Whirlwind

Yes, our lives have RAPIDLY changed but not as drastically as you would think.  Our "typical" (aka prior to our foster children) weekends consisted of going out to dinner, homework, errands, chores and maybe even a fire with some vino (or beer or some other tasty beverage) on the patio.  This past weekend really wasn't that much different... except we had 3 kids in tow.

Friday afternoon I picked up the girls from the agency and "Cindy" nearly knocked me over when she ran towards me to give me a hug.  They both asked, over and over again, how long they were staying with us, if it was for One Day, Two Days, Free Days, the Whole Week or Forever.  I told them that would stay the WHOLE WEEK and then the next week, and the next week.  I really don't know how to explain that it will be until at least December (when their permanancy hearing is), because I think that in their minds that would Forever. 

Friday night we had dinner (which the girls ate fairly well -- BBQ Chicken, Stuffing, and Sugar Snap Peas) and then we let them roast marshmellows... they were absolutely excited about the prospect of going outside in their pajamas and then "helping" P. roast the marshmellows.  They each had one GIANT marshmellow and then washed up for bedtime.

Saturday we spent the day at the outlets to get some new clothes/shoes for the girls (they came with shoes that were too small! and some clothes that have been now designated as "play clothes").  Then we went to dinner at Joe's Crab Shack... mmmmm seafood (even if it is frozen, its still yummy).  They behaved pretty well, I think they were overly excited to be at a restaurant other than McD's.  After we hit the grocery store.. at this point I think "Bella" had had enough of the shopping day, and just couldn't keep her hands to herself.  We even attempted to bribe good behavior by showing them a toy they could "earn" if they behaved.  Hahahaa!! Yah they SOO did not end up with toys!  Then we got home, had bathtime and then bedtime.

Sunday was an AMAZING day!  "Bella" was absolutely wonderful at church.. she used her "quiet voice" and sat still (on my lap).  Afterwards we let them sit down and have apple juice and talk to the other children for their good behavoir, while we talked to the adults.  We then met up with a friend, M., and her children at the playground for a picnic and some fun.  The girls LOVED it!!  I swear "Bella" would have let P. push her on the swings the entire time!  While "Cindy" played with M.'s 6 year son and road the big wheel (she's a bit small for it still, but she figured out how to reach the pedals all on her own).  Then it was time to go home and play in the sprinkler (it was over 90 that day! whhhewww) and afterward was dinner (grilled chicken and salad -- yah so not a fan of this one, but they ate half of it with the dressing on it), Sunday night movie (Underdog.. its actually pretty good if you haven't seen it), and bedtime.

Monday (this post sure is turning into something longer than intended) was the first day of daycare school.  The girls both did really well, so I am told.  They were even excited to go today (well, "Bella" is excited until she sees me leave.. then the pouting starts, but I am sure 10 minutes later she is happy as clam).

funny tails

I am going to start a new series as part of the blog, entitled "funny tails".  I am realizing that I will always have a some random/funny story about my time with the girls (they are at that age, when you never know what will happen).

For the children's and their bio family's privacy I am still continuing with the "name them based on their placement # -- like the hurricanes".   Therefore, the 2 year old will be known as (here on the interwebz)  Little Girl "B"ella and the 4 year old will be referred to as (again here on the interwebz) Big Girl "C"indy (she LOVES Cinderella).

funny tails

Saturday afternoon I had the girls take a "nap", I told them that they didn't have to sleep they just needed to rest and have "quiet time".  I was then told that their current home doesn't make them take naps (this actually came up alot during their visit.. "we don't got to" or "we tan have tautlate (chocolate)"). 

