First Food

Green beans, yum! BB ate a whole jar of green beans today. He wasn't sure at first but then decided he liked them. He ate about a third this morning. He liked it much better when it came out of the fridge cold this afternoon, and he polished off the jar! Tomorrow we try peas...

Saying Good-Bye

After we arrived home from picking up Sweets at her dad's this evening, Sweets came to me on the verge of tears and said the following. "It's not hard to say good-bye to my dad, but it's hard to say good-bye to you." She had barely arrived at my house for the weekend and already she is thinking about having to leave on Sunday. How incredibly sad for her.

Five Months

BB is now five months old! Time flies when you are having fun! He went to the doctor this week for his second round of shots. He is now 15 pounds 13 ounces and 27 1/2 inches long.

His case manager visited today as well. Bio mom (BM) is AWOL, since he was two weeks old. BF is unknown/AWOL as well. Court is scheduled late next month and the expectation is that the case plan will be changed to severance and adoption by foster parent. Can you believe that?

Five months ago I was so upset that I had not received a placement after three months of waiting. God knew what he was doing; I just had to give up and trust him! BB came less than a week after that, and now it looks like he is here to stay.

Best of all, BB fits into our family perfectly! He is also the easiest child (and case) that I have had out of seventeen foster children. We are so blessed.

What an Attitude!

Buddy is full of attitude. He is talking back, insisting on having the last word, and making snide comments. Luckily there is no bad language worse than p**p (one of his favorite words). In addition, he feels the need to run into his big sister and pester her continuously.

Times are gonna change! After multiple incidents tonight, he has lost TV, video games, and computers for two days. If it keeps up, he may lose them a lot longer. In addition, his bedtime is backing up. Unfortunately, this rarely accomplishes anything, because he works extra hard to keep himself awake as long as possible.

I've finally hit my limit. If two days of no screens plus instant time out in his room doesn't get him back on track, then this weekend is going to be miserable for both him and me as we hit boot camp!

All Giggles

BB is much happier again. The worst of the gas has passed. He has slept through the last two nights (which means I have finally gotten some sleep!). This morning after church service, Sweets had acolyte training. We were waiting around, and BB was just smiling and laughing for everyone! My parents were visiting today as well. BB put on quite a show, entertaining them with his giggles and antics. He is such a sweetheart!

Sleep, What Sleep?

BB has been having major gas issues. He has not slept more than a few hours in a row for days. He just starts screaming. Nothing makes him happy, and then he will pass gas. LOTS of gas. Then he is fine and able to eat and sleep again. I feel sorry for his little body. I bought some Mylic*n drops yesterday and he seems to be doing better. But I miss his happy and content self. This afternoon and evening he did much better. So lets hope for full night of sleep!

Amazing First Day

Today was the first day of 6th grade for May and 2nd grade for Buddy. Both bounced out of bed and got themselves ready in record time. We were all ready to get in the car a full 20 minutes early; this NEVER happens. Buddy kept asking if we could leave yet.

Once at school, they saw all of their friends and excitedly reunited. The opening assembly was a nice welcome and ended with the parents and teachers circling around all the kids and praying over them. What a great start to the school year!

After school, both kids announced they had a great day. I am so thankful and praise God that May and Buddy get to attend this school!

Meet the Teacher #2

Tonight was the open house at Buddy and May's school. Both of them know their homeroom teachers. May met the new 5th grade teacher she will have for half her subjects (5th and 6th grade teachers team teach). The 2nd grade class has sixteen students and the 6th grade class has fifteen, a wonderful ratio for learning!

It was so nice to see the kids and their friends catching up and playing while parents talked. They are both excited about school starting on Wednesday. This is a huge change from the last few years for May. She attended the local public school since kindergarten (even went to community preschool at the public school). Every year she was more apprehensive about school starting. Fifth grade was her first year at the private Christian school where they go now. Last year she was totally scared about changing schools, even though she didn't really like her previous school. This year she looked forward to going back to school. She also has a "can do" attitude for the first time and is full of anticipation. I am so thankful!

Four Wonderful Months

BB came into our lives four months ago today. It seems so recent, and yet, so much has happened. He is such a blessing, and we all love him dearly.

Each morning he wakes up in his crib, pumps his feet to kick off his blanket, and eventually starts "talking". He wants his bottle right away, and after about half of it, he is ready for a break and to get his diaper changed. Then he drinks and smiles and plays in my lap until his bottle is gone. After that, he rests in his baby rocking chair in front of my bathroom mirror while I get myself presentable for the day.

BB has such a happy and calm disposition. He rarely cries, and when he does, there is usually something that can please him quickly. He sleeps about nine hours each night and catnaps during the day. I think he doesn't nap longer because he doesn't want to miss anything happening around him. He is very alert and responsive.

Buddy adores BB and is thrilled to have another boy in the house. He showers BB with hugs and kisses. May is an immense help and usually enjoys holding and feeding BB. Recently she has discovered that she can sing him to sleep and put him to bed at night. Sweets is the little mom during the day when she is here. If BB fusses, she is the first one on the scene ready to help.

Seven months ago I was ready for another foster care roller coaster, looking forward to helping a mom reunite with her little one(s). I waited and waited for a placement and began to get very frustrated. Finally, after releasing more and more mental "control" of the situation and placing more and more trust in God to bring the right child(ren), we have a miracle.

BB is the sweetest baby (yes, I'm biased, but it's true!). His court date is in late September, and as of now, it looks like the case plan will change from reunification to severance and adoption by foster parent. I am thrilled and excited! Things can always change, but I will continue to trust in God. If this is where BB belongs, I know everything will fall into place. Praise the Lord!