I got an unexpected call yesterday from placement. Our baby boy was ready to be released and they wanted to know if we could be prepared to pick him up today. Last night I scurried around to prepare to bring Baby Boy home. I had been told that it would probably be 2-6 weeks before he would be ready so we were totally unprepared. I pulled up CraigsList on the computer and did a search for baby cribs. Every one I called was "sold". Finally someone called me back that had an available crib. Baazing!...yes I love BBT
Of course it was 9:00 at night and she wouldn't be home the next morning. She said that she was driving home from Sarasota and wouldn't be home till around 10:00. Desperate I told her if she was willing, I would come and see it then. So, at 10:15 last night I loaded up a crib in the back of my van. The lady was so nice. She had been a foster parent and when I told her that was why I wanted the crib, she gave me sheets and some preemie clothing that she had.
We were ready.....
I arrived at the hospital and waited while a car seat test was administered. This was done because Baby boy was still considered a preemie and weighed only a little over 5 pounds. The test was to determine if he could handle a ride in the car seat for the ride home. He passed with flying colors and I got him dress to bring him home.
The nurse came in to give me discharge instructions. All the typical stuff....after all, it had only been 32 years since I had taken a baby home from the hospital. Things couldn't have changed that much. ;0)
As she was reading the instructions, she got to the part regarding "post-partum activities".... "Now you must wait 6 weeks for for sex" she says.....Seriously???? I asked...."You realize that I did not birth this baby"..... (remember I am in my 50's) ....now that I THINK about it, maybe she meant I would not have TIME for sex now....
Without a pause she goes on to the next line of her form..... and I mentally shake my head...
She then calls for a wheelchair. Again....Seriously???? I tell her that I can walk but if she needs to we can wheel the baby down to the car. Nope! Procedure..... and so I get wheeled down through the hospital lobby carrying a newborn baby and people stare. Oh boy, do they stare...
I'm sure I'm the sight... I imagine whispers of "Did you see how old that lady was...what in the world was she thinking....the nerve of some people. Ok, maybe I need to be not so paranoid...haha!!
Well, another chapter of this fostering life has started, can't wait to see where it takes us.
Friday, January 27, 2012
Thursday, January 19, 2012
There is a BABY BROTHER?!?!?
I got a call today from Placement asking if we would be willing to take Oogie's little brother. A quick calculation made me ask, "Baby Brother...How old is he??? She's barely a year old!?"
Well....I found out that Oogie was taken into custody the night that Baby Boy was born. He was born to a mom who was on drugs at the time of delivery and an emergency shelter was needed for Oogie, Now that the new baby was getting closer to release from the hospital they wanted to know if we would take him. We have been told that it could be another 2 - 6 weeks before he is fully weaned off the drugs. After a quick talk and prayer with hubby we decided that though we weren't "thinking" two babies, God would take care of the details and we would keep the siblings together. Now we just wait till he's well enough to "come home".
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Protected from harm...that was our prayer
Today the CPI came to pick up Oogie to take her to the doctor for a check up.
They take them to a doctor that apparently (although I do not know this for sure) specializes in a "once over" appointment for foster children. I guess to just get an idea of their overall health. Baby Oogie seems very healthy and well cared for. We are not sure of the reason that she was taken out of the home. I sure hope she wasn't abused in any way. I can't hardly bear to think that. For the last year I have prayed that "our child" will be protected from any harm. I know it's unreasonable to think that a child taken out of a home is unscathed, but I prayed that God would protect him or her.
Picture taken at a Cordova Park in Tampa
Registered Friends
The Call
We got "the call" last night.
Following almost 2 years of off and on preparing for this it happened last night about 10:30. I had gone to bed early because I was feeling a bit under the weather. My lupus was acting up--not too bad but I was a little extra tired. I took a Trazadone, kissed the hubby and snuggled into my cozy bed around 8:00.
Out of a deep sleep I hear a brring, brrring... My phone.....what time was it??? Seemed like the middle of the night but as I grabbed my phone I noticed that it was only 10:30. What the heck? I didn't recognize the number and I almost didn't answer. Something told me that this might be "the call".....
"Mrs. ____, this is Margaret*. I have a one year old female for placement. Are you interested?"
Fully engergized I jump out of bed, get a really quick confirmation from the hubby and tell her YES, we are ready....
Piddling around the house, I start a load of laundry, catch up on emails and FaceBook and generally just W.A.I.T.
Two-thirty a.m., another call......
"Mrs. ______, we have taken the baby for intake and photos; we should be there in about 30 minutes....just wanted to keep you informed." Thanks.....
Three-fifteen.... A knock on the door and it's a female CPI with a tiny, blond haired little girl hiding behind her back. The baby peaked out behind from behind the CPI's back and smiled so big I think my heart, like the grinches, "grew three sizes that day".
Today will be the true day of adjustment. Right now Oogie is sleeping soundly in her little crib. I watch her breath her little soft baby breaths and realize I know nothing about her, other than she needed us and we were willing. I'm not sure what the future will hold but I do know Who holds the future. I will pour into this little life the love of Jesus and when the time comes for her to either go home to her biological family or to a new "forever family" we will know we did our part.
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