[purplekelli]

We'll be heading off for Indiana at the end of the month to pick up our girls. The original due date was December 24th, but our pbmom "S" was excited to inform me today that the doctor expects her to deliver around Thanksgiving. So I really have got to get started shopping.

We're going to Babies R Us this weekend to register, but I want to know what we should buy now. What do I need to take with me? We've been told to expect to stay in Indiana 10-15 days. So here I am asking those of you who have been through it, for your pearls of wisdom. What do I need? I can't find a packing list for interstate adoption anywhere.

What kinds of things should I buy right away and what can wait until we get home? What do I need two of and what can I get away with only one?

I'm not used to needing help with shopping. That's one of the things I do best! My world is already changing.

Kelli

[LisaCA]

wow, congrats! to take with you: you need a few clothes for the babies, blankets to swaddle them in, hats, bibs and puke rags (cloth diapers work well), bottles that you want to start with (just a few, you can buy more there). You can buy most of the stuff there in indiana like car seats (in order to leave the hospital and get around), diapers, formula, etc.

you will need slings to carry the babies in. it's like being in mom's womb, nice and snug, plus each of you can wear one. slings are also nice since babies need to be eight lbs for the baby bjorns.

good luck!

lisa

[Snorky]

Hi Kellie -

We also adopted from Indiana, we live in Illinois and DD was born on New Year's Eve of last year. We took WAAAYYY too much stuff with us, but it made me feel better. We did have a car seat, which was a good thing since a lot of stores were closed New Year's Day. We took a lot of clothes for the baby that weren't necessary. The hospital gave a lot of samples both to DD's Birthmother and to us, so you can hold off on diapers and rash cream until you decide which you like. If we were to do it again I would bring:

- just a few outfits for the baby (never know what size he/she is going to be)
-lots of burp rags
-a variety of bottles (1 or 2 of a cheap brand, a middle brand and an expensive one in case the baby is picky)
-formula (if you haven't already, sign up on the brands website to get coupons)
-pack and play with a bassinet insert for the baby to sleep in
-receiving blankets to swaddle the baby in
-we had a fleece insert on the car seat, so we never did need a winter coat for DD
-Bottle brush and drying rack
-UMBRELLA - if you have to go to Indianapolis it is ALWAYS raining there!!!!!

The good news is that if you're staying at a Homewood Suites they may feed you at night. We stayed at one that had "snacks" at dinner time every night. The snacks were pretty much full meals! We met a lot of newly adoptive parents there (our lawyer's office sent everyone there) and ended up only staying 3 days.

Please feel free to email me at moiraandjulian@aol.com if you have any questions.

Moira

[sneezyone]

I second what Moira said - if you can swing it - stay at a Homewood suites. There's a real breakfast each am(protein, fruit and starch) so DH can sneak down to bring you goodies and vice versa (NO COOKING!!) and dinner food at night. We stayed in the one out by the airport last time and it was FABOO (read: brand new!). A two room suite that was actually quite roomy! They will even send staff to a pharmacy if you need medicines or anything! I was impressed.

We bought car seats for DD but left them safely installed in DH's car at the airport and my car at home. I'd just get a couple of the snugly cloth inserts and pick up carseats from the car rental place at the airport - less to carry.

Instead of an umbrella stroller, I also brought a pouch to wear with baby safely tucked inside. DD slept almost the entire way (she was sooo comfy). It promoted bonding and (again) there was less to carry. It was also a deterrent to lookee-lous - BIG PLUS!! Especially with two babes, you might want to consider this. DD fit in hers through 8 months! Actually, she still fits, 18lbs is just to much to wear on my shoulders!

You could bring a pack n' play (although Homewood suites gives you this for free and sets it up so all you need are sheets and blankets) a few bottles, several onesies, a couple hats, (Indy was FREEZING when we were there last October) and a few sleepers (outfits are a total hassle at that stage)!! LOTS of burp rags. I'd buy formula when you get there and after the baby is discharged - less to carry!

What am I missing? I think that's about it. I picked up almost everything we needed when we got there from Target, etc. I found my way around pretty quick. Got stir crazy bein' cooped up in the room.

Can you tell I travel light?!?

OH - and don't forget a small duffle bag to bring back the goodies you get from the hospital and the stuff you pick up while you're there!

[redhedded]

Kelli, We have twice adopted out of state. With our daughter, we spent 40+ days 2000 miles from home in her birthstate. With our son, last December, we spent two weeks.

I highly recommend a corporate apartment if you are in a large city. We stayed in the same complex each time. It was a 2 bedroom then a 1 bedroom the second time, fully furnished with washer/dryer, full kitchen. It gives the space you need so that one person might sleep while the other is up with the babes (in your case.) We did every feeding together, but in case. . . It was no more expensive than an extended period hotel and far less than some corporate hotels with kitchen. You can generally find them in the yellow pages under hotels and/or apartments.

The hospital should give you some ready to use formula; either way, you would want to wait to see what they begin babes on. If you are going to have access to a dishwasher, buy a top rack cage for nipples/bottle hardware.

If you are driving, I suggest getting the car seats purchased and installed before leaving; it is one less thing to worry about.

If you wanted to (and would use upon returning home) you could take a pack and play. For our dd, the nursery loaned us a hospital bassinet; for our son, I purchased the traveling bassinet at Burlington Baby. It folds and can be easily stored in the trunk.

Best of luck. It is a great and special time to spend, out of state, uninterrupted, just as a family with plenty of time to get to know one another and bond. Keep us updated.

