“adoption as reality series”

A reality series...it took months to figure out the details.

Adoption Diaries, a new original series on WEtv explores the process behind privately held open adoptions. The series, which premiered September 12, showcases the matching process between the couples and expectant mothers who turn to open adoption.

Each episode follows a different story from the beginning stages, as a birth mother is faced with choosing her baby's future family. Throughout the series Dr. Jennifer Bliss (National Associate Counseling Director and Southern California Branch Co-Director at the Independent Adoption Center) works to match the birthmothers with the right families...

read more here

i want my MTV!

(How old am I? does anyone else remember that advertising campaign?) :P

Two of my friends told me about a program on MTV called TrueLife and right now there is an episode on called "I Placed My Baby for Adoption."

It was on at 4 a.m. today so we DVR'd it and my husband and I are watching it right now. I wanted to post so you can search for it and hopefully it will still be running for the next week or so.

It is a reality show about 2 pregnant young women and their decision to adopt, but it's just one episode.

We are still trying to learn as much as we can about what it's like for the birth mom.

updated 3.26.09: there is a followup to this program on here. I watched it and it was very good. I feel for the women who have to make the decision to keep or give up their baby. I know it must be difficult to keep in mind what is best for the baby.

the secret life of the american teenager

on ABC Family
Mondays at 8 p.m. eastern

The Secret Life of the American Teenager is a television series created by Brenda Hampton that debuted on ABC Family on July 1, 2008. The teen drama focuses on the relationships between families and friends dealing with the unexpected pregnancy of character Amy Juergens, portrayed by Shailene Woodley.

Centered around teen Amy Juergens, The Secret Life of the American Teenager explores the effects of Amy's pregnancy on her life as well as on her friends and family. The news of her pregnancy puts additional strain on her parents' already rocky marriage, but actually brings Amy closer with her younger sister Ashley, her new boyfriend, Ben, as well as with other teens at the fictional Ulysses S. Grant High School in California.

As you may have noticed, I'm obsessed with all things adoption. I want to read everything I can get my hands on (internet or otherwise) and I want to watch every movie, TV program, whatever about adoption.I've just started watching this series. It stars Molly Ringwald, who happens to be pregnant with twins at the moment.

on the Today Show today

The Today Show featured Becky Fawcett, founder of Helpusadopt.org, talking about her foundation and the high cost of adoption.

Click here to watch.


I'm a huge fan of Becky's.

expecting a miracle

Saturday, January 10
9 p.m. eastern, 8 p.m. central

When Pete (Jason Priestley) and Donna (Teri Polo), a busy professional couple, are told their latest fertility test is negative, their world crashes down around them. Their once-strong marriage quickly unravels and literally goes south when a business associate of Pete’s offers them the use of his vacation home in Mexico. But the getaway takes an unexpected detour across the border when they take a wrong turn on a dirt road, leaving them with a damaged SUV, far from a main highway and out of cell phone range. When they spot a nearby sign pointing to the town of Dommatina, they agree to head there for repairs. What happens in the tiny village over the next six days not only changes the lives of the couple but of all of the townspeople they meet, including a kind priest (Cheech Marin), a young boy with an infectious positive outlook, and his watchful older brother (Shalim Ortiz). When all is lost, it takes a village to create a miracle.

Saw this advertised tonight and wanted to share, especially with my Fertility Forums girls. Can't help wondering, will they conceive or adopt?

“Baby Quest” on CNN's “American Morning” this week

American Morning explores alternative methods of starting a family. We'll look at cutting-edge fertility treatments, surrogate mothers and of course adopting a child in dire need of a family.

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from the show that aired 12.24.08

Surrogates for Wannabe Moms - video

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from the show that aired 12.23.08

Single Dads Opt for In Vitro - video

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from the show that aired 12.22.08

IVF Vacations - video

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The National Foster Care and Adoption Directory - website

New York State Adoption Services - website

Michigan Adoption Resource Exchange - website

my “Adoption Stories” addiction

We watch “Adoption Stories” every morning at 6:30 on Discovery Health Channel while we get ready for work. While it bothers me that all we see is the “happy ending” portion of the adoption journey, I still find these programs inspiring and educational.

Today’s program in particular got our attention.

Episode: Devon’s New Family
Marty and Joe, a gay couple in a long-term relationship, meet 23-year-old Emily, who has already lost custody of two children due to her drug problem, has entered a methadone treatment program just as she learns she is pregnant again.

Marty and Joe’s adoption went VERY quickly, like a matter of WEEKS from the time they decided to adopt (I want more details!). And they were so cute, they said Emily looked like she could be their daughter, and it was true, the three looked very similar.

Anyway, it was a very touching episode. They all wanted an open adoption and kept in touch with Emily. But the end, the voice over says something like “shortly after filming this episode Emily became ill and died in her sleep.” I wanted to CRY!

These stories continue to touch my heart and inspire me. If you or someone you know is in the process of adoption, you might wanna check them out. I think the same episode runs three times a day.

Adoption Stories episode list

the Cinderella complex

I must admit, for many, many years, whenever I see women with children or families together, I feel jealous. I feel like I've been left out of something big, very big. Like I haven't been invited to the biggest party in the world and everyone is there having the time of their life. Like Cinderella, everyone is at he ball but me.

All these years of waiting to be a mom, all these years, it's been like waiting for my life to start. I'm 43. Life HAS started. I guess I've been waiting for my life as a mom to start.


So back to my Cinderella complex. I've been pregnant (went very briefly to "the ball") so now I just have to find out who has our glass slipper (a baby for us to adopt). I guess that would make our social worker either our fairy godmother or prince charming!

I'm ready for some magic! Yes, I do look forward to having a baby, being a mom and not having any time to blog!

Casa de los Babys

If you haven't seen this film by the IFC, I highly suggest it. I own it, and we watched it again tonight. The first time we watched it we weren't considering adoption. I think we found it much more interesting this time. Be sure to watch the special features too!

The film tells the story of six white American women, all but one over thirty, impatiently waiting out their lengthy residency requirements in an unidentified South American country before picking up their adoptive babies.

Read about it on Wikipedia Casa de los Babys

Rent it on Netflix Casa de los Babys

This film is listed under my "relative" films links along with others about adoption, infertility and creative ways to build families.

30 Rock: the "Do-Over"

We've never seen the sitcom "30 Rock." Last night we watched it for some random reason. Maybe it's all the Tina Fay hype...

It was about a HOME STUDY!!! We couldn't believe it!

After the home visit at Liz's, Bev, the social worker played by Megan Mullally, decides she needs to go to Liz's office because she is planning on bringing the baby to work. Liz tries to get everyone on the staff to be on their best behavior when an adoption agent stops by to observe whether she is fit to be a mother...

Watch it here Do-Over

Adoption Stories on Discovery Health Channel

I watched an episode this morning and the adopting dad said "There's a child for every family, and a family for every child." I just thought it was so beautiful.

Adoption Stories on Discovery Health Channel

Adoption Stories comes on the Discovery Health Channel three times a day. We have our TV programmed to go to it at 6:30 a.m. every weekday morning so we can watch and learn.

I wish they'd tell more about the process of adoption. They usually just show the "happy ending." I still find it interesting and we continue to watch it every morning. Chris enjoys it too and it has sparked a few discussions that otherwise might not have come up.