[JC10]

Well after two years of tdm meetings, tpr's, evaluations, classes, training, bonding, bonding studies, joy, & heartache WE'RE FINALIZING IN AUGUST! Actual date to be announced in a week or two. We just couldn't be more excited. Our babies came to us when they were 4, 2, & 10 months & now they are 6, 4, & 2!!! We are feeling so much, excitement, relief, joy, heartache for the birth family, and so much more. If anyone else if finalizing soon...please respond! Trying to plan, plan, plan...looking for just the right outfits to wear to court, deciding on finalization party or celebration or dinner or whatever... New names? We never even considered it but it's been brought up by the SW as a common thing. SO now, I have to consider, how would renaming them affect them, us, do I want to give them a name which is traditionally the fist gift a parent gives a child...and if so, what to name them? Keep first name as middle. Leave their names? Oh so many decisions and only two weeks before signing final papers...where did our time go? Oh, so many emotions, hope to get lots of responses, help, advice, & opinions!!!

[aunlanpo]

LOL! I just want to congratulate you! How wonderful for all of you!

Aundrea

[skristiesan2]

We will also be finalizing the end of August or first of Sept. It was recommended to us by DCS to not change their names. Except for their last names of course. They are 1 & 2. They will be 2 & 3 in Sept.. DCS feels if there's not really any good reason to change their name (if it were a really unusual name or the child wanted it changed) then we shouldn't. This is our first time adopting so we haven't decided how to celebrate either. I wanted to have a big party but it's going to be so close to their b-day's. They are both in Sept. I'm sure we'll do something just don't know what yet. Let me know how you decide to celebrate.

[ml4474]

You must be SO excited!!! I'm very happy for you!

[yanknrebel]

We are SO HAPPY for you!!!! We just finalized our 2 year old twins this past Thursday and we are still on cloud nine. Congratulations!!!

[MCatherine]

Congratulations to all who have adopted and are adopting recently.
My husband and I attended a Foster Care Inservice last Thursday, here in Tx. Now we have to choose an agency, take the classes, etc.
I have a question for the person that just discovered she was adopting her babies in a couple of weeks. We are trying to decide on which group of children would be best for us to request. How in the world do you take care of 3 babies and a toddler???

Thank you in advance,
Catherine

[oliviasmom2be]

Yeah for you and your family! We were able to name our first foster son because he came to us without one. With our FD, I have gotten a lot of advice and I am choosing to keep her first name as it was something her b-mom gave her that she will be able to keep forever and I will give her a family name for her middle name as is tradition with our family.

We celebrated with family the day our son was adopted (for anyone in LA, there is a great winery/restaurant in downtown LA - San Antonio Winery) and we had a huge adoption party the following weekend. (125 people - yikes) It's so amazing to invite all of the people in your life that have provided support, encouragement and love to share in the moment.

Best of luck with all of your exciting decisions! Have fun and bring a lot of film!!!!!!!

Tiffany

[5starday]

Originally Posted by skristiesan2

It was recommended to us by DCS to not change their names. Except for their last names of course.

Wow! I've never heard such a thing! You, as the adoptive parents, have the right to change their names if you want to. I am surprised that the DCS told you that!

Perhaps you could give them new first names and use their first birth names as middle names. It's TOTALL up to you and your DH.

Congratulations on the finalization being set!

[JC10]

Thank you everyone for your support. The name change seems to be the biggest reply. We've decided a new name is best for the children. We are concerned with their emotional health in accepting a new name. However, a new name represents a new start, a clean slate. We will keep first names as middle names and give a new first name to each. This will also ensure their future security as the BF has our last name & safety is a concern in our particular situation. Good luck to all & congrats to all who have, are, and will finalize!!! It seems too good to be true, I'll keep all posted & please do the same for me.

[mj77]

Congratulations on being close to finalization. It feels SOOOO good to finalize!!

As far as the names go, we totally changed our older son's name. We called him by his old name, then transitioned that with his new name (new name first followed by old name). Then eventually dropped the old name and called him only by his new name then slowly introduced his new middle name. With our youngest we changed the spelling of his first name and changed the middle name.

Best to you!

[Luvbeingmommy]

I adopted my dd from foster care in Sept. 2003 and only changed her last name.
We are still awaiting the appeal on my two foster sons. We intend to change M to his middle name and give him a new first and my last name. On little A we are changing his just a little and using it as a middle name and his new first name will be after my brother who passed away in 1991 and then of course my last.