It's Daddies. Plural.: It's The Great Pumpkin (picking adventure), Charlie Brown!

For those of you viewing this on facebook, you can view the video by visiting http://itsdaddiesplural.blogspot.com

let the journey begin...

timeline...

08/23/2009 - Plays peek-a-boo on her own.
08/22/2009 - Claps in excitement.
08/14/2009 - Adoption Finalized.
08/04/2008 - Second tooth comes in.
07/25/2009 - Started "Stage 2" foods.
07/21/2009 - First tooth finally popped out.
07/13/2009 - Kensington sat up on her own.
07/11/2009 - Kensington surprises Fazha in Rhode Island.
06/20/2009 - Fathers' Day weekend - Kensi crawls!
06/17/2009 - More vaccinations.
04/26/2007 - Last post-adoption homestudy agency meeting.
05/15/2009 - Kensington attends her first Relay For Life event.
04/25/2009 - Second Vaccination shots.
04/19/2009 - Kensington rolls completely over and back again.
04/01/2009 - Kensington rolls on her side.
04/01/2009 - Kensington starts school.
03/02/2009 - Kensington's first vaccination shots.
01/25/2009 - First post-adoption homestudy agency meeting.
01/22/2009 - Kensington's second doctors appointment.
01/20/2009 - Kensington watched in awe as President Barack Obama was sworn in.
01/07/2009 - Kensington's first doctors appointment.
01/06/2009 - Kensington allowed in Pennsylvania.
12/29/2008 - Kensington is releasable from New York state.
12/27/2008 - Kensington is released from the hospital.
12/26/2008 - Sign custody papers.
12/25/2008 - Kensington Grace arrives.
12/12/2008 - Meeting #4 with birth parents.
12/02/2008 - Saw first sonogram picture. adorable.
12/02/2008 - Meeting #3 with birth parents
11/25/2008 - Painted Nursery.
11/19/2008 - Meeting #2 with birth parents.
11/13/2008 - WE HAVE A MATCH!!! It's a girl! Due December 23rd.
11/10/2008 - Meeting #1 with birth parents.
11/09/2008 - Agency holiday party in Albany.
11/07/2008 - Call from agency. Possible match.
10/22/2008 - Received 1st portfolio postcard.
09/06/2008 - Received infant CPR certification.
08/18/2008 - Became "Active" with adoption agency.
08/13/2008 - Home Study Agency updated paperwork. Certified and sent to Adoption Agency.
08/08/2008 - Got Married in California
08/06/2008 - Obtained Marriage License.
07/12/2008 - Sent "Active" payment to Adoption Agency.
07/10/2008 - Received approval from Homestudy Agency, but had to send paperwork back due to typo's :(
07/07/2008 - Portfolio is finalized.
06/19/2008 - Decided to get married.
05/20/2008 - Completed 3 of 3 of our Homestudy sessions.
05/07/2008 - Get fingerprinted and applied for State clearances.
05/04/2008 - Completed 2 of 3 of our Homestudy sessions.
04/17/2008 - TB test come back negative.
04/17/2008 - HIV test come back negative.
04/14/2008 - Chris's physical & bloodwork.
04/11/2008 - Paul's physical & bloodwork.
04/08/2008 - Agency approves pictures and text for profile.
04/04/2008 - Contracted with a portfolio designer.
04/03/2008 - Agency approves text for portfolio.
03/21/2008 - Got affidavits notarized.
03/17/2008 - Employment and Benefits verifications arrive.
03/01/2008 - Completed 1 of 3 of our Homestudy sessions.
02/22/2008 - Scheduled first Homestudy review session.
02/18/2008 - Ordered our portfolio postcards.
02/14/2008 - Happy Velentines Day. Homestudy contract signed and check is in the mail.
02/09/2008 - Homestudy Agency contracts arrive in mail.
02/06/2008 - Contracted with PA Homestudy Agency. Initial paperwork is on its way.
01/31/2008 - Called a recommended Homestudy Agency. Waiting for local referral.
01/30/2008 - Signed the papers to start our adoption process

statistics on gay adoption...

Same-sex couples raising adopted children are older, more educated, and have more economic resources than other adoptive parents.
More than 16,000 adopted children are living with lesbian and gay parents in California, the highest number among the states.
Gay and lesbian parents are raising four percent of all adopted children in the United States.
An estimated 65,500 adopted children are living with a lesbian or gay parent.
An estimated two million GLB people are interested in adopting.

what is an adoption home study?

The adoption home study requires the prospective adoptive family to gather different documents, answer several questions, and explore their reasons for adopting. Through a series of visits and interviews the social worker can get a complete picture of who you are and what life is like in your family. The adoption home study is a part of the decision making process for both the prospective family and the workers. The adoption home study can include the following pieces of information:

Autobiography/Family Background - Some states or agencies have a social worker working very closely with the family to finish this part of the home study, while others have a detailed list of questions that the agency wants answered. These questions are typically about your family, past and present; how you feel about discipline, your fondest childhood memory, or your greatest fears. We enjoyed this process as we learned so much about ourselves and each other.

Neighborhood/Community/Schools - Be prepared to describe your environment. What is your school system like? Which schools will your child/ren attend? Do you have a relationship with your neighbors? What resources does your community offer to help you parent a special needs child?

