- Deidre just "happened" (the only thing interesting about this conception was the way my wife told me -- I had an appointment to go to the doctor's with a sperm sample in hand...well, in cup. We were in that risky demographic for parent-wannabes: over 35 -- Donna handed me the as-yet unused cup and said "you don't need to do this now". Romantic, eh?)
- Alaina was IVF try number 3. It took two years, one miscarriage and two failed IVF tries. Oh, and $15,000 out of pocket.
- Andre took 22 months and over $40,000.
Or, put differently:
Conceiving Deidre for free after 7 months of trying? $0
Conceiving Alaina after three IVF courses, $15,000
Buying Andre from a currency-starved foreign country, Priceless.
Here is a breakdown of the adoption expenses...note: if you are financially faint-of-heart (or faint of wallet, as it were), read no further!
Agency Fee: $4,000 (World Child International)
Baby Home "Donation": $14,000
Notaries and Apostilles: $2,450
Doctors' Appointments (not covered by insurance): $1,600
Air Travel (three trips from NY to Perm, Russia): $11,000
Hotel (14 nights in Perm, 2 in Moscow): $2,150
Food and Booze: $1,600
Gifts: $300
Drivers: $700
Immigration Fees (US and Russia): $3,200
ouch
