Court was interesting.  There will be more details here but to give you the run down...

I got there just as the agency and county workers were getting there. They said I looked tense.  (I was)  ...(duh)  Bio mom and grandma were there and asked where Sprout was.  I explained I was told NOT to bring him.  They were a bit disappointed.  We were all called in and they put bio dad on speaker phone.  The judge explained that bio dad was entitled to a lawyer and he said that yes, he wanted a lawyer so court was adjourned for another few weeks.  Again, more details over here :)  

Random thoughts...

The Screamer is on his way home.  The county worker picked him up this morning. 

Sprout has court today.  A few weeks ago I was told to bring Sprout.  2 days ago I was told to leave him home. 

Paternal gma will be there.  Bio mom will be there. 

I am kinda nervous. 

I know that it's only a permanency hearing. 

The judge will most likely keep Sprout in care for another 6 months. 

But still.  I'm nervous. 

I am trusting God for His best for my sweet baby boy. 

Sprout had his 6 month well baby visit yesterday.  Earlier that morning he was supposed to have a visit with his bio mom as well.  She never called to confirm so the visit didn't take place.  I was on my way to the dr appointment wondering if she'd show for the appointment.  I got there a bit early and they took us right back in.  I spoke to the nurse about Sprout for a minute or two...then the agency worker knocked on the door.  After a few minutes of catching up, he told me that Sprout's brother's case worker saw bio mom with some other people hanging out (literally...she had her shirt tucked into her bra) and there was most definitely a baby bump.  Ahhh, well, job security.  Gotta keep us foster parents working somehow...  Anyway...  I updated Sprout's 6 month check up in the post below and I'll be updating the other blog later today with some really RAW thoughts and maybe some pics of The Screamer and Sprout!

Guess who's going to be a BIG BROTHER!?!?!?!  :)

SPROUT is 6 MONTHS OLD!!!
Where has the time gone?!?! A whole 1/2 year!!!  My sweet boy is growing so fast and I'm SO thankful that he is healthy!!!

He is now:
*  trying to crawl (as of 6/22)
*  eating baby food (sweet potatoes for the 1st time yesterday and apples today)  
*  in size 2 diaper
*  in 6-12 month clothes
*  still taking a pacifier 
*  sometimes sleeping through the night (usually gets up once)
*  LOVES having a buddy here while were doing respite
*  reflux seems to be getting better :)
*  a whopping 16 pounds 6 ounces and is now 25 inches!!!
*  he LOVES his feet and will drop WHATEVER he has when he sees them.
*  holding his own bottle (sometimes uses his feet too)
* is going to be  a BIG brother!!!

The Screamer did MUCH better last night :)  Thanks for asking!  I tried a few different tricks.  I let him play for quite a while before bed.  He was rolling on the floor with Sprout and talking up a storm...it was SO cute!  I fed him his cereal and bottle then let him play some more.  He DID NOT go to bed at 7:30pm like the foster mom said he would but hey...that's the deal when you put your kid in respite..right?!  Whatever works!  Then when I put him down for bed I had a white noise machine that I turned on.  He went down at 10pm and slept till 4am.  Had a diaper change and a bottle then slept again till 8am.  Ahhhh.  Sweet sleep!!! He is also very constipated.  What I thought was him screaming to be held I now think is him crying out in pain. It's only been a few days and we're still figuring each other out.  I'm sure we'll have things running perfect in time for him to leave :/ 

Beck, In our county you are allowed as many kids as your home has room for.  I know his foster mom has adopted 5 children (all ages 10 and under) and is fostering The Screamer and another boy about 18 months old.  Not sure what the rules are but The Screamer is a relative of hers so maybe since she is already certified she asked if she could foster him as a relative placement?!?!  Hope that helps!!

We have another baby here for respite.  I'd love to call him Screamer...but that would be not far off but WRONG.   His foster mom tried to pull one over on me.  She told the home finder he'd be here 6 days, she told me 7 days then she called this morning to 'check on him' and asked if I'd keep him an extra 3 days.  I called the home finder and told her it would be ok and she said she knew NOTHING about him staying that long.  Hmmm.  Anyway.  He did NOT sleep last not...AT ALL!!! The home finder mentioned that the foster mom said he 'was the fussiest baby she'd ever dealt with'.  Nice to know...AFTER I take him.  The home finder asked how things were going with him and I didn't feel right to give her an answer after less than 24 hours with him.  He definitely likes to be engaged and held and always part of the action.  His foster mom (who happens to be his great aunt) also has 6 other kids in the house. The home finder wants to make sure she is not in over her head.  (Um, she might be!)  So, about Sprout's visit.  He was supposed to have a 2 hour visit today.  She told the agency worker that she 'misunderstood' and made plans for today.  She thought that she had an hour today and 3 hours on Friday.  She also told the agency worker that she had friends coming over so she couldn't do the second hour today.  Not only did she choose her friends over her son but when he was fussing after the first hour was over she put him in his car seat and sent him home hungry even though he was due for a bottle.  Glad the agency worker realized this.  Sprout came home starving!  She is making very bad decisions.  The county worker thinks she's pregnant again...I kinda do too.  She denied that she was pregnant with Sprout till 3 months before he was born.  Can't wait to see how this one plays out.  I already prayed (months ago) that it would be a boy...so Sprout could have a brother that lives with him  :)

After seeing (a now 3 1/2 year old) Felix while we were out, I sent his grandma a message thru *FQC3b00k. 

