Are they American? Or Chinese? Or both? Or maybe we shouldn’t ask…
January 31, 2018
adoptee perspective, books, Chinese Culture, embracing their story, guest post, heritage trip, orphanage, Post-Adoption contact, telling their life story
Patti Waldmeir, award winning author and foreign correspondent, raised her adopted Chinese daughters Grace and Lucy for half their life in China. She’s just published a book about raising them in the country that could not keep them… The Waldmeir family visiting Grace’s hometown of Yangzhou in 2008 /// “Do they know they’re adopted?” Soaking …Read More
Waiting Child: Angelina
January 30, 2018
Children Who Wait
Just look at Angelina’s bright and beautiful eyes! Angelina was born in June 2011 and is now 6 years old. She needs a special family to help her reach her greatest potential! Angelina was found when she was between 2-3 months old. After an unsuccessful search to find her parents, she was placed with a …Read More
Nolan Waits for a Family
January 26, 2018
Children Who Wait
There is something special about 3 year old Nolan that captured our heart and drew us in! Nolan is diagnosed with deformity of four limbs, but that doesn’t stop him from playing and having fun! At the time that Nolan’s report was written, he was described as quiet with a ready smile. At 3-5 months, …Read More
Post-Adoption Depression: Finding My Way Back
January 25, 2018
attachment challenges, first weeks home, first year home, January 2018 Feature - The Uninvited Guest: Post-Adoption Depression, Newly Home, orphanage behaviors, parent-to-child attachment, post-adoption depression, rejects mom
When I think of depression, I think of sadness, tears, poor appetite, and withdrawing from friends and loved ones. But what I went through was profoundly different. So much so that my family and closest friends didn’t recognize it. And, as the one going through it, I didn’t want to admit it — to myself, …Read More
Post-Adoption Depression: The Perfect Storm
January 23, 2018
Courtney, first weeks home, January 2018 Feature - The Uninvited Guest: Post-Adoption Depression, Newly Home, post-adoption depression
The long wait is over. After more than a year or two of dreaming, planning, and preparing for your child, there he or she sits at your table. The paperwork is done. The trip overseas is completed and now the real journey begins. Far too often this new adventure develops quickly into something many adoptive …Read More
Waiting for You: Hanna
January 22, 2018
Children Who Wait
Hanna, female, born in November of 2014 was admitted into the CWI when she was one day old. Her special needs are epilepsy, delayed intelligence development and cross-eye. In order to help Hanna’s motor skill development, the children’s institute drew a plan to provide physical therapy for Hanna in July of 2015. In February of …Read More
Waiting for You: Benjamin
January 20, 2018
Family Found
Benjamin was born March of 2015, his smile is just about the cutest thing we have ever seen! Benjamin is an optimist! Sunny Benjamin has an adorable giggle! As a favorite at the orphanage, the caregivers love to tease Benjamin to get him to smile and laugh. He loves the personal interactions. When he hears …Read More
The Checklist
January 19, 2018
aortic stenosis, complex heart defect, double outlet right ventricle, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, Lifelong needs, medical needs checklist, Megan V., pulmonary stenosis, TGA
There is a checklist. It is several pages long and includes medical jargon I don’t know and hope I never have to understand. Every person who has adopted has been faced with this list. What are you willing to weather? I agonized over that list, checking and unchecking things depending how I felt in that …Read More
Waiting for You: Jacob
January 18, 2018
Children Who Wait
Three year old Jacob is the sweetest boy. He is listed as a Special Focus child with Agape Adoptions. He has been diagnosed with postoperative spina bifida, flaccid paralysis of both lower limbs and malformed both ankles. In his last update his agency was told that Jacob could sit up, roll over, crawl and had …Read More
Glory Strength: A Gift For the Long Haul of Adoption
January 17, 2018
adoption community, adoption realities, Rebecca
You stepped up boldly in faith to adopt, so I am going to venture to say that you are strong. Probably brave too, though you might not feel it. You most likely hold it all together for a whole band of people. But, I also know that adoption is a long haul. A journey that …Read More
