[mckenna]

there are lots of opions on this, so i say go with your heart and i will share what i did. i got my son as a foster placement at 4 months. i used the name his mom gave him until the day she terminated her own rights. i knew it would be awhile before his adoption was final (ended up taking another year). it was right before christmas. i knew i would be home with him for 5 days (he was 18 months by the way). i just started using his new name and when he returned to daycare after the holidays i told everyone what to call him. the kids in the class had a harder time adjusting than he did. now at 3.5 years old, he does not even remember having another name, even when we are around someone with his old name. good luck and congrats on your daughter.