I spent a lot of time finding and organizing closed storage areas- an armoire and a dresser. They are good for clothes but I should have spent more money on baskets and open shelving. Its easier to grab things quickly when the kids are running away or fussing. Its easier for them to find toys and pick-up toys. I just find it overall easier to keep track of things when I can see it.

A change table is the only "you don't need" that I disagree with. We cloth diaper and I can't imagine having to drag out supplies all over the house to diaper the kid, when I can walk a couple feet into the nursery and do it there at the change table.

I depends how far under the age of 4 they are. With an older child who is not potty trained, changing tables sometimes aren't long enough to accommodate them. Changing them on a pad on the floor might work well enough without the added expense. Or perhaps you could get a hope or toy chest to set the pad on top of and it could work double duty?

i have 2 daughters, and these are the only things i truly needed:

beds
car seats
food
toys
safety gate for top of stairs
stroller (we live in city, was handy)

i really feel that most things listed as parent "must haves" are things you could go without. :)

If one is in diapers, you definitely want a changing *area*, although not a dedicated table. We keep a changing pad on our daughter's dresser, with everything in the top drawer. It keeps the items handy while also out of her reach. As she gets stronger and more fiesty during diaper changes, we're soon moving the pad to the floor and probably the items to the bottom drawer.

Find out what the children's sleeping arrangements are currently. For example, are they sleeping in their own twin bed or are they still in cribs? Use whatever they are accostomed. For instance, it may be tempting to start a 1.5 year old in a bed so that you don't need to have a crib - but there will be so many adjustments for them, don't try to change this on them too. If you don't want to spend the money for a short-term crib, get a gently used one.

Also, there were a few "non-necessities" that we have really learned to love, such as a white noise CD and a baby monitor.

There is such a big difference betwen 18m -4y that I think you should concentrate on the real basics like beds and bedding, safety, food (freezer full of prepared meals), car seats, a good place to read stories, and some open ended toys that work for multiple groups (duplo, blocks, train set that can be built again and again rather than a train table, a million books).

I would probably choose inexpensive cribs that convert to toddler beds like the gulliver. And a double stroller that accomodates bigger kids.

My understanding is that children who've lived in shared housing (orphanage or other) usually are potty trained very early. So I personally wouldn't worry about that one until you know it is something you need to address.

Will they speak any English? Do you speak any Russian? Are you going to try and maintain their language? If so, maybe books in Russian or blocks with cyrillic print (uncle goose) might be familar.

I would second the changing table as a waste and i used cloth diapers for over 2 years (BumGenius one-size). It's totally personal preference. I would rather have the room for other things like book case and stuff like that. If you are tight on space you would probably only need beds, toy bin/basket, book case for books and bins at bottom & dresser. We put an extra dresser in the closet for out of season and larger sized clothes.

good luck with the little ones!

And I hope your family has a joyous and easy integration. Best wishes.

I needed the same things as the list up top. I am embarassed of all the things I got that were worthless.

Food
Instrument to get food into baby/child
bedding
diapering
safety gate
toys
stroller

We recently adopted a 1-year-old (now 16.5 mos) from the Philippines. I was advised to get a booster rather than a highchair; while I still got a highchair (it converts to a stool) and we use it when we are eating at the counter rather than at the dining room table, I could have gotten away with just the booster. I use a changing pad on top of a dresser (I started off thinking I didn't need a pad but he rolls and the raised sides are key). I didn't need to buy any toys or clothes -- I got plenty of hand-me-downs which were great because he was a lot smaller than I thought he would be! I use a basic Graco stroller a lot as we walk around our neighborhood frequently -- also a hand-me-down but we bought an umbrella stroller in the PI which was great for getting through airports coming home. I didn't need formula as he was already drinking whole milk but you'll need some of whatever they are used to while you make a transition.

