DH and I chose Guatemala. It's one of the more expensive programs, but it also requires the least amount of travel time (DH's job makes it REALLY hard to travel for weeks at a time). Of course, as I told the lady at the agency "I want them ALL! It's just a matter of deciding where to start!"
Good luck to you!
-Brandy
<Edit>
Well, DH and I just switched to Colombia. The agency called and suggested it last Friday. They told us that Guatemala is adding more and more red tape and that the program is starting to bottleneck. She said that even though the wait in Colombia is 15-24 months for an infant, you actually GET the baby while he is still a baby. She told us that the way Guatemala is going, a referral for a newborn will soon mean bringing home a toddler. Colombia also turns out to be MUCH cheaper, to the point that where we were looking at another year of waiting to start before, we can now go ahead and get moving!
__________________
Brandy(33) DH Dan(33)
DS Samuel Sebastian(6) - Adopted from Colombia
DD Isabelle Caiyi(5) - Adopted from China
RNY Gastric Bypass surgery 1/30/2009
Highest/Surgery/Current/Goal:
306/301/199/165
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Sara,
I just want to wish you luck in what ever you do. My DH and I chose Guatemala. We are in the process of adopting a little boy we are going to name Zach. He'll be 4 months Nov. 30th.
If you have any questions related to Guatemala, I'd be happy to try and answer them for you.
Jen
__________________ Jen
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Sara,
Just wanted to wish you luck on your adoption choice. My DH and I have been ttc for 2 1/2 years and decided to adopt about a year into our infertility journey. Since then I have researched almost every adoption program available and we have decided that Vietnam is where our daughter is. We have decided to use Families Thru International Adoption as our agency. They have a great Vietnam program. However, I do suggest you research Vietnam adoption. They are currently in the process of changing there adoption laws and if the US does not agree to a Bilateral adoption agreement soon, the program could be shut down for a while. Our agency is assuring us the changes are going to be for the best, they just don't know if it closes down how long that will last. They are still accepting applications and are still receiving referrals from Vietnam regularly. WE are still praying that the changes will not last long as we are in the process of collecting docs for our dossier. We are hoping to have our referral of a healthy infant girl by next Christmas or shortly after. The wait for a girl could be up to 12+months. We are still considering not specifying the sex of our baby. If you have any questions about Vietnam adoption please feel free to ask. I also know quite a bit about programs in other Asian countries. The best advise I can give is to research, research, research...... Best of luck to you and all the rest of the mommies waiting for our Angels.
Please take the time to sign the petition to have the US speed up the agreement between the US and Vietnam. There is a link to the petition at www.ftia.org the link is under the Hot Topics and choose Vietnam updates. Thank you!
__________________ Me 25, DH 25
TTC#1, since July 2000
DX: 2/01
8 failed clomid cycles
1 failed injectibles/IUI
Lap/Ovarian drilling 10/01
Currently trying herbs!
Both of our littles were born in Guatemala. Our ds came home at 7 mos old in April of 1999 and dd came home at 3 mos old in May of 2000.
We chose Guatemala for the following reasons...
1. Our children were with foster families vs an orphanage setting.
2. The process was expected to be faster.
3. We didn't have to travel - our children could be escorted.
In the end...
1. Our children received WONDERFUL care. They were so well-loved by their foster families. They came home healthy and happy. They had monthly well-child MD visits, all their immunizations were on track. The quality of the care they received was fabulous.
2. Ds's case took a little longer as mid-way thru the process Guatemala instituted a new policy requiring DNA testing of the birthmother, so that added some time to get that done. Having dd come home at 3 mos was awesome. It was so nice to get those early months with her that we missed with ds.
3. Things change... we actually decided to travel and I have been there 4 times now. Dh & I visited ds when he was 6 mos old, then both traveled to bring him home. I visited dd at 2 mos old (dh stayed home with ds) and we all traveled to bring her home. It is a beautiful country & I can't wait to go back.
When we first went to the adoption agency, we knew nothing about Guatemala. I really believe that you end up right where you are meant to be.
Calantha, I am surprised to hear that your agency has said the process is getting lengthier in Guatemala. The agency we used for dd is still getting babies home in the 3-4 month range and the passport process which used to take up to a month for some is now much shorter. Interesting... Best of luck to you with Columbia!! I met a family in our town with a little girl from Columbia - she is gorgeous!!
Viet Nam? Or what country did you choose? 
