Okay, I'm still agonizing over my profile book, and our agency was somewhat spotty on details, so I'm just curious how long you made your profile books? Ours is currently 13 pages including front and back covers, and I'm starting to freak out that it is not enough and that we are missing something. Also, did you address the reader again at the end? Like, a short,"thanks for reading", or a longer note? This has been really fun to make, but I'll be glad when I'm done.
Re: How long is/was your profile book?
LOL! Ours was 2 pages, basically a double-sided page. Our agency expanded it to 5 pages not long after our match.
We only had a note at the beginning and didn't do a closing note. But if you feel like doing one, IMO it won't be a strike against you.
Our book was less than 10 pages (I can't quite remember how many pages it was)...maybe around 6? I did a Dear Expecting Mom letter on the first page and on the last page I think I just said thanks for reading and we are praying for you. If you want me to email you the Picaboo link to mine just let me know.
Go with what your agency recommends. They know their trends in what birthmoms look for.
You'll be fine, I promise. When we were about to start our profile, our SW sat us down with the good, the bad, and the just plain ugly profiles so we could get an idea of what to do/what not to do. And you know what? Every.single.profile was from someone who had been matched.
It doesn't have to be perfect, it just has to be yours.
GL!
I'm a lurker, but I agonized over our profile too, so I thought I'd respond. Our agency required that it be a 25 page hand-done (not on the computer) scrapbook. (I had never scrapbooked before so I was totally out of my element). I struggled to fill 25 pages. I think if it had been up to me, I would have done 10-15 pages, so I would think you're good.
I echo the advice to follow your agency's parameters (to the extent they provide any). Ours are somewhat strange compared to what I've heard from others, but I did not want to stick out by being the only family to do a digital photo book or to not include some of the pictures they recommended including (wedding, house, etc.)
Ours is 20 printed pages. It's long, but that was as per the request they gave us.
page 1- cover page - our names & a photo
page 2- hand embroidered quote
page 3- letter to birth mother
page 4- about us page 5- Me about him, him about me
page 6- me, growing up page 7- my likes, dislikes, hobbies, etc.
page 8- him, growing up page 9- his likes, dislikes, hobbies, etc.
page 10 & 11- us as parents, our ideals, values, dreams
page 12- my family page 13-his family
page 14- our dogs page 15- our friends
page 16- holidays page 17- our home
page 18 & 19- collage of us doing various things, on trips, with friends.
page 20- thank you letter.
ETA: This was mostly pictures, with one or two short paragraphs per page.
My blog: Making Me Mom
Love your comment about the yearbook editor! I was one too! It's hard to "let go" when you just want it to be perfect. Our agency said to do about 10 pages... I'm just in the beginnings of working on mine and it's overwhelming!
Married my amazing husband May 22, 2010
Became Step-Mom to 2 boys.
Husband had vasectomy in 2004 during first marriage.
Adoption Is Our Path!
Application sent March 29, 2011 First Meeting with CW: April 25, 2011 Final Visit and home visit: August 16, 2011
September, 2011 - told we are ready to be considered by birth parents. Officially WAITING!
Spring of 2012, we start to work with a Consultant and apply with a few agencies around the US
June 2012 - we are MATCHED
July 25, 2012 - Our SON was born in Arizona
August 8th, 2012 - we flew home with our baby
Awaiting Finalization
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