[Shark01]

After a smooth adoption in 2001, we started again in Jan 2005. As you can see from our updated sig, it has been one mess after another. 2 agencies, 2 failed first trips, but we are still fighting.....and spending $$$$

We are finding that we and other adoptive parents have to change our perception of the term healthy. We are finding the low risk referrals we found in 2001 and 2006 just aren't there anymore due to the Russian foster care/adoption system. Our 2 international physicians agree, and our agency's referral decline rate has climbed to 50%.

Anyway, we are leaving again next Saturday to visit a 23 mo old cutie pie (we were lucky enough to get pictures and a medical report....like in 2001) but with a checkered medical history. But she is highly thought of by the baby home Dr, so we will take the leap.......this time taking our 8 yr old Siberian Princess for good luck.

[GCS]

So sorry to hear of your struggles! Congrats on your newest referral. I wish you all the best in your travels!

Christina

[kretzklan]

Sending best wishes your way for your upcoming trip!

[amyfk]

Wow. I have read that internal foster care/adoption in Russia has affected the IA program for us "foriegners" I just didnt realize how much it really did affect things. The quote you gave me of the level of increase in declining referrals really just floored me!
Anyway, I want to wish you best of luck as you undertake your next(and hopefully successful)trip. Please keep us posted and we'll think of you too.
Amy K, NJ

[Bcelli]

God's blessings on your trip and your decision process. It's always such a leap of faith. Both our boys were insanely healthy, though you wouldn't know it by their medicals. It's a great time of year to hit Russia, but take a jacket because you might run into some chilly evenings like we did on our last adoption at this time. The days were beautiful, but some nights still hit about 32F. Good luck.

[Jessi_76]

Good luck meeting your new child, and safe travels to your family.

[MamaChinch]

Hopefully your rough road will led you to your child! Safe Travels and prayers to you!!

[TweetyMom04]

Safe Journey
Hope all goes well in meeting your 'cutie pie.

[Shark01]

Back from 1st trip #3. Everything went pretty well. Our referral was a sweet, beautiful 23 mo old girl living in Kaluga (about 160 mi SW of Moscow). Our 8 year old daughter (adopted @ 15 mo in 2001) went along and had a great time.

As some has stated, there is a definate shortage of 0-3 yr old reasonably healthy girls. Everyone commented about it.

Hope to get a court date by end of July.......otherwise it won't be until September.

Wish I could post a picture, but she has light brown (my wife says dirty blonde) hair with clear gray eyes and a "look at me" personality.

Hate that plane ride though

[orenmommy]

glad everything went well !! so sorry to hear what you have been thru! sounds like the trip was successful , hope you have your cutie home soon. best wishes to you.

[MominPA]

Glad to hear that your trip went well. We too brought our son back with us for our second adoption when he was 8 too.

I hope you get a court date sooner then later!

[kretzklan]

So glad it went well - here's hoping for a fast court return trip!

[SingleMiamiMom]

My agency told me the referral for a girl is much longer than it used to be....Perhaps this is the reason. I wonder if the chances of adopting a healthy boy are better?
I heard russians are giving first preference for the healthy baby girls and that is what they usually adopt.

[Shark01]

Thanks for the well wishes, we are pretty excited about showing progress after 3 1/2 years.

MiamiMom, yes definately easier with a boy. In the group of 12 kids, we only saw 3 girls (and maybe one we couldn't tell......because of the short hair). Besides our referral, there was one girl with obvious mental issues, and couldn't tell anything about the 3rd one. There were 4-5 active boys (running, rocking on the horse, riding the push along car). Again, we didn't know the health history or the adoptability of the boys but it was obvious there were more.

In this region, they closed the 2nd baby house last year after Russian families stepped up adoption/foster care.

[mommyto4]

So glad to hear your trip went well Prayers going out for a quick court date!