Are there any first time moms adopting?

If you want to get one of the new travel systems (stroller and car seat), keep your eyes open...they update the styles pretty often, and the stores will put the old models on clearance...I picked up the stroller part of our system for 1/2 price...what's weird though, the car seat hasn't gone on clearance yet...I'm keeping a close watch though...as soon as they lower the price, they'll go fast! I am a yard-sale freek, so I have been picking up stuff all summer...I got a whole bag (about 16) of Avent bottles and nipples for $5.00 ...they are in excellent condition, and they are so expensive to buy new...I wish I could breastfeed our new little one, but I am taking a high blood pressure med-- it passes into breast milk, and isn't safe for babies... I've also picked up little things like bibs, hooded bath towels, onesies, and sleepers at yard sales...all *boy* because the first bmom we matched with was having a boy...this one we don't know yet, but we have a 50/50 chance, right? :) The only clothing I will need to buy are some socks and caps (baby is due mid-winter, and we keep our home pretty cool (65-70) to conserve energy. For the last two months, every time we went shopping for our monthly supplies, I bought a bag of diapers + some baby wipes, so we won't have so much to buy all at once when the baby is born...If I end up buying too many in the newborn size, I'll take them back and exchange them for bigger ones... Of course, with 6 bio kiddos, we already had a crib and changing table, but I did buy new bedding...we're going with the Blue Jean Teddy print...I found the bumper pads (in excellent condition) at a consignment store and saved about $30.00, and I even made new Roman shades for the windows with a coordinating print... Some friends of ours who adopted two years ago are giving us their exersaucer and high chair (our old one was shot)...I found a vibrating bouncer seat at a yard sale for $3, and two different front carriers --one is a Baby Bjorn which sells for $80, and I got it for $5... I also got an activity blanket--retails for $50 at Toys 'R' Us, and I paid $5...I think the only large ticket items we still need are a swing, and a monitor, and a dresser. Musicmama

I meant to title my last post "Advice from a Veteran 6-time, almost 7-time Mom" :D

I breastfed my bio son until about 9 months before we adopted our son. then I had planned on breastfeeding our newest son, but to be honest I HATE pumping. So I decided I would just let him suckle and see what happened. We ended up doing it for bonding when he was partucularly fussy or colicy. Just to pacify him. It was wonderful and he never really got any milk. When you breastfeed an adopted baby you rarely get much milk. If you don't pump and don't breastfeed constantly you won't make milk. My son would breastfeed maybe once or twice a day. I did have a suplementary nursing system that I would use occationally but found it frustrating. We nursed for about the first two of three months and it really was a very positive experience for bonding. You may want to think about it as a morning and night thing, with the SNS. If you actually produced any milk, which is doubtful without the pumping or all day nursing, it would probably be only a few drops. Maybe go to your local la leche league and connect with other nursing moms. ANd as for what to have for that call...we were called the day before we had to pick up our son. We were completely unprepared but had most of the things from our first son. We found we needed a coming home outfit and a few changes of clothes, bottles, diapers and wipes. A recieving blanket and a diaper bag. A place to sleep (we had a bassinet but a portable crib/ play yard/ bassinet thing would be a more useful purchase). A car seat is a must and a stroller nice to have. Diaper ointment, medicines and shampoo and soap. The other stuff can be worked out later if you want. I found with our older son that a changing table was a waste of money. First our pediatrician told us they are very unsafe and really having a nice basket with all the neccesary items is better and just change the baby in the crib. It is much easier too. Also you can take it to your family room or where ever you spend most of your time. I wish I hadn't gotten an infant car seat but a convertable. My sons have grown out of it too fast to be worth the money. And I would rather put them in the stroller and give them a little room to relax. A booster seat for a regular chair instead of a high chair would be a better use of space for us. Exercaucer, a nice swing, bouncer (with vibrating feature) and a play gym are great additions.

Those are all difinate good things to start picking up, especially the diapers! Thanks!

When we submitted for our latest baby, it had been 20 years since we had raised a baby! My husband was out of the state when we got the call (I TOLD him this would happen); and we had submitted for a 'stork baby'. (Stork babies are those that are unexpected from the attorney or agency. No 'getting to know birthparents previously'. Just the basic info and decide.) I had a blast getting the last minute stuff.....but a lot had changed over the years!!!!!!!!! One piece of advice I got from a car seat seminar was to purchase an 'Alpha-Omega Carseat' I think Cosco makes them. I had already purchased an infant carseat. The infant carseat WAS convenient when eating out (which we do too often)...because we could just 'detach it' and carry the baby in. However, when the baby outgrew it, I bought the Alpha/Omega because it DOES grow with the baby/child and lasts up until the child is 80 lbs. This is the only seat, I've been told and researched, that will 'go up to this much'. It's more expensive; but much cheaper when you realize it will last the entire carseat time a child needs it. Linny

I will be a 1st time mom and I'm thrift store/yard sale woman. I have a crib and changing table, exersaucer, swing, and kick-n-play (I actually have 4... we want to adopt twins and we were blessed with an early gift that I did not open until after I found 2 @ a thrift store). I have bought clothes... all boy because that's what we want and believe God for. We have a potential match who is due in February... so I'm headed to the Warehouse club to start on diapers for a newborn. When I get little things 'here & there' it helps me stay focused on the goal. Robbye