[redhedded]

Kelli, Another thought. During our stay, I kept a journal, which I had started long before. I also took photos of the city and landmarks for my kids. I collected the newspaper of the day that they were born, just as momentos for them to have. For my daughter (did not have time for my son) we purchased a book for most of the days we were there and inscribed it for her.

We had two wonderful hospital experiences and stayed in touch with nurses and in my son's case, the doctor who saved his life.

[katmom2]

When we adopted our ds and dd both out of state. Our son was born early so the hospital told us we could stay at the Ronald McDonald House. It was great cost was only $10 a night. Felt like home and they have food there. Plus it was within walking distance from the hospital. When our dd was born I checked with the hospital to see if they had a Ronald McDonald house but they didn't. Instead they had a brand new Hospitality House. They are normally for people from out of town visiting patients. We stayed there and it only cost us $35.00 a night. So you might check with the hospital to see if they have one of those. They are usually across the street from the hospital so it's real convient. Regarding taking things. We took a few clothes and diapers, bottles, bottle brush, blakets, burp towels. We bought a pack-n-play and a car seat after we got there. Hope this helps. Congrats!!!

[joskimo]

I second most everyone's posts, but the one thing I wish I"d brought on our trip was the stroller. WE had the whole travel ssytem where the car seat snaps into the stroller and with the ICPC wait, yu really want to get out of the hotel and walk around even if it's just the mall.

Many congrats!

[ses1230]

Kelli,

Congratulations!

I got this list from somewhere (I can't remember now, it might even have been from this forum!) before we went to pick up dd. I know it's a little long, but you can adjust it to your needs. The only think I didn't do was bring formula b/c I wanted to see what the hospital would recommend.

Baby Supplies:
- diaper bag
- formula, bottles and nipples (either disposable bottles - 1box of 4 oz vacuum-packed bottles with several sterilized nipples or regular formula, can of ready-made along with 2 bottles/nipples)
- cloth diapers - 3 or 4
- disposable diapers
- baby wipes - small box
- pacifiers - 2 sterilized
- small blankets
- hat
- warm outer layer

Car Seat and stroller

Pack in luggage:
- receiving blankets - 3 or 4
- onesies - 8 - 10
- sleepers - 4 - 6
- drawstring nightgowns - 2
- socks/booties - 2
- changes of clothing - 6 sets, including hat, sweater
- bibs - 6
- gentle clothing detergent - Dreft/Ivory
- pacifiers - 4 sterilized and wrapped
- cloth headrest for car seat
- bottles - 4-6 sterilized and zip-locked
- nipples - 4-6 sterilized and zip-locked
- bottle brush
- can opener
- additional formula
- plastic lid for formula cans
- extra ziplock bags
- snugli/carrier with head support
- baby bath soap and lotion - travel size
- baby washcloths - 4
- hooded bath towels - 1-2
- baby reference book
- changing pad
- present for birth parent(s)
- present for nurse/foster care
- brush and comb set
- nail clippers
- petroleum jelly - travel size
- cotton balls
- alcohol (or alcohol swabs)
- diaper ointment
- gauze
- journal

Don't forget to bring:
- directions from airport to agency/foster care
- local hospital from our pediatrician
- books/games
- camera/film
- album to give birth parents
- gift for birth parents and their children
- address book to call people / email addresses
- check book
- information provided from agency (including newly received birth records, birth parent info, etc)
- personal clothing for up to 14 days

HTH

Stephanie

[Casey677]

Our munckin came from IN too!!!

We were out of state when we got the call (dd came early and was a complete surprise). We had NOTHING with us when we left. Luckily we have fantastic family and friends who shopped, washed clothes, and overnighted everything to us.

Stuff we bought there:
Travel system (someone recommended that we do that anyway, so we didn't have one back home)
Pack-n-Play
Bottles
Some clothes
Blankets
Neccesities: Diapers, wipes, formula, butt paste, etc

FYI- the hospital that dd was born at sold carseats for donations- even $5 would have been fine.

[purplekelli]

Thanks for the tips. I have been trying to make my own list, but I figured that it would be smarter to just ask those of you who've already done this.

Stephanie- your list was amazing! I printed it out and it's ready to take with us on our Friday shopping trip.

I'm definitely going to check out Homewood Suites. I'm not familiar with them, but I'm making some calls. My folks have time share properties and there is actually a property in Indiana (about 2 hours from the hospital). The unit they plan to reserve sleeps 8 so dh and I (and the girls, of course!) may just bunk in with them. If the babies come early, they will probably have to stay at the hospital. If that's the case, then staying 2 hours away will be unacceptable. So I'll look at some closer options just in case.

I love the idea of gathering up momentos from the hospital. I'm a scrapbooker so that's right up my alley.

Keep those ideas coming!

Kelli

[chrisandaaron]

Just a thought to lighten your load. I've heard other traveling aparents suggest buying a laundry basket for babe to sleep in (if your hotel doesn't provide cribs). Then you can just leave it behind and don't have the pack-n-play to lug home. Also, my son slept in his infant car seat (in the crib at home) the first 2 nights he was home from the hospital. He just liked the more cozy feeling of the carseat. I know these ideas may seem strange, but babies don't usually care where they sleep.

Have a great trip!

[spaypets]

Just to make sure they don't get buried on the list-ziplock bags-They are vital when traveling with small children and babies. Yucky diapers, soaked clothing, etc. can all be separated from everything else.