Why do you have those if you haven't had a baby?

A little TMI BUT....

We had a small gathering at our home yesterday. The kids and I went yard saling in the morning (no big finds although I got a basket that I really like and a few clothes for the girls). We came home. All the kids had a nap/rest time while I got ready for our afternoon.

When everything was about done, I ran upstairs and took a shower. I went into my room to get dressed (where Gianna had been having her rest time). I put on some shorts. I was getting ready to put on my bra when she looked up and said (yes, this might be TMI for a blog but this is also our family journal):
"Why do you have those?"

K: All girls grow breasts when they get a little bit older than you. That way they can feed their babies. That is how God designed women.

G: What baby did you have?

K: I have you and Z.

G: But I grew in T___'s belly and Z grew in D___'s belly.

K: Well, yes you did. But, I was there - right when you were born. Right when you came out of T's belly.

G: Yes, I remember.

K: You do?

G: Yes, I remember you showing me the pictures on the computer.

K: Oh yeah. Right.

G: So why do you have those if I grew in T's belly?

K: Well, all ladies grow breasts. Auntie and Kasey have them and they don't have babies yet.

G: Oh, yeah....Will I grow them when I'm like 64?

K: No. Probably when you are, um...13.

G: Will mine have holes in them?

K: ?!?! Why do you ask?

G: Well, how will the milk get out for my baby if they don't have wholes.

K: Yes, yours will have holes in them so that the milk will come out. God designed breasts so that Mama's can feed their babies. Isn't God great?

G: Yup.

Summary:
She totally understands that she grew in her birth mother's belly. Check!

Birthday Blessings

I awoke to the sound of "Mama!!" that came out in a demanding tone. What makes this so special. It was the first day that "M" woke up yelling for me and not "gramma". Also, this is the first day that "K" said: I Love you.

Other things:
A great morning of yard sales. I really wanted snow shoes last winter and I just refused to pay full price! My find: nearly new snow shoes for $21 at a sale. Also, got flower boxes to fit the 4 windows on the front of my house for $35 (same sale)! A few other inexpensive treasures including a batik from South Africa, a canvas painting in reds and grays that I really liked $1 and a nice time out with Mom and the 4 kids. I wasn't sure how the little girls would do with the yard saling but they were great.

Afternoon of errands and a nice pie-party with the kids, mom and sister. My favorite pie (and she made 2 so I didn't have to be stingy in sharing).

Evening: Out to dinner with Mom and Johnna while Cheryl sat with the kids (first time paying for a sitter for FOUR). Nice music at the Portland Lobster Co as well as a great crab cake and Ceasar salad. YUM! I passed on the 'scream as my belly was perfectly full. A nice brisk evening and then home to crash.

Yes, a simple day. No mani or pedi (although I got great GCs for those as well as to my favorite ice cream spot). Still adjusting to managing a home with FOUR kids.

Recent Days - kid activities

We;;. a family with 4 kids...I must admit, I've been a little hesitant to go out and about with 4 kids and haven't braved the grocery/box stores yet. Gianna had her last day of swim and Z-man and I went to watch and celebrate as she received her first certificate of completion - ever.






On Saturday morning I got all of the carseats (4) loaded and reloaded. The kids were so excited that they wanted to go for a ride. We did - around the block - well, maybe 2 blocks.

When we came back, our neighbor (Ray) was running his mini train in his yard. We went to watch. K was SCARED and clung to me. M was interested and Z and G were SUPER excited. It got noisy. Neighbor Joan came over and got all excited about the girls' arrival (she's an adoptive mom to a grown daughter). We walked home and played outside for a while until it was time for swim, snack and to get ready for the afternoon.

Middle seat: K & G
Back seat: Z & M
Front seat: Mama (and nobody else!)

Saturday, we ventured to Boothbay, ME where we enjoyed A Day Out with Thomas the Train. What a great first outing. It went well. It wasn't overly crowded which was a gift. Everyone loved the jumpy train, and the hay maze. We ate a subway sandwich for a late day snack (that worked REALLY well). They also rode on the tractor pulled train.

Now the ride on Thomas was VERY, very exciting for Z-man. G complained that there weren't princesses?!?! M was observant and quiet. K was excited UNTIL the train's horn blew. I encouraged her to clap and say "yeah!" which she did everytime along with concerned eyes shot in my direction.

Observations:

M will wander away easily. Boundaries for both are limited and will need to be set. Either will go with about anyone. They could be easily stolen.

A great day was had by all.

From a family of 2 to 4 kids

Well, today is the day that our family grew - 8.11.10 ~5pm. It's a placement through social services. Twin girls, aged 2.5 years.

So I don't forget:
M's first diaper (and 2nd) = poopy

K- ate first, a cracker; and smiled first.
M - ate a bear cracker and liked riding the pink stick horse inside the house.

I saw M first but touched K first - a brush onto the arm/hand.

Today was not as crazy as I'd anticipated. God answers prayers in funny ways and this was one of those times.

(It's 5 am and everyone is still asleep - amazingly - so here is the story):

Got a call ~1050 am while I was at my desk at work. Sounded like a good situation. Then, I heard their names and one of them has "that name" - you know the one when you were a girl that you wrote over and over and over because that was going to be your child's name. Yup, one of the girls has the name I'd always planned to name MY daughter but then when "G" was born I just didn't use it. I literally choked up and the social services worker could tell.

