[littlegirl2]

Was wondering if anyone had any last minute advice before we meet our daughter on Wed. This will be our first meeting (and it will be forever) and she is 15 months old. I am anxious, nervous, excited, elated and fearful all at the same time~!!!!
We are also traveling with our 7-year old (also adopted from Guatemala) so that will be special...but could also add a few more components...lol!!!!! She has been our only princess for a very long time :-)
Just looking for some last words of advice before we leave.

Thanks everyone!!!
Tracey

[Aveasmom]

I would love to hear some advice too!!!

[GuatMommy2Be]

My DD was a month older then yours coming home.. my biggest advice is to read as much as you can on attachment before you leave.

[robandjulie]

We're here and just got DS from the FF about an hour ago. He and DH are out for a walk around the hotel while I regroup and order dinner.

Some reminders:
1. No mascara or waterproof at the actual PU. Goodness how we cried!

2. I got one of those 4-pocket folders like an accordian file where the folders drop down. It's fantastic for organizing paperwork--embassy docs in one, proof of visit (for us) or all the tax docs in another... water and bend resistent. ANd then for good measure, everything in duplicate.

3. remember to get a photo of your foster mom/family with the baby and if someone's around one with you and them. I had intended to do it and almost missed it b/c we were all so wound up with the goodbye. Thankfully DH remembered adn I'm already uploading it and having it printed and sent to the house so we'll have it for his room by the time we get home.

[ndv101]

Ask fm lots of questions on baby's routine. Take some Gerber puffs for breaking the ice with child. Take some Tylonel for teething just in case and quiet toys for embassy appt. Good luck and post when you get home. Congrats

[susy...patience]

I agree about asking Foster family for as much detail as possible about the child....what did they eat, where did they bathe (and how), etc.

Then I would stick with some classic easy to pack toys like a blow-up beach ball, bubbles or a pack of balloons.

[JoshGuat]

Get a lot of sleep before hand, and during your trip.
Take the cheese puffs.
Be clam and cater to your child's every need if possible-the adjustment may be difficult.
Know that IF/WHEN your child scream her/his head off that it is NOT what you are doing wrong, she/he is just grieving. Only time will cure this.
Most of ALL.........Enjoy your trip!!!

[w8ting4Thomas]

Good advice....and try to remember every moment. There probably will be lots of crying from everyone...you, FM, your baby. If your baby has a hard time remember that it WILL pass and you will all get through it.
HAVE A GREAT TIME!!!!

[Angel99]

this may not be possible but you can ask anyway......
Since this the first time you are meeting her. It would probably help to have the foster mom and you change the baby together. ( I think I read this in the Weaver's Craft about Toddler adoption) That way DD sees that it is OK with her current caregiver (FM) that you take care of her needs. It would also be nice if you could have a meal together, that way you can feed her in the presence of her FM again to reinforce that you are a "safe" person for her. Of course, that isn't always possible. Just ask questions and take pictures of all of you together!

Good luck- let us know how it goes!!!

[robandjulie]

Originally Posted by Angel99

this may not be possible but you can ask anyway......
Since this the first time you are meeting her. It would probably help to have the foster mom and you change the baby together. ( I think I read this in the Weaver's Craft about Toddler adoption) That way DD sees that it is OK with her current caregiver (FM) that you take care of her needs. It would also be nice if you could have a meal together, that way you can feed her in the presence of her FM again to reinforce that you are a "safe" person for her. Of course, that isn't always possible. Just ask questions and take pictures of all of you together!

Good luck- let us know how it goes!!!

Oh, we did this without intending to! Jorge had a dirty diaper so FM changed him "one last time" and I came over and she was showing me how she tickles him and cleans various bits and pieces. We were both kissing his belly and I was handing her wipes--it was sort of special for a dirty diaper!

[ana-mom]

Patience...and love.

Take lots of pics.

Try to stick to your child's routine.

Enjoy the bonding time - when you come home there are so many other responsibilities and that 24/7 time is impossible to retrieve.

[Guatemom]

Already a LOT of great advice!! I wanted to also add:

1a )Ask fostermom if she sang any lullabyes to your child..and if possible, ask her to sing them and videotape it. It's a painfully emotional moment...but I'm glad we got that on film. She held Cristian and sang to him, one last time.
b)Speaking of, ask her how she rocked your child...our foster mom said she held him in a cradle-like position and bounced him (while singing). We were told they do not hold them up on their chest (with child's head on your shoulder) the way we do. Little things like that help with transition, too.
2) be sure to get souvenirs for your child...esp. 'future' souvenirs. You can do this a lot of ways (market/vendors, hotel gift shops, etc.). Great for family day celebrations, or just b/c.
3) get lifebook 'souvenirs' as well. Even little things like hotel brochures, receipts (which will be in all Espanol!), etc. all make great lifebook pages. And ESP. Sometimes the hotel has 'tourist' kinds of brochures, too. These are great for lifebooks as well, esp. since they usually have beautiful color-pics of places of interest. I got a lot of things like this just from our hotel, and it was wonderful to have in his book! I even have the domino 'flier' from our pizza. Funny, I know; but it's really neat to share with others who may never leave the USA for them to see how much the same we all are, no matter how many miles away

Get pictures pictures pictures...even if you think it won't matter...it usually does. Get a picture of everything you can, esp. if you're going to do a lifebook. Some things that are easy to miss but are great features in story-telling of your child's trip are: the plane itself, the hotel (front, inside, your room, etc.) the hotel staff, of course anyone you meet personally (even translator, atty, etc.), can't have too many pictures; and the more you have, the more you will remember for days to come.