Stork Central

Abrazo is seeking very special, multicultural and homestudy-ready adoptive parents for a beautiful set of two-month old twin girls of Irish/Hispanic/Cantonese/African-American descent. Qualified applicants must be U.S. citizens over the age of 25, legally married for more than a year, with documented infertility (unable to conceive) and a willingness to commit to continuing post-placement communication with the birthfamily. Abrazo is accepting letters of interest with completed homestudies between now and 9/20/04; information can be mailed to our office or faxed to 210/342-6547 during business hours. Gracias!

"Take me out to the ballgame, take me out to the crowd! Buy me some peanuts and cracker jacks, I don't care if I ever come back! 'Cuz it's root, root, root for the home team..." It was a doubleheader at Abrazo today, with some Pirate fans from the 'Burg returning to the field after a 5 year delay, making a big brother of their firstborn!... and across the dugout, we're proud to announce, it's another baby boy for an ecstatic young military couple from the WooWoo Parenthood Club, 8/04 who were sitting in orientation dreaming of this day just three short weeks ago! We celebrate both these latest "home runs" and offer both "teams" jubilant five highs! (Now: for those out there who are still in the ranks of parents-in-waiting, batter up! because with Abrazo, the bases are always loaded!! Play ball!)

Anybody out there know of an interracial (Anglo & African-American) couple who would love to become proud parents of a biracial baby boy due next month? Birthmom is receiving prenatal care and does have Medicaid coverage; she longs for her child to be raised in a loving home with parents whose racial backgrounds reflect his own. Interested families, please call Abrazo, asap!

Againers know that the "second time around" does generally take longer, since so many birthparents seek to place their little ones in childless homes where they can be the "firstborn"... but for the latest family from our Tremendous Ten (5/04) to return for number #2, their wait was remarkably brief, as the Good Lord deemed them "ready already" to welcome a 5 lb., 2 oz. son into their home and lives just 14 weeks after they came back onboard. Thank heaven for little boys... for loving birthparents and for the faithful mommy, daddy and new big sister who took one home from Abrazo just today.

Some folks will go to the ends of the earth to find the child of their dreams, and so it is for our latest set of new parents, members of The Forrestears of 3/04, who flew from their home in Germany to Texas to take placement of their long-awaited baby girl! whose dear birthmom has generously provided them with opportunity to practice their parenting skills on her other three children (who appear pretty impressed with their birthsister's new mom and dad, as well!) We send loving thoughts to both families and wish them all peace, unity and worldwide happiness, globally related kinfolk that they now are!

Wowie zowie! It's baby number one for the first of the Woo Woo Parenthood Club!! (circa 8/04) as a gorgeous, blonde-haired baby boy met his very excited new mommy and daddy at Abrazo this morning (and one of his proud new grandparents as well... while the others listened in on conference call as the tiniest member of their family made his debut.) It was a beautiful, touching moment, made complete by tears of joy and a special word of prayer offered by Abrazo's foster family, and followed by a thank-you call to one very dear birthmom, who made it all possible. We salute our latest family for getting a zillion things done to be here in time for their adorable new son, and we eagerly await the rest of the Woo Woos' return. (Helpful hint: get those homestudies done and those profiles in, because your babies are coming, too, and it's not "if?" but "when!")

We are no longer in need of prospective homes for the forementioned twin case, but given the number of summer placements Abrazo has done, we have a huge need for childless couples or families with kids for Hispanic and/or biracial infants, toddlers and/or sibling groups, as well as a strong birthparent demand for childless, young Texas couples for infants of any race. The next scheduled orientation is coming up quickly; if you've been legally married a year or more, are over the age of 25, and cannot achieve pregnancy, we'd like to hear from you, so submit a completed inquiry form (downloadable off our website) or contact Angela at Abrazo for more info. (210/342-5683.) Thanks!

