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Aimee and Dana
Illinois

Basic Info

Aimee

Age: 48
Sex: Female
Race/Ethnicity: Caucasian
Religion:

Dana

Age: 44
Sex: Female
Race/Ethnicity: Caucasian
Religion:

Child Preferences

Age: Infant to 8 years old
Sex: Either
Max Number of Children: 2
Race/Ethnicity: Caucasian, African American, Asian, Native American, Hispanic, Pacific Islander, Mixed, Bi-Racial, Unknown

Special Needs the Family is Open To: Mild Physical/Medical Disability (Open to Discussion), Asthma, Drug Allergies, Environmental Allergies, Food Allergies, Physically Aggressive to Other Children, Defiant, Difficulty in Attaching, Difficulty Making Friends, Encopresis, Lying, Manipulative, Poor Social Skills, Self-Abuse, Stealing, Suicidal Attempts, Tantrums-Severe, Wets the Bed, Drug Addicted at Birth, Failure to Thrive, Fetal Alcohol Effected, Low Birth Weight or Premature, Prenatal Drug Exposure, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Physically Disabled-Mild, Hearing Impaired, Speech Delays - Mild, Speech Delays - Moderate, Vision Impaired, Anorexia/Bulimia, Hoarding, Overeating, Pica, Academically behind due to poor attendance, Cognitive Delay - Mild, Expulsion(s), Has Behavior Problems in School, Mild Learning Disabilities, Moderate Learning Disabilities, Speech or Language Impairment, Suspension(s), One/Both Parents Diagnosed with Depression, One/Both Parents Diagnosed with Schizophrenia, One/Both Parents Have Alcohol Addiction, One/Both Parents Have Drug Addiction, One/Both Parents Diagnosed with Bipolar, Exposed to Domestic Violence, Child has had a disrupted adoption, Multiple Placements, ADHD, Arthritis, Diabetes, Epilepsy, Heart Disorder: May Require Surgery, Adjustment Disorder, Depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Reactive Attachment Disorder, Requires Medication For Psychiatric Condition/Mental Health Diagnosis, Requires Counseling/Therapy, Destructive of Property, Runaway - Occasionally, Runaway - Past, Willing to Maintain Contact via Mail with Bio Family, Willing to Maintain Contact with Past Foster Parents, Willing to Maintain Contact with Bio Grandparents & Other Relatives, Willing to Maintain Contact with Bio Siblings, Child Identifies as LGBT

Environment

State: Illinois
Neighborhood: City/Urban
Residency:
Years Together: 5
Children in the Home: 0
Pet(s): Dog(s), cat(s)

Work

Aimee

Occupation: Real Estate Broker

Dana

Occupation: Software Sales Account Executive

Adoption Agency

Agency: Adoption Center of Illinois
Worker: Marilyn Lindeman
Worker: mlindeman@adoptillinois.org
City: Chicago
State: Illinois
Zip: 60660