We had new carpet installed that day, so the family room was a disaster and the furniture needed to go back into place.  The girls did stay in bed for an hour, which gave us an opportunity to put the family room back together.  Upon completion I heard some noise from their bedroom... I ventured up the stairs only to find that "B"ella had an accident.. I really accident .. she pooped her pants (soo gross) and "C"indy kept say "dat's nasty!".  Poor thing was visible upset by the accident. :(  I told her that she needed to help me clean up the mess and that we would wash her underwear and shorts in the toilet (cloth diaper style).  She gladly obliged and we managed to get them clean (although she did get a bit upset she didn't see her underwear because they were covered by the suds and she thought they got flushed down the toilet).  I then got her cleaned up and changed into a new outfit and we ran an errand with P. and Baby Boy "A"arron.

Later that evening when it was bedtime and Little Girl "B"ella had to go potty (which she is capable of doing on her own, except washing her hands -- she can't reach the sink, we'll need to get her a step stool for that).  I finished helping "C"indy get ready for bed and out pops "B"ella handing me SOPPING WET shorts!  I mean they were drenched!!  I asked her what happened if she had an accident and she said "just a wittle".  So I checked her undies and they were dry.. Obviously I was perplexed... I walked into the bathroom and there was water on the floor.  I asked her if she had washed her shorts in the potty and she said "yah, they got a wittle pee on them".  Then I had to explain that washing stuff in the potty was only for when there was poopy in them.  But at least she wanted to do the right thing and has the potential to learn new behaviors.  She can't possible be as bad as what I was told after that "Funny Tail".

Circus

This past weekend was a full on

CIRCUS....

We welcomed Baby "A"'s older sisters Little Girl "B" (2 years old) and Big Girl "C" (4 years old) (remember the children are being named like the storms... the first placement is A, second is B, and so on.... these are not their real names), for a visit with their baby brother. 

Prior to the visit we had the PPC (Permanancy Placement Conference) with the girl's father, paternal grandmother, foster sisters and foster mother.  The point of the conference was to discuss the girls' behavior and how to best meet their needs.  Many things were discussed, mostly about Little Girl "B"'s behavior and how AWFUL it was -- temper tantrums, cussing, yelling, hitting, kicking (what sounded to me and the case worker like typical 2 year old behaviors -- aka boundary testing).

The weekend was crazy (I will blog later about specific instances), busy, tiring, and fun.  The girls showed improvement in their manners from Friday to Sunday.  P. and I sat down Sunday evening and evaluated the weekend....  based on that discussion, we have decided that we have the abilities, the support, and the love to be able to give the girls and the baby a stable home, until reuinification with their biological family is possible.

This Friday I will pick up the girls to take them to our home.  Wish us Luck!!

IRKED

I am Frustrated, Aggrevated, and Irked!! 

I can't even put into words how annoyed I am at this very moment.  The system is failing.. the system most likely has been failing, but considering this is my first venture into it... it is broken and needs some serious foundation repair.

Foster Children in our state (well in most states) receive free Medicaid as their insurance.  Now that Baby "A"arron is staying with us longer, I attempted to make a "well baby visit" for him.. yes ATTEMPTED! 

It was scheduled, and then cancelled by his initial doctor (because of an Unexpected Emergency Meeting a.k.a. GOLF! -- at least that is what call one those meetings), then I got him in for another appointment at a different office.  He also had an ENT appointment at the Children's Hospital, because he had failed his initial hearing test... well I called the ENT to get the details.. oh "the appointment needs to be rescheduled"... UGGHH!  Then I get a call from the Pedi's Office.. the baby's insurance lists a PCP (Primary Care Provider) and it needs to be changed prior to the appointment.  I then called the insurance company... wait, it gets better.. I am not listed as his guardian so I can't change his PCP!  Now he can't attend the appointment... So, I call the agency to explain of these little "problems" only to find out that he has a Medicaid HMO and shouldn't have an HMO, he should have straight medicaid which does not require a PCP be listed.

Talk about a HOLE instead of Crack in the foundation!  Not sure how or when any of this will be fixed, but hopefully soon.. this poor little guy needs to have a well baby visit!

