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Monday, January 19, 2009

The Good List

I know others have posted similar things on their blogs, but I found this comprehensive list of "Things to do While Waiting" on this web site. There are some good things here that I thought worth sharing...

# 10 is a good example. While I'm always in the mood to discuss and dream about names we might choose for our baby, I hadn't even thought about the fact that prospective birth parents might ask about our choice of names. That gives me an extra way to convince the hubs to discuss name choices without making stupid jokes! :) Anyway...I got some good ideas from this list, hope you enjoy it too:

Some Things to Do While Waiting For Baby:

  1. Seek support from other people adopting either through local support groups or the IAC forums and adoption support groups.
  2. Take a class in newborn care.
  3. Take an infant/child CPR & First Aid class.
  4. Read about open adoption, parenting and general infant/child care.
  5. Talk to your employer and start planning for time away from the office if necessary.
  6. Research and select baby furniture (it can take months to order).
  7. Research car seats and strollers, with an eye towards a purchase.
  8. If you have purchased a car seat already, learn how to install it, then get it checked by a car seat specialist (call your local police department for assistance).
  9. Research and select a pediatrician.
  10. Select names for each gender (this is a common question from potential birthfamilies).
  11. Discuss and research discipline styles/techniques.
  12. Research and select a childcare provider (if you are going to work).
  13. Research new parenting techniques i.e., baby massage, using sign language, etc.
  14. Make some reheatable quick meals and store in the freezer.
  15. Research baby announcements, do-it-yourself or order?
  16. Start a life book of your adoption journey for your child.
  17. Discuss and make decisions about new wills, life insurance and a guardian for your child.
  18. Research and request forms to add your new baby to your health insurance plan.
  19. Research any parental/family leave policies with your employer.
  20. Research and decide about adoptive breastfeeding.
  21. Research and decide about cord blood banking.
  22. Research and purchase new baby/brother/sister books for the older sibling(s), if applicable.
  23. Discuss what type of new baby/welcome home celebration you want to have.
  24. Research and learn how to prevent SIDS.
  25. Prepare a first aid kit specifically for children (consult your pediatrician or the Red Cross).
  26. Tidy up your closets and storage space.
  27. Prepare the nursery.
  28. Talk to your friends and family about open adoption.
  29. Start a journal or blog about your adoption journey. A journal can record the milestones and detours, as well as your first rush of love for your child.
  30. Take advantage of special opportunities with your current familly.

14 comments:

Bri said...

Oh! This is almost overwhelming! Look how much stuff I still have to do!

LL said...

great list.

E said...

Thanks for sharing...there are some great ideas there and definitely things that will get you into baby mode. Although we've been waiting a year, I just don't feel ready to do some of the things. It doesn't feel that real yet for me, kwim? However, I also realize that we could get the call tomorrow! It's crazy...anyway, hoping you get THE call soon!

Michelle said...

Hello. I found your blog on Mel's blogroll. I want to introduce myself. Im Michelle, 24 years old. Hubby and I tried to concieve for 5years with Male Infertility. Long story short, many IUI's and 1 IVF later we suffered 2 miscarriages 7 weeks along. We domestically adopted our daughter July 08, from a friend of a friend of a friend. She was worth every waiting second.
I look forward to reading your blog! Feel free to check out mine!

Jamie said...

Hi Miss Melba :)
This list is wonderful! MANY of those things were required through our agency and as "unwilling" as I was to do some of them....it really has been a blessing to have so many things already decided. :) It's amazing how long we wait for our children and how reluctant we can be to take action on certain things. I'm still having a hard time believing that our match is actually going to happen and our son is due in two weeks. :)
The first aid/cpr classes ~ so glad we did those....open adoption research, sharing it with our families, deciding on a name for either gender ~ ALL great! We had heard many situations where the birthparents wanted to be a part of naming the baby. I wasn't ready for that....but when the time came it ended up that we chose the first name and the birthmother chose the middle name. I don't have any hard feelings about it ~ I'm actually glad that he has that. :)
Just thinking about you and think this is a great list to work your way through! :)
Jamie

Anonymous said...

YAY for lists!! I find that when I'm at a loss, a list just makes things better... gives a sense of purpose and direction. Great way to kick-off 2009, Melba... really, really :)

Deb said...

Had I to do my waiting all over again #2 would have been first on my list of things to do. I was surprised how unprepared I was when Isabel came home.
#11 is a question asked of us during our match meeting which we always found hard to answer since it really depends on your child's temperament but at least we had discussed ideas.
Ah #28 yes if you are planning on an open adoption is a must! Wish we had prepared our families a bit more.

Great list. I love it.

Anonymous said...

Wowzer, this list is overwhelming! I suppose I did many of those things, but seeing them all in one place is intimidating. There are some things that I need to do myself (I haven't taken an infant CPR class in 4 years) so I'm going to bookmark this. :)

Cresent Moon said...

I have been following your blog, just never posted. I love this list! I am a list person as well, it keeps me busy and my mind off the waiting. Some of these we have done, but some I hadn't thought of so thanks!! Also, we do have our furniture and it took 12 weeks to get it in....just something to keep in mind, that's why we went ahead and got ours.

I look forward to following your journey...you can find me at http://miraclesbelieveinthem.blogspot.com/

Keeping you in my prayers!

Natalie said...

Thanks for sharing these wonderful ideas! I am copying and pasting this list to Word...and printing it out ASAP. Oh, and by the way...I'm FINALLY getting the award on my blog! Been so busy lately!! THanks again!

katd said...

Oh my goodness, I definitely didn't get that checklist completed:) Working on Lily's lifebook REALLY helped me with the wait. I did a few scrapbook pages on getting the then gender neutral room ready and getting our profile together, etc. It helped me feel connected to the baby that I didn't even know yet.
Great list! :)

Evergreen said...

Great list - thanks! I just found your blog - I am new to adoption and working on my homestudy, but I am already thinking about that dreaded wait!

Jamie said...

Hi ~ just checking on you. :) Thinking of you always...
Jme

Becky said...

Wow! Miss seeing and hearing from you! Hope you are OK!