband's grandmother use to do...she said it was good luck. So we started off the year with eating pretzels

[jwinct]

What part of the triad do you represent (adoptive family, birth family, adoptee): Adoptive family

Where are you in the process: We were finally licensed as a foster-to-adopt family in November. We have gotten 4 calls so far and had to say no because they weren't the right fit. That is the hardest thing ever.

Favorite moment from 2015: When Garth Brooks walked onto the stage... I waited over 20 years to see him in concert. I cried a little. (I'm not even a country music fan anymore.)

Biggest hope for 2016: To add a child to our family, whether it's through foster-to-adopt or biological.

Got any New Years resolutions: I don't make resolutions. I really need to lose weight, but it's not a resolution.

Last thing you drank in 2015: water (I had a few glasses of wine at the party, but then switched to water, and then had some champagne right after the ball dropped.)

First thing you ate in 2016: eggs & toast


As an aside... If you like wine...
I am not ashamed to admit that I like some boxed wines. I mean, it's no Knight's Valley Cabernet or anything, but there are some decent ones that are drinkable. I bought a new kind of Bota Box called Nighhawk Red, having never had it before, and brought it to the NYE party. It was surprisingly good! People were amazed that it came from a box. I liked it so much that I specifically went out today to buy some. DH couldn't come to the party with me (we both were totally bummed), so he didn't get to try it. Anyway... the store I went to had one beat-up box of it left, so I was happy. The girl said they've been selling a ton of it, which doesn't surprise me. I hope it's not a seasonal thing and is a year-round Bota Box variety! I recommend it if you want to buy a red wine for a party (or if you're a lush like me and DH).

[persianmaman]

I love reading up on all of you guys. Happy to hear more from the wonderful families here, especially those of you keeping in touch post match.

[RajahMD]

What part of the triad do you represent (adoptive family, birth family, adoptee):
Hopeful adoptive family

Where are you in the process:
Researching local foster care and foster to adopt options. Waiting on DH's name change to be legalized before we start the paperwork.

Favorite moment from 2015:
Our vacation in October to Punta Cana. It was an amazing experience and we had such a great time.

Biggest hope for 2016:
That we grow our family in at least one of 3 ways: biological child, foster/adoptive child, or dog (we've been thinking about adopting a second dog, but are waiting to see how long it takes us to get pregnant). A combination of at least two of those would be preferred.

Got any New Years resolutions:
The stereotypical "be healthy". I've gained a lot of weight since starting med school and residency (stress eating much?). I want to work on losing that weight, changing my eating habits, and creating good exercise habits.

Last thing you drank in 2015:
I think it was a hard apple cider.

First thing you ate in 2016:
Umm. Breakfast?
I honestly don't remember what I ate. Shit, that was only yesterday. Why does it seem so long ago?

[gnomesweetgnome]

What part of the triad do you represent (adoptive family, birth family, adoptee):
We are an adoptive family and also a current foster family.

Where are you in the process:
We finalized our son's adoption in February. Our first foster placement ended Dec. 23, and we are waiting one more week before going on the openings list again.

Favorite moment from 2015:
Probably finalizing B's adoption.

Biggest hope for 2016:
Enjoying our life no matter what changes come our way. Also hoping to possibly go back to work in my career full time.

Got any New Years resolutions:
Nothing concrete, but I'd like to lose a bit more weight and most importantly get active and fit again.

Last thing you drank in 2015:
A tiny sip of whiskey.

First thing you ate in 2016:
A mini Heath bar.

Thanks for the fun post!

[packerfan4life]

What part of the triad do you represent (adoptive family, birth family, adoptee): adoptive parent

Where are you in the process: One daughter we welcomed through DIA in Sept 2014, now 15 months old

Favorite moment from 2015: (I can't pick just one) finalizing DD's adoption, getting to witness all of her firsts, and finding out that surprise after 3 years ttc and failed IF treatments I'm pregnant

Biggest hope for 2016: Looking forward to growing ohr family and getting to see DD be a big sister

Got any New Years resolutions: I don't really do resolutions. I'd like to work on my patience and do more meal planning

Last thing you drank in 2015: sparkling grape juice

First thing you ate in 2016: ummm some sort of pastry I think

[chicago]

In the process: DIA to a girl born in September
Fav 2015: Holding our daughter
Hope for 2016: continued meetings with daughters birth family. Maybe a trip to Ireland. Just the anticipation of seeing baby girl grow in the next year.
New Years Resolution: always be present with my daughter when I'm hanging with her (get off my phone!). Drink more water.
Last Drink: Loopy Vodka & Soda
First Food: smoked salmon for breakfast. Yum-O

[twocents6708]

We are a respite foster family and I work in child welfare.

