[BlessedBe]

Well, since "the" day is nearing I am getting some last minute things done. One of which is I'd like to get C a hospital stay bag and fill it with some things she could use at the hospital and maybe later at home.

Also, would it be appropriate for me to give her a gift such as a piece of special jewelry now? Perhaps a sterling silver bracelet with an engraved charm? (I bought both of my anonymous egg donors one with the word "Hope" engraved on a heart charm).

Aaaagghh!!! I don't know what other adoptive parents have done and I'm just looking for ideas.

Thanks so much for any and all ideas!!!

BlessedBe...

[cathy102]

We bought Lexi's birthmom a Butterfly Diamond Necklace with Lexi's birthstone (T loves Butterflies) and we bought Sean's birthmom a Diamond Cross Necklace...

[rtsmom]

I think a special jewellery gift is a lovely idea, but I'd be inclined to wait until after the babe is born & placed with you, so as not to risk creating a feeling of obligation on the expectant mom's part.

Janet

[tobeafamily]

Please be sure and clear any and all gifts (this includes personal care items) exchanged with your attorney. Gifts may be viewed as an attempt to influence or coerce, especially if it's an item of value such as jewelry. Understand too that how a gift is 'viewed' varies from situation to situation and court to court. Your attorney will have the best guidance on what is or is not appropriate.

In our case we got clearance to give a photo album, and put first pictures in it. We also got clearance for flowers but no jewelry, even jewelry with little monetary value.



Regina

[mommieof2cuties]

Do it what your heart you feel is right! But understand that gifts are gifts and should she decided to parent you cannot ask for them back. I had someone pm me and share that they went after the bmom for everything after she changed her mind. Not sure why that person shared that with me...but just understand...a gift is a gift. Flowers die, so I seldom send people flowers, I am more into going to the bath and body works and getting a basket for someone. People can always use more bath items.

A great idea for the hospital would be to go get a bunch of samples from toothpaste to gel etc. so that she can use those while at the hospital. Maybe a nice super soft robe and slippers? I remember I was so sore after having both my babies.

But again, get what you feel in your heart you want to get. I do like the idea cathy gave about a necklace with birthstone in it?

God Bless,
Keep us updated
Summer

[cathy102]

I did want to mention that I got approval from both places that I adopted my kids from about the Jewelry.

[mumofone]

We are involved in semi-open/closed relationships with both of our son's parents. We send pictures and updates when they request them. We have met our new baby's mom, but have never met our eldest son's parents.

When our baby turns one, we are doing an album with an update and also giving her a locket with our son's photo inside with the inscription on the back saying "Love Jesse". We asked our Social Worker if that was okay, and she said it was a perfect gift idea.

Just another idea for later on would be to collect two "First Curl Boxes" and two "First Tooth Boxes" and pass one of each to the birthmom with curls and a tooth inside. We are doing that as well.

I am sure your pbmom will appreciate anything that you give her.

[Momoffive1966]

I love the first curl idea

[mommieof2cuties]

I second the first curl idea......

Also a friend who just adopted...seems like more and more are adopting!, just told me that she got the bmom while in the hospital a travel kit with toothbrush and regular size soap bar and sample size of everything else and a big bottle of mouthwash...She said that someone else had told her that the samples you can get from the hospital are not big enough and that that first show can be painful so she advise a travel kit with samples but also some fullsize items in it. She told me to tell you to have an extra toothbrush because everyone forgets the toothbrushes! LOL So I am just passing the information on. God Bless. Summer

[Guspiv]

I think a special peice of jewlery is a nice idea. We ended up getting Gavin's birthmom a bible and a photo album for pcotrues we woudl be sending.

[allanacw]

We just met our daughter's bmom last week (adopted through Children's Aid), and took her a beautiful photo album with the promise of filling it with photos, and a disposable camera with the developing paid for. When we gave her the camera, we explained the developing was paid for at certain stores (a large grocery chain) and she immediately said there wasn't one near her. The worker quickly jumped in and said she would have them developed for her.

When we finalized dd's adoption two weeks ago we gave her a necklace with an angel pendant. It's so beautiful. If you do a search on "angel pendant" on google you'll find it.


Allana