And another B.O.G. blessing for another of the Tremendous Ten (5/04), as a local couple moved heaven and earth in a matter of hours to meet their new daughter and her young birthmom, a teen who hid the pregnancy from friends and family in order to protect the plan she knew in heart would be best for her baby's future. Bless our birthmoms, who truly do make miracles happen, and the waiting families who make lifelong dreams come true for children in need... because, after all, the littlest ones are what it's all about!

The Tremendous Ten (5/04) will surely be tickled pink to learn of their group's latest success story, the touching tale of a young midwestern couple who first came down south for orientation, returned in July to meet their birthmom and her daughter for Camp Abrazo, then came back to spend this past weekend in San Antonio, to celebrate the birth of their beautiful new baby girl--who is being baptised this very afternoon, with her loving birthmom standing in as godmother! May God bless the new beginnings of their lives together. And welcome, as well, to our latest, greatest orientation graduates, the Woo Woo Parenthood Club of 8/04, who are home recovering from a wild and crazy weekend of learning and fun. The Woo Woos are so ready to take on new job titles of "Mom" and "Dad," they've even got their own "group cheer" (which really impressed local restaurant patrons on Saturday night.) We all look forward to seeing these folks move into new family roles! then return to Camp next year to show off all their new sons and daughters. Bienvenidos, y'all!

It's a bouncing baby boy! for the latest of our Tremendous Ten (5/04) to join Abrazo's happy parenting club! His caring birthmom even invited his new mom and dad to be present for the birth, so this beloved fella came into the world welcomed by three excited parents who just couldn't wait to meet him. Best wishes to all, and especially to this precious new little guy-- who surely won't stay little for long.

Everyone knows that at any good amusement park, the rollercoaster is the best ride of all, and the more twists and turns, the better! For our newest set of parents, the ride may have seemed shorter than most, given that it lasted less than a trimester from orientation to placement day, but the good news is that the ride doesn't really end with placement-- because parenting is just the beginning and it's truly a lifelong adventure! So it is that we hail our latest lucky baby and her elated new mommy and daddy, graduates of the Tremendous Ten, 5/04 (with loving thoughts going out, as well, to one dear birthmom whose personal sacrifice resulted in the answering of another's prayers.) May your years together be blessed in every way, and may the God who led you to each other continue to see you through every one of life's highs and lows.

A special B.O.G. requires a special family, and Abrazo searched the country to find just the right folks for this little princess... all the way to Idaho! The proud parents of two sons already, they were just waiting for the baby girl that was meant to complete their family, and they are tickled pink to have found her in the Lone Star State! A friendly Texas "howdy!" to this newest addition to the Abrazo ranks... and our best wishes to two proud new big brothers, for whom life is never, ever going to be the same!

Psst! The word is out: things are hopping in Houston!! The Abrazo staff has been busy working overtime, and as a result, another couple from The Fab Nine (1/04) have another little reason to celebrate, having just become a mommy and daddy for the first time, this past weekend! so if Forum regulars notice a slow down in posts from a certain household down south, it's because they have somebody else keeping them up nights, these days! And that's not all: another Houstonite, a single professional who called last fall with a dream of parenting now has a newborn son to celebrate, just weeks before she was slated to attend orientation. Congratulations to both our newest families! Now keep these 5 magic words in mind, new parents: sleep when the baby sleeps! Here's wishing y'all joyous beginnings-- and plenty of rest, as well.

Santa Fe is known for Indian artistry, extraordinary Southwestern cuisine, and now, a beautiful new baby girl, lovingly placed by her birthfamily in the arms of a grateful, previously-childless couple from our 3/04 orientation, The Forrestears. May she grow up healthy and happy in the mountains of New Mexico, secure in the knowledge of who she is and how she came to be there, and surrounded for life with the love of both families who adore her so! Our best wishes to all.

