Great Advice
So I've been asking around for advice from adoptive parents who have been in my shoes and I'm glad I did. Here is some of the feedback I've received so far {this list will be ongoing} ...
Things to bring ...
*Small snacks, juice cup and washable {non-cloth} toys for the child while we are visiting her at the baby home.
*Pack of diapers to give the baby home {purchase in Russia}.
*Donations for the baby home that we have collected.
*A kids photo album to leave with her a caregivers between trips so they can show her pictures of us, her brother and sister, our house, etc.
*A security blanket to leave behind for the child.
*A couple diapers and a small pack of wipes ... diapers for when we take her from the orphanage to get her picture taken for her passport {or is it visas?} and wipes just to have in case we need them.
*A couple different size outfits to try on the child so we know what size she wears for our next trip.
*Paper and pen to trace her feet so we know what size shoes to bring back for her on our next trip.
*A disposable camera to leave with her caregivers so they can take some candid shots of her while we are between trips.
*Travel size kleenex and antibacterial gel for potty breaks at the baby home or elsewhere.
Questions to ask the officials, baby home director and doctor ...
*Does the child have any siblings? What are their birthdates? Information about birth parents? Pictures of them or the birth parents {I heard someone got this}.
*Did her birth parents ever see her or hold her? Did anyone ever visit the child at the baby home? Will the birth parents ever have the option to inquire about the child and perhaps contact us?
*Is there a relinquishment letter?
*What time of day was the child born?
*Who named the child?
*What is the child's eating and sleeping schedule? What does she like to eat?
*Is the child allergic to anything?
*Can we have a list of all of her immunizations?
*When did she hit her milestones?
*When did she get her first tooth?
*Are there any other pictures of her that we can have?
Things to bring ...
*Small snacks, juice cup and washable {non-cloth} toys for the child while we are visiting her at the baby home.
*Pack of diapers to give the baby home {purchase in Russia}.
*Donations for the baby home that we have collected.
*A kids photo album to leave with her a caregivers between trips so they can show her pictures of us, her brother and sister, our house, etc.
*A security blanket to leave behind for the child.
*A couple diapers and a small pack of wipes ... diapers for when we take her from the orphanage to get her picture taken for her passport {or is it visas?} and wipes just to have in case we need them.
*A couple different size outfits to try on the child so we know what size she wears for our next trip.
*Paper and pen to trace her feet so we know what size shoes to bring back for her on our next trip.
*A disposable camera to leave with her caregivers so they can take some candid shots of her while we are between trips.
*Travel size kleenex and antibacterial gel for potty breaks at the baby home or elsewhere.
Questions to ask the officials, baby home director and doctor ...
*Does the child have any siblings? What are their birthdates? Information about birth parents? Pictures of them or the birth parents {I heard someone got this}.
*Did her birth parents ever see her or hold her? Did anyone ever visit the child at the baby home? Will the birth parents ever have the option to inquire about the child and perhaps contact us?
*Is there a relinquishment letter?
*What time of day was the child born?
*Who named the child?
*What is the child's eating and sleeping schedule? What does she like to eat?
*Is the child allergic to anything?
*Can we have a list of all of her immunizations?
*When did she hit her milestones?
*When did she get her first tooth?
*Are there any other pictures of her that we can have?