[sunrise36]

My DH and I have our homestudy on Tuesday so as long as all goes well, hopefully it won't be too long before we are certified by the court. Now my question is, when should we start buying baby things just in case we get that call? And what should be start buying???? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

[Brittmomto3]

This is a personal decision ... I think, it depends on who you ask.

In the begining ... I was nervous to buy things, then bit by bit, little by little, I bought things here and there. Then I read a book and it help me decide to "go for it" we started the nursery! We had the crib, changing table, travel system, cradle ... and not too long after that we got THE CALL and we were holding our daughter only 13 days later!!!! Before we left to meet our daughter and her AWESOME birth mom we personalized the room for her and made it readyy to welcome our little princess!

I liked that the room was done and I could enjoy my daughter ...when people came to visit they got to see the nursey too!

You can also just buy the Cradle or bassinet and wait to buy furniture until the baby is here.

We felt we KNEW that we would become parents through adoption ...and one day - that room would be filled.


Wishing you a smooth journey to your little miracle!

[HappyTwinsMom]

We started buying things here and there once our home study was complete. By the time we had a referral (nine months later), we had the nursery finished. Although we had it done for ONE baby, not TWO! So, more shopping!

[sunrise36]

Thanks for the responses. I just bought the book re: your baby's first year because I figured that it couldnt hurt to do some reading up, but I am hesitant to have things just sitting there for a long time. In the meantime, just in case we get that last minute phone call, I want to have the essentials!

[gigigeorge]

With our son we had the basics and bought everything after we brought him home (we were also 'matched' the night she went into labor so not much time to prepare)... with the second adoption we were matched very early and did the nursery specifically for that baby (same birthmom) in the end when she decided to parent after we had him home that nursery and everything we bought for him were constant reminders of what wasn't meant to be... so we got rid of everything, sent most of it to our birthmom and the rest went into storage. I couldn't look at it.

So my only suggestion is just be careful with what you buy

g.

[sunrise36]

Wow that must have been really hard on you. See, I think I will get the essentials...literally the bare minimum, and then after we bring home our baby, then do the rest. It is weird to think of buying all sorts of baby things without knowing when we will be matched!

[Becky01089]

Don't mean to sound like a fool here but what would be considered the basics? I am in such turmoil right now. I am such a planner and yet we were advised by our social worker not to create a nursery in case we have a long wait, etc. I know where we can go to buy everything we could possibly need in one stop if we have to do everything last minute. We are also going to convert my step daughters bedroom into the nursery. Her bed and dresser are in there now which she uses a few nights a year. I feel like we need to leave it as her room until plans are in motion. But,it wouldn't hurt to have some of the basics at hand in case of a last minute crunch. Any ideas would be helpful!
Thanks,
Becky

[redbonec]

Becky,

A friend of mine recently made a list for us when we asked her the same question of essentials. It lists items of what you need immediately, what you need shortly but can get a few days after the baby is born, items needed a little later, some things that are not a necessity but convenient, and a few thrown in there of not to waste your money on. She also listed some books and websites that she found helpful.

If you would like it, pm me your email address! I will send you a link to a wiki page on a yahoo group--it is posted there.

[Becky01089]

I sent you a pm with my email address. Thank you so much for the list!

[Fran27]

We started buying things just when we were done with the homestudy. I wanted to be ready if we get an emergency placement, and mostly I didn't want to end up buying things for a particular baby in case of a failed match. So we went looking for deals: ebay, thrift stores, sales etc. Now a month later we have everything we will need for the first few months, except for diapers and formula, and we got most of it cheaper than if we had to rush to the store at the last minute. We just haven't set up the crib yet because it will go in our bedroom the first few months and we can use the extra space for now (a bassinet is out of the question with two big dogs). But either way, even if it's a while before we are matched, I feel better knowing that everything is ready for when we need it.

[HBV]

We didn't want to buy much either, in case of a long wait. We had a cradle (actually mine from when I was a baby, refinished and reinforced) a carseat (you will have to have this to take baby home from the hospital) 1 pack of diapers, 3 bottles, a couple of receiving blankets and burp cloths, wipes, and baby toiletries (shampoo, lotion, etc., which you really don't need) The hospital will send you home w/ some formula, bottles, a few diapers and a couple of other things.

Here's what I was grateful to friends and family for bringing right away (so things to either ask for or consider buying and stashing): A Boppy, little drawstring gowns, RTU formula, burp cloths, pacifiers (with clips) a loaned rocker, more bottles, and a wedge positioning pillow for the cradle. One friend also brought over DREFT detergent and laundered all the new clothes for me.

Our first priorities for purchase: the changing table, a comfy rocker, and the crib.

I wound up w/ more clothes, blankets, hooded towel sets and stuffed animals than I knew what to do with. People will give you that stuff, so I wouldn't buy much of it.

[traceyk]

Our nursery was almost complete during our homestudy. I was glad because we got her within 2 weeks of signing with our placement agency. It a personal choice I think.

[sunrise36]

Tracey _ I just have to tell you that your DD is just the cutest thing. I saw one of your posts on another thread with the picture of her and she just brings such a huge smile to my face! Absolutely precious!


Thank you all for your advice. I have the homestudy tonight. Once we get approved by the court, then I will start buying the small stuff. I think I will wait for the nursery until we have our child home with us. Thanks for the advice from all!

[riverview]

I made the mistake of buying right away, heart broken .....Wait until last minute. I love the rush of going out frantic, everyone else is so excited and helpful. Be careful.

[traceyk]

Sunrise, thank you. She is such a blessing to our family and very spoiled too