However, unlike most parents, the couple was faced with an important decision, namely whether or not they would openly discuss Marika’s adoption with her as she aged or whether they would simply raise her as their own. They quickly reasoned that being adopted was not something that warranted shame or disgrace, and though they had not had an open adoption, they hoped the birth mother would be involved in Marika’s life after she turned eighteen. Understanding their roots was something they valued immensely as individuals, and so they hoped to afford their daughter the same privilege.

In third grade Marika was teased for the first time about being adopted. The mailman must be her father, her classmates taunted, because she looked nothing like Mr. Ferris. Marika told her teacher about the comments and then her parents when she got home. “Come here,” Mrs. Ferris said, and beckoned for Marika to sit beside her on the couch. She retrieved a series of baby books and began turning the pages while Marika looked on. “This is you the day you were born when your birth mother said goodbye to you,” she crooned, “and this is your first birthday. Here’s your first day of kindergarten!” After reliving nearly eight years of family milestones, Mrs. Ferris added, “No matter who you look like or where you come from, we have the same memories as any of the other kids at school. And we have the same kind of love in our family as in theirs. They tease you because they don’t know better. But you know better.”

For adoptive families like that Ferrises who wish to celebrate their son or daughter’s arrival into their lives, Penny Laine has developed an elegant series of baby adoption keepsake and memory books. From the day of adoption to elementary school graduation and beyond, Penny Laine’s incredible scrapbooks provide you with a way to save and share your memories. Each book is loose-leaf and contains between 50 and 60 decorative and titled pages. The unique Penny Laine binding allows you to add or remove pages at your leisure. For additional pages to add to your book, see below. This line of keepsake books is ideal for adoptive parents; it includes special sections about how your child came into your life as well as information about your child’s biological parents if you choose to include it.

The process of growing up is no slower for adopted children than biological children, so seize the ephemeral moments of childhood while you can. Add your photos, stories, captions, and paraphernalia to a Penny Laine scrapbook for a family keepsake that will warm your heart for years to come. Plus, it’ll afford you the opportunity to playfully embarrass your son or daughter when they’re grown!