[SadieAnn]

You'll see from the trailer under my response our timeline, also that we had a failed placement. Dh & I only have this adoption experience to refer to, so I will address your comments from this one perspective only.

We are both 43, and we were matched within months of our homestudy. The placement failed, but it had nothing to do with our age, or anything personal really. Bdad just decided he wanted to parent. I will add that in networking with other waiting couples, it appears that all of us have something we fear will be less than appealing to bparents. I think it's the nature of the beast to focus on your shortcomings and not your strengths. So my advice is control what you can, and then try not to focus on what you cannot. When it drives you crazy lean on your support system... you'll need it!

On the domestic vs international. If you want a brand new, fresh from delivery newborn, and you can't live with anything else, than domestic is the route. I have had a taste of parenting a newborn and I will say ITS PRETTY AWESOME!!! But I've also had a taste of bparents changing their minds and must add that ITS PRETTY AWEFULL!!!

We are back in the wait and we do pretty much live in constant fear of another failure. We have a lot of support and lean on it often, but nothing will subside the fear except a match the results in a forever baby. I think the bottom line is that as a couple you need to weigh the pros/cons of each road and decide what you can and cannot live with. Each path has it's obstacles. Nothing is certain.

But along the way you can find support here, which has certainly helped me with our bumps in the road.

Good luck!