[Emberbit]

I was thinking about starting two “pregnancy journal” type books; identical ones to keep through the pregnancy and giving one to the a-parents after delivery. I don’t want to do an actual scrapbook, something premade with questions and spaces for pictures is more my speed. I really like “the Belly Book” and should make a firm decision soon so I’m not doing too much catch up. Do you think a-parents would be offended or upset to be gifted with something that is pretty much a chronicle of the pregnancy?

Also, I was toying with the possibility of doing a family tree with pictures and such. I wouldn’t do it for the baby as I don’t know how the a-parents will want to handle such things. Rather, I would do my family tree…and maybe the baby’s father’s too if I could manage it. I guess just a little pieces of history. Do you think they (a general they) would be hurt/upset/offended by such a thing?

I know I will be surrendering all legal rights and such…but would it be bad to provide a family tree of the biological extended family?

[rredhead]

Our son's birthmom gave us her health record book - it's actually called "Baby Your Baby Health Keepsake" - which contains info about her doctor's appointments and milestones, which is great. I would love to have a pregnancy journal! I think it is so sweet of you to think of your child's adoptive parents in this way.
S also gave us a little bit of a family tree, all that she knew. As a genealogist, I love it! I can practically guarantee that your child will love to have a bio family tree. It will make those family tree assignments in school far more colorful. S/he will be able to provide both lines.
This is really wonderful of you to think about!

[GinaMarie119]

WOW... I think that would be such an AWESOME idea. I personally would love to have a journal or a family tree to put away later for the baby to see. I think the more info the better. I want to be prepared to answer as many questions as honestly as possible as possible. I also think that it would help show your son/daughter to know that your decision was based out of your love for them. Again, I would be honored to recieve the info to later pass on I think most aparents would be as well. Good-luck to you!

[DebCsMom]

WOW!!! That is an AWESOME IDEA!!!! I'm an adoptive mom & I would LOVE to have had a pregnancy journal of our children's Birth Moms! That is an amazing gift to have!

The Family Tree idea is also fantastic!! Not only is it nice for the Adoptive family to have but what a wonderful gift you are giving your child. I don't know what kind of openess you plan to have after placement but either way it is a very treasured gift to have for your child.

I have quite a few pictures of our 7 year old Birth Mom as she was growing up...infant on up to adulthood. There are some of her extended family as well. With our 5 year old I have the same, kind of a photo album of her Birth Mom growing up. For our DD birthday, her Birth Grandma made her a collage of pictures in a frame of her birth family on Birth Moms side. I cried when our DD opened it! Then everyone laughed because I cry at everything! I'm a sap, I know! LOL

I would be so excited if our children's birth Mom offered the things you are making to us!

YOU'RE AWESOME!!

Deb