Family Description

The diversity of our neighborhood, and ultimately our life style and way of thinking, lifts all restrictions on the race and color of our child-to-be. While we have restricted some mental illnesses and more terminal physical disabilities, we are open to some medical, emotional, and/or mental/developmental disabilities. We are looking for up to 2 children between the ages of 0 through 8 years old and we have no gender preference. I would describe myself as thoughtful, introspective, reserved, creative, forward-thinking, compassionate, quiet, and competitive. Dana would add that I'm confident, intelligent, empathetic, and loving. I enjoy writing novels, walking, and antiquing. My wife Dana would describe herself as caring, loving, energetic, inquisitive, and confident. I would add that she is loyal, outgoing, reliable, empathetic, emotional, and sensitive. Dana enjoys painting, photography, cooking for others, and reading. We've both been blessed with amazing, giving, and compassionate families. We share similar yet different backgrounds and hope to blend the best of both into our new family. Our common values and life outlooks come from our inherently open and supportive families. We hope to carry these views into our own family. We also have two dogs (a Brittany Spaniel mix and a Terrier mix) and a cat. We live in the art district of one of the most diverse and friendly family neighborhoods in the city of Chicago, just two blocks away from the beach. Our community combines art and ethnic cuisine with top-rated schools, outdoor parks, and festivals celebrating wide-ranging cultural heritages. There are a number of top rated schools in our neighborhood, within less than 4 blocks away from where we live. There are also more specialized schools offering more individualized training to students if needed. One is in fact less than a block away from us. There are also plenty of medical facilities, of which our insurance covers, within blocks of us. In terms of community offerings, we have number of cultural events, libraries, cultural historical societies. And then of course, being in the art district, there are exhibits throughout the neighborhood, wide-ranging ethnic cuisines, and art classes and activities representing all heritages. One of my favorite art activities occurs every summer at our beach boardwalk. For a nominal fee, parents and their children can purchase bench space along the boardwalk and use the space as their very own canvas to express themselves. If he or she is interested, we'd love to do this as an outdoor activity. The paintings last the full year. It's a wonderful neighborhood activity. Once again, our neighborhood is known for celebrating diversity and mixed cultures so there is no shortage of community support. We have a great deal of experience with children. My wife Dana has been taking care of children since age eight when she babysat her immediate family members (i.e. younger cousins, nieces and nephews, etc.). She was also a full-time nanny while she was putting herself through school. There are a lot of children in her immediate family. Additionally, she became the primary caretaker for her godson, who is severely autistic, after he and his younger brother lost their mother in a tragic accident. I have babysat as well. Once again, we also spend a lot of time with friends who have children. In terms of child rearing, we believe that it is important for us to be patient, consistent, loving, caring, empathetic, open, understanding, and creative. We plan to put forward a united front and be on the same page on all decisions. The values that we hope to instill in our child include respect for all things, to be non-judgmental, to be confident, to have good manners, and to be a good human being. We want our child to find happiness and fulfillment and to go where their heart leads them. We look forward to spending time with our child by going to parks, museums, zoos, doing outdoor sports, and camping. Discipline will be used if our child is doing something that is a danger to themselves, is disobeying, exhibits defiance, violence, or hate. We plan to use periods of time out or the revoking of privileges. In regards to childcare, as a realtor, I currently work part-time from home and we will be nanny-sharing with friends who already have an adopted child. My wife Dana's entire family (immediate and extended) live in the Chicago metro area. Our child will have a number of cousins, nephews/nieces, and aunts/uncles to grow up with. As parents, we'll also have babysitting support when needed given the number of available and capable family members. Although, my family is spread across the country, for special occasions, frequent visits, and holidays (including Thanksgiving in Siesta Key, Florida!), our child will be able to develop a strong and healthy relationship with his or her grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Once again, we will be nanny-sharing with our very good friends who already have adopted 2-year old bi-racial girl. We have been together for nearly five years now, although we were connected long before that. An honest and giving friendship grew into an even stronger loving relationship. After eight years since we first met, we now have a lovely home, two dogs, and a kitten. We currently have no other children. We want more than anything to welcome a child into our life. Together we enjoy walking, going out to dinner, going to the beach, working out, supporting local artists at neighborhood year-round events, watching TV, shopping, going to the movies, and traveling. We both love playing sports. I used to play soccer, racquetball, tag football, and also ran track on school. Currently, I love playing frisbee on the beach, running in the neighborhood, roller-blading on the boardwalk or lifting at the gym. My wife Dana used to play softball and volleyball at school. She currently swims, plays pool, and is on both a softball league (summer season) and a volleyball league (fall season). She is also a certified personal trainer and works out frequently. We have a few married friends that have already adopted children and we spend a good portion of our time in their home, and vice versa. Additionally, I write fiction novels, and Dana paints and takes artistic photography.

Preference Description

The diversity of our neighborhood, and ultimately our life style and way of thinking, lifts all restrictions on the race and color of our child-to-be. We're not open to extreme mental illnesses and more terminal physical disabilities.