It might be better to tell you what 1) I got before we picked M up and that we use a lot or 2) what I had to get shortly after coming home: diapers and more diapers, diaper pail, wipes, extra sheets, extra waterproof mattress pad covers, a "splash mat" to protect the floor from M's spills, bottles with handles (trying to convert to sippy cups but he still demands a bottle at bedtime), scotchguard for furniture and rugs in the nursery, a bathtub spout protector, nail clippers, orajel, a forehead thermometer, crib toys that M can manipulate himself (the starry turtle and Fisher-Price aquarium), lots of babyproofing stuff to latch everything (including oven and stove locks), stair gates, kids' music, carseats (an extra for Grandma's car), Nuby sippy cups with handles and straw, plastic bowls with suction cups, treat containers in which he can stick in his hand and pull stuff out, sunscreen, kids' bug spray, books showing animals and/or a picture with one word ("First Words" books).

I highly recommend getting your clothing sorted by size and season before they come home as I agree with another poster, trying to find clothes when "under duress" is pretty tough.

Good luck, you must be so excited!

I love my changing table, but my daughter is still very young. With every other young child I have diapered (which has been many) I've just changed them on a blanket on the floor, and that's been completely fine.
I think that your best bet is to just start out buying the bare necessities (like allebasii listed) and then get other things as you need them.
Good luck with your little ones!

While changing tables can be a non-necessity for some, we had twins. By the end of the first week, my husband and I agreed that having a changing table on the ground floor of our home was a life-saver. If we had two kids serially, it may have been less of an issue, but the table saved our backs as well as legs (not having to run up and down the stairs all day). And there can be a lot of chaos with two or more infants, so helpful to have supplies in a central area.

Yeah, I'm one of the ashamed over-purchasers too. I guess it helps you feel more prepared to buy alot of stuff if you don't have a ton of pre-baby, baby experience (ehem, me.) It really varies from person to person and baby needs to baby needs, but I'd say if in doubt don't buy it. Also, take a look at the craigslist baby/kids section of your nearest city to see what folks are trying to unload. Last tip...leave anything that looks fiddly or needs a ton of upkeep in the store as fast as possible, you need things that actually make your day to day life easier...not more difficult to keep clean.

Congratulations! We are fost-adopt parents. My experience is with a newborn, two year old and five year old. So, yes, beds, car seats, strollers, and diapers are a must.

The Kalas plates & bowls have been great for our 2 year old & 5 year old. The utensils that go with them are too long and awkward for kids. I would recommend shorter ones (you can find them anywhere).
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/90096908
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50096905

We have borrowed and Bumbo & tray from my sister-in-law that the 2 year old still likes to sit in and our 4 month old does as well (just for short periods of time).

Our five year old boy loved the play tent & tunnel I got off Freecycle. Combined with the cushions from our couch and every pillow & blanket in the house, he spent a great deal of time making forts. (It is kind of like this: http://www.amazon.com/PlayHut-10900-54R-Magic-Playground-Play/dp/B002OSWLR6/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1278443671&sr=1-13)

Also, our two year old, loves drinking out of a Camelbak water bottle (http://www.amazon.com/CamelBak-0-4-Liter-Kids-Bottle-Zinnias/dp/B0026IZP8Q/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1278443915&sr=8-2) and it is pretty much leak-proof.

You will out what things they like the best within a few weeks of having them home.

i'm a mum of twins, and here are the things we wasted money on ...

crib bumpers. (our pediatrician wouldn't let us use them.)

changing table. (we found it best to have a decorative box with changing supplies in it in their room, our room and the living room. with two (and the nerves of being a new mum), it was just easier and felt safer to change them on the floor wherever we happened to be.)

baby bathtub. (getting in with them was the easiest solution for us—and an excuse to buy a cute, new swimsuit.)

my super cute tote-style diaper bag. (after my runaway tote slipped off my shoulder and smacked one of the boys right in the face, i ended up using the plain black, backpack style diaper bag i had purchased for my husband. with two babies i needed all the free hands i could get, and holding on to a tote, even as cute as it was, became a total hassle.)