Yes, today was a busy day here in Abrazoland, as two of our couples moved from the "childless" column to the ranks of "New Parents!" One, from the Fab Nine of 1/04, are now the proud mom and dad of a tiny three pound boy bound to be a linebacker one day! and the other is our first family from the Tremendous Ten of 5/04, who now have a darling daughter to dote on. And they're both active on the Forum, so stay tuned; you're bound to see baby photos posted soon! Our heartfelt congratulations to both families and their precious new babes, and our prayers for the birthfamilies who made such big choices for their little ones' futures (and last of all, kudos to the two devoted staffers who volunteered to make the trip to complete both deliveries right on the heels of a long Camp Abrazo weekend.) Here's to new beginnings!!

An old camp song reminds us to "make new friends, but keep the old, one is silver and the other gold." This weekend, we're honored to welcome back to Texas one of our "golden oldies," a particularly brilliant woman who just happens to be a Midwestern physician and single mom of four-- well, make that five! now, with the adoption of her third Abrazobabe! She drove down with one of our favorite grandmas, two sons and one daughter, to make another baby girl part of her forever family, and we congratulate her, her supportive family, her selfless birthmom (also a single parent) and her new baby's birthgrandma, on finding each other and launching a lifetime friendship on behalf of the lucky little girl they all already love so. Here's to strong moms with such commitment to children (from an agency blessed to have both "silver and gold" connections with so many such women!)

Our biracial babes all got home safe and sound, thanks to the angels who watch these Nursery Notes and spread the word that good parents are needed! Now, we're looking for loving families for two to-be-born African-American boys, due in August and September to wonderful birthmoms already active in our birthparent support group; and for a very patient couple interested in Anglo-Hispanic twins due early next year, to an older, incarcerated birthmom who will need virtually no financial assistance but plenty of emotional support between now and then. Know of any possibilities? Get their homestudies faxed in to Angela, please, and she'll be in touch!

All hail Croptoberfest! With today's placement of a newborn boy in West Texas, our 10/03 orientation weekend graduates are all now parents, and less than a year after they came onboard. And with a coach as his new daddy and a schoolteacher for Mom, this newest Abrazobabe is sure to have his shooting skills, ABCs and 1-2-3s down before he's even out of diapers. Congratulations to the new mom and dad, to the birthcouple who brought about this miracle, and to all our Croptoberfesters out there, who proved, once again, it wasn't ever about "if?" but merely a matter of "when!"

For those of you who are just starting out and haven't even sent in your inquiry (the "pre-app") yet, here are helpful pointers from the Home Office and also from the "been there, done that" crowd!!! For starters: 1) DO read everything you can beforehand--it'll put you that much further ahead, right from the start. It will also help you better understand Open Adoption, so that you'll know whether Abrazo's program (which does advocate for fully open adoption, with ongoing, direct contact between birthparents and adoptive families before and after placement) is suited to your needs! 2) DON'T apply for admission into Abrazo's full-service placement program if you can get pregnant or have been advised not to have a biological pregnancy. As noted on the inquiry, the full-service program is only for those who are infertile (unable to achieve pregnancy) and have medical verification of this condition. Those without infertility may adopt instead through Abrazo's designated or special needs programs, which are open to those who could get pregnant but have chosen not to, for personal or medical reasons. 3) DO remember that in accordance with policies (as printed on our forms) all service fees are nonrefundable (i.e. (inquiry, application. agency deposits), and the orientation fee is nonrefundable and nontransferable upon agency confirmation of your reserved weekend. 4) DON'T start a homestudy for Abrazo's program without giving your social worker a copy of Abrazo's required homestudy standards (available under Professionals Corner, here on the Forum!) This will save you money, time and aggravation in terms of addendums later on. 5) DO talk openly with your spouse and explore all your options upfront. Abrazo isn't the "right" program for everyone... we need the best possible parents for our precious babies. Be as expansive as possible in your placement preferences (remembering that Abrazo's most common placement need is for childless couples open to full Hispanic infants) to allow yourself more choices down the road. The more limited your preferences, the more opportunities you are rejecting (and every "opportunity" is, in fact, a child in need.) Kids out there need loving homes... how ready are you?