Child Preferences

Introduction

I would describe myself as thoughtful, introspective, reserved, creative, forward-thinking, compassionate, quiet, and competitive. Dana would add that I'm confident, intelligent, empathetic, and loving. I enjoy writing novels, walking, and antiquing.

My wife Dana would describe herself as caring, loving, energetic, inquisitive, and confident. I would add that she is loyal, outgoing, reliable, empathetic, emotional, and sensitive. Dana enjoys painting, photography, cooking for others, and reading.

We've both been blessed with amazing, giving, and compassionate families. We share similar yet different backgrounds and hope to blend the best of both into our new family. Our common values and life outlooks come from our inherently open and supportive families. We hope to carry these views into our own family.

We also have two dogs (a Brittany Spaniel mix and a Terrier mix) and a cat.

Home and Community

We live in the art district of one of the most diverse and friendly family neighborhoods in the city of Chicago, just two blocks away from the beach. Our community combines art and ethnic cuisine with top-rated schools, outdoor parks, and festivals celebrating wide-ranging cultural heritages.

There are a number of top rated schools in our neighborhood, within less than 4 blocks away from where we live. There are also more specialized schools offering more individualized training to students if needed. One is in fact less than a block away from us. There are also plenty of medical facilities, of which our insurance covers, within blocks of us. In terms of community offerings, we have number of cultural events, libraries, cultural historical societies. And then of course, being in the art district, there are exhibits throughout the neighborhood, wide-ranging ethnic cuisines, and art classes and activities representing all heritages. One of my favorite art activities occurs every summer at our beach boardwalk. For a nominal fee, parents and their children can purchase bench space along the boardwalk and use the space as their very own canvas to express themselves. If he or she is interested, we'd love to do this as an outdoor activity. The paintings last the full year. It's a wonderful neighborhood activity. Once again, our neighborhood is known for celebrating diversity and mixed cultures so there is no shortage of community support.

Parenting Experience

We have a great deal of experience with children. My wife Dana has been taking care of children since age eight when she babysat her immediate family members (i.e. younger cousins, nieces and nephews, etc.). She was also a full-time nanny while she was putting herself through school. There are a lot of children in her immediate family. Additionally, she became the primary caretaker for her godson, who is severely autistic, after he and his younger brother lost their mother in a tragic accident. I have babysat as well. Once again, we also spend a lot of time with friends who have children.

In terms of child rearing, we believe that it is important for us to be patient, consistent, loving, caring, empathetic, open, understanding, and creative. We plan to put forward a united front and be on the same page on all decisions. The values that we hope to instill in our child include respect for all things, to be non-judgmental, to be confident, to have good manners, and to be a good human being. We want our child to find happiness and fulfillment and to go where their heart leads them. We look forward to spending time with our child by going to parks, museums, zoos, doing outdoor sports, and camping. Discipline will be used if our child is doing something that is a danger to themselves, is disobeying, exhibits defiance, violence, or hate. We plan to use periods of time out or the revoking of privileges. In regards to childcare, as a realtor, I currently work part-time from home and we will be nanny-sharing with friends who already have an adopted child.

Support

My wife Dana's entire family (immediate and extended) live in the Chicago metro area. Our child will have a number of cousins, nephews/nieces, and aunts/uncles to grow up with. As parents, we'll also have babysitting support when needed given the number of available and capable family members. Although, my family is spread across the country, for special occasions, frequent visits, and holidays (including Thanksgiving in Siesta Key, Florida!), our child will be able to develop a strong and healthy relationship with his or her grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Once again, we will be nanny-sharing with our very good friends who already have adopted 2-year old bi-racial girl.

Motivation to Adopt

We have been together for nearly five years now, although we were connected long before that. An honest and giving friendship grew into an even stronger loving relationship. After eight years since we first met, we now have a lovely home, two dogs, and a kitten. We currently have no other children. We want more than anything to welcome a child into our life.