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Hi, we are Dave and Stefanie. Thank you for reading our story and considering us to possibly adopt and raise your baby. We cannot imagine what a tough, emotional decision this must be, but we do have a deep respect for the courage it takes to even consider an adoption plan.
Our story as a couple began back in 2005 when we were introduced through mutual friends. At the time, Stefanie was a single mom of two young daughters. Dave, on the other hand, had little to no experience with kids, so it was a little scary for him to meet the girls for the first time. But you know that old saying, “always trust a child’s judgment?” Well, it couldn’t have been more true for us. The girls instantly fell in love with Dave and he fell in love with them. He was a natural. From there, the rest was history.
Expectant mothers who choose to make an adoption plan may qualify for some level of financial assistance during their pregnancy. However, each person's situation and specific needs are different. Your adoption social worker can help you determine what level of assistance you qualify for and deserve. Many expectant mothers qualify for financial assistance to cover basic pregnancy and living expenses, including but not limited to - transportation reimbursement, utility assistance for phone, water, and electricity/gas, maternity clothing and supplements, etc.
It won't cost you anything. If you choose to place your baby for adoption, all of your medical and legal fees will be covered and you may be eligible for financial assistance with other pregnancy-related expenses.
Yes. Even if you don’t know the identity of the birth father, you can still choose to make an adoption plan. However, every adoption situation is different. The adoption social worker you’re assigned to will get to know you and your story first, and then guide you through the process accordingly.
You can make an adoption plan at any point in your pregnancy, even after the baby has been born. But, it's important to start the process as early in your pregnancy as possible. Connecting with those resources will allow you to gain access to important medical services, including prenatal care, to help ensure a healthy pregnancy.
One aspect of your adoption plan is the "Hospital Plan" an outline of how you'd like your hospital stay and delivery to go. You can craft this on your own or with the help of your adoption social worker. But everything is up to you. You’ll be able to choose who comes to the hospital with you, who is in the room with you during delivery, and how much time you’d like to spend with the baby before signing the final papers.
As part of your adoption plan, you'll determine whether or not you’d like to have an open or closed adoption or something in between. Open adoptions may include phone calls, messaging (via social media, email, or text), and/or periodic visits each year. Closed adoptions may include no contact at all or annual updates provided to the birth parent(s) by the adoptive family. Each post-adoption relationship is different and can vary based on what an expectant mother chooses in her adoption plan.
With Spring finally starting to make an appearance, we will be spending more time at the barn visiting Lacey. Dave and I had no interest in horses, let alone owning one, yet somehow, here we are with beautiful Lacey. As parents we support our kids crazy adventures from sports, vacation ideas, animals, and everything in between. When our Ashlyn was 7 she went on a trip with her grandpa that involved horseback riding, when she came home, she was wanting to take riding lessons. We were shocked because nobody else in the family has ever had much interest in horses. We quickly found a facility that not only does lessons but has camps, family get togethers, campfires, holiday parties and much more. The barn also has a heated pool, 2 ponds and some other animals roaming around. As a family, we fell in love with the place so much that after 3 years of lessons and activities we surprised our Ashlyn with her own horse for her 10th birthday. We now can go to the barn daily.(if we have the time) somedays I am still shocked that we actually own our own horse. Ha ha but, I wouldn't trade her...
Hi, if you are reading this, we hope you are doing well. As we wait for the little angel who will complete our family, we have started to get the nursery in order. So far we have white furniture and boring gray walls. The reason we have not decorated is because, we would love to incorporate some of your favorite items as in, colors, sports, favorite animals or just things that you really love. We want this baby to grow up in a space that is not just a fun cozy room but where there are items incorporated from everyone who loves him/her. One day we can explain each of the items and why we chose them. The nursery is a very large room with its own private bathroom. We are secretly more excited to decorate the bathroom. We were thinking sharks and whales for a baby boy or mermaids for a baby girl but we are open to all ideas. Whatever the level of openess you would like to have, we are ok with, but even if you don't want to have an open adoption, we would still love to incorporate some of you favorite things.
I often wonder if having 3 much older girls would have a negative impact on an expectant mommy to be. Although our youngest daughter earthside is 14 and the other 2 are 19 and 22 don't let that fool you. Ha ha These girls absolutely love and adore each other, I don't think I have ever saw sisters who were closer and get along so well but more so they are beyond excited to welcome another baby into our family. From already planning fun activities, the biggestbirthday parties, trips to Disney, and much more, they can not wait to love and spoil their new sibling. This new angel will not only be the youngest in our family but the youngest grandchild. As you can imagine, there are a lot of people who are just over the moon excited to welcome a new baby. There will be no shortage of playmates between our 2 families and friends but at the end of the day, this sweet baby will be the center of all of our worlds. I posted a picture of our 3 older girls with a pink balloon. I never had the opportunity to get a good picture of all...