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!!

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....

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

"Music and the Monitors"

Countdown:  Full Day 2 of a 14 day Respite Placement

"I need these monitors right here

Music and the monitors, and it goes a little something

Like this here ah huh ah huh ah"

                                                         ~ DJ Kool

Conversation with P. (early 2010 -- sometime during the licensing process - paraphrased):

P: "Are you sure you're ready for this?"

Me: "Why wouldn't I be ready?"

P: "Well, you don't really like to get up in the morning."

Me: "Of course I don't.. I don't have a reason to get up in the morning. Are you ready for this?"

P: "Yah, why?"

Me: "So, you're ready to get up in the middle of the night... you can sleep through everything, even a shoe in your back." (sorry P.  I am pretty sure it was a bit of a jab when we actually had the conversation)

Flashfoward to this morning

(day 2 of respite):

Time:  6:25am

P: "Hey, the baby is crying."

Me (groggy from just being woke up): "whaaa?"

P: "The baby's crying.  Is the monitor on?"

Me (still groggy): "Oh he is crying... I guess it wasn't on."

P: "And I wasn't going to hear the baby."

So day 3 was off to a great start.. but let's discuss day 2 first (our first night and full day together).  He slept from 11:00pm to 6:30am.  I slept from 12:00am to 3:00am and then off and on till 6:00am (when P.'s alarm went off for him to go to work).  I woke up everytime I heard Aaron.  I was anxious that I would hear him in the "monitor", but I did.. I heard every wince, giggle, whimper, whine, sneeze, and cough). 

Overall day 2 went really well.  He napped after his bottle (about 6 oz) and then woke up and another bottle (4 oz).  We went and got the paperwork for day care on Monday and to the store to get an infant carrier for P.'s car.  I attempted some housework, but didn't get much done, between feedings, entertaining, and diaper changing.  We even managed to get of the house last night and attend a concert in the park with Aarron.  Aarron slept from 10:00pm till 6:30am (as seen in above's conversation). 

Today we spent the morning at the house and did a few errands.  We picked up some clothes for the baby (he was sent with some things that had holes in them and/or too small for him.  I get this, but I feel bad for him.  Why would you send clothes that don't fit the child to another foster family?  I have no intention of keeping his the other family's clothes.), more bottles, the cutest little sandals (I couldn't resist) and then went grocery shopping.  He slept through most of our adventures, but woke up just as we left Babies-R-Us to go grocery shopping to eat a few more ounces.  At this point P. asked how many times he eats a day... and I said about 8 times...

Do you know what babies and hobbits have in common? 

Mealtimes. 

They both eat breakfast, second breakfast, elevenses, luncheon, afternoon tea, dinner and supper. 

All in all, things are going really well.  Aarron is mostly a content and happy little guy.  It is a great first placement.

By the way... I still remember that he isn't mine.  Twice yesterday people commented about how beautiful he is and asked his age.  Upon hearing he was just 12 weeks, they would promptly look at me and then have this dirty look in their eyes as if they were thinking "b!tch.. i can't believe she that thin after having a baby!" i am have tempted to then say "oh, yah I have been doing the 'rotten egg' diet".

Zero to Sixty

So, after just getting licensed last Wednesday, we got a call yesterday (exactly 1 week later) for respite care.  For those of you not familiar, respite care is basically babysitting for another foster family.  The time for respite can vary from an evening, to a weekend, to a week, or longer.. it all depends on how much the family needs (and the reasoning can vary from vacations, to just needing a break for a date night, to family emergencies).  Well, for our respite care we will be caring for a 10 week old baby boy (names have been changed to protect the innocent) "Aarron" (I am following in the footsteps of storm names.. starting out with A.. obviously our next placement will begin with a B) for the next 2 weeks. 

I picked up Aarron this afternoon, stopped by a friends house for some much needed (incredibly generous and kind) baby stuff (a swing, a bouncy seat, a bath, a "snugli" and a floor/tummy time toy -- which he absolutely loves!).  We chatted for a bit.. then I was off to the homestead, but a made another pitstop at another friend's house (just so she could meet Aarron).

I managed to carry everything into the house (not all at once) and then got Aarron situated, and then took care of the dogs (potty time, dinner time.. yada, yada).  Then P. came home while I was feeding the baby (by the way.. this baby is not little.. he is a chunka monka man-baby!)  and then we did our dinner thing, while the baby napped for a bit.  And I quickly ran out to Target to get some necessities (a diaper pail, wipes, bibs, burp rags, bath supplies, bottles, extra sheets, etc. --> thanks for the gift cards everyone.. they REALLY came in handy!!  oh and the bathroom safety kit had a water thermometer.. AWESOME!  its a fish that floats and reads the water temp).  While I was out, I got a phone call (which I didn't hear.. my phone has no service in any of the big box stores --- do you think that's because they don't want you communicating with the outside world when you are debating a purchase?!?)  but I did get his text.. "I think someone's hungry"  So I texted back.. "there's a bottle on the counter".  I then called another friend, while waiting for a register (Thanks M!!) "Ummm.. could you help me?  I just wanna make sure I have everything that I will for at least tonight." and I ran through the everything that was in my carriage (yes is my Rhodey talk.. its a carriage.. not a cart there).  She agreed that I'd be good for at least tonight, anyway, and couldn't think of anything to add.. although, as I was talking to her I remembered I needed hypoallergenic laundry detergent... so I grabbed that.. and then began the checkout process.

I got home.. started washing some of the new things. And basically organized the diaper bag, the bedroom, the bathroom, while P. continued watching Aarron.  Then it was bathtime (which he didn't actually like unless you were dumping water under his neck.  Then time for bed... which I found he can only be walked.  No rocking, no stopping, no sitting... just walking.  He is now in the crib.. sleeping soundly (and supposedly he sleeps through the night.. we'll see).

So for now.. Good Night...