I had 2 more work meetings that I finished and then spoke multiple times to my licensing worker, the previous foster mother and foster father (for all of 6 days) and the foster mother of the sibling (and later in the evening, the sibling's foster father even called to see if I needed anything at the store!)

I was trying to figure out how to secure an additional toddler bed as I have 2 but would need 3 (DS is still in one). Then, the phone rings and the licensing worker says: Don't get beds! They are coming with beds that were purchased last week along with brand new carseats and a case of diapers! Prayer answered AND they were delivered to my house AHEAD of the girls.

I finished up at work (in between numerous calls) but never to the girls' case worker until later in the day. She filled me in on things with the bio family.

You know, when it feels right, it feels right. :)

I accepted the situation on the phone and went home at 4pm to tell my kids. My son was THRILLED and DD was her typical analytical self with a little excitement.

My (former) step father happened to stop by 5 mins later and helped me move a bureau. I quickly kicked (literally) DS's random toys into his closet. Showed him that he's be sleeping with his sister. Gave my kids hugs and stood back and admired them as I knew their lives were about to change - maybe for forever.

We went outside to play.
The beds arrived along with some clothes, cups, spoons, bowls, etc. (Note, in all of the trainings, I'd been told that most foster kids come with nothing. I got freshly bathed, hair kind of done girls with Beds, carseats, diapers and some clothes!!?!?! Thank you, Lord!)

Then, the case worker and the girls arrived (while the former foster mom and her daughter were still in my driveway from delivering beds). The girls were so sweet and happy. (They thought they were coming to play). I'll call them M & K (one has a nickname so that will make her "K" instead of a 2nd M).

They got out of the car, we all played, talked, etc. One let me touch her arm/hand while the other pulled away (M). More play. The case worker and I tried to figure out how we know each other. We grew up in the same town! Small world.

She came inside to show the girls their new beds. Then, the girls "knew" and things went downhill. Case worker gave them BIG hugs, they cried and we all went inside (note as the neighbor watched all of this).

It was sad. They cried for nearly an hour standing at the front door (two side windows - one girl on each side). I finally got one to the couch. No snuggles but away from the window. Then the other (they were together on the couch). More tears. TV on. More tears. Finally, things started to calm down.

I fed G and Z. G, Z and I danced to music. They watched but didn't eat or dance.
Eventually K went to check out the playroom but back to the couch. Then, M. Then, the "where are you" started that I think will continue for some time - 4 kids! wow!

My Mom came in with some extra groceries (milk, etc.). She is WONDERFUL with kids and just sat and on stood beside her and my Mom rubbed her hair which she liked (K). M started rubbing my Mom's foot and made a connection.

I was told that they are fabulous during the day but as soon as PJs come out at night things spiral, eventually into night terrors.

So, ~830 pm (the girls normally go to bed at 11!), I put DS to bed in his "new" room." At 9 pm, all 3 girls headed upstairs, M and K with tears and fear. I sent G to her room and told her I'd be in. She OBEYED! (I later went back to brush her teeth and tuck her in.)

First to bed was M. Then K. TEARS. Note, I put them to bed in their clothes (eliminated the whole PJ thing for one night). Gave them toys, etc. Total fear in their eyes. Then, I decided to leave the light on. People...I think that is it! They went to sleep. No real tears. I did hear them 2X in the night and I can tell that at least M has been out of bed to get a toy but they are sleeping in their beds. No night terrors, at least last night.

Long term - who knows BUT they appear to be a long term placement that is likely to end in an adoption plan. They will/could have long term contact with their sibling (which I'm in favor of!).

Today is the weekly visit with BM. Friday is an unsupervised visit with another relative and then we head to the weekend.

Details:
M and K are identical twin girls (although one is a whole size larger than the other so I can easily tell them apart!). They are biracial and even the case worker mentioned as we watched all 4 kids in the driveway: Wow! They look like they all belong together. Visually, it all works. Seriously, one looks a lot like DD.

Lord, please give us all strength and peace. Also, keep my work load lighter for a couple of weeks so we can adjust.

Z's heart & eye brow

I went to Chicago last week for a quick meeting. I was gone one night. Auntie took care of the kiddos while I was gone. She baked them brownies for breakfast (isn't she a great auntie?!?!).

When I got home the next night, Z kept telling me he wanted an eyebrow. I was my confused. Eventually I figured it out as he was climbing the counter to the cooktop where the pan of brownies were stored. "I want an eyebrow" = I want a brownie. Z-man age 36 months.

2nd story:
Z had been naughty the other day. I turned to him and provided appropriate discipline and explained why his behavior (opening the front door) was unsafe. He hung his head. He knew. Then, he turned to me, looked up and said: "Mama, you hurted my heart!"

Melt.
So sweet.
Aaaaah....

I need an eyebrow

I got back from an overnight trip to Chicago today. I wasn't in the house for 5 minutes before Z wanted "an eyebrow". I was confused. He climbed up onto the counter island in a dangerous spot, touching burners on the cooktop. I realized what he wanted: The pan of brownies aka, the eyebrows.

...I just don't want to forget.


(Also, noteworth: Auntie watched the kids while I was away on the trip. She cooked brownies last night and then served them for BREAKFAST today. Only an Auntie.)