A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove...but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child. --Forest E. Witcraft

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

No Crying She Makes

Precious is the quietest baby I have ever known.  Don't get me wrong, I have heard her, but her cries are few and far between.  When she does cry, it is very short-lived, maybe five seconds or so before she starts to self-soothe.  I thought BB was easy; so far, Precious is a dream!

Still no word on the first court date to find out what is really going on.

Monday, January 30, 2012

Settling

It's 9pm and I'm good...
  • home from work
  • stayed awake for two classes at school
  • kids tucked in bed
  • laundry reasonably caught up
  • dishwasher loaded
  • clean clothes put away
  • getting ready to read my homework
  • then final feeding before I go to bed
I must be settling in with Another Child to Love!

Friday, January 27, 2012

Visit One

This morning I took Precious for a visit with her mom.  It was scheduled from 10-11 at the CPS office. I called the case manager (CM) as I arrived at the building just before 10 to ask about parking; she answered my question and also said mom was there.

I checked in at the office right at 10. The receptionist called back to the CM to let her know I was there.

I waited...

and waited...

and waited...

and at 10:40, Precious started to fuss so I picked her up and started walking around the lobby.

The receptionist asked me if the CM had ever come out.  Noooooo.  So she called back again.  The response: she is waiting on mom to arrive.  What?

Apparently the CM received a call from mom just before mine which said something about her being almost there via public transportation.  Shortly after that, mom discovered she had made a mistake and was going the wrong way....

I asked to see the CM please. She came out and introduced herself just before 11.  She said if I had to leave I could, but she thought mom would be there soon.  She had to go back and sit by her phone.

About 11:20 I asked the receptionist to call the CM and ask if she knew how close mom was, because I had to leave soon, but didn't want to miss her in the elevator.  Supposedly, mom was crossing the parking lot.  So I waited.

Mom checked in at 11:25.  I didn't even wait for the CM and introduced myself.  She was thrilled to see and hold Precious and was very gracious to me.  I was glad I waited, but told her I had to leave in five minutes.  She asked me to take several pictures of her and Precious on her cell phone. 

I was glad to finally meet Mom.  She seems interested this time around.  Maybe she will do what she needs to do.  I'm happy she showed up today.  That's already an improvement over BB's case!

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Going Well So Far

The last couple of days have been incredibly busy, but all in all, we are doing well.  The kids love little "Precious" already.  She has to be the best baby in the world I've ever cared for!  Come to think of it, maybe that does make her the best baby in the world!

May loves to help and has been wonderful.  Wanting to hold or feed Precious is a great motivator, too!

Buddy seems to be in awe.  He doesn't want to miss anything.  Unfortunately, that means he hasn't slept very well.  But, tonight he got to bed early. 

BB seems to be adjusting.  He went and got a doll carrier, after Precious was put in her carseat.  BB will also offer a blanket to cover Precious.  So far we are able to pay him enough attention to keep him satisfied.

Sweets called tonight, but she doesn't know about Precious yet.  Since I don't know if she is coming this weekend, I didn't want her to get upset.  She will be surprised when she does get here!

Miss M has been a lifesaver!  She is wonderful with Precious, and BB, and all the kids!  Last night she spent the night to care for Precious so I could sleep through.  As a result, I'm feeling good!

One of my classes was canceled on Monday, so that block of time allowed me to get my homework done for this week.  The kids' church choir was also canceled tonight, so that gave us some extra time as well.  Finally, I have a friend willing to come over tomorrow night and hold Precious.  Every little bit helps. 

I hear all the time "How do you do it?"  Maybe someday I will write about that.  For now, I'll just say that I believe if you are willing and doing something good in God's eyes, He will make sure you can "do it"!

Monday, January 23, 2012

Surprise!

BB has a newborn biological sister.  CPS took custody of her at the hospital.  She is now placed here with us!  So far she is healthy and doing well.

Just in case life wasn't interesting enough already....  Thank goodness I have so many people who are willing to help.  Thank you!

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Case of the Missing Keys

A week ago on Friday night, we were getting ready to go out.  BB was fussy, so I handed him my keys to try to settle him as we packed up.  He started pushing the remote button to lock the van, which beeps every time.  He loves it.  The neighbors - probably not so much.  So I took the keys away from him and tried to get everyone else ready and out the door.

A little while later, with everyone in the van, I gathered up my purse and diaper bag.  I couldn't find the keys anywhere.  No one else knew where they were.  I grabbed the extra van key and we left, figuring I would find them when we got home.

Well, I couldn't find them that night, or Saturday, or Sunday.  By Monday I was starting to worry.  Two car remotes, the mailbox key, my fuel key, and other assorted keys were on that ring.  Several of us, including Miss M and the lady that cleans my house looked for the keys during the week to no avail. 

