We've been asked many questions about our foster child and the experience we've had over the past couple of weeks. I thought I'd take a few minutes and try to provide some questions to the most common questions.
Why can you post pictures to the blog or Facebook? It's a confidentiality restriction by DHR. All of the details about the baby and how he has come to live with us is confidential. Of course, we can share some of the generic facts, but nothing that can reveal his identity.
How long will you keep him? This is more difficult to answer. We really don't know. It could be a few more days, it could be a few months, it could be forever. There are a lot of moving pieces to the equation. What I know for sure, however long we have him will be a blessing.
What have been the biggest changes to your life since you've had him? Everything has changed!! Our sleeping schedule is now determined by his sleeping schedule. We've had to adjust the heat at our house- we typically keep the temperature in the winter around 68 degrees, but with the baby, we've had to adjust it upward to 72 degrees. Finding the time to do laundry is a challenge (maybe because I use the baby as an excuse for not doing it at all!).
How is Baxter reacting to the baby? Baxter was a little stand-offish at first. He would simply smell Drew's head or feet and then back off. I guess the newness has worn off! Now, I may have Drew on one knee and Baxter on the other! Drew gets a good sniffing and a kiss from Baxter when we get home everyday.
Is there anything he needs? This is a loaded question! Unlike most children that come into foster care, he came to us with a lot of stuff-- clothes, diapers, blankets, bottles. He came with a car seat and swing too! We've only had to purchase formula and wipes. We've also purchased a play gym for his developmental needs. He's quickly outgrowing his newborn sleepers, but we have plenty of 0-3 months replacements. So for now, I think we're good on supplies.
These are just a few of the questions, but they are the most common. He's an adorable child and we are enjoying every minute of every day with him. We ask that you keep us in your prayers that everything works out according to His plan.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
We're Finally Parents!!
Yay! We have finally reached our destination! We have officially become parents-- foster parents, of course!
Last Monday, we got a call from our resource worker and she wanted to know if we'd be interested in fostering a 4 week old infant boy. It took me all of one second to respond a resounding YES! So, it was done. Just a mere 5 hours later, a social worker brought him to our home. Immediately, I was in love! He was the cutest little baby ever! So "Drew" is now living with us.
Due to confidentiality restrictions, I can't tell you much about his story. But, he was born into foster care and due to unforeseen circumstances, he was not able to live with that particular family. His birth parents are young. Also due to those same confidentiality restrictions, I can't post any pictures of him. But take it from me- he's simply gorgeous! He's a tiny little baby-- only 9 pounds at 4 weeks old! He's still wearing newborn clothes. He has the biggest blue eyes that are wide with amazement.
rew" is teaching us all about being parents. He's an awesome little boy- he only cries when he's hungry or wet, or when we give him a bath. He wakes up only once or twice in a night to eat, then returns to his sweet dreams. We've learned more in the past 7 days that we ever imagined!
We don't know how long he'll be with us. Time will tell. But, we know we are being the best parents for him at this moment in his life. And no matter what the future holds, we know we'll have shaped his life in a positive manner with our love.
Last Monday, we got a call from our resource worker and she wanted to know if we'd be interested in fostering a 4 week old infant boy. It took me all of one second to respond a resounding YES! So, it was done. Just a mere 5 hours later, a social worker brought him to our home. Immediately, I was in love! He was the cutest little baby ever! So "Drew" is now living with us.
Due to confidentiality restrictions, I can't tell you much about his story. But, he was born into foster care and due to unforeseen circumstances, he was not able to live with that particular family. His birth parents are young. Also due to those same confidentiality restrictions, I can't post any pictures of him. But take it from me- he's simply gorgeous! He's a tiny little baby-- only 9 pounds at 4 weeks old! He's still wearing newborn clothes. He has the biggest blue eyes that are wide with amazement.
rew" is teaching us all about being parents. He's an awesome little boy- he only cries when he's hungry or wet, or when we give him a bath. He wakes up only once or twice in a night to eat, then returns to his sweet dreams. We've learned more in the past 7 days that we ever imagined!
We don't know how long he'll be with us. Time will tell. But, we know we are being the best parents for him at this moment in his life. And no matter what the future holds, we know we'll have shaped his life in a positive manner with our love.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Waiting Game
The home visit on the 9th went very well. All of the exceptions that we had noted during the first visit were cleared. The interview portion was boring, but I think we aced all of the questions she had for us. So, now, we are just playing the waiting game.
