I want to make a gift for my friend

She is adoptng a 3 year old boy from Russia. She makes her first visit to sign the papers in two weeks. Then I believe she goes back in 6-10 weeks to bring him home.

I want to make a scrapbook for them to fill with pictures when they get home.

What important events should I chronicle? I am thinking:

When they get their notice
meeting for the first time
gotcha day
coming home
meeting family

I really don't know anything about international adoption. Am I missing anything? What are the important moments that will be captured?

Thanks for your help!

Re: I want to make a gift for my friend

what a cute idea!! the things you have sound great! the only thing i can think of is that with some countries ( not sure about russia) you have another finalization day at the courts in the US once you come home.... maybe find out if they'll be doing something like that and put a page in there for that.
i'm sure she'll love it (we're getting ready to start the adoption process from china and i'm thinking of doing something similar for our future daughter-- i'm gonna make it more of a journal/"letter" to her with my thoughts at all the different parts of the process, and then add some pics in there.)

Message edited 2/12/2010 1:03:35 PM.

Re: I want to make a gift for my friend

I would add sections about Russia.
Maybe a place for photos of his orphanage and the city where he lives now?
"Caregivers" the photos and names of the people who work in the orphanage.
I also believe in talking about birth parents since they are a part of the child's "life story".
So you can talk to your friend about adding pages about "my story".

Re: I want to make a gift for my friend

Definitely leave a good amount of pages for their time in Russia. We were in Russia with our son for over a week before we came home. We have tons of "first" pictures from during that time. First time eating a French fry, first going into a pool, first time mommy is giving him a bath. A lot of those usual "first" experiences are compacted during that initial time frame.