Hello! I guess this is my "introduction" post to the Adoption board. I've read through the FAQs and they were VERY helpful -- thank you!
I'm Kelly (24 years) and my DH is 32 years old. We've been talking a lot more about foster care and foster-to-adopt lately and we're ready to start learning more about the process and start with preparing the home and our application. A little backstory on us --
Over half of my extended family is adopted and has done foster care, so it's something I've grown up around. Before I was born, my parents fostered for 10 years and have wonderful things to say about the experience. Both my DH and I are in social services and between the two of us, we have over 10 years experience working in residential centers and group homes for kids and teens with behavioral, emotional, and developmental issues.
This is now our 12th cycle of TTC and we had one miscarriage in the process. Before either of us had even met, we'd each wanted adoption to be part of our futures. Before I knew I'd have fertility issues, I wanted to adopt regardless if I had biological children or not. So, while we haven't given up on TTC or bio-children, we're taking this "12 month mark" as a sign that maybe we should take steps forward to pursue our desire for foster care and adoption. We live in Indiana and we actually have two friends who work for DCS, so we've contacted them asking for some initial direction on where to go for more information and starting this whole process. While, yes, I'd love to be able to bring an infant into our home, DH and I have decided that for foster-to-adopt, we're more than happy to consider children up to age 8. (Because while he's a bit older, I'm still in my mid-twenties). We'd take either a single child or siblings of the same gender because currently we live in a 2 bedroom house.
I was hoping to join the board to becoming an eager learner of your experience, to ask questions, and hopeful be able to give empathetic support to everyone here going down a similar road. If anyone has any experience with foster-to-adopt and foster care, I would crave your knowledge and wisdom!
TTC since Aug 2011. BFP #1 on 10/28/2011 EDD of 07/02/2012 Natural MC on 11/22/2012 BFP #2 on 10/28/2012 EDD of 7/13/13 Judah Ari born on 7/11/13.
I love my rainbow baby!
Re: New to the board -- new to, well... all of this!
Application approved Dec '11
Mar '12: Homestudy interrupted by change in Uganda requirements - where do we go from here?
After searching and searching, back with Uganda but with our homestudy agency's program.
Homestudy complete July 19
USCIS I-600A submitted July 20. Biometrics appointments arrived Aug 17; fingerprinted Aug 21; 171H received Sept 25th. On the wait list Oct 1st: #18. By Jan 25th, we're #13!
Come home, baby A!
March 2011 - IUI #1 = BFN
April 2011 - IUI #2 = BFN
May 2011 - Monitored IUI cycle to see what's going on. Ha! Tons of follicles, none big enough to do insemination.
June 2011 - Nothing - unexplained (probably stress) 58 day cycle.
July 2011 - Switch from Clomid to Letrozole. Let's get these follicles growing! 2 follicles big enough, HCG injection, BFN
Break taken to focus on our marriage and less on not getting pregnant.
February 2012 - Ready to get back on the horse and try IUI #4 - - BFN
May 2012 - IUI #5 with Letrozole and HCG - BFN
June 2012 - Doctor wants to move to injectible IUI or IVF. We don't want IVF but agree to do injections.
Currently - Saving money for Injectible IUI cycle and taking the first steps towards adoption!
Mother of two wonderful boys! Blessed through adoption.
Jellybean, hey! I am over here (though I haven't been a reliable poster lately) and am also pursuing foster to adopt (right now, we've specified kids up to 6). Glad to see you back around the boards.
the doctor! It comes back next Saturday!!! Matt Smith is no David Tennant, but I am still in love with him! SOOOOO excited! SQUEE! Okay, just had to get that out of my sytem.
Also, I
Welcome to the board, girl!
TTC September 2010 thru October 2011
SA February 2011: Normal
RE App. October 2011 - Recc. Clomid and IUI
Taking a break from TTC to pursue adoption
Met our 2 year old son in Russia July 2012!
Court trip October 2012
Home November 24 2012!
Back to RE Summer 2013. TTC journey continues:
Dx DOR, endometriosis, low sperm count
Clomid + IUI#1, #2 = BFN / IUI #3 = ???
Laparoscopy scheduled December 2013
TTC since Aug 2011. BFP #1 on 10/28/2011 EDD of 07/02/2012 Natural MC on 11/22/2012 BFP #2 on 10/28/2012 EDD of 7/13/13 Judah Ari born on 7/11/13.
I love my rainbow baby!