[Archive]

Originally Posted By chazachmom

Hi, since the old board was archived, I wanted to re-post to the person who wanted to know if anyone had traveled to Korea. We did both. The first time, in 1995 we had our son escorted home, basically because we were new at this and it seemed the thing to do. The agency really didn't promote the traveling option and we were so anxious and nervous, the escorting seemed great. And it was a wonderful experience. Zachary arrived at LaGuardia to be greeted by 18 family members and close friends (yes, we did everything they said not to). But, everyone who was there that day will never forget that experience and of course we captured the whole event on video. For our second adoption in 1998, things were a little different. Korea was experiencing some delays and we were getting very anxious. We knew are son was "ready to travel" ie. paperwork was complete, but we were not getting any travel info, so we proposed to our S.W. that if it would speed things up, we would go and bring our son home... 3 days later our Korean agency said "come and get him"! So, DH flew to Korea and I stayed with our then 2 year old. DH arrived on a Sunday night and called the agency as directed the next morning at 9:00. He was picked up at the hotel at 1:00 and taken to the Foster Familiy's home. He stayed approx. 2 hours with the foster family and was then taken to the hospital for the final exit physical exam. Then back to the agency for one signature and he was able to tour the Welcome House, where all the new babies are first brought before being placed in Foster Care. He was then dropped back at the Hotel with our son, where they had a fabulous bonding experience. They were on the 6:00 a.m. flight that very next morning. DH spent about 36 hours in Korea, his mission being strictly to bring our son home. If we should decide on a third adoption we are both hoping to go. We also hope to take a family trip to Korea when the boys can appreciate it more (and if this is something they want to do)! Whatever way you decide to bring your baby home... it will be wonderful and perfect in your eyes. Good Luck to all!!!

[Archive]

Originally Posted By Sue

I loved your post! We traveled to adopt our son from Russia. It was one of the most beautiful experiences of our lives. I would not have traded it for anything. We spent 2 glorious weeks in his birht country, taking pictures and making mental notes to share with him later. We are also planning on going back someday when he is old enough to understand and appreciate it.

Now we are adopting a little girl from Korea. We chose Korea because of the escort program. We can't handle leaving our son behind for a minute and he does not travel well. But, again, we will take a trip to Korea in the future to share the experience with our children.

God Bless,

Sue

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Originally Posted By Pat

Hi, I had written also regarding my initial thoughtgs on travel vs. escort. But it was wiped out with the new look. In choosing Korea, one factor that was of interest to us was the fact they have an escort program. We have a young son 2 1/2, and we knew that he would not do well on the trip. But when we got our referral, I just had it in my heart to go to his country of birth as well and visit his first beginnings. My husband is staying home with our son. I feel it will be great for the both of us to bond together during this tramatic time for Chan, and spend a bit of time together in his own environment before coming to the States. We are hoping for the end of July, beginning of August for travel. Lord Willing! It is a most exciting venture! Thrilling in fact! I so look forward to visit Korea.

[Archive]

Originally Posted By Kim

Wendy:

What agency did you use? We used New Beginnings in New York and they didn't really encourage traveling to us. I wished I had been able to travel to pick up at least one of them.

The wait is never easy and the second time was harder. My younger son, who will be 3 in August, was delayed by quota 12/97. He came home 1/23/98 only because INS changed their requirements to include income verification and I was the only one at the agency who submitted the correct paperwork. So being as he had his visa he came home January rather than February!

I used NB for both of my son's adoption and had a great experience both times.

Kim
Mom to David 8 and Michael 2 1/2 - both born in Korea

[Archive]

Originally Posted By chazachmom

We used Family & Children's Agency in Norwalk, CT. We also had 2 terrific experiences with them and I would highly recommend their use to anyone. They have just been accredited to work in all 50 states and at their annual Adoption Picnic this past Saturday I found out that the wait right now is only about 2 months for a referral from the time paperwork is sent to Korea. Boy, how things change from month to month.

I have to say, with our second adoption things were just moving so slowly and we were getting very anxious. Our first son came home at 11 weeks old and our second son was referred at 3 months and then we had another 3 month wait. We had a brand new SW on the Korean end and our SW at FCA was getting very frustrated with lack of responses. So she finally suggested that maybe we should just send a fax and tell them that we were coming to Korea to pick up our son. Well, much to her and our surprise, they said, "Come and get him". That was a Thursday and DH was on the first available flight, Saturday morning. It was truly a whirlwind trip for him, but a wonderful experience all the same. I truly think the reason agencies don't push travel so much is because I think they are afraid of us making a "social blunder", so to speak. It is also time consuming for the Korean agency, as they provide a Social Worker (escort) on their end and coordinate all of the visits. This board seems to be attracting alot of attention and I hope it continues. Of course, my children are my favorite subject!!

Wendy

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Originally Posted By Pat

Hi Wendy,

I am working with FCA, and have been very happy with them. Our son was 3 months old at referral. It has been almost 6 weeks now, and I just called yesterday, to get an idea what goes on behind the scenes... INS, Getting all the paperwork together over in Korea, etc. The SW said maybe by the first of August. It seems like such a long way away. But things did move very quickly in the beginning, and we are thrilled with the sweet little boy that is waiting for us. Did you get an update on your second son while you waited? The pictures we received were of him at 2 months old. I would love to see how he is growing! All in all I have to count my blessings! How did your little ones adjust once they arrived home? Can you make any suggestions to make the transition smoother?

