[pinkheart]

I have been racking my little brain on how to do this? I have started scrapbook since we adopted our baby should i write his birth story and add that to it? Would that be considered a life book?

[Kimmisue]

I have been doing a scrapbook for my ds that does include some of his adoption info, but I also did a small book that is his "story". It tells about the first time we met his bmom, where we were when we got the call. Everything that I can remember about his bmom...jobs she'd had, cars she'd had, favorite pizza, restaurant....etc. And it also tells the story of the day he was born in detail. It has pictures of the restaurant where we met, the dr. office, the hospital, and plenty of pictures in the hospital. It doesn't have a lot of embellishments or stickers, just decorative paper, pictures and LOTS of journaling. So, I think it's up to you. I wanted to be sure to put some of the adoption info in his big scrapbook, because it is a part of his life, but I wanted somewhere that would go into great detail that didn't have to be there for everyone to read, so that's why I did it in 2 books.


Kim

[pinkheart]

I want to make a book just of his story but at that time she didnot want him to know and we have no pictires and still almost a year later she still doesnot want him to know? So Should I make a book of his story of birth and the adoption and include pictures of the hospital etc. Should I just write his story and talk about her by first name .What to do? I do have some of just her before and after the pregancy that she has sent to us???

[Kimmisue]

I would make it and include EVERYTHING (except for her last name if you have it). This is probably another thread in itself, but he HAS to know he's adopted. I don't think I'm alone on that, you don't want to spring it on him when he's older. I think you HAVE to tell him and doing a lifebook that he can grow up reading is a great way to do that.


Kim

[pinkheart]

Thanks for the advice he will know that he is adopted and I will write everything I know regarding the first time we heard his heartbeat to lamaze to his birth and labor I just wanted to know if it would be ok to add names an pictures with out the birthmom wishes. She is a family member and we only see her once a year or so. She is in college and I love her dearly and I will just let her know in time that I wrote this and included her name and photos.

[Ians mom]

We adopted our daughter from the foster care system so there are some pretty ugly parts of her adoption story that she, thankfully, does not remember.

I felt that since it was her book, it should have all of her story in it. That includes the good and the bad. There are 2 pages for her birth mom, aunt and grandmother. I journaled how they love her very much, and that she lived with them from the time she was xx to xx.

I also included the court documents explaining why she was removed from their home each time (we were not her first foster home) The court papers are not for everyone's eyes and she is not old enough to understand all of it, so I put them into sealed envelopes on the pages and decorated the envelope making sure that a sticker or jewel sealed the envelope shut. It is all there for her and when she is old enough to know the "whole" truth, we will read it together.

Right now she has the basics of her adoption story and we fill in details (at an age level) when she asks questions. She loves her book and shows it to EVERYONE. She enjoys sitting with me and reading it as well as adding pages to it each time we have photos developed.

It is such a wonderful bonding project for us that I started one for our current foster daughter and now both of the girls show off their books to anyone entering the house.

[ruth1]

If you're interested in having someone do something for you, there is a site that does personalized adoption stories. They do customized illustrations and will include most information you request. It's relatively cheap and it's a cute story to read your child. If you're interested, PM me and I will send you the link.

Ruth