Our girls (age 3.5 & 18mths on arrival) have been home from Ethiopia 3 yrs now, & you are asking a great question. Since we had our three "big kids" aged 7,9,11 we were really starting over. We very intentionally kept our toy acquisition simple: wooden blocks, duplos, animals (plastic or wooden) in a tub, & a couple of dolls & blankies in a crib. Of course along with tons of books & maybe 3-5 simple puzzles. Seriously that was all. You can put any extras up in the closet in case they come in handy later.
Kids from institutional environments often must "learn" to play, or often be encouraged to use their imaginations, & since we started slowly, our girls have developed more naturally than we would have expected. We spent so much time one on one with them, on the floor, in those early days & they learned so much by modeling our play.
Oh! I just remembered! We bought a slide (plastic-ugh!) for one of their first gifts, because their energy level inside was amazing! They used it over & over (.....) for hours! one of the best things we actually purchased.
have fun!
~

High chair. We had one with our first and it was a PITA--huge footprint, always in the way. I would just buy the Fischer Price booster that has the tray and use it for both. If our 3 year old still needs it in 4 months, we'll buy a second, if not, the baby gets it. We love the Fisher Price Healthy Care Deluxe--it's also very portable if you need that, and works as a high chair and booster (tray optional).

We have a changing pad on top of a dresser, which works great, but at 18 mo. my daughter got terrified (still is at 3) and insisted on the floor. We don't have space for only a changing table, so it worked fine for us.

All relative--buy at garage sales and craigslist so you don't spend much, and borrow. Every kid is different!

Our daughter j, is 16 months and we still use the changing table. It really depends on the type of table you purchase, we have the stokke care changing table. our daughter is able to face us as we change her because of the direction of the table. the table can be adjusted for your height as well.
...good luck and have fun

We keep a couple changing "stations" at our house. All you need is a little basket with some diapers and wipes in it. How hard is that? Mostly the kids get changed on the couch or on my bed.

I wouldn't bother buying too much stuff before the kids arrive. They kind of dictate what you need, and the things they like.

For example, they might get a kick out of choosing their own bedding, if they are over 2 or so.

I guess the best advice is to buy things as you need them. As long as they have a safe place to sleep and the means to eat (be it bottles or boosterss), the rest you'll figure out pretty quickly. My daughter was born 6 weeks early & we were caught completely unprepared. We had a crib (had to run & get the mattress), some bed sheets, onesies and ran to buy the diapers. every baby is a little different. Some of the things I scoffed at before she was born, I worship today (the swing -she was colicy, it saved my life).

Were I you, I'd forgo the high chair in favor of something like this:

http://www.target.com/My-Little-Seat-Colored-Stripes/dp/B001JQLCOM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&frombrowse=0&qid=1278447442&searchView=grid5&fromGsearch=true&searchNodeID=1038576|1287991011&sr=1-1&searchRank=target104545&keywords=little-seat&searchPage=1&rh=&searchSize=90&searchBinNameList=subjectbin%2Cprice%2Ctarget_com_primary_color-bin%2Ctarget_com_size-bin%2Ctarget_com_brand-bin

And as long you don't have any issues with you knees or back, I think a changing table would be unnecessary. My 5th kiddo is in diapers now and I've never used one. The floor is safer, and there's one in every room of the house.

I agree with other posters who recommend skipping the baby bathtub. Even with a teeny tiny newborn it is easier to bathe with them. We sometimes also use a small, flexible storage bucket (kind of like the Tummy Tub but without the hefty price tag). Once they're old enough to sit up the kitchen sink served us well (with a towel laid on the bottom) . I'd not bother with the hooded baby towels, either. They're usually pretty small and thin, and not especially absorbent.

There are a lot of fancy diaper pails out there, but we use an old kitty litter bucket. The lid snaps on really tightly so no smells escape. I always thought that wipes warmers were silly too, but I'm sure others would disagree.

Is it just me, or is half the stuff you find in one of those zippered baby-grooming pouches totally unnecessary? I've never needed both a baby comb AND a baby brush, a little pair of scissors (for what?), a tiny nail file or tweezers. I used the baby nail clippers. The aspirator that came with the kit was junk, as was the thermometer. I bought better versions of both of those separately.

