There are a few differences, of course, including not knowing exactly when your baby will arrive and possible out-of-state or even out-of-country travel. Most adoptive parents interviewed for this article began preparing for their new arrival soon after being matched with a birth mother in a domestic adoption, or after receiving a referral from another country.

One step is a shopping spree! Perhaps you´ve been eyeing baby clothes in stores for months. Now is the time to actually buy! While one mom admitted to buying a few gender-specific baby clothes, she mostly bought tiny outfits that either sex baby could wear. Onsies are wonderful for babies to wear during the warm months. Don´t forget blankets and crib sheets! Go ahead and stock up on diapers of different sizes, as well as wipes. You´ll never have too many of either. (Don´t forget to wash the tiny clothes, sheets, and blankets before packing them.)

If you´ll be traveling to bring your baby home, pick up travel sizes of baby supplies to take with you. You may want to take along snack foods like cereal bars and juice boxes, too, especially if traveling to another country. If you have other children that will be traveling with you, don´t forget games, coloring books and crayons, and other things to entertain them during the trip. Stock up on film and batteries for your camera and camcorder, as well as an extra flash card for your digital camera. (Don´t forget to charge up the camcorder!)

Most agencies today allow an adoptive family to give a special, yet inexpensive, gift to their baby´s birth mother. One family gave their son´s birth mother a nice photograph album. Another gave their daughter´s birth mother a pretty wall hanging with scripture. If you´re adopting from another country, you may also be expected to offer small gifts to foster parents, nannies, attorneys, and orphanage directors.

Decorating the nursery can be lots of fun, and it doesn´t have to be expensive. There are rainbows of paint colors to choose from. A trip to the wallpaper store will reveal an entire zoo of bunnies, teddies, lammies, kitties, puppies, and other critters to choose from. The two most important pieces of furniture are a crib and rocking chair.

Now that the shopping part is pretty much finished, there´s still much more to do. Be sure to check back for more suggestions on preparing for your (adopted) baby´s arrival.