Our worker told us she would type up her report during the few days following the visit. She called on Thursday for a couple of tidbits of information that she forgot to ask. I believe she probably gave the report to her supervisor for final approval on Friday or Monday. Now, we are just waiting on the certificate OR a phone call-- whichever comes first. A lot of the times, new foster parents will receive a phone call for a possible placement prior to receiving their certificate.
In the meantime, we've been decorating for Christmas. I had scheduled a week of vacation for this week, but due to the workload and upcoming deadline at work, it had to be postponed. Usually during this week, I put up our Christmas trees. So, we decided to start early. I have already completed three of our trees and will have one more completed by Wednesday. That only leaves our few smaller trees and the remainder of the decorations. Stephen is responsible for the outdoor decorations and has already started on them too! I'll post pictures soon.
Hopefully, we'll be getting the long awaited call soon. When we do, I'll be sure to post something-- I am sure it will be an adventure! Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Our worker told us she would type up her report during the few days following the visit. She called on Thursday for a couple of tidbits of information that she forgot to ask. I believe she probably gave the report to her supervisor for final approval on Friday or Monday. Now, we are just waiting on the certificate OR a phone call-- whichever comes first. A lot of the times, new foster parents will receive a phone call for a possible placement prior to receiving their certificate.
In the meantime, we've been decorating for Christmas. I had scheduled a week of vacation for this week, but due to the workload and upcoming deadline at work, it had to be postponed. Usually during this week, I put up our Christmas trees. So, we decided to start early. I have already completed three of our trees and will have one more completed by Wednesday. That only leaves our few smaller trees and the remainder of the decorations. Stephen is responsible for the outdoor decorations and has already started on them too! I'll post pictures soon.
Hopefully, we'll be getting the long awaited call soon. When we do, I'll be sure to post something-- I am sure it will be an adventure! Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Long time...No blog
It's been quite a while since I last posted. To catch everyone up quickly, we went to Gulf Shores on vacation, completed our foster parenting classes, got together for a couple of holiday gatherings, etc. You know...we've just been living our lives.
So, now I am posting to the blog...again. Like I said before, we completed our foster parenting classes. It was an interesting 9 weeks. We learned everything there is to know about kids-- just kidding!! I feel more confused now than ever before! We also had our first home visit with our resource worker. She cited a couple of items that we needed to do in our home and we've done those things. We've also had our physicals, completed our homework, became certified in CPR and first aid, and we've taken a water safety course. Our final step is having another home visit from our resource worker. It is scheduled for Monday.
Today, I feel like we are "nesting." I know this is usually for pregnant women, but I feel like that's what we're going through. We had to get both bedrooms ready for children. One is set up with a twin bed (we have boy and girl bedding that can be changed out quickly, depending on what we may get) and the other is set up as a nursery (we chose gender neutral bedding). I must say that I don't feel totally prepared, but I think we can handle anything that comes our way.
We don't know the timing of the whole thing yet. We should know more on Monday. But, I think we are getting close. I'll post more when I have more information. Please keep us in your prayers that everything goes well during our visit.
So, now I am posting to the blog...again. Like I said before, we completed our foster parenting classes. It was an interesting 9 weeks. We learned everything there is to know about kids-- just kidding!! I feel more confused now than ever before! We also had our first home visit with our resource worker. She cited a couple of items that we needed to do in our home and we've done those things. We've also had our physicals, completed our homework, became certified in CPR and first aid, and we've taken a water safety course. Our final step is having another home visit from our resource worker. It is scheduled for Monday.
Today, I feel like we are "nesting." I know this is usually for pregnant women, but I feel like that's what we're going through. We had to get both bedrooms ready for children. One is set up with a twin bed (we have boy and girl bedding that can be changed out quickly, depending on what we may get) and the other is set up as a nursery (we chose gender neutral bedding). I must say that I don't feel totally prepared, but I think we can handle anything that comes our way.
We don't know the timing of the whole thing yet. We should know more on Monday. But, I think we are getting close. I'll post more when I have more information. Please keep us in your prayers that everything goes well during our visit.
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