Dear AAC Families...

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

We are just 1 weeks from our 2013 Holiday Party!!!!


Have you RSVP'd yet?? It's not too late! You do not want to miss out on all the fun!



Below are the details:
Where: Brookside Event Center in Berthoud, CO. (The event center is next door to AAC's office.)
When: December 7, 2013
Time: 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Price: $20 per family
RSVP by December 3rd! (Only 6 days left to RSVP!)

There will be fun crafts to be made, yummy food to be consumed and a visit from Santa and his crew.

Now are you excited??

RSVP today and tell us how many adults and children will be attending. We hope to see you all there!

Friday Feature: Justin

Today's Friday Feature is this little guy... Meet Justin! 

Sweet little Justin was born September 19, 2012, weighing 7.5lbs.

He enjoys toys that make noises when you push them and toy cars. He likes to look in the mirror and talk to himself. (But who wouldn't when you are that cute!!)

He was born with club feet. After some casting his feet have gotten a lot better. He is currently not wearing any walking aids. As of his 1st year check up he was crawling and standing up holding on to the furniture. His leg strength is increasing every day!

If you would like to review Justin's file, please submit a pre-application on our website, and mention the child's name in the comments section.

"Are you sleepy yet?" Sleep Disorders with International Adopted Children

Is your new child having a hard time adjusting to a sleep schedule? 

Are they waking up every hour on the hour? 

Are they falling asleep during they day and not wanting to sleep at night? 


Are they (and you) sleep deprived and grumpy all day?





Are you ready to pull your hair out??? 


Don't worry. You are not alone. 

Parents are speaking out! 

Here are a couple articles and websites that we wanted to share with you that will hopefully get you through this stage in the child's life. 




Sleep Struggles Following International Adoption

Attachment Parenting International Website



Pam with Sunny Ridge Family Center in Illinois stated: 

"Sometimes something as simple as music, turning the TV on or using a white noise machine can create a similar atmosphere that the child may have been used to in the orphanage (or foster home).  Co-sleeping doesn't always have to mean “same bed”; it can mean a palette set up next to the bed, toddler bed right next to the parent’s bed.  I would also recommend Theraplay for assistance in the attachment and bonding process.  Depending on where they live, they might be able to locate a Theraplay therapist in their area-their institute is here in the Chicago area, but they have trained therapists all across the U.S. as well as other countries.  www.theraplay.org. "

Sleep Problems and Concerns 

Dori with The Cradle in Illinois stated:

"I suggest the webinar AreYou Sleeping  done by Julian Davies, M.D., a pediatrician at the University of Washington Adoption Clinic on Adoption Learning Partners. Very informative, entertaining and aware of separation/attachment issues that may be part of the sleep equation. 

  

I also really like Mary Sheedy Kurcinka' book, Sleeplessin America. She wrote your Spirited Child. Both are proponents of the one size does NOT fit all approach to sleep issues."

Join the discussion. Leave your comments below and help us help others. 

Connect-A-Kid: Indiegogo Campaign

HAPPY ADOPTION MONTH!
Back in August we introduced you to the Connect-A-Kid Program (click HERE to read the article).

Now is your time to get involved.

They have launched the Indiegogo Campaign to raise awareness and funds for the program. They hope is that they will raise enough to make the program available to all adopted children in 2014. Their goal to raise is $50,000 by December 06, 2013. As of today they are under a quarter of the way to meeting this goal.

Can you help?

Financially is not the only way to help out the campaign. There are other ways to help. For example: forward the video to friends and family; post on facebook; share at your organizations Adoption Month events.

For more information about the program please visit  ConnectAKid.org or email info@connectakid.org

Take a moment watch the video.

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Happy Post-Halloween Day. I hope that you and your kiddos have come down off of the sugar high that we call Halloween. We definitely had a fun day yesterday. If you haven't seen our dress up/down photo here it is...









Okay so now on to the issue at hand. Christmas is 54 days from today which means that the AAC Annual Holiday Party is just over a month away (36 days)!!!! 

Are you as excited about it as we are?!! 


Here are the details:

Where: Brookside Event Center in Berthoud, CO. (The event center is next door to AAC's office.)
When: December 7, 2013
Time: 1:00pm - 3:00pm 
Price: $20 per family
RSVP by December 3rd! 

There will be fun crafts to be made, yummy food to be consumed and a visit from Santa and his crew. 
Now are you excited? 

We are starting to take RSVP's TODAY! 

So.....
Haul out the holly;
Put up the tree before my spirit falls again.
Fill up the stocking,
I may be rushing things, but deck the halls again now.....