Their completed inquiry had reached the office just days before our last orientation, a wee bit too late! But in the nearly a month since, they completed all their other paperwork and a homestudy, too, and thus it became obvious that this motivated couple could offer the perfect home for a special baby boy already waiting in foster care. The proof came today, when they came to meet their tiny new son for the very first time! and recognized in a heartbeat that he was, in fact, the perfect answer to their prayers, too. So loving congratulations go out to our latest success story whom you'll meet at Camp Abrazo this summer-- because as everyone knows, there's no better place to celebrate family than with our Family!

Hip, hip, hooray! We've been so excited about getting the word out--while the Forum was out of commission, the Abrazo crew was still hard at work (of course) and we've got two happy new homecomings to announce!! They set a new record for talking with more birthparents than anybody else and taking longer to find the "right one", but these againers from our Sleepless in San Antonio weekend of 4/02 were so enamored with their firstborn Abrazo son, they just weren't in any hurry. Sure enough, a second baby son was just waiting for them to be ready when he was...and his wonderful birthfamily was well worth the wait, inviting the adoptive parents to be there for the birth and graciously sharing every moment of the baby's first days. This was not a simple transaction for either couple, but rather, a carefully-constructed plan, ensuring a happily-ever-after future for this lucky little son whose future they're now privileged to share. Congrats to both extraordinary sets of parents! And Happy Placement Day! to our newest set of parents, a couple of Forumites who'd suffered a recent setback but got right back up, dusted themselves off and jumped back on the horse in record time. These Fab Niners of 1/04 had just barely gotten home from their "dress rehearsal," yet gladly sprinted back to Texas in record time, upon learning of a brand new birthmom down South who'd chosen them and then delivered within a matter of days! And so we send loving "welcome to the world" greetings to their newborn son and the phenomenal woman who made this miracle possible for them. Kudos! Finally, holler "howdy-do!" to our most recent orientation graduates, the Tremendous Ten, who attended our Parents of Tomorrow event this past weekend and are getting their profiles and homestudies done, pronto!! Wishing all our parents-in-waiting wind in their sails as they embark on this most joyous adventure.

Our latest Againers to take the Texas trek a third time know for sure that everything happens for a reason. Originally, this Tennessee couple came to Abrazo having birthed a biological daughter and then having had secondary infertility. They endured a failed adoption plan then went on to successfully take placement of a newborn baby girl. They returned for orientation last fall, and were chosen quickly thereafter by a birthmom who'd already delivered a baby boy, whom they joyfully took home with them, assuming their family was now complete. God knew better, however, and today, they're back, welcoming their fourth (and final?) child into their family--the newborn bio-brother of their Texas-born daughter!! We wish them plenty of sleep while they await Compact approval, because once home with four busy children, they'll surely need their rest! Congratulations and best wishes to all!

Life is, as they say, inherently messy. Complicated. Unpredictable. Sends you in one direction, and then, inexplicably, draws you off into another. But for all the twists and turns, it's a pretty awesome ride, all things considered. And so it is with adoption. Even the best of plans are sometimes beset with unforeseen challenges and tests of faith, but in the end, the greatest harvest can grow only as a result of plenty of sunshine, compost and rain. Our newest parents, frequent Forumites and graduates of The Fab Nine of 1/04, can surely attest to this. They're planted in a Texas hotel room, admiring with amazement the newborn son entrusted to them just today. Surely he is the fruit of their labors-- and the apple of his birthparents' eye. May he flourish under the careful tending of all who love him best.

Another busy day in Abrazoland, and we couldn't be happier about it! For another of our delightful Forrestears (3/04), it was another precious baby girl, tenderly placed in their open arms by her very loving birthmom, as a proud birthbrother looked on with approval. And for a special couple from The Fab Nine of 1/04, who recently experienced a tragic loss that was shared by many of our Forum folk, sorrow turned to joy as they met their newborn son and the courageous birthcouple who chose them for him. Wishing both of these new families and the birthparents who enabled these miracles every blessing in their new lives together!