I looked over at Sprout's sneakers and once again realized how FAITHFUL God is!!!  I am still in awe of how flawlessly God has weaved my boy into our family!!
We are only about a week from our court date and I am really anxious to hear what the judge has to say.  Not bad anxious, but like I really wanna paint the nursery BLUE anxious!!! :) 
More soon! 

Updated the PRIVATE BLOG as well.  Enjoy! :)

P.S.- Guess who has 2 new teeth popping through!?!?! 
No, not me silly!!!  :)

It's been almost a month since my last post and lots have happened. 

Sprout is now 9 months old (late) and pulling to stand and standing for a few seconds. 
He is still in size 3 diaper and on all fruits and veggies. 
He is also having some table foods too. 
He LOVES to 'sing' and wave 'hi'. 
He is not happy when he is alone (but who is?). 
He can use the walker (push toy) and roam around the house. 

We are closer to our next court date and I am a bit nervous thinking bio dad will be asking for visitation.  Itty Bitty went home and aside from dropping off something she left here, I haven't heard from her family. Last week I was called for a 7 yr old girl and her 2 yr old TWIN sisters. I said no :(  Today,  I was called today for a sibling group of 3 (5, 4 and 1) and said no :(  I am hoping for another placement of a baby boy (or a baby Sprouts age) since it doesn't seem like bio mom is pregnant.  Our county has decided that working with the agency is not cost effective enough and they are splitting.  This has caused a TON of stress for everyone who was initially certified through the county (like we were).  If Sprout had been here longer than a year I'd have the right to hire my own lawyer...but I don't.   So we have to make a decision on whether we'll foster through the county again (I don't WANT to) or stay with the agency.  There are pros and cons to each.  The county can be spiteful and take Sprout if I stay with the agency.  If I stay with the agency I will most likely not get the age group I am looking to foster.  The county offers NO support.  No forums or willing ears.  But staying with the county I have a better chance  of keeping Sprout.  Decisions...  I will stay with whoever can guarantee I will not lose Sprout to another foster family...  More soon.

Nothing new to report with Sprout's case.  His bio mom has been more consistent with visits but I am not worried about what will happen in court because the agency worker has told he that she doesn't retain what she is told.  He can tell there is no true bond with her and he said that Sprout is very quiet at her home.  That is NOT 'MY' boy.  He is so amazing.  He 'sings' and stands for a few seconds at a time.  He LOVES to cuddle with me and LOVES his {foster} 'daddy'.  Our family has embraced him as our own and we can't wait until it's official.  I am aware that we are not even supposed to be talking about adoption at this point but I am confident that's the way we are heading.  We are SO blessed to be able to celebrate all his 'firsts' with him and there is not a moment with him that I take for granted.  I look at him and pray that THIS is the boy we've waiting for   :*) 

My sweet Sprout is 8 months old!!! He's growing So fast but I am enjoying EVERY minute!!! Now he can...

*pull himself up
*still army crawl
*drink from a sippy cup
*sit up
*wear size 3 diapers
*{sometimes} sleep through the night
*remember singing "Head, shoulders, Knees & Toes"
*Eat 3 meals a day (b-fast- fruit & cereal, lunch- veggie & fruit, dinner- veggie/dinner & fruit)
*Say 'da, da, da"
*blow raspberries :)

He LOVES to be on the floor playing with whatever and whoever will play with him.  He still loves being cuddled at night and I don't mind ONE bit!!! :)

Our time with Itty Bitty seems so short since she's with her parents most of the time.  This is the good part of foster care.  They put her in care voluntarily and they are learning how to take care of her medical needs.  She is a healthy f@ilure t0 thrive baby (if you've ever heard such a thing).  She is not a drug baby (as some have asked) she just has no sucking reflex.  They will work with the dr's getting speech therapy for her and hopefully by the time she's ready for solids...she'll be taking them by mouth.  Sprout is unaffected by Itty Bitty being here.  He is a happy, healthy boy and SO determined to 'hang with the big kids'.  He is pulling himself up on ANYTHING he can and just growing WAY too fast!!! 8 month update coming later today...  :)

New baby girl is Itty Bitty.  She is a Failure to thrive baby.  This is my first experience handling a medically fragile baby.  She has a feeding tube that was placed 3 weeks ago and is now gaining weight.  Originally placed in care VOLUNTARILY when she as just DAYS old...her original foster mom should have been made aware that this baby was going home.  Itty Bitty was with her until bios secured housing and bio mom appropriately recovered from medical issues resulting for the c-section.  Itty Bitty was returned to bios then voluntarily placed BACK in care due to her lack of weight gain.  Itty Bitty takes NOTHING by mouth.  She has NO suck reflex and gags when a bottle is placed in her mouth.  She lost a significant amout of weight to warrant her feeding tube but it seems that foster mom was developing an unhealthy attachment with Itty Bitty and she tried to sabotage the bios.  She sent the baby to visits with the bios with out certain ESSENTIAL medical supplies and with a CLOGGED feeding tube.  The Dr I saw earlier said that she remembered foster mom saying that only SHE could properly care for this baby and that the bios did not deserve her.  She also said that she could give Itty Bitty SO MUCH more than the bios.  The pediatrician remembers thinking that this foster mom is going to have a hard time giving up this baby.  Anyway, Itty Bitty is here now.  We spent Fri, Sat and Sun in the peds office fiuring things out and Sunday afternoon we were admitted to the ER and stayed till yesterday night.  She is visiting with her bio family for the next couple of days and is well on her way to being transitioned HOME.  I LOVE this part of f0ster care!!!  I have to admit taking The Screamer for respite was a bit hard when we found out that we were being admitted but I'm glad it all worked out for my family at home to help out!! The Screamer left a day early but I'm just glad to be home again.  More updates soon...