[Archive]

Originally Posted By chazachmom

Just hang in there! Yes, we did get updates, I think 2 in the 3 month waiting period. But, it all depends on your SW at Social Welfare Society. Who is your SW at FCA? And do you live in CT? To be quite honest with you, our transition with both of the boys was almost too smooth, and Chaz, our second was the easiest of the 2 and he was just over 6 months. I'm almost embarrassed to say this, but we have never lost one night of sleep with Chaz. From the first night with us, he goes down at 8:30 and sleeps until 8:00 a.m., so we are definitely spoiled. With Zachary, he was still very young (11 weeks old) so he would go down about 11:00 and wake at 5:00 a.m. for a bottle, then back until 8:30. He began that schedule after about 4 days. The first 4 days with him were very tiring due to the time adjustment. So I would recommend getting alot of sleep before your son arrives. Once you have the date of arrival, it will be very difficult because of your excitement, so I would try a Tylenol P.M. or something to help you sleep. Hopefully, your DH will be able to take at least a week off and you can rotate staying up with the little guy if you have any problems. Other than that, just enjoy him. Keep in mind he has been held a lot in Korea and carried around a lot, I bought a Fisher Price carrier and used it for both boys and they both really enjoyed it. I think if was familiar for them to be close to me and it allowed me to do other things at the same time. I even did low impact aerobics with them in it and they really liked the bouncing up and down. Many times Zachary would fall asleep that way. If I think of anything else, I'll let you know.

One more word of advice... if the agency told you August, tell friends and family September/October. This will make it a little easier on you and your DH, No matter how well-intended, those constant questions can make you very anxious.

Good Luck!! I look forward to reading your posts.
Wendy

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Originally Posted By Omma

Hi. I just dropped off our application at the Family and Children's Agency. No matter who I talked to, this Agency was always recommended as among the best.

The director is out of the country until 06/19 so we will not be assigned a social worker until she returns. Is there any way to speed up the homestudy process? They had said that after the homestudy was complete, a referral would be made in one month and the child would be here 3 months after that. We are so anxious and excited.

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Originally Posted By Pat

Hi Wendy.. Well, it's too late to tell everyone Sept or Oct. But they don't bother me yet anyway! Hey, I got a call today from our SW in Conn. She got a fax from Korea saying picture updates were on their way! They just need to develop them and send them off. They said he is doing very well. Babbles a lot, plays with his hands and feet.. rolls over already. He is 7.9 kg, and 66.3 cm long - translates into about 17.4 pounds and 26 + inches. He is only four months and one week old! WOW! He loves to go out doors, and loves to be held... Anne Facto is our Social Worker, although they just hired Betsy August to take over as coordinator of Korea. She is very nice and I have spoken with her on several occasions. I also just had to send in a notarized form stating that we acknowledge that Chan has a small visible birth mark on the back of his neck, and he will be coming over on a Class B visa. So at least they are looking at our paperwork! And we are not under a huge pile of papers!

We are very happy. And we pray for Chan, his foster mom and birth mom all the time. Anyway.. thanks for the advice. You sure were lucky with Chaz huh? Great! I am fully prepared to carry little Chan around a lot! !! Sleep???? I am already having a hard time.. And I did think of Tylenol PM.. On my shopping list for sure!

Bye for now.. and thanks again. Pat

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Originally Posted By Pat

I live in Mass. about 40 miles or so west of Boston.

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Originally Posted By Pat

Omma,

Where are you from? Conn? Is the homestudy being done right at FCA? Our homestudy was done through another agency. They work very well with FCA. Did you send in your I-600A yet? If not, that should be the first thing you do. You can download the form if you don't already have one. Also, begin to gather all documents that you may need.. Birth certificates, etc. Did you get appointments for your medical checkup? That has to be done right up front too. So if you don't have recent physicals, you'll need to get checked out. It sure is a thrilling process. The waiting can be very tough though. But it sure does help to hear from those who have been through it! Write again with questions.. Bye for now.. Pat

[Archive]

Originally Posted By chazachmom

First of all, have you started your INS paperwork process yet? If not, you could begin that process now. I would recommend always going to INS in person to speed the process up as opposed to mailing or even sending via FEDEX. I know, because DH is a Sr. MGR at FEDEX and even though you overnight to the INS everything still goes directly to the mailroom and not to the individual who handles the paperwork. You can also start to get your previous 3 years of Tax Returns out, start making files, copy everything you ever have to fill out, and try and stay organized. Through this process there will be many times when you feel that you have very little control, so whenever possible be as expeditious as you can.

We had Sara Carter both times for our adoptions and she was just super. But, over the years of attending picnics and parties we have gotten to know many of the other SW's and they are all pretty terrific. FCA also seems to not have as high a turn-around of SW's as some of the other agencies have. Keep us posted!!!
Good Luck.
Wendy

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Originally Posted By chazachmom

had trouble posting tonight. Very frustrating!!

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Originally Posted By Omma

Thanks for your reply. We are being fingerprinted this morning. What are the 3 years of tax returns for?

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Originally Posted By Omma

Hi Pat. Thanks for your reply. I live in Connecticut. Our puppy is helping me type this morning. Yesterday was the first time I ever posted on a board so forgive my brevity.

We are doing everything through FCA. Our application is complete...all the attachments, doctor's forms, birth certificates, W-2, autobiographies, etc.I dropped it off yesterday. Denise Carson called and said that because Ann was out of the country until 06/19 we would not be assigned a social worker until then. How long does the homestudy take?

We are going for our fingerprints this morning!

Have a good day