*prolonging*

Conclusion of 13 Weeks.... The heartbeat MP3, worked like a charm.  He calmly went back to sleep in his crib after his middle of the night feeding/diaper change. YIPPEE!!  I played it on a loop so that he heard it all night long and as a result cuddling was a non-issue.

So on Tuesday night, I had the brilliant idea to play Lullaby by Jewel for him, on a loop.. her voice is soothing so I thought maybe it wasn't necessarily the heartbeat that kept him calm and relaxed, but the "presence" of another person.  BAD IDEA!!  As if I hadn't learned before, don't fix what isn't broken!! He slept awfully!!  Which meant that I slept awfully!!

Moving onto last night.. Wednesday night, I returned to the Heartbeat MP3 on a loop.. and AHHHHH!!! He slept through the night... he woke up twice but went to back sleep on his own.  Well, the first time I changed his diaper and during the process he fell back asleept.  The second wake up, he just kinda whined for bit, sucked on his fingers and soothed himself back to sleep until.. WAIT FOR IT...

YUP... THAT'S RIGHT!!! 

7:00 AM!!

On another note.. our Respite Placement has become a Semi-Permanent Placement.  Baby "A"arron will be with us until reunification with his siblings can occur.  There will be a PPC (Permancy Placement Conference) to discuss the living arrangements for the children in the near future.

13 weeks and...

Countdown:  Full Day 11 of a 14 day Respite Placement

Everytime Aarron looks at me I swear this is what he is thinking.. he even has the "Happy Bunny" grin and all!!  We've had quite a few restless nights the past few days.  He has decided that the best place to be at all times and even to sleep is in my arms.  Yah, basically not the most comfortable place for me! 

Tonight, I tried something a bit different... I downloaded an MP3 of a heartbeat (the CD also has a washing machine, hair dryer, and a few other "soothing sounds" -- okay.. an electric razor will not soothe me, but infants have an odd sense of what is "soothing").  So as I type I can hear the heartbeat on the baby monitor.  And I even put him to bed while he was awake... GASP!! (he was nodding off in my arms before I laid him down) He got a bit cranky after spitting out his pacifier.. so I went back up to his bedroom, gave him his pacifier back.  And turned up the volume on the CD player. -- knock on wood -- after an hour he is soundly sleeping.  Stay Tuned for how the night actually goes....

School House RockS

Countdown: Full Day 7 of a 14 day Respite Placement

So the School House ROCKS (aka Day Care).. I told you all that I know he is LOVING it there!!  I dropped off Aarron at day care this morning and was pleasantly informed that yesterday he.... rolled over.. from front to bak.. and from back to front (not at the same time).  Apparently he was doing some tummy time and just pushed himself right over onto his back.. and was schocked by the movement!!  I know that he gets close to rolling from back to front (he does this rocking motion to calm himself down), but hadn't actually seen him roll over.  Oh well, I missed that first, but it still nice to know he can do it!  He's just checking them off as each day passes!!

As for the length of this placement it seems like it might a little longer than the original estimate of two weeks (happy dance for me!!).  I have scheduled a well baby visit for him on Tuesday and he also has a hearing appointment at Children's Hospital next week.  I don't think there is a problem with his hearing, because the dogs barking wake him up during his naps (unless he is totally passed out!).

I We are really enjoying having him around.  He is really such an easy going little guy. 

Sometimes you just have to

CUDDLE!!

  Countdown: Full Day 6 of a 14 day Respite Placement

Basically that means, not sleeping well and getting up a few times in the middle of the night for some cuddling.  And last night was one of "those" nights.  Aarron just couldn't manage to soothe himself.. he'd kick and thrash, but wasn't able to put himself back to sleep.  A quick feeding at 2:30am with some cuddling, another cuddle session at 5:30am, another feeding at 6:15am and he's still making lots of noise in his crib.  He's not warm or ill... just wanting some loving.  But boy am I exhausted (but enjoying the extra cuddle/alone time with him).