If your little ones are still drinking formula, you should DEFINITELY get one of the little round portioned formula dispensers for the diaper bag, and of course the little basket for the dishwasher that keeps all those bottle parts from flying everywhere and holds the nipples upright for a thorough cleaning.

In the end, you'll still end up with a bunch of stuff you don't use and wishing you'd gotten something you didn't. FIVE kids and I still haven't mastered baby-preparedness.

Congrats!

We really don't use the rocking chair. Our daughter is 9 months old, and maybe she'll love rocking later, but I would have preferred a small couch or something that would grow with her and we could snuggle on to read as she gets older. I'm not sure why I thought I would be rocking and nursing at the same time!

Congrats!!!

We adopted my daughter from Kazakhstan about 5 years ago. She was 7 months at the time. Our adoption happened quicker than expected, so we were caught off guard. With very little except for the basics and it worked out pretty well.

My biggest suggestion is to borrow, borrow, borrow. If you think if might be useful, ask a friend if they can loan the item to you. Most parent with kids out of a certain phase are more than happy to hand off items until the next child comes along.

We never purchased a changing table, just had a nice basket with a handle that held every thing including a small fold up changing pad. It moved from room to room.

Everyone above hit on most my suggestions. Try a booster seat, rather than a high chair. We used ours all of 3 months, now it is collecting dust.

** When you go to purchase look for items that can be used over a period of time. For instance, select a car seat that converts to a booster or a crib that converts to a toddler/twin bed.

Every bit of money you save will probably go towards new clothes as your children will no doubt hit those crazy growth spurts once they have access to great nutrition. It'll feel like you're buying new clothes and shoes every week. :)

I thought I didn't need a changing table, and we don't have a lot of room, so we didn't get a changing table. I ended up buying a used one from a friend 6 weeks after the baby was born because changing him on the floor or bed was really hurting my back.
I'd recommend getting the bare bones and save the rest of your budget for after the boys arrive and you KNOW what else you need/want and what they like.
Those "don't need" items are very personal and differ for lots of people.

#1 waste of time and money: monitor.

I spent hours researching these things and money to match. Turns out our place was small enough that we didn't need one. We could hear our son through the walls just fine. Those monitors are so incredibly sensitive that we could hear every breath and grunt when he was an infant. As a new parent, that's too much. If they need you, they will cry, and you will hear it.

If you live in a mansion with a separate wing for the adults, you can ignore the advice, but otherwise skip it.

Oh, and hit craigslist for everything else!

This response has been amazing--thank you all for your thoughts and advice. Keep it coming :)

I used a changing pad that screwed to the back of a dresser- when he got to big then I still had a great dresser instead of a useless changing table. By a year and a half he was too big for me to have up there and changed him on the floor...
For 2 under 4 you need sleeping places, storage for toys and clothing, food, car seats, sippy cups, books, and a lot of patience.
I never used a booster seat but if the child is shorter than that is important. you will need some sort of potty situation- I got the seats that sit right on the toilet (I think ours is called a "cushy tushy" and a step from Ikea. He got the hang of it fast and I never had to clean or store those "fake toilets". He felt safe with it and we never had a problem....

and I agree about the monitor. If you are on one floor it's not needed-it's amazing what you can hear.

One thing I thought was stupid when my son was little was a swing. I got one at a shower that was huge, with multiple speeds and songs and I thought it was overkill. Turns out, it was his favorite thing. He would swing and laugh, fall asleep and it allowed me to get some work (laundry, dishes ) done while he was safe and amused.

I totally get why some people do not need the monitor. With our baby, we do not need one (we are in a small ranch).

However, our two year old had a lot of sleep issues. She is tall and we put her in a twin bed because she was feeling really trapped in a crib. We have this video monitor (http://www.amazon.com/Uniden-UDW10003-Wireless-Survillance-Portable/dp/B002KFZSJQ/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1278523289&sr=8-3) and it really helped us in seeing if she was in bed or walking around the room. We had to do some "supernanny" like sleep methods with her and the video monitor saved us from opening the door to check to see where she was and risking disrupting her falling to sleep. You will find our quickly if you need one of these or not but I wouldn't totally rule them out.

