[noelle]

We are currently waiting for a referral for our first child (either sex, under 12 months) from Sakahlin.

Since I'm getting the gist that we'll be waiting for several months and I'm not currently working I thought I'd work on getting our house ready.

We have a nursery - I painted it last year and I've put in an extra dresser but no bed/crib yet. I'm looking for any tried/true tips on what I should equip the room with. And what I should do to prep the house.

Also gifts for when we travel. Any suggestions on gifts that were really appreciated? I have several ideas but really want to avoid this mad flurry of activity right before we leave.

Last question....Have people had family or house-sitters stay at their house while they are away. We've kept our adoption kind of quiet with most family and friends until we know its a sure thing - but again don't want to be running around like crazy just before our trip to tidy up all these loose items. If anyone will share what worked for them that would be wonderful. (should note - we have no close family living by and 3 pets).

Thanks for your ideas. noelle

[EJsDad]

Hi Noelle!

We use the services of a pet-sitter when we're away and this person visits the house 3 times a day, feeds and plays with our 2 dogs and 2 cats, takes the mail in, etc... The cost is about the same (probably cheaper) than boarding the animals in a kennel and the animals prefer the house for obvious reasons. You might want to look into a pet sitter (check references, licenses, etc...).

As for getting the house ready - yes, this it the time to do it. We painted the room and organized it already - now we're just waiting.... *sigh*

[Bcelli]

I would say a changing table for the nursery. Amazing the back strain this will save you down the road when you might not think so. Especially if you get hold of a chunck like our youngest!

We had someone stay at the house to feed and care for the animals. We have an arkload. I would advise not waiting til the last minute to find someone for the pets. If your first choice can't/won't make it, it can get harry trying to run someone else down to do it.

We left completed checks with my mother to pay the bills that came in while we were away. She just stuffed them inside with the bill and off it went. No fuss, no muss.

As for gifts, clothes seemed popular this trip but we were advised by our coordinator in advance what to bring for whom. Also, instant Tasters Choice coffee. All coffee seems to be instant there.

[Dobby]

We had someone from my husband's work stop in for our cats every couple days to play with them and feed them. We did pay a friend of ours who offered to drive over and spend the night a couple times in our house, to make sure it looked like someone was home. (no relatives near us either!) We did tell our neighbors on either side our travel dates so they could keep an eye out for us. We also stopped mail and the newspaper and had it delivered a couple days after we returned. Lastly, we bought a few timers for lamps, and had lights go on and off in different rooms based on our usual schedule. We had to rearrange some lamps, but it was worth it for peace of mind.

If you have a basement or upstairs, I would suggest 2 changing pads - one for the room, one for the other floor you will spend time on. Our playroom is in the basement and it quickly became a hassle to run upstairs and change him!

[cindyc]

Hi. We adopted domestically nine years ago on no notice whatsoever. (We just started the process to adopt a baby boy from Russia!!!).

I highly recommend the book "What to Expect the First Year," which is available in almost all bookstores and even places like Target. There is a list in the back of the book which suggests basic equipment to get. We went through the list, got everything it suggested, and were in pretty good shape.

My personal list of "must-have" equipment: a diaper genie (with refills), crib with a side panel that flips down (for lifting heavy older babies and toddlers), a changing table, baby monitor, baby wipes, lots of baby wash rags and hooded towels, and an exersaucer for older babies and pre-walkers, and a portacrib (for travel and when you have to leave the room for a moment).

Looking forward to having time to prepare this time,
CindyC

[noelle]

Thanks!!!

This is exactly what I was looking for. Mostly you guys are confirming my thoughts. Maybe I just needed a little reassurance.

Keep the replies coming. Its really putting me in the "mom" mode. In some ways this all seems so unreal but this is helping make it seem more real.

noelle

[spaypets]

Although it would be less comfortable for the pets, I would suggest boarding them away from the house rather than keeping them at home. Delay their arrival for a few days so that your baby's scent is dispersed througout the house. That way the animals are returning to territory the child has already staked out and the child will be less likely seen as an interloper.

Also, it gives you a few days to get a routine going, without having to deal with the pets right off. And your child will adjust to new surroundings and a new schedule without having the added stress of getting used to new animals.

That's what we did with our daughter and it worked out really well.

[Dobby]

Yes, yes to the exersaucer. Roman took to that immediately, and it gave him a place to be busy but observe everything at the same time.

Along with the idea of scents on things that spaypets mentions, we made sure we had all the major stuff up in the house for a month or two so our cats could get used to it. Some told us not to, that they would get too comfortable and never leave the stuff alone after the baby arrived. But it hasn't been a problem. They staked out the room, slept in the crib, put their own scent all over everything, so only our child was new, not everything else.

[TripleL]

You might want to also check with your local police or sherriff department to see if they have a 'vacation watch' program. Most places we've lived have one. The officers will do a drive-by during different times of the day and keep a log of when and if anything was unusual. You just tell them the following:

When you are leaving and your expected return
If you have lights on timers and what rooms, same for irrigations systems.
If you have anyone scheduled to stop by or who might have a key.
An emergency contact in case of a problem
You might also tell them who your insurance agent is, whether there are pets still inside (cats, fish, etc.)

Also, don't forget to stop mail (you can pick up the form/card now and fill in dates later and drop in the mail a few days before you leave) and newspaper delivery. We get a free paper once a week, so we'd have neighbors pick it up, as well as any flyers left on our doorstep. Depending on season, you may want to have a lawn service or snow plow service on call or scheduled for the time you are away.

[wishing&hoping]

for a baby under 12 months from experience i'd say you need a crib and bedding, changing table with the terry cloth covers, rocker/glider would be nice with ottoman, diaper wipes (diapers and clothing when you know the size), a dresser with drawers, a mobile for a younger infant, little toys! for them to stay busy with while you change them, crib toys and crib mirror, diaper pail (i've got a diaper genie type thing but it uses regular kitchen garbage bags which i liked better than the diaper genie), onesie undershirts, socks, burp cloths for a younger baby, bottles or sippy cups, car seat, stroller, pack n play, high chair, diaper bag, etc. other little things i've liked is this simple plastic thing that hangs on the changing table to hold wipes/ointments/etc oh and of course either balmex or one of those diaper rash creams plus the first aid supplies, bibs.

also, a good book is by denise and alan fields called baby bargains.

[nicksmamma]

When we adopted our son in 2001, I stocked up on diapers in various sizes, cleaned out all the closets, did lots of deep cleaning, stuff I just wouldn't want to mess with after returning with a new baby. For the nursery I completely decorated it, washed the blankets and clothes. Also when friends and family asked what they could do to help, I asked them to bring us meals when we returned, and I'm so glad. I was so tired, that having meals that lasted for two weeks was a godsend! We had a house sitter b/c we too have pets, it was great! The day we came home I had my mom go get fresh groceries for us, milk, fruit, bread, veggies, etc... Go ahead and safety proof, outlet covers, etc....you'll be glad. Baby gates, cabinet locks, they learn to move so fast! We had to go buy a gate the first day home b/c Nick was already crawling and we hadn't expected it. Just have it all on hand. And go ahead and share the news!