There really isn't much too much going on.. other than napping/playing/eating/sleeping/bathing... well and giggling.. we get lots of giggles!!  Yesterday P. was sticking his tounge out at Aarron (basically making silly faces) to get a nice belly laugh going and instead he sticks his tounge out at P.!!  What a smart little dude!!

Daycare is going well.. he comes home happy and wired!  Yesterday he didn't nap at all while we were making dinner.  Just wanted us to talk to him and hold him (not exactly an easy feat when you are trying to chop a salad), instead we opted for the bouncy seat and some conversation... well I conversed and he giggled.

Don't Stray

from the Schedule!!  

Saturday night (night #3 -- 11 more to go) was our first night that he didn't sleep through the night.  But I think that was my fault... I couldn't bare to wake Aarron up after his feeding at 9:30pm to take a bath and have another feeding before "bedtime" at 11:00pm.  That bit me us in the behind... he woke up at 1:00am crying to be fed (ate about 4 oz.) and then woke up again at 5:00am crying to be fed (ate about 6 oz.) and then woke up again at 7:30am wanting to be paid attention to.  So it looks like I have to wake him up for his nightly bath and "supper" so that we have a happy, full baby to put to sleep.

Sunday (full day #3 -- 11 more to go) was eventful, we went to church in the morning and then did some "chores" and then out to grab a late lunch.  And he was amazing through all of it... I couldn't ask for a better first placement (maybe its more the novelty of having a baby around, but whatever it is.. he's happy and we are happy having him with us -- even if it is briefly).  And he failed to sleep through the night again, but he was a little more on schedule.  He woke up at 1:30am but just whined a bit and then soothed himself back to sleep, until 3:30am when he was "STARVING!".  And then he woke up at 6:30am to be fed again.. and we back to sleep for a bit.

Today (full day #4 -- 10 more to go) was his first day at day care.  I have to admit I was a bit nervous about dropping him at day care.. I don't know why, but it isn't the same as spending the day with him.  So I dropped him off this morning with a bag full of clothes, diapers, wipes, powder, bottles, pacifiers, sunblock, his hat, and probably way more stuff than he could possibly need in one day -- better to be safe than sorry.  And went off to work.  I haven't called the day care.. I figure they will call if there is something wrong...

No calls = Good Days!!

P. will be picking him up this afternoon... and spending their second time alone (I have complete faith in him.. he is an amazing "Dad").

---

Aarron's Stats/Milestones:

Age: 12 weeks
Weight: 14 pounds (approximately)
Length: unkown (maybe 22 inches)

Milestones:

By the End of 1st Month:
✔• Lift head for short periods of time
✔• Move head from side to side
✔• Prefer the human face to other shapes
✔• Make jerky arm movements
✔• Bring hand to face

✔• Demonstrate strong reflex movements

✔• Focus on items 8 to 12 inches away

✔• Turn towards familiar sounds or voices

✔• Respond to loud sounds

✔• Blink at bright lights

By the End of 2nd Month:
✔• Smile
✔• Track objects with eyes
✔• Make noises other than crying
✔•Repeat vowel noises, such as “ah” or “ooh”
✔• Enjoy being held and spoken to
 
By the End of 3rd Month:
✔• Raise head and chest while on tummy

✔• Lift head 45 degrees
✔• Kick and strengthen legs while on back
✔• Open and shut hand
✔• Reach for dangling objects
✔• Grasp and shake hand toys
✔• Begin to develop a social smile
✔• Kick legs energetically
✔• Bring both hands together
 
By the End of 4th Month:
✔• Sleep about six hours at night before waking (total sleep typically 14 to 17 hours) 
    • Roll over (usually stomach to back is first)
✔• Sit with support
✔• Lift head up 90 degrees
✔• Follow a moving object for a 180-degree arc
✔• Babble and amuse him or herself with new noises
✔• Respond to all colors and shades
✔• Recognize a baby bottle or breast
✔• Explore objects with mouth
✔• Communicate fear, pain, loneliness, and discomfort through crying
✔• Respond to a rattle or bell