Fostering special needs...

A bit surprised at how fast I'm falling in love with this sweet baby.  I guess making sure her every need is met is helping us bond a bit better.  People's reactions to the fact that Baby Love has Down*Syndrome has been mostly of pity.  I can only imagine what reactions biological parents of children with special needs get.  Some people are bold enough to tell me that 'they screen for that early on in the pregnancy'.  Don't get me started on my reaction. I recently heard someone say that babies in utero who are diagnosed with Down Syndrome are targeted for extinction.

It broke my heart.  

I have a hard time believing that just because she has an extra chromosome she is not 'worthy of life'.  I truly believe that God created her in His image and has a plan for her life...just as He does for you and me.  She is truly a treasure.  Her smile is amazing and just this past week I am seeing her personality blossom.  She is desiring more contact and telling me by crying when I put her down and following me around the room with her eyes.  Her heart surgery is scheduled for later this month and I am praying that her recovery time is fast.  She is truly a fighter.  She has a such a 'spicy' personality.   The pediatr!c cardiolog!st has assured me that after the surgery she will be a 'typical child with Down Syndrome'.  She will grow and gain weight like any other child.  Her heart is working in triple time right now and she is burning way too many calories to gain weight.  Please pray with me that God will guide the dr's hands and her recovery time will be swift. 
Trusting in a God who loves her more than I do... 

Back to the roller coaster...

There's never a dull moment in foster care.  This week has had many ups and downs.  Caring for Baby Love is the easiest part of all this!!  Found out via E*I evaluation that Baby Love's bio mom is expecting another baby.  Our agency worker was unaware.  I had the evaluation sent to her as well.  At a dr's appointment earlier this week, the agency worker asked bio g-ma about the pregnancy and it seems that bio mom had a mis*carriage.  This has been the craziest ride so far.  Baby Love is scheduled for heart surgery later this month.  Since she be admitted for about a week, I have been scrambling trying to make sure 'life' is in order with my other kids and making plans for sitters for Sprout.  In the middle of all this we are putting an extension onto our existing house so the construction crews have been here at 7am every day this week!  Nothing like waking up to the sound of someone sneezing (REALLY LOUD) outside your second story bathroom window.  Baby Love is doing well.  She has only gained 4 ounces because her heart is working so hard and burning so many calories.  The pediat*ric cardiolo*gist assured me that after the heart surgery (VSD repair) she will be a typical child with Down*Syndrome.  Sprout is too cute with her.  While he had a hard time with a child closer to his own age, he loves this baby girl. He is so gentle and sweet with her.  Her bio g-ma has come to every dr's appointment and brought her clothes and gifts.  I can't understand WHY she just didn't take care of her when she had the chance because having foster*care involved in your life is difficult.  I am starting to think that maybe she only WANTS to see her grandbaby 2 hours a week instead of caring for her  24/7.