Physical Health - You may need a physical or health exam and/or a Tuberculosis(TB) test or chest x-ray. The social worker will also be interested in hearing how you have any health issues under control. Be prepared to explain how these health issues will or will not effect your ability to care for a child. There shouldn't be an issues with you adopting unless you have a serious health problem that effects your life expectancy.

Financial Statements - You must be able to show that you can care for an additional person(s) with your current income. Be prepared to verify your income with paycheck stubs, W-4, or income tax forms 1040 or 1040 EZ. You may also need to show information on your savings, insurance coverage, investments and debts. There may be a worksheet to fill out that covers your bills, such as mortgage or rent payments, car payments, and charge accounts.

Criminal Clearances - Most states require by law criminal record and child abuse record checks. Misdemeanors from long ago along with a good explanation of your behavior are usually not held against you. Felony convictions of any charge involving children or illegal substances will most likely not be allowed.

References - You will need the names, addresses, and phone numbers of three or four references. Some agencies will contact by phone, others will require that your references write a letter of recommendation. Choose people who have known you for several years and know your family. They should be familiar with you and have seen you in a variety of situations, with children, your spouse, etc. References will not keep you from adopting unless workers receive several negative comments, or a reference has brought up a questionable criminal record.

Interviews - Interviews are a time for the workers to go over your paperwork, learn more about you, clarify anything in your autobiography and see that your home is a safe and healthy place for a child. You do NOT have to be a clean freak! The worker will tour your home and will want to see the room that you have planned for the child. If you haven't already discussed it, you may want to have a safety plan in place in case of fires or other natural disasters. Be honest and show your personality, a sense of humor is always a good thing to have, especially when parenting.

name bank...

The following is being used as a 'place holder' of names that we have come across that have caught our attention. Some are creative, while others are out there with Gwenyth's 'Apple'. I feel like I need to place a disclaimer for some of you (and you know who you are) saying that just because the names are listed here, doesn't mean these are names we are serious about. Instead of collecting these from you all in emails, napkins, post-it notes, bill envelopes, etc., I've decided this was the best place for it... I mean, this is a baby blog, right?

Boy –
Harrington, Bowen, Rodham, Tucker, Baxton / Baxter, Leavy, Bose, Denton, Conard, Dane, Grayson, Dole, Patterson, Urban, Cord, Kornel / Cornell, Bogdan, Tarbor, Brion, Archer, Stone, Leadger , Wyler, Tate, Kaid / Kade, Tristan, Tade / Taid, Finch, Gavin, Scout, Slate, Admiral, Belton, Harden, Knox, Houston, Jennings, Dallas, Weston, Beck, Preston, Kane, Cane, Klein, Austin, Coquille, Stanton, Staughton, Braxton, Trooper, Ammes (Aames), Thijs, Logan, Chase, Cole, Colton, Xavier, Gage, Kelvin, Miles, Clinton, Jarrett, Tucker, Keller, Geller, Tanner, Pryor, Austen, Brice, Princeton, Slate, Coit, Reed, Layton, Clayton, Cayden, Trac, Bale, Beck, Herring, Colby, Colt, Preston, Chase, Garrett, Tristen, Denson, Blaine, Corbin, Kelso, Riley, Bryant, Damon, Jude, Ranger, Piven, Hayes, Dayton, Paxton, Bauer, Ansley, Rodeo, Hurley, Creed, Cooper, Sawyer, Kolton, Jensne, Jetson

Girl –
Windsor, Haslie (or Hassley), Avery, Ryder, Campbell, Proper, Rhome/Rohm, Alesky, Basil, Kepler, Ascher, Kale, Mecca, Berkley, Versa, Koy, Kelby, Keegan, Kayden, Callister, London, Ames, Vienna, Lauer, Rori, Baylor. Aurum, Mercer, Ansley / Ainsley, Derring, Propser, Gavyn, Kaylor, Ireland, Aubry, Kail, Parson, Sloane, Delaney, Tenor, Beech, Lennox, Gray, Cadet, Brighton, Stockton, Trooper, Laudrie, Epic, Justine-Parker, Aryn, Rylei,

Gay Adoption

Sunday, November 8, 2009

It's The Great Pumpkin (picking adventure), Charlie Brown!

2 comments:

about us...

these people are the best followers ever...

Who's On Now?

adoption portfolio / profile designer (and Guru)

Kensington's Travels

let the journey begin...

watch me grow...

our visitors since 1/15/2009

friends in adoption...

Technorati

timeline...

other notable blogs and sites...

statistics on gay adoption...

blog archive...

labels...

what is an adoption home study?

name bank...

Gay Adoption

Sunday, November 8, 2009

It's The Great Pumpkin (picking adventure), Charlie Brown!

2 comments:

about us...

these people are the best followers ever...

Who's On Now?

adoption portfolio / profile designer (and Guru)

Kensington's Travels

let the journey begin...

watch me grow...

our visitors since 1/15/2009

friends in adoption...

subscribe to us...

Technorati

timeline...

other notable blogs and sites...

statistics on gay adoption...

blog archive...

labels...

what is an adoption home study?

name bank...

Gay Adoption