We saw Felix while we were out for ice cream today. It kinda took my breath away. He was with his mom and sister. He was running around, smiling, laughing and playing so sweet with his sister.   My heart was SO happy to just see him in pictures but to actually SEE him in person...breath taking. I am so glad things worked out for his mom. She looks wonderful and healthy. My husband said that when he last saw her Felix was only 2 weeks old. She was high on something. He was SO amazed to see what a change she has made. I ALMOST introduced myself...but lost the nerve. Thanks for keeping me updated these past couple of years. Doesn't always happen that way but it's so nice to see happy endings in foster care. xoxoxo

 

She answered me like this...

 

I'm so glad you were able to see him up close and  I understand your hesitation of introducing yourself but PLEASE know if you run into them again I have told his mom that I keep you updated with photos and how lucky we were that your family took him into your home and hearts. She would be very pleased to meet you again and reintroduce you to Felix...From the bottom of our hearts we were blessed by your family and will be forever grateful.

 

No words.  Just tears :*)

Had the visit with paternal g-ma.  It was an hour.  After I dropped Sprout off the case worker called to see if I was ok and ask if I wanted Sprout dropped off to me instead of having to go back and pick him up.  He thought it might be easier on me...  yeah right :/  Anyway, agency worker said that she does want custody.  Court is in 2 weeks.  I have been continually surrendering Sprout over to God.  I know that this is out of my control.  Not sure what will happen but I'm positive that as long as I trust God's plan I'll be ok.  While we wait to hear what's happening I got a call for respite.  I'll be taking another 6 month old next week for a few days.  ANNNNNDDD ANNNNDD  I saw Felix.  My family and I went out for ice cream and I was SHOCKED to see him there.  His bio mom has NO clue who I am because she was high when we had him.  She is doing well now and she's clean and sober.  It was SO wonderful to hear him laughing and see him playing.  His smile is gorgeous and he is just such a happy kid.  He'll never know how much we loved him.   

Bio mom didn't call for a visit today.  But paternal grandma wants to meet my Sprout.  Please pray.  This is exactly how things went when Felix left us.  He was gone 10 days later         :( 

Bio mom didn't call again.  No visit today.  It was supposed to be 2 hours UNsupervised....go figure.  Things are going down hill FAST.  I'm thankful that this sweet baby doesn't know what's going on.  My little Meatball is still here.  He maybe leaving tomorrow or early next week.  What a sweet boy he is!!! I am enjoying EVERY minute with my virtual 'twins'!!! It's so funny to hear people's comments.  one lady asked my youngest..."Is that your baby brother???"  My youngest looked at her and just kinda stared and said "I don't know" then looked at me as if to say "what do I tell her!?!?!".  LoL!! The boys are definitely enjoying each other's company.  They LOVE to watch each other!  I'm sure Sprout will miss little Meatball's company. 

Due to her past experiences with D*S*S Sprout's bio mom has to call to confirm her visit before 9am every day she has a visit.  Up until 2 weeks ago she has called RELIGIOUSLY.  She never missed ONE visit.  Well, she hasn't seen her son AT ALL this week.  With all due respect, Monday WAS a holiday.   But what about the OTHER 2 days this week!?!?!?  NOTHING!!! They sure were right when they told me she does great until she doesn't.  About her being pregnant...like I stated previously, the agency worker confronted her about bring pregnant and she denied it.  He said that from her reaction he thinks she was telling the truth.  Sprout's brother's foster (adoptive) mom said that she denied being pregnant with SPROUT until 3 months before she delivered!!!  Just sayin'  :) 

New baby is still here.  He was only supposed to be here for 24 hours.  Bwahhahaha :)  I'm LOVING every minute with my 'twins'!  they are SO much fun!  We will refer to him as Meatball.  You can only guess why!!! He's HUGE!!! And absolutely ADORABLE!!! 
More soon...

Got a call today! Never a dull moment in this house :)  Almost 4 month old baby boy.  Not sure how long.  It's suppposed to be respite through preventive*services.  We'll see.  What a sweet boy!  More soon...

Agency worker called this morning to let me know that today's visit was cancelled.  Most people would let it go at that and just do the happy dance when they hung up the phone...not me :) 

I asked WHY!?!? 

Well, bio mom is sick.  But she ALSO was caught trespassing at her oldest son's home.  LoL.  Can we say 'making bad choices'.  Spout going home in September is not likely...

but this IS foster care and ANYTHING can happen...