Checkup #1

Our adoption is underway, though in a weird, out-of-order sort of way. We have been given new hope from Holt International about the possibility of adopting from China, and, since it has always been on our hearts to adopt from Asia, we're going to go down that road and pray that it might work out! The biggest hurdle is our medical exams. China is pretty strict when it comes to the health of adoptive parents. Even too high of a BMI will exclude you. When we originally started looking, our first agency contact told us we should probably forget about China because of these restrictions and instead consider Bulgaria (which is why we started down that road).

Now, with this renewed hope from Holt regarding China we are so thrilled! If we can get a doctor's letter saying that our health is good and that BJ's health conditions would not affect his ability to parent a child, the Holt China team believes we should be okay! The reality is that his medical conditions DON'T impact our day-to-day lives, but because his blood condition is so rare his doctor is not really familiar with it and might see it as more serious than it really is.

So, this month our focus is on getting his physical and blood work done (and mine as we'll while we're at it). We then need to get two copies of our medical form and two copies of a doctor's letter for each of us, both notarized. Miracle of all miracles, after being told a flat-out "no" from a few notaries, I found a notary (yea FCN bank!) who is willing to help us out and work with us.

So... if we can get this part accomplished then we will then apply to Holt's China "Children of Promise" (minor/moderate special needs) program, hopefully early next month. Thankfully, the medicals are still a huge piece of the home study that we will need to get done anyway, so we'll be a step ahead on that one.

I also did a bit of research and with Holt's help (keep in mind we haven't even APPLIED yet - they are so awesome) I've found our in-state home study agency. I contacted the agency and they sent over their home study packet. For the first time I now have a clearer picture of what we need to do (at least for the home study portion) paperwork wise, including FBI fingerprinting, CPS reports for our entire family, 8 references, a full financial report, autobiographies, and proof that our pets are up-to-date on their vaccines... among a long list of other things. It all seems actually, quite manageable after the medical part we're going through now!

So today I had my physical and blood work done with my new doctor (I switched to BJ's doctor to make things simpler. It's hard enough having to go through this confusing paperwork with one doctor, let alone two). He's not the best with bedside manner. My "favorite" quote of the visit: "Are you up-to-date on all your shots?" (Um, huh???)

BJ is up next and we're praying it goes well!