[wastcougr]

Hello everyone,

My name is Christi and DH is Hank. I'm 38 (39 in December) and DH is 42. We've been together for 4 years, and married for a little over 18 months. This is the first marriage for me, and 2nd for him. He has a 13-year-old daughter from his first marriage.

We are currently TTC, but given my health history, I really don't think it will happen. As such, we are considering other options.

We are foster parents for the state of Arizona, and we're hoping to adopt through them, but the process is LONG as we want an infant girl (as young as possible). The problem with that, of course, is that they're not available for adoption as soon as they are born so we are waiting, minimum, of 6 months, and more like 12 months, to adopt. And, girls are popular so that makes it even longer of a wait.

Anyway, we're not getting any younger, and I'm just trying to figure out if there's another option available. We don't have a lot of $$$$ to invest in this, which is why we're taking our chances with foster care, but I was just curious to hear others' stories about how you came to the adoption decision (especially if you went through private adoption).

More background: I've been a type 1 diabetic for 25 years, I've never been pregnant (at least, not that I know of), and I'm not sure that I could carry a baby to term even if I COULD get PG. My sister had PCOS, so I'm wondering if that's part of my issues, as well, although I haven't been tested for anything as today is only CD 1 of our 3rd cycle trying to get PG. But, I don't feel in my heart that it's possible to do things the "natural" way which is why I'm here, asking for you all to share your experiences.

Thank you in advance,
Christi

[Mommy_of_7_Angels]

Private adoption is cheaper than agency but depending on the lawyer you choose can still be costly. I'd look into that though.

[3TeamH]

A lawyer should cost between $1500-3000 if you do a private domestic adoption. The wait time is probably just as long, though. I don't know any attorneys in AZ but should be able to look some up fairly easily on Google.

We have 3 biological kids and were matched with a baby girl due 12/30. We've only been waiting since May, but we used a consultant & a facilitator. Average adoption costs are around 35k, but you can fund raise and apply for grants galore. Our adoption won't be nearly that much, thank God!