I found extra keys for everything I need on a regular basis except the mailbox.  Yesterday I went out and met the mailman with my driver's license hoping he would give me my mail which had piled up during the week.  He was nice and did "this time" after I explained the situation.  A new key is $40 from the post office, he told me.  I started adding up the cost of replacing the mailbox key, the car remotes, and more - not a happy thought.  I figured I would give it until Tuesday and try to look even harder the rest of this weekend.

Last night, I cooked a casserole and went to grab a hot pad to get it out of the oven.  Whoo-hoo!  I found the keys!!!


How they got in the drawer on the farthest side of the kitchen from where I took them away from BB, I have no idea.  But the case of the missing keys is solved!  One less thing to worry about!

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Twins

Found these two like this watching TV tonight.


Made me think of how incredibly close they are.


At times they are inseparable.


True twins at heart.


The Lord has blessed them with each other.
May they continue to always have a special relationship.


Friday, January 20, 2012

Progress

BB is starting to take an interest in the toilet.  He loves to walk into the bathroom and flush.  Fortunately, he also likes to close the lid while he is there, although hopefully he can learn not to simply drop it!

On the way into the bathtub last night, he got preoccupied with the toilet again. So I sat him on it. 

Now I've done this before, and he has learned to balance pretty well.  But all he does is sit and smile. 

Last night he didn't want to get off.  Low and behold, he peed!  I clapped and got all excited.  Then he peed some more.  Buddy came in and cheered too.  Wow, the control BB seemed to have as he turned it off and on for a few minutes!

I'm not going to push things, but we might thing about toilet training in a couple months or so as he turns two.

UPDATE: Tonight was a positive repeat! YEAH! This time Sweets was here to celebrate!

Monday, January 16, 2012

Going Away and Coming Home

I go to work in the morning and come home in the evening.

BB had some separation anxiety over the last couple of weeks,
after 11 days over the holidays when I was with him 24/7.

But...

Last Friday, he was eating breakfast in his high chair
as I was preparing to leave.
He looked at me, waved, and said "Bye".

It melted my heart!

Today, we were all in the kitchen and I was getting ready to leave.
BB initiated saying "Bye" and waved from across the room.
Then he followed me to the door and waved some more.

AAHHH!

Better yet, when I came home tonight,
I put my stuff down on the island in the kitchen.

Normally, both Gabriel and BB come running to hug me.
Tonight Gabriel was a bit preoccupied.
I started talking to Miss M and May.

BB came right up next to me, but didn't hug me.
He simply looked up, grinned, and said "Hi" as I was talking!

I stooped down immediately and said something like,
"Well, hello there!"

BB's grin grew exponentially!

It was P.R.I.C.E.L.E.S.S!!!

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Special Night

Tonight after work, I came home and picked up Buddy.  Miss M stayed with May and BB.

Buddy and I went to a restaurant of his choosing.  We frequent this one and have come to know one of the servers.  Well, this server was there and we sat in his section.  He asked where the rest of the family was, and I told him this was Buddy's special night with Mom.  He paid extra attention to Buddy throughout the meal since it was his special night, and now Buddy loves him even more!

After dinner, we went to the big toy store!  Buddy has had a gift card since his birthday last year.  We walked through the store for about half an hour and he leisurely checked out all the "boy toys".  He chose a new game for the 3DS that he received for Christmas.  He was one happy camper!

On the way home he kept alternating between different versions of "I love you" and "Thank you" Mom.  It is truly amazing how just a little bit of time and special attention means so much to a child! 

Buddy, you are the greatest!  I'm so glad you are my son!

Monday, January 9, 2012

Help Has Returned

Miss M returned to us today after an extended vacation over the holidays to see family.

We are SO THANKFUL she is back!

Buddy kept saying "I miss you" to her, even though she is now here.

May kept talking and talking like her long lost confidant was back.

BB clung to her all day long.

Glad you enjoyed your vacation.  Hope you relaxed a lot.  Welcome back to the craziness!

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Special Dime

Buddy found a dime while on vacation.
He proudly gave it to me and pronounced it a "special dime".



He told me to get a Sharpie and put an S on it for Special Dime and never spend it.
He said it could always remind me of him!

I think Buddy is having the hardest time with our "busy-ness" over the last few months.
He really misses just being with me.  (Wow!)

I reminded him that I had been home for a week and a half.
His response was that he missed me while he was at school.

Special time just with Buddy is already set aside for next week.

Friday, January 6, 2012

First Weekend

It's the first full weekend of 2012!  I'm happy to report that it is looking like a good one.

Sweets is here again; that's always a blessing!

BB is starting to say a word here and there without prompting.  At dinner tonight, he said "more" a few times!

Buddy got his report card and got all A's except one!

May had a good first week back at school.  She has a cooking class this semester, and she is very excited!

Saturday is a day with no commitments until we join friends for dinner.  Hopefully I can catch up on some long overdue chores around the house.

Sunday my sister will be in town for a belated Christmas celebration, as she got sick and missed the actual day with us.

I started reading the book Kisses from Katie - what an amazing young lady!