Since first writing about our Japanese adoption process over two years ago, I’ve been overwhelmed with the comments and e-mails on the subject. At first, I tried like heck to respond to everyone, but overtime, it became just too much. Honestly, between work and two young kids I can’t even find time to wash the car. So for those of you who I’ve not responded, please accept my apologies. In any case, it’s about time for an update on our adopted daughter from Japan.

For some history on this subject, please see my earlier posts about our Japanese adoption experience:

• A Japan Adoption
• Here she is - Our Japan Adoption
• Japan Adoption Agencies
• Bonding with an Adopted Child
• Traveling to Japan to Pick up Our Adopted Daughter

Today, our not so little Japanese daughter is nearly 2 and half years old. She is in the 100% category for weight for her age and 75% in height. So much for a petite Japanese girl! She is a very active and bubbly child and has recently been talking up a storm; and sometimes we even can understand her! (Our little alien has turned into a true little human) When I look back to the time when we first brought her home from Japan; she was such a stoic little baby, our adopted daughter has really blossomed. She has truly been a blessing to our family. So, on to some details.

For those considering a Japanese adoption, please understand that I don’t have some kind of inside track on how get it done today as the Japanese adoption landscape has changed a lot in the last two years. As of this writing, I know that the two most active Japanese adoption agencies (International Family and Agency to Rescue Children) have nearly stopped doing adoptions. As I understand, the primary reason is because of the advanced age of their principals. In an earlier post, I wrote about a California based contact for Agency to Rescue Children…I while back I received an email from this person saying that the Agency to Rescue Children is no longer accepting applications. That is the last I know about it. As for International Family (the agency we used), I know that they are still in business, but don’t seem to be placing many children anymore. I really don’t know their current status. Since we brought our daughter home two years ago, I know of a handful of babies who have been adopted out of Japan, but after that, the path seems to have dried up. If anyone can add any factual information, please add your comments here to share with others.

For those who are new adopted parents (not just of Japanese adoptions), my comment is this; HANG IN THERE, it’s totally worth it! Having trouble bonding? Stick to it and your baby will meet you half way. As we have one birth child and one adopted child, I can say that today we love both children exactly the same even though it may not have started out that way. Our son was actually the first to really take to the baby (and visa versa) but I suppose they could just relate to each other on a level only children understand. Yes, it wasn’t easy and it wasn’t anything like bonding to a birth child (unless maybe if you’re adopting an newborn infant). We’ve started telling our adopted daughter that we chose her to join our family and that she was special because she was born in Japan. Of course she doesn’t understand any of this, but we don’t want to hide her adopted status from her. After all, it is something that really does make her a special child, and certainly no less loved.

In April 2008, we took our adopted daughter back to the homeland (Japan) for a visit to the clinic where she was born. A good way to connect with her roots. Here she is at a hot spring in Hakone Japan.

At 2 years and 4 months, she’s growing up fast!

For those interested in the adoption process, I can only say, oh my God, what a long process! We brought our daughter home in October of 2006 and our adoption was finally finalized in court in November of 2007. To top it off, we have yet to finish some immigration issues with the Federal government and get her a US Passport - blah, blah, blah. All the while, our adoption attorney’s time clock was ticking away. It got to be a LOT more expensive than we ever imagined. HOWEVER, let me stress that this was only our particular experience due to our circumstances. I know from other parents that it’s not always this slow (and pricey).

So where are we today? Well as I write this post, my daughter has done the nightly migration from her bedroom to our bedroom, and she has taken her rightful place in my bed right where I’m supposed to sleep. I will soon carry her down to her room, only to have her migrate back to my bed about an hour after that… Sounds like a pretty normal child doesn’t it?

Posted by Netsato on Wednesday, August 20th, 2008 at 10:40 pm.