YES! Update

lafayettegirl

Thank you for all the well wishes! Many of you have asked so....

EM is having a baby BOY on Jan. 31! 

We're trying not to panic/vomit/faint/have a heart attack! We've got the nursery done and a go bag is packed. All the paperwork is ready. Now all we have to do is wash clothes, pack and go!!! Oh, and book tickets, rent a car, book the hotel, call insurance...ah, you get the point.

Any advice from those of you who adopted a newborn out of state would be welcomed!!!!!!

elissaann26

I don't have any advice for you.  But I just wanted to say that I am SO incredibly happy for you!!!

Dr.Loretta

Congratulations!!!!!

We didn't adopt out of state, sorry, but I'm sure you'll do fine. I think there's a list floating around, maybe in the FAQs? I'm trying to remember who put one together.

Where are you headed? I know that sometimes other APs have offered help with a place to stay or at least a visit if they're in your area when you get your LO.

GL! So exciting

crene84

I got lucky, adopting only an hour away, but good luck!  This is so exciting.  I can't wait to hear more about it and see pictures of your baby boy!

IRR

Congrats.  Buy very little clothes to wash ahead of time.  A bunch of onesies, t-shirts etc.  This doesn't sound like it will be a failed match, but just in case, we purchased our carseat and travel bassinet in the state we were adopting in so when we had to return it, life was a little easier and we didn't have to travel with the carseat.  Order NOW because I think it took a week for Walmart to get what we ordered on line and then we had 14 days to pick it up once it arrived.  You won't need much at first, so don't drive yourself nuts.  Definitely have some washcloths for sponge baths.  Not sure where you need to go or where they have places to stay, but Candlewood Suites have a full kitchen and laundry facilities and would be a great place to stay with a newborn.  Let me know if you have other questions.  I know you have been waiting over a year for your LO.  So happy for you.

silliestbunny

Congratulations! I am so happy for you!

Advice-  

-map out local big box stores close to where you'll be staying so you and/or spouse can pick up items as needed.   

-consider renting a house or condo via vrbo dot come or air b and b.  we found that weekly rentals (and compassionate owners!) were as cheap as many hotels.  this gave us the ability to cook, do laundry, and not go stir crazy in a hotel room.

-  if a condo or house  is not an option, look for a hotel w/a bedroom (think embassy suites or something... because when you are tired, you'll need sleep and DH can have the baby in the other room while you take turns resting.

- if it's not a planned induction, price out airfare... what's the penalty to change a ticket?  Does it seem more expensive or less expensive to just buy a ticket at the last minute.  Going from SoCal to Baton Rouge was actually less pricey to wait until we got the call rather than book ahead of time and change.

-  Get a wrap of some sort to wear your baby through the airport.  You'll be happy that all the crazies out there aren't trying to peak at him in the carseat/stoller.  That said, learn to wear the wrap now using a doll  I personally loved the Baby K'tan because it was less wrapping for me and was very simple.  DH loved it too.

- remember for ICPC, you just have to be in the state. If baby is born in a small town somewhere and you want to be closer to airport/resources, etc, there's not always a need to stay where baby is born (depends on TPR and if there's a hearing).

-  baby will most likely need to see a pediatrician before ICPC clears.  Consider going on the local bump or nest board and getting recs now so you have them ready if you are picky about who he'll see.

 Hope that helps... so excited! 

CaptainSerious

Wow, wow, WOW!!!  Congratulations!

bumpuser794640

I am so excites for you and your DH! I don't have any advice, but I will be keeping all or you in my thoughts and prayers over the next week or so. :

Mrs.Slick

You can wear baby through security. They will just swab your hands and test any liquids.

LAD111707

Congratulations on your match!!

We didn't have to fly as our BM was delivering 8 hours away so we drove the moment she called me and told me she was having contractions 5 minutes apart. (Needless to say we missed the birth by about an hour!) We never got a chance to make hotel reservations as our BM said she always delivered early and couldn't give us an exact due date. And honestly, that worked out in our favor as the hospital let us stay a few days in a room. (Our DS was in the NICU for two weeks.) From that point we hotel hopped as it was 4th of July week near a very well known beach area. So lucky that you know a date and can make reservations!

I am not sure how open your adoption will be but one thing I know our BM appreciated is that any time we had a meal we made sure she also had a real meal too. Hospital food just sucks. Also, I made sure to ask her ahead of time if she had a gown, slippers or robe so she could feel comfortable. (I didn't have time to get these ahead of time as she went into labor the next day so I bought them when we got into town.)

Oh, and bring every single piece of paper you were required to have for your homestudy. You never known what ICPC is going to need.

The hospital will provide you with enough diapers, wipes and formula to last you a couple of days. You will probably only need a few onesies and maybe some footed pajamas depending on the climate you will be in.

Good luck!!

annalisel

I have no advice, but congratulations on your match! 

heaven22tw

First off check with pediatrician about flying before booking any tickets...we were told no bc airplane air is recycled and there is such a flu outbreak right now.  We drove 15 hrs home...in one day...our first night home was something else lol.  Second you don't need anything but a car seat and diaper bag until you get there...go shopping then...she may need different formula than you expect have skin sensitivity etc.  Best of luck!!!