If I could go back and do it over (have 2 boys ages 3 & 2) I would NOT get a highchair. It took up so much room in the kitchen. With a NYC apartment, I'm sure you don't have much extra room for a giant highchair. I also have two friends that bought the space saver high chairs that just strap on to an adult chair and turn into a booster later. They were a nightmare to keep clean. Crumbs and spills end up getting under them and making a mess out of your chair. For my youngest's second birthday, I asked for this Euro II chair. He was in a booster and it was such a pain to clean underneath. His legs didn't fit right under the table either. For my next child, I will be selling our old high chair and buying another Euro II. They are pretty stylish and make the kids feel like more a part of the family when you can all sit around the table together. I sit in this chair frequently too and love it.

http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=534089&cmSource=CrossSell&relatedProductId=536833

You certainly don't need a changing table, although a changing area is nice. I put a contoured pad on top of their dresser and used a basket to hold the diapers etc. Since I didn't need any new baby things when my second was born, I went out and splurged on this diaper caddy. It was so handy to carry around. I usually kept it in the family room when the baby was awake and the older one was sleeping in the room with the changing pad. It fits the diapers, wipes, and has a drawer for creams etc... For me, it was well worth the $30. Gave it to 2 of my friends as a gift for their second child and they both love theirs too.

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2943510

I would start stroller shopping on the street. Notice the ones that people have in your area and ask them how they like it. It is truly the best way find a good one. You'll probably want something in the lightweight umbrella family since they are the most subway friendly. The McClaren's really do seem to be the best (durable, lightweight, basket, one-hand fold & carry strap) but they come with a pretty big price tag. I wouldn't buy a stroller until you know their ages for sure.

Another thing you don't need is the diaper bag. Yes, you will need to carry around stuff for them, but there is no need to have a tacky baby bag. Find yourself a larger purse that has some pockets or dividers and you will be a much more stylin' mama!

I'd also like to put in a vote for the baskets/bins. I use them in the drawers for little socks, on the book shelf for their toys, under the bed for storage, in the closet for too big/too small items that are coming and going, one for keepsakes, etc...

Last thing and I'll be done...do get another lingerie bag just for them. Keep it near wherever you will be putting their dirty laundry and put their socks in the bag. Little kid socks disappear faster than adult socks! I wash and dry them in the bag and haven't lost a pair since!

Avoid buying new. Buy used, or borrow. That way, if it turns out to be unnecessary, at least you wouldn't have spent much money. And if it didn't work out for you, pass it along without a guilty conscience.

I agree with everyone--borrow, borrow, borrow. My daughter's wardrobe as been through four girl cousins already and everything she grows out of gets shipped to a friend for girl number six.

I will tacitly disagree about the highchair, though. If you have the space for it, ours was a life saver. My daughter hates her swing and prefers to be up "high" were she can see me (washing dishes, cooking, etc). It's also great to kindly "trap" a mobile older babe with some blocks or crayons when you desperately need to get things done.

We also put her out on the patio with us on nice summer days with some water in the food tray and bath toys and she gets a kick out of that.

I agree about the changing table--we put a changing pad on her dresser and that worked great. As she gets older, we end up changing her on the bed or ottoman.

Cheap art supplies are great for toddlers, too. You don't need anything fancy--crayons and paper keep them amused for hours. The best gift my brothers and I ever got as kids was a pallet of dozens reams of plain paper that my grandfather's company were getting rid of. We used that paper for years and years.

Umm, monitors seemed gimmicky at first to me but here's why I love mine 1) I can shut her door and run a blender or vacuum 2) she's growing into a toddler so I can keep an eye on her if I have to run out of the room.

For a changing area, I lay down some vinyl on the bed and have a basket o' dipes, etc.

