[posh]

we are seriously considering adoption so we are brand new to all this. is there a place to get all the definitions of all the abbreviations I am seeing in the forums so I have a better understanding?

[Lori Elena]

I don't know of a specific link or anything but, I can start to help you with the meanings of a few of them and maybe others will jump in and add more....

PGN - Attorney General of the Nation, the governmental entity responsible for approving all adoptions.

FC - Family Court. Usually the longest part of the process, where the judge reviews the case and assigns a social worker to interview the bio mother.

SW- Social Worker

PA - Pre-Approval. Given by the US Embassy after documents are reviewed and DNA match is made.

I-171 - Notice of favorable determination concerning application for advance processing of orphan petition (1-600A).

FM - Foster Mother

BC - Birth Certificate

When someone is talking about being k/o'd from PGN it means they were "kicked out". You can be kicked out of PGN for a number of reasons such as mistakes on documents, missing documents, etc.

When someone says they are OUT, it means they are out of PGN which is a tremendous milestone and usually means they will be bringing their baby home very soon.

After one gets OUT of PGN, they await PINK. The PINK slip is an invitation for the adoptive parents to appear at the Embassy for issuance of their child's American visa.

Hope that helps! Good luck!

[mac308]

Just wanted to say "welcome" and I "good luck" on your journey if that turns out to be adoption or not.

Megan

[mommywannabee]

Also want to say hi and welcome!

Lori Elena gave you the majority of the abbreviations, but here are just a few more...

DH - devoted husband
DS - devoted son
DD - devoted daughter
SAHM - stay at home mom

[posh]

oh thanks. you know the more I read here the more I think God is leading us that way.

So when you get the "pink" does that mean your next trip you bring baby home?

Also wanted to ask if any of you in the forum know of any older people adopting? hubby and I are old lol...I will be 49 soon and hubby is a young 53. I know our time is running out so we do need to do something very soon.
Thanks again

[tooskis]

Hi Posh,

Go to Guatadopt.com and scale down on the right to "adoption terms". That might help with you understanding some of the adoption terminogoly. As for the other abbreviations here (DH, etc.), I'm still lost on some of those myself!

[posh]

thank you! that helped alot.

[csw]

Hi
I am pretty sure Guatemala itself doesn't have age requirements..though some agencies seem to have their own..a majority of agencies parents have to be under 55 for an infant..in other countries one parent has to be 45 or younger for an infant..but not Guat..
Have you thought about a toddler age or older child as well?

[posh]

at first my dh said he wanted an older child but I want a baby. I don't want there to be a language issue and other older child issues as well. You know those bad habits of older children. I have researched several agencies and yes some have age restrictions. I just hope for a healthy baby really. I would be open to maybe a yr but not much older.