Helena Waits for a Family
January 16, 2018
Family Found
This beautiful little girl is Helena, is 7 years old and is listed with Holt International! Helena has spina bifida, including sacrococcygeal meningocele and tethered cord. She is an active girl who can walk, stand on one foot, skip, and catch a ball. She can draw a person, tie her shoes and pick up a …Read More
Nothing Wasted: Life After Post-Adoption Depression
January 15, 2018
adopting two at once, Attachment, attachment challenges, January 2018 Feature - The Uninvited Guest: Post-Adoption Depression, Newly Home, post-adoption depression, rejects mom
The story I’m about to share is my battle with depression and anxiety that intensified after our first two adopted children came into our lives. I could share so many funny and sweet tales of our family and our precious kiddos, and I hope to have the opportunity to do so in the future. I …Read More
Post-Adoption Depression: Finding Our New Normal
January 13, 2018
2018 Features, first weeks home, first year home, January 2018 Feature - The Uninvited Guest: Post-Adoption Depression, Newly Home, post-adoption depression
After a family’s dossier is logged in and they’re officially LID, our agency provides a resource packet containing information about what to expect in the coming months, different scenarios for Gotcha/Family Day, what travel will look like, and more. When we received that packet for our first adoption, of course, I practically memorized it. That …Read More
Crossing the Line
January 9, 2018
adopting again, Brandie, pre-adoption, should we adopt?
36.9990° N, 109.0452° W is the only place in the United States where one can stand in four states at the same time. This was not always the case in US history. The boundaries of western territories shifted over the years, morphing into different shapes. Lines were crossed, crossed out, and redrawn as people fought …Read More
Life Books: Memories Forever
January 7, 2018
attachment activities, embracing their story, life books, protecting their story, Sharon, telling their life story
For me, the week between Christmas and New Year’s is when I want to throw myself into lots of projects. Many projects I have put off all year and I feel this huge push to get them done. This year two of those involved printing my blog into a book and creating Calla’s lifebook. I …Read More
EB… You Lose.
January 5, 2018
epidermolysis bullosa, Skin Conditions, Whitney
Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) is a group of inherited genetic skin disorders. There are five major types of EB and within each type there are subtypes. People affected by EB are often called Butterfly Children when they are younger as their skin is as fragile as a butterfly’s wings. Though it is a debilitating, painful, and …Read More
Waiting for You: Fia
January 4, 2018
Children Who Wait
Beautiful Fia is waiting for her family to find her. She is now 2 years old, but her report was written when she was only 18 mo old. Her agency (CHI) has asked for an update. Fia was found when she was 10 months old. In her report as an 18 month old, Fia enjoyed …Read More
No Hands But Ours Reader Survey 2018
January 3, 2018
get involved, giveaways, volunteer
The arrival of 2018 is extra special for those of us around here. Because 2018 marks ten years for No Hands But Ours. That’s right, in October, NHBO will officially turn ten years old. We’d love to hear from you, our readers. We want to know where you are on your own adoption journey, what …Read More
Waiting for You: Applebee
January 2, 2018
Children Who Wait
Applebee just turned 1 year old and waiting for a family. Born 9/2016, Applebee is postoperative for congenital anal atresia. His file states hearing loss of both ears; and left ankylotia (Stricture or imperforation of the external auditory meatus of the ear.) He is a Children’s House International Partnership file, with a Special Focus designation. …Read More
A Few of Our Favorites
January 1, 2018
adoption community, books, Contributor Q and A, Stefanie
Happy 2018! It’s a brand new year, bubbling over with possibilities and, most likely, a smidge of regret and hope to make a few changes. Maybe some of those hopes include reading more. Or getting connected with other adoptive families locally or online. We’ve put together a few of our favorite (adoption-related) things: books, websites, …Read More