What to expect when we get home!

I know everyone is excited about Delaney coming home, but I wanted to take a minute to remind everyone that we do expect there to be issues with Delaney's attachment. I thought it would be good to let Delaney's family and friends read over this so it is understood why we might have to restrict or put limits on certain activities.

These are recommendations from agencies, social workers, and other adoptive families:

We recommend a low-keyed arrival scene as you return home with your child.

Yeah right!!! Have you met our family??? Please feel free to come to the airport, but depending on how Delaney's is doing will determine if anyone but mommy and daddy will get to hold her! If you would also give us a few minutes after we get off the plane for Bella to meet her new sister it would be appreciated. Of course, lots of looking at her will definitely be allowed. As well as the appropriate amount of oohing and awwwing is always appreciated!! :)

Develop daily routines and rituals and stick to them as much as possible. In keeping mealtimes, bedtimes, and play times consistent, your child will begin to feel that each day has a predictability and structure to it. This is comforting for the child who is experiencing a period of incredible change and transition from the orphanage life to adoptive family life.

We recommend that parents , as much as possible, be the only person to feed, change, bathe, dress, rock to sleep, or comfort their child. We think it is helpful for your newly adopted child to practice having needs consistently met by you, the parent.

Moms and dads...if you could please have a talk with your kids to make them understand that they might not get to carry, hold, feed, or diaper Delaney right away. I would appreciate it if you could prepare them ahead of time! I know the kids are very excited to meet Delaney and they will have a lifetime of getting to play with all the cuteness to come!!

And finally something else that it might be good for the parents to talk to the kids about. Delaney is a waiting child. She has hand deformities. Our international doctor said she thought Delaney had ABS (Amniotic Band Syndrome) which when a child is in utero fibers wrap around the appendage and cuts off circulation; therefore, the appendage will either appear cut-off or won't grow any further.

What will Delaney's limitations be? As of now....probably nothing. She may have to have surgery in the future but we will not know this until we take her to the doctor's once home. Kids with this syndrome lead normal, productive everyday lives. Delaney's hands will just look different.

It would be great if parents could talk to the kids ahead of time about how everyone is different!

We feel so lucky to be able to add Delaney to our family and can't wait to meet her.