Almost everything except a carseat and diapers. As long as it's a firm surface without entanglements, kids can sleep just about anywhere. Strollers are handy sometimes, but certainly not important. Same with high chairs, baby tubs, potties, and changing tables. Name just about any standard baby gear or item, and either I or one of my friends thinks it's a waste of money or space. So just watch your friends who are parents and see who seems to parent in what you expect will be your style. I knew I would be somewhat of a minimalist. Sounds like you'd like to be too. So decide what few pieces are really important to you, and buy something you'll really like and use a lot. We have a nice baby backpack, an expensive infant carrier (we like to be out and about where there aren't sidewalks), and for other stuff we just didn't care that much--a highchair from GoodWill, a hand-me-down crib from a friend.

My main advice is buy some carseats and get a bedroom ready, then see what else you'll want once your kiddos are home.

One other thing I'd suggest--get a fan or noisemaker to help them sleep, and maybe be prepared to make their beds feel smaller than they really are. My adopted nephew seemed to feel lost in his crib and slept better in smaller spaces.

Congratulations!!

I've raised four kids. :)

Stuff I couldn't live without when my kids were little:

stroller that folds and fits into the trunk of the car, but nothing too elaborate. Get a two-seater; it was invaluable for carrying kids and the stuff they collect along the way.

highchair: Again, the simpler, the better. IKEA has a great one, but any plastic one that cleans up easily (get one with curvy corners, not square ones. Food gets stuck in corners). Don't bother with fussy attachments, extra toys stuck on, etc... just more nooks and crannies to clean.

backpack carrier for a kid to ride up on your shoulders/spouse's shoulders at fairs, hiking, etc... where you'll be walking a lot, but not wanting the kids to get down and around like from a stroller. Keeps your hands free, and they can see everything and take a nap if they want.

Blender for making your own baby food. Other than cereals, don't bother with jarred baby food unless you're going out and don't have access to a refrig.

Babies can use regular dishes, but a padded spoon feels nice on their gums. Don't bother with "special" baby bowls or divided plates, etc... silliness.

Wooden blocks, legos (Duplo brand...the quality is far and away superior), wooden cars and trucks and trains...You can find them inexpensively on Craigslist or at second-hand stores. Simple stuffed dolls, even for boys, for learning how to snap, button, zip, etc... Crayons, finger paints, play dough, model magic.

Definitely get the "washable" crayons and markers, etc... worth their weight in gold when your kids color on the walls. :)

CD player with great music, of all kinds, from all over the world.

Baby gate (s). You might need two to block off more than one room.

Onesies- LOTS of them. They keep little tummies covered up when shirts and pants separate, as they will. Get long-sleeved ones for winter, short-sleeved ones for summer. Sometimes those were all my kids wore on hot days.

Hats- especially in the sun.

Things to ignore:

"Changing table"- a dresser with a pad on top works just fine, and then you can take the pad to different rooms or roll it up and take it with you in the car.

Big, enormous diaper bag- after the first year, I just carried a "bottle bag" or a small backpack with a few diapers, a bottle, whatever I needed for short trips, which is mostly what you'll need a bag for.

Hanging diaper "holder"- baskets are fine for clothes and diapers, but those silly hanging frilly things are useless.

cradle, bassinet, or anything that a baby will use for a few months and then you'll throw it away. This includes baby clothes hangers, baby sneakers, baby sunglasses, baby towels and washclothes, etc...

Shoes- except for the winter when you're outside or on chilly days, let the kids go barefoot. In the winter and on chilly days, heavy socks are fine unless you're going to be outside for a long time, and then boots are good. Every good pediatrician and podiatrist will tell you that shoes for kids are useless and can actually cause foot problems if you put them on too early. Let their feet grow naturally.

Books by mail. DON'T. BOTHER. Used book stores, Goodwill, second-hand stores, friends, the library... subscription books by mail end up being horrendously expensive and aren't always that good.

Baby computer games and smart baby videos. Blech. Just play with your kids. Take them to museums, the aquarium, the park, science museums, etc...

You are not a bad mother if you don't take your kids to The Picture People or Sears or JC Penny every freakin' month. Take your own photos and save your money.

