I’m delighted to say that Damon and I have just about finished our application to Chinese Children Adoption International (CCAI going forward).
I did visit my doctor last week, and she outlined the tests she’d like to do. And then at my request she outlined the possible treatments, depending on what the tests showed. And I sat in her chair feeling smaller and smaller and smaller. When I got back to the office I called Damon and related her recommendations. He was quiet for a moment and then said, “Why don’t we adopt?” The wave of relief I felt was all the self examination I needed.
We did plenty of research. It seems there are lots and lots of adoption agencies. Who knew? I won’t bore you with all our deciding factors, but CCAI was a good fit for us and I had a lovely conversation with them today that once again confirmed that we made the right choice.
This will be a long process, probably about a year and a half. But the train is leaving the station, and that’s good enough for me.
I’m sure there will be a lot more for me to say. For example, I have a list of medical conditions and we’re supposed to check off anything we’d be willing to accept. I have HUGE mental hurdles to jump over to complete this document. I mean, how can I look at this information and say, “This baby’s problems disqualify her from being our daughter.” I wouldn’t get to make that kind of decision if I were pregnant. We have all the advantages. They have no advantages. And we’re supposed to decide which of their problems we’re willing to deal with. I’m not intending to be a hero, just a parent, but this still doesn’t sit well.
At some point soon I’ll take this out from behind the filter. I just want to tell a few more friends this week before I go more public. I supposed I still lock the entries as Friends only though, as I don’t intend to tell work any time soon.
jaysaint 
Posted by steakums on August 16, 2006 at 10:49 am
I’m so excited for you two!
I imagine having different problems laid out in front of you is an odd “check off” procedure. But your heart will tell you what to do – and in the end you’ll have a beatiful baby girl – no matter what.
Posted by steakums on August 16, 2006 at 10:49 am
I’m so excited for you two!
I imagine having different problems laid out in front of you is an odd “check off” procedure. But your heart will tell you what to do – and in the end you’ll have a beatiful baby girl – no matter what.
Posted by steakums on August 16, 2006 at 10:49 am
I’m so excited for you two!
I imagine having different problems laid out in front of you is an odd “check off” procedure. But your heart will tell you what to do – and in the end you’ll have a beatiful baby girl – no matter what.
Posted by travellight on August 16, 2006 at 11:49 am
This is a really big step, and one I think you’ll always be glad you took.
Congratulations!
Posted by travellight on August 16, 2006 at 11:49 am
This is a really big step, and one I think you’ll always be glad you took.
Congratulations!
Posted by travellight on August 16, 2006 at 11:49 am
This is a really big step, and one I think you’ll always be glad you took.
Congratulations!
Posted by samae on August 16, 2006 at 12:41 pm
Congratulations! How exciting that all is!
My sister adopted a little boy from Kazakhstan a few years ago and the whole thing really went great. He’s a doll and became one of our family the instant he walked in the door.
Posted by samae on August 16, 2006 at 12:41 pm
Congratulations! How exciting that all is!
My sister adopted a little boy from Kazakhstan a few years ago and the whole thing really went great. He’s a doll and became one of our family the instant he walked in the door.
Posted by samae on August 16, 2006 at 12:41 pm
Congratulations! How exciting that all is!
My sister adopted a little boy from Kazakhstan a few years ago and the whole thing really went great. He’s a doll and became one of our family the instant he walked in the door.
Posted by lemon_says on August 16, 2006 at 12:47 pm
I am so happy for you guys. This is so exciting!
Posted by lemon_says on August 16, 2006 at 12:47 pm
I am so happy for you guys. This is so exciting!
Posted by lemon_says on August 16, 2006 at 12:47 pm
I am so happy for you guys. This is so exciting!
Posted by jaysaint on August 16, 2006 at 4:21 pm
Thank you all for the excitement and good wishes. Sharing it all with you will be one of the many pleasures of this process.
Posted by jaysaint on August 16, 2006 at 4:21 pm
Thank you all for the excitement and good wishes. Sharing it all with you will be one of the many pleasures of this process.
Posted by jaysaint on August 16, 2006 at 4:21 pm
Thank you all for the excitement and good wishes. Sharing it all with you will be one of the many pleasures of this process.
Posted by electricrocket on August 16, 2006 at 5:37 pm
As you’re checking off the list of things you will and will not accept, my advice is to leave unchecked the box that says “Likes to scream ‘poopy!’ in public spaces.”
Of course, if you disagree because that’s your kind of thing, I won’t judge.
Much.
Posted by electricrocket on August 16, 2006 at 5:37 pm
As you’re checking off the list of things you will and will not accept, my advice is to leave unchecked the box that says “Likes to scream ‘poopy!’ in public spaces.”
Of course, if you disagree because that’s your kind of thing, I won’t judge.
Much.
Posted by jaysaint on August 19, 2006 at 12:26 am
I’m trying to remember who told me their small daughter screams “Don’t hit me!” in public, despite the fact that no one has ever so much as threatened her with a spanking.
Posted by jaysaint on August 19, 2006 at 12:26 am
I’m trying to remember who told me their small daughter screams “Don’t hit me!” in public, despite the fact that no one has ever so much as threatened her with a spanking.
Posted by electricrocket on August 16, 2006 at 5:37 pm
As you’re checking off the list of things you will and will not accept, my advice is to leave unchecked the box that says “Likes to scream ‘poopy!’ in public spaces.”
Of course, if you disagree because that’s your kind of thing, I won’t judge.
Much.
Posted by willowkitty on August 17, 2006 at 6:00 pm
it does seem kind of creepy that you can special order a baby without x conditions.
Posted by willowkitty on August 17, 2006 at 6:00 pm
it does seem kind of creepy that you can special order a baby without x conditions.
Posted by jaysaint on August 19, 2006 at 12:27 am
Yes, I suspect I will wrestle with that for a while. I think we’re going to need the social worker to weigh n.
Posted by jaysaint on August 19, 2006 at 12:27 am
Yes, I suspect I will wrestle with that for a while. I think we’re going to need the social worker to weigh n.
Posted by willowkitty on August 17, 2006 at 6:00 pm
it does seem kind of creepy that you can special order a baby without x conditions.
Posted by jaysaint on August 19, 2006 at 12:26 am
I’m trying to remember who told me their small daughter screams “Don’t hit me!” in public, despite the fact that no one has ever so much as threatened her with a spanking.
Posted by jaysaint on August 19, 2006 at 12:27 am
Yes, I suspect I will wrestle with that for a while. I think we’re going to need the social worker to weigh n.