It’s been quite a while since my last post. After my first two placements back to back, which were both short term placements (two weeks and one week), I decided to take a break for a couple of weeks. Physically, spiritually and mentally I was exhausted and knew I needed to take some time to heal. As any mom knows, it is the most fulfulling yet challenging job we will ever do.
It only took about 2 weeks before my heart was longing for my next placement. My home just wasn’t the same without a little one running around and the precious giggles. I had a couple of calls and almost took in another sibling set both under 3 years old…. crazy I know but when they ask your heart just longs to say yes (especially when it’s an emergency placement). The thought of siblings being torn apart just breaks my heart even though the responsibility of two children all at once by myself is overwhelming. In those moments I just trust that if it is God’s will, then I will be able to handle it. Being a single mom who works full-time and agrees to take children into my home with only as little as an hour notice means I have to trust God in those moments. If the children are under 2 that means daycare is a complete unknown and the next few days will be exhausting. It’s the journey I signed up for.
The call requesting placement for Little L came late on a Friday afternoon while I was on a project site in Colorado Springs (an hour from home) and a blizzard predicted to be 20+ inches on snow was rolling in that night. Within 5 minutes I was on the road headed north and praying I had time to get to the store for winter clothes and some food (it had been a crazy week and my fridge was empty!). Thankfully I had time to run to the store, but neither Target nor Walmart had a trace of winter gear…. just my luck! The store was bare… no bananas even as either store, what?!! So I did my best and rushed back home when the call came that the caseworker was leaving the office to bring him to my home as I checked out.
Twenty minutes later, Little L arrived…. except he wasn’t so “little”! The 12 month old boy was HUGE! So big I had to run upstairs and weigh him after the caseworker left… 28 lbs! I googled average weight and found he was the weight of a 2 year old. Needless to say, the 12 month old wranglers and onesies were not going to fit his chubby thighs 🙂 Poor guy was tired and confused…. and I was panicking because I didn’t have clothes to keep this cutie warm nor many diapers his size. The chances of my being able to drive to the store in the snow the next day were questionable, so I bundled him in what I had as the snow began to fall and we headed to Kohl’s in hopes for better luck on warm clothes. Thankfully I found some sweats, long sleeve tees and at least a fleece pullover in the clearance section… and ignored whether any of it matched! The only shoes I could find in his size were converse which clearly aren’t snow shoes but at least it was something.
By the time we made it home and I dressed “Big” L in some pjs, he cuddled up and passed out quickly with a bottle of milk. I always keep the new little additions close to me the first night and I was so grateful to learn this little man likes to sleep for more than 2-3 hours at a time!! My previous two placements never allowed me a solid night of sleep, but this guy slept pretty soundly with only needed a little back rub once.
Fast forward 2-1/2 weeks and we are finally settling into a routine. From what I know (which is extremely little) it seems like L will be staying a while. After the first week of being cared for by a new person in a new place every day of the week, he seems to be adjusting well to his daycare and we are figuring each other out. I am bulking up my arm muscles since he is a huge cuddler and needs lots of TLC. He loves multi-hour naps on weekends in my arms on the couch. He has quickly learned the sign for “more” when he wants more food. I haven’t even bothered with “all done” because I am pretty sure that isn’t a concept yet for this big boy. He wants to drag every cozy blanket in the house around the floor and randomly lay on it in the middle of the kitchen. When he is tired, he plops onto the dogs’ bed. While I am getting ready he finds the sliding glass doors to my closet great entertainment. While the women at church are of no interest and I am not allowed to put him down at any moment, if a man with a beard is around he’s more than happy to climb into their arms without hesitation… even ones I don’t even know! This lil man has quite the personality and he’s my sidekick wherever I go 🙂
As always, our future is quite uncertain but we are making the most of every moment together and the journey ahead will be filled with more hugs than I ever imagined from one guy.
His one year checkup… And 6 vaccines, yikes he was mad!
His parents sent two of these fleece blankets and he loves to drag it everywhere and cuddle it… So cute!!
He joined me for a Saturday afternoon at the office wrapping up a proposal… He so enjoyed the man with the beard. He really has a thing for them for some reason 😉
He stole the show at ladies night 🙂
Showing off his new skinny wranglers… In his size versus the 12 mo size that the church nursery politely informed me were too small 🙂 It happens as a foster mom!
He was in heaven since he never had to touch the floor with so many beautiful ladies to hold him.
As long as he could touch Hope he survived the church preschool without being held… Clearly Hope had her hands a little full already 😉
Rocking his skinny jeans… He loves music so he just might be one someday.
Man with a beard… And he is a mini Zach so we had to snag to photo op. photo credit to Ashley 🙂
He finally decided it was OK for me to put him down so he could explore the toy bucket… I think he found a few items to make some music.
I won’t be surprised if he falls asleep one day in this swing.
Heaven for the lil guy… Pasta finally gave the dogs reason enough not to run from the stomping toddler and he got to pet them 🙂
Love definitely lives here 🙂