We are fairly new in the process and haven't had a placement yet. I am limited in the type of placements due to my job. We are really hoping to give respite a shot for a year or so before fostering full time.

We became licensed in September of 2015, so that was pretty exciting.

I am looking forward to some respite/ emergency fostering in 2016 and to welcoming a new biological child in May.

New Years Resolution: To complete a professional licensure exam before baby arrives.

Last thing I drank in 2015 was root beer.

First thing I ate in 2016 was French toast and bacon.

[roxy]

What part of the triad do you represent (adoptive family, birth family, adoptee): Adoptive Family

Where are you in the process: We finalized 2 days before Christmas.

Favorite moment from 2015: Meeting and adopting our son.

Biggest hope for 2016: That we will continue to grow closer as a family.

Got any New Years resolutions: Taking better care of my body instead of treating it like a garbage can. My goal is to get back into my running program and complete at least 2 half marathons this year. The kiddo wants to train for a 5k so that should be a pretty good motivator. We are in serious saving mode too, hoping to move into a bigger home in 2017.

Last thing you drank in 2015: A margarita

First thing you ate in 2016: scrambled eggs

[browneyes8]

What part of the triad do you represent (adoptive family, birth family, adoptee): adoptive family

Where are you in the process:just finalized the adoption of our second son! We have two sons through adoption

Favorite moment from 2015:DS2 being born and joining our family

Biggest hope for 2016:continued health and happiness for our family

Got any New Years resolutions:to be more mindful of our blessings

Last thing you drank in 2015:half a martini

First thing you ate in 2016: we were snacking after midnight, probably mini hotdog appetizer

[redandblue]

A little late to the party! But here goes:

What part of the triad do you represent (adoptive family, birth family, adoptee):
Adoptive family. Welcomed DS2 through infant consent with our local CAS.

Where are you in the process:
He has been with us since birth (we met him when he was approximately 3 hours old!). We signed paperwork in October that he was officially placed with us for adoption. We are currently in our probation period (until approximately February) and then we wait for finalization.

Favorite moment from 2015:
Meeting our son. I can't even describe the feelings on the car ride to the hospital, and then the walk into the hospital with the social worker. There was not a dry eye in that nursing station when we met. It was absolutely incredible. Also being able to meet his birth mom. We were not sure if she was open to this up until the drive there, the SW let us know she was willing to meet us.

Biggest hope for 2016:
I hope to be able to figure out some financial things so that I can stay home with DS2 until at least September. I am also hoping that we are able to have some contact with his BM. I'm also really hoping that DS1 will finally write his drivers test. (He turned 16 in September and it's killing me that he hasn't gone to get his license yet!)

Got any New Years resolutions:
I don't really do resolutions, however I feel like I want to be better at budgeting (see my hope for 2016 with being able to stay off longer with DS2). And I should try to be a bit more active.

Last thing you drank in 2015:
I had 2 beers and Perier.

First thing you ate in 2016:
Hmm, I can't remember, but most likely some Christmas Cookies! You know, having to clean things up!

[persianmaman]

Awww, I love you guys all so much. Haven't seen this many of us on in awhile. *hugs everyone*

[lizblue]

Also late to the party:

What part of the triad do you represent (adoptive family, birth family, adoptee): Adoptive mom to 4.5 month old girl

Where are you in the process: TPR was finalized on 12/17 and now we are waiting for our finalization court date - should be late January or early February.

Favorite moment from 2015: Either getting the call about being matched with our daughter, or actually meeting her and her birthparents. Both are a bit of a blur, but there are crystalline details that are seared into my brain about both of those moments and I can distinctly remember the crazy happy/scared feeling in my chest.

Biggest hope for 2016: Health, getting to know DD's birth parents.

Got any New Years resolutions: Not anything formal.

Last thing you drank in 2015: Wine

First thing you ate in 2016: English muffin


HAPPY NEW YEAR Y'ALL!