[LisaU123]

It has been a while since I posted anything. But everything has moved so quick for me. Back in December I was sent information on a little girl in Russia who had special needs. They were willing to move quickly. But I had some concerns about her medical but went forward. I was approved for the home study. All the paperwork was approved. Before I knew it last week I travelled to meet my little princess. She is 3 years old and has cerebral palsy. She is absolutely beautiful. She has no use of her legs right now but everything else is on track. I think with the right therapy, etc she will walk even if with an aid. We had a great visit....she pulls herself all around. I got to see her once a day for several hours. She took to me right away. And she definitely stole my heart. I miss her already. I was told to expect a fairly quick court date so just waiting to hear when the big day will be! We have a therapy room set up here at the house for her and am starting to get her room ready!

Just out of curiosity for those that have adopted toddlers as opposed to infants have you kept their given names? I want to do what is best for her.

[momraine]

Woo hoo congrats! I did keep my kids first names, but I know other people who have given them new ones. Of course with dd I actually liked her first name. DS was 6 so I felt he was old enough that he would want to keep something. Most people I know who have changed it have called the child by the old name and the new name together for a while, then eventually drop the old name. I think it has to do with personal preferance. I do however have one friend whose adopted son flat out refused the new name. I think he was 8, so he goes by his Ukrainian name, even though his legal first name is different.

[proudmommyof 2]

Yipppeee! Congratulations! I was wondering whatever happened with you!


Your dd sounds like she has similar cp to my dd. You'll be amazed at the progress she'll make once she comes home and gets the nutrition, love, and therapy she needs.

In between trips, take your paperwork and get her on medical assistance. I have pretty good insurance, but it doesn't cover Claire's braces, therapies, walkers, etc. Medical assistance does. It's not based at all on income, but on the need of the child.

Claire was 4 1/2 when she came home. We kept her name (Yei-Min) as her middle name. I've talked with Korean adoptees, who pretty much unanimously said that they would have or did prefer American names, as it was one less thing to make them different. Russian names, however, are more easily adapted to sound American, or even leave American. Claire's name is Claire Elyse Yei-Min XXXXX.

I'm telling you, the fact that she has a mobility impairment will make the attachment process easier for both of you. She won't have a choice but to rely on you!

I'm thrilled! Keep everyone posted, and ask me if you have any questions!

[votemom]

oh i'm so happy for your little girl, and for you! such terrific news!

we "americanized" our daughters names - they came home at 23 months.

it was important to me to try and find out if their birth moms had chosen their names. we were told that the hospital chose names out of a registry. that made it easier for me to make the change.

again, congrats- and keep us posted!

[MamaChinch]

WOW!! Congrats!! What a lucky little girl, who will go far because her parents!! My cousin, who is now 28, (has CP) and just passed her CA Bar exam on the first try! She has a black belt in Tae Kwan Do, rides horses and makes really beautiful jewelry and loves roller coasters! he he!

My dd, came home at 18 months and I changed her name, kept her Russian name as her middle name. She called herself her new name the second day I had her! For a long time she knew her what her Russian name was but she so perfectly fit her American name, and loves it.

[MichiAmy]

am keeping my little girl's name, as she was blessed with a beautiful name - Tatiana. (except for those of you watching American Idol right now, the Tatiana on there makes my head spin!!!)

I had ALWAYS said if I had a little girl she'd be Elizabeth after my grandmother. But after hearing Tatiana, it was an easy decision to leave it as it. Her caretakers call her Tania. And I added Elizabeth as her middle name!

Good luck - and keep us posted!!!

[ddahl]

We adopted an 18 month old and we kept his middle name for his middle name now and named him what we wanted to name him.

We were shocked that he had very very little language and he barely answered to his given name. We called him his new name and his old name then just stopped saying his first name after a few days and he never missed a beat.
For example if his birth name vas Vladimir and we were naming him Scott then we would just say Vladimir Scott come to mommy! Then eventually just Scott.

I have had some regrets about keeping the middle name. Its huge!

The baby will not be fazed in any way by a name change in my opinion. Go with your heart! Congrats! I bet you are tickled pink to go back for court! Fibgers crossed that it happens fast!

P.S. This is too funny but also make sure you really like the name because you will be saying it more time a day than you could ever ever ever ever ever ever imagine! Name come to Mommy! Name sit! Name don;t throw your food! Name go potty! Name lets cuddle! Name What a good girl! and on and on and on ! Toddlers! LOL!!!

[beckyww]

We brought Julia home at age 6 and kept her Russian name - Guanna - as her middle name. It's one less thing to make them "different."

Becky
The Woodworth Family in Beautiful San Antonio TX

[GCS]

Wonderful news! We adopted a 3 year old boy and changed his name. There was no real adjustment. Our facilitator told him his new name and we started calling him it from the beginning.

[amyfk]

Congratulations to you on your upcoming adoption! How exciting.
My child's name was Rada. Ive never heard of anyone being named Rada so we just made it her middle name like many others here have done before us. She is now Joanna Rada(though sometimes when Im in a rush I call her Rada.....)
Keep us posted on your progress! Safe travels and easy court for you.
Amy K, NJ

[Jpride]

Our son was 3 also, and he never actaully responded to us when we used his Russian name. He responded very fast to his new name. I took a picture of him with my digital camera and then showed him the preview and said "that's **new name**" and from then on he responded to his new name.

We kept his Russian name as his middle.

Congratulations!!!!

[k8c]

Oh, Lisa, I'm thrilled for her and for you!

Naming is very personal. If you like her name, then I would keep it as her first name. If it's not your favorite, or it's one that will be difficult to life with in the US then I'd keep it as her middle name.

I do think that a name is all these children bring with them. Personally, I think it's important to respect that. JMHO. It *may* not make much of a difference to a three-year-old, but I think the thirteen-year-old she grows into will understand that on some level.

[kretzklan]

Congrats - I can't wait to see your new DD come home and thrive. We changed our kids names completely at 6 and 7 years old. They responded to their new names immediately. For them, the trauma attached to their old name would have been just one more layer to add to what is already going on. I'm happy with our decision and it's never been an issue.

[Pinkie]

Congratulations. My DD came home at five and a half years old. I kept her name but the thing to remember in Russia is that so many of the children have nicknames. So although I kept DD's name as Antonina she only knew herself by her nickname. The reason I didn't continue with the nickname is because to me personally it sounded harsh almost as if I would always be telling her off!!

[MamaChinch]

Just make sure that when say the first name and middle name together you sound formidable and creditable when shouting it out at them when they have colored with a permanent marker all over your walls! :-)