A million stuffed animals aren't healthy, especially in a bed. They hold bacteria, spread viruses, and too many can smother a small child. Let them pick one or two favorites and wash them regularly.

Diaper wipe warmers, "diaper genies," and baby monitors. They are nice, but they take up space and you'll end up not using them. They break, they are expensive and you're not a bad parent if you aren't listening to each breath your kids take.

First of all, congratulations on your new additions!!!!

For baby-proofing, it is tempting to spend a ton of cash on every safety gadget. Just browse your local baby supply store and the options are overwhelming and endless. You can't put a price on your children's safety, so these things can be hard to pass up.

Before spending money on things you aren't sure if you'll need, try take a look at your house through a child's eyes before they come home. Maybe even invite a friend and their toddler over for a visit and watch closely how fast the child will try to discover all the most dangerous places in your house. Take the time to remove anything breakable/poisonous/off-limits from a child's reach. The bathroom and kitchen cupboards are especially tempting. Organize and try to hide extension cords, consider getting those cheap plastic outlet covers for open outlets. Think about your house... top-heavy dressers/bookcases, pointy and sharp corners, steep stairs, wobbly chairs, low drawers filled with choking hazards, heavy computers/equipment within reach. These things are all easy to fix, without having to spend a fortune on baby proofing supplies. It is natural for little ones to explore and climb, and although teaching limits is extremely important, with a big transition it may be helpful to child-proof before the homecoming. The transition for everyone could be more frustrating if you have to repeat "no, don't touch that" over and over on the first week home. I also think it shows respect for the children, like "welcome home, it is safe here".

Okay, sorry for going off topic - but I was surprised by reading through all the comments and seeing how many of you adopted your children from other countries. Can I just ask, as a general question -- how difficult (time-wise, financially, etc.) was the adoption process? I very badly want to adopt but don't even know where I'd start.

Congrats!

My son is adopted and since birth until now(3y) the only things we need and use all the time are crib, dresser, little bookcase with few baskets, stroller and carseat. Everything else is just for short period of time and it's not nesessary.
Few books and toys in the beginning are enough, then you can add when the boys are home and pick up toys they like.
If you live in 2 story house monitor is usefull(we still use ours after 3 years), baby proofing -at least the plugs and stairs.
We didn't have a changing table or a foam changing pad, we used JJ Cole travel pad in the house too.
Before my son was born I made a list with the things I like or I might need and info about stores/online that have the best price , got a very little prior to his birth and add on as he grows.

Brittney, if you are looking into international adoption(we did domestic adoption), I have few friends who adopted with Gladney and are very happy:
http://adoptionsbygladney.com/
Price and requirements are different for the different countries.
If you serious about adoption there are books about international adoption, adopting an older child etc, it's a good place to start. Also you can get in touch with adoption agency in your area. Good luck!

I'm not adopting or a mom, but I'm a nanny/sitter who often keeps children in her home. The children vary in ages, so I have to be prepared for anything! The bottom line: you don't NEED the gimmicks. You need a place to sleep, a way to feed, a way to keep them clean, a way to keep them safe at home and on the go, and lots of love. At least in the beginning, you can entertain them or help them learn with items you already have in your home... just be creative (pots and pans for music or pretend cooking, etc).

Probably the best thing you can do:
Have a trusted contact back home in the States, with a preloaded Visa gift card. You can contact them from overseas and tell them the last-minute necessities you'll need immediately when you arrive back at home. I'm sure the adoption agency will be able to tell you whether the kids take bottles or cups, or diapers or undies.

As an adoptee myself (though I was far too young to remember)... thank you. You are doing something amazing and beautiful.

Instead of buying a "changing table" I bought a contoured changing pad and put it on top of a dresser. I put her diaper & supplies in 2 pretty baskets next to the pad on the dresser. My daughter is now 10 months old and moves/fusses so much when we change her, that we've been changing her on the bed for the past few weeks...so I'm very glad I didn't waste money on a changing table!!