Time Flies

November 22, 2011

Time is really flying by.  It has been two months since our decision to adopt and we have accomplished so many things.  I have read 8 books and Tim and I have taken about 16 hours of classes about learning to adopt an orphan.  We learned that for every 3-4 months Henry is in the orphanage he will be developmentally delayed by a month. We also learned about medical issues, attachment issues, and the effects of institutionalization resulting from orphanage life.  We are currently in the process of looking for an international adoption doctor to help us with our match when the time comes.

The home study process started with a 2 hour meeting with the home study agency and getting all of our paperwork complete.  We had to get fingerprints, backgrounds checks, physicals, marriage license, Mia's immunization records, birth certificates, make up a fire evacuation plan, draw a blueprint of our house, and find 6 references (which they have already contacted).   I can go on and on but you get the drift.  It was a lot of work.  We just had our in home study visit last week.  Our social worker came to our house for about 4 hours.  We really like her.  She will be the one to follow us for Henry's post adoption placement visits also.  So now we are in the waiting process which could take 8-12 weeks for the approval of the home study.  Once we receive approval, we'll file an I-600 with Immigration and start our dossier.  In the meantime, I'm going to shop around and have some fun!  :)