If only getting the "green light" to travel was the only thing on my mind...

I am actually breathing a sigh of relief these days when it comes to some of the ancillary issues related to bringing home a baby. Like most other working parents, child care is an issue that has weighed heavily on me. And being me, I have avoided the issue for a long time, opting instead to deal with other important things, like choosing bedding and choosing names :)! I don't want to jinx it, but this week I found some really viable options to choose from once the baby is home. My 1st choice is a woman from my neighborhood who will come take care of the baby in my house. She is the mother of a woman my sister works with, she lives around the corner from me, and is reasonably priced.. Even better: though she has recently dropped down to part-time hours with her last little charge (he's going to pre-school), she is not going to look another job right now and will be available in January (when I think I will need her). A few weeks ago, I had also talked with a woman who runs a babysitting service out of her home. She came highly recommended by a parent in my sister's school (it's a good resource-- all those kids and parents running around!).. And this past weekend, I went to visit a daycare center down the street.. It wouldn't be my first choice, but I am definitely comfortable with it as an option, particularly for when the baby is a little older. So, the research continues, but I feel better knowing I already have some options.
I also selected the adoption specialist that I will consult with from Kaz.. Her name is Dr. Gail Farber, and she and her team are affiliated with the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. In addition to Dr. Farber, there is another pediatrician on staff as well as two occupational therapists. Prior to travel, I will have a phone consultation with them so they can advise me on what questions to ask and what to look for when I meet the children. I will also be emailing them photos and video, along with copies of the baby's medical records from Kaz for their evaluation. We will consult again via telephone while I am in Kaz about what they find in those records and pictures.. The goal, of course, is try to determine if the baby is healthy or, if he/she is not, the extent & implications of any health problems. There is the potential that the information could make my decision harder, but hopefully it will make it easier.