[JUNIE]

[size=3] Hi!
My name is Junie. My husband and I are adopting a little boy between the ages of 1 and 4 from Ukraine in October. I was hoping that everybody with litlte boys will help me some sizing. I plan to take two or three outfits from 2T to 5T until I get there and figure out what size our boy will wear. I can buy more clothes there when we get him.
I also want to take some shoes, but have no idea what size to buy. Could everybody email me and tell me their boy's age and shoe size. I want to buy several pairs of New Balance sneakers, but I don't know where to start. Whatever clothing and shoes don't fit our little boy, I plan to donate to the orphange.
I plan to take diapers, pull ups, and little boy's underwear too. My daughter is 12 and the diaper industry has changed. Is there anything in particular I should get?
I also plan to take baby lotion, powder, fingernail kit, child's toothbrush, toothpaste, etc. Is there anything else I should take?
I also plan to take some quiet toys: books, crayons, headphones with chilren's tapes, drawing board, etc. Any other suggestions?
Should I take a stroller with me or buy one there. What about a car seat. Is that still required on the plane?
Please leave a post or private message for me with any thoughts or ideas. It is almost time to get our baby, and I need to get prepared!! Thanks!!!!

[Letzlannie]

Junie,

I adopted in June. My son was a little over 17 months at the time. I brought about 3 outfits in size 12 months and 18 months. They fit pretty well. Also brought shoes size 4 which he still hasn't outgrown.

My advice is to bring minimal stuff. First of all, it takes up so much room in your luggage for something you may not need. Second, you can get just about all you need in Kiev. Especially diapers - they can be purchased at most pharmacies (apothecary). Ask for Pampers and they know what you're talking about. There was a department store about a half mile from Independence Square that had a fair selection and reasonable pricing in clothing.

I bought a stroller there. It ended up being about $30 and a bit better quality than your average umbrella stroller here. As strollers are bulky and you may not need one depending on the age of your child, you may want to wait.

Leslie

[redburds]

Hi Junie,

We adopted our 22 month old son in May and he was wearing a 6-9 month size. He wore a size 2 -3 shoe infants. We couldn't believe how tiny he was! He was only about 16 pounds and short. We did not take anything with us, we waited and then bought a couple of outfits to take him out of the orphange in and to get him home. We were planning on adopting between the ages of 14-18months, but took his referral. The children are usually much smaller than their age, due to basic malnurioshment, so I advise just waiting until you get there, because it is possible that your little boy will be way smaller than you think. You really can buy almost anything you will need in Kiev (except Tylenol and hand sanitizer, they do not have them in Ukraine). You really will realize how much room it will take up in your luggage taking unecessary items, we found that our buy overpacking OUR clothing! Hope this helps!

Redburds

[BrycenRileigh]

I agree with Redburds. Buy the clothes when you are there. My son was 3 years, 10 months and wore 12-24 month clothes (23 pounds and 32 inches). To take all the clothes you could need would take a lot of room, and the clothes we bought for him to wear have such precious memories to us (and have been put away with other sentimental items).

Just my .02.

Elizabeth

[psychd3]

My son had just turned three, and wore a 2T in clothes, and a 7.5 in children's shoes. I fully agree with everyone else, buy your stuff there. From the time you identify your child, to the time you take custody of them, you will have time to buy things, and know the sizes. Nothing for children seemed any more expensive there, then it did hear. I would suggest taking a stuffed animal like Pooh or Mickey Mouse along with a video or DVD. My son loved Pooh, and when we got back in the states and he saw Pooh on the Disney Channel, he went nuts. He loved it. It was an unknown connection he had made... interesting.

[icapf]

When we went to Ukraine in March, we were requesting a boy or girl between the ages of 14-24 months. We took gender neutal clothes from Baby Gap for a 12-24 month old. Everything was too big for our little 15 month old boy. So, we rolled up sweat pants and jeans and the t-shirts and sweaters went down to his ankles! He would have fit into clothes for a 6-9 month old because he was so small. We didn't even try to buy shoes until we got there. His feet were so small, he was wearing infant shoes at the baby house.

My advise is to take very little. You can buy clothes and shoes over there and they are much less expensive. Once you return, you can buy anything else you need in the correct size.