[bamagrl]

We just finished our 2nd IVF cycle with a negative preg. test. . Before entering the 2nd try we decided, after much prayer, that we would begin the adoption process if it failed. So here we go...
First, this is not something we are entering into lightly. Since I was 20ish, now 31, I was told I probably wouldn't be able to have children. This gave me a good 10 years to be excited about adopting a little one. My husband had known this from the time we started dating and is also excited about adopting. Now were trying to figure out were to start. Has anyone been through the adoption process in Alabama? Any good referrals for agencies? We don't care if it is domestic or international. We're not too keen on the idea of open adoption. We've been married for a little over 2 years and see that a lot of agencies won't meet with you until you've been married for at least 3 years. We have a lot of love to share with a little one and are ready to begin the journey. Any advice and guidance is very appreciated.

[MIRANDA12503]

I dont have any infor but wanted to take a min to wish you the best of luck.

Miranda

[Kari]

Bamagrl,

I'm sorry to hear about your second IVF. We were in you place about 7 months ago. I'm glad you are excited about adoption and persistant about becoming parents. It can be such an emotional rollercoaster and battle, but we can all be parents in the end....just sometimes we must take a little different journey to get to our destination.

I am not familiar with Alabama agencies, but just remember you don't have to limit yourself to only agencies in your state. Though, it can certainly make it easier. We were only married 2 years when we started working with our agency. The domestic adoption programs/agencies we looked into did not require as long of a marriage as some of the international programs.

I wish you the best on this journey. I also want to just let you know that we originally were not too keen on open adoption. However, I just ask that you keep your mind open to that possibility. We had our match meeting yesterday and I am so thankful to be able to meet the parents of our potential child! I was even a little sad to learn that they do not want annual visits. I would love my child to have the opportunity to have some sort of relationship with them as he grows up to know that their decision was made out of love for him. I also hope to learn more about them in the next few weeks so I can talk about their personalities and talents so my child is proud of where he came from. I was surprised by the love and bond I feel towards them. In most cases it's nothing to be afraid of....more something to embrace.

However, that is just our personal experience, and every experience is different. Just something to think about.

Good luck on your journey!

[CryingInside]

Hi bamagirl!

We are just beginning the process of adoption and I just got back from my very first adoption seminar. It was an international one and I have one on domestic Saturday.

I would suggest buying a book called Completion Adoption or Completion Adoption Guidebook. Its one of those two names. It is humongous and a bit daunting, but it has resources in the back for every single state and tons of info on the difference between domestic and international. I just finished it yesterday and highly recommend it!

Keep in touch!

[sarah16]

It looks like you have gotten some good advice. I just wanted to say good luck with your adoption journey!!

[mondk]

I too have The Complete Book of Adoption...it is huge but packed with great info! I also have Adoption for Dummies...it is a little easier to read through than the other but if you are doing a domestic adoption, you really need the first one, in my opinion anyway.

We really wanted an open adoption because I always want our son to know his roots biologically and to always be able to talk to his birthmom and for when he might have questions about his birthfather and half siblings (we recently learned he has at least 3 half siblings)! We were really excited about that except for the birthfather isn't in the picture because he essentially raped our birthmom...but she told us everything she knew about him and plans to talk to Joshie about him too should he have any questions.

Right now our birthmom is here staying with us to help celebrate Joshie's first birthday. We refer to her as "mommy Claire". I heard Joshie say mam maw to her yesterday and I so wished I had the video camera going. Claire, the other night before bed, told me she was really glad Joshie was here with us and that she hoped someday she could be as good a parent as we are to Joshie. She said no, not right now...she doesn't even have a boyfriend...but someday she'd like to have at least one she said. It is truly amazing to be able to talk with her about all this stuff.

We are so so SO glad our adoption is open! Best decision we made. So learn all you can about it, do a lot of research and just to let you know, closed adoptions are not the usual and the norm anymore; most people out there are in OA's.

Anyway, keep us updated and good luck!

Blessings, Michelle