dbernados

Hi Missy! I think the $1000 estimate for Orientation weekend is probably a good one. My husband and I came from Pittsburgh, PA over 3 years ago and we probably spent around that amount. It is a weekend that you will never forget. Not only do you get to meet the wonderful ladies at Abrazo personally but the relationship you build with the other couples in orientation class is the best! We are very close to the other people in our orientation class and still keep in touch with everyone. At first it felt like they would be competition for us but once you meet them and spend the weekend with them you have friends that know exactly how you feel. That is really hard to find most of the time. As far as after you are matched and/or take placement, you can often get discounts from hotels if you explain to them your situation. When we came for the birth of our second son this year I called Homewood Suites and they were willing to give us a $20 discount per day. That was a pretty good deal especially since they provided breakfast and dinner. They have kitchens in their rooms so you could buy food and have lunch in the room so bascially you wouldn't have that much of an expense for food. Always check out Hotwire.com too. They typically have really good deals on there too. We are in Texas now for finalization and to spend time with our birthfamily and I was able to get a really good deal for a hotel close to the Riverwalk, which is a really nice area downtown (lots of shopping, food, entertainment, etc...) When there is a will there is a way I always say You won't regret any of it and Abrazo is a great agency to work with. Please don't hesitate to ask any questions we are all here to help you through Donna

Mari, Your message really touched me and I felt led to respond. After many years of trying to conceive, with help from an Infertility doctor, my husband and I got pregnant. Unfortunately at my first ultrasound visit we found out that our baby was in my tube and had to be removed. Although our baby was taken very early on I can understand to some degree how you and your daughter feel. We are so fortunate that we found Abrazo and have been blessed by the work that they do. We now have a 3 year old and a 6 month old who are biological brothers. We have a wonderful relationship with our sons' birthfamily and because of that relationship when they needed to make another birth plan they chose us so that the brothers could be together. We vacation with them, they visit our home and we make as many trips from Georgia to San Antonio to visit them. All of the adoptive parents that I have met through Abrazo truly believe in the "Open Adoption" experience and are willing to have as much of a relationship that you and your daughter want. Please know that Abrazo does a wonderful job explaining "Open Adoption" to prospective adoptive parents! I am sure that your choice in adoptive parents for your sweet grandbaby is the right one and they will honor "Open Adoption" in every sense of the word. Donna

Congratulations!

Congratulations to the newest Abrazo family!!! Enjoy every moment!

Congratulations to the newest family! Enjoy every minute that you can with your birthfamily and your new bundle of joy! Donna

Hi Alicia, We lived in Pittsburgh, PA when we went through the adoption process the first time. My husband and I went to Orientation and then returned 2 months later to pick up our son, Ethan. Then Ethan and I came back to San Antonio during the summer to visit with his birthfamily. We all returned that December for finalization. We try to see Ethan's birthfamily at least twice a year because the relationship with them is vital for Ethan and us. We have grown very close to our birthfamily and try to see them as much as possible. Once you meet your birthfamily and grow that relationship the trips to Texas don't seem as daunting. We wish that we had more money and time off to see them more than we do. About the 60 days, based on all of my investigations, that would only apply to a private adoption (one that you would probably go through an attorney versus an adoption agency. If you go through Abrazo after the 48 hours the birthmother can relinquish her rights and that is irrevocable. The birthfather laws have changed since the adoption of our first son so that is a little more complicated but shouldn't be longer than 30 days after the birth of the baby if they are not married. Hope that helps. Orientation does answer most if not all of your questions and really opens your mind and eyes to open adoption. Donna

Welcome Baby Sloan! We are praying for you and all your family! Welcome Baby Sloan! We are praying for you and all your family!

Yippee!!! I am so excited for Linda and Guy...You guys look so happy in your photo with baby Heath. Enjoy every minute because it goes by so quickly.

Sandi, Scott & Skye, Congratulations! We are so excited for you guys. I know that it will be difficult for them birth mother but I know that it gives her some comfort knowing that they will be with their sister and her loving parents. We love you all so much! Can't wait to see their picture in the gallery!

Thanks for the information! I did finally get in touch with a local social worker and he said that I would only need to do an update... Thank the Lord!!!!

I wanted to clarify the number of visits required. We lived in PA when our original homestudy was done almost 3 years ago. I have spoken with several social workers in GA and we will need a complete home study; however, GA only requires 4 visits. Do we need to have 5 visits as we did in our previous home study or since we are againers can we go with the GA requirements of 4 visits? HELP!![/

Well it is one of the Tots...Ethan is expecting a baby brother on February 14th (if his birth mother makes it to her due date). We are all excited that she has entrusted us with her new little boy. Ethan is going to make a great big brother! Oh Elizabeth...I tried to open the application but it didn't work. Can you or Angela email it to us? My email is dbernados@yahoo.com Thanks,

Congratulations to the new families!

Congratulations to the new family! What an exciting time and just in time for the holidays!!

Congrats to all of the newest families! You have an exciting and wonderful journey ahead of you.

Congratulations to all of the new families!

Congratulations to Ethan, his birth family and new forever family! I think Ethan is a wonderful choice of names too

Congratulations!!!

Congratulations on your new bundle of joy! The picture in the gallery is just beautiful.

I am so excited for all of the new families! I love it when I have been away from posting and when I get back there are so many baby announcements. Enjoy your time bonding with your new babies and birthfamilies.

Our friends, Maralou & Craig, told us about their adoption experience with Abrazo so we were really leaning toward using them (Thanks guys for introducing us to them )!!. We investigated a lot of other adoption agencies but liked Abrazo's approach and when we went to Orientation it sealed the deal for us. How many adoption agencies do you know of that have an orientation weekend??? I don't know of any other than Abrazo. It gives Abrazo a chance to get to know each couple personally that they are going to place a child with and it also gives the adoptive couple a chance to get to know the wonderful ladies they will be working with. Two months, almost to the day, after orientation weekend we were on our way back to Texas to pick up our little sweetheart, Ethan Ascher who is turning 2 next week. THANKS ABRAZO FOR ALL OF YOUR HARD WORK!! WE LOVE YOU!!!

Congratulations on your baby boy! It brought back all of the wonderful memories of when my husband and I jetted off to San Antonio almost 2 years ago for our BOG - Now known as Ethan - the love of our life. Have fun with him, enjoy every minute with him and his birthfamily.

How exciting to be the first 2008 baby!!! Congratulations to your newest addition...Enjoy, Enjoy, Enjoy!!!

Jada, I am so sorry that your kid's adoptive parents are not being cooperative. I pray that they will understand SOON how important it is for them to have a relationship with you. You made the greatest sacrifice for your children's well-being. I couldn't imagine Ethan not having a relationship with his birthmother or birthfamily. That is the main reason why we chose open adoption because it is in Ethan's best interest. Keep your chin up....hopefully they will come around soon. Donna

Congratulations to the newest family! What a wonderful way to end the year and begin a new one!