Growing Pains

Yes, that's right we have another little one in the house. It brings the male/female ratio to 3 to 2 and we girls are out numbered for the first time.

Last week when I got the call it was after we had spent the weekend trying to decide if we wanted to fill our last space. We had left things on the fence. As it tends to go, when I waver God makes the decision for me and this was no exception. I didn't think twice before saying yes, and rushing to re-arrange the carseats and get on our way.

I knew he was a toddler and aside from some injuries a healthy guy. What I didn't know was he couldn't walk and weighs a ton. It made me do a double take to think of the logistics, but by that point he was attached at the hip and we were all in.
It is a very different situation than what we are used to, so there will be a learning curve with his case. But really isn't there with every case?

After 3 days I felt like we had a pretty good routine going. After over a week now, I feel like he is settling in.

Little Man has been so easy and patient with the changes. Avery has loved having someone who chases her around the house and laughs at everything she does. I am enjoying the occasional cuddles that I am granted.

We are once again finding a new normal.

New Discoveries

Over the last week and a half our lives have been transformed into a new form of normal. We got our new little guy which was a relatively easy adjustment, and then we had several days of houseguests. I was amazed at how smooth it all went.
To think back at how tightly wound I was when our 3 came. And to be honest, even when we brought Avery home. I spent a much longer period of time trying to just find a manageable routine and settle in. With this little one I can see how much I have grown and changed. I'm not fighting for control of every little thing. We are just living and enjoying the moment. Ah, could that be contentment? The unattainable rung that I never could seem to quite grasp. I think I get it now, finally. (um, I'm sure I will lose sight of it, but not for good ever again) Yes, I spent a few days trying to get organized and stay a step ahead, but I wasn't stressed. I knew it was all going to be ok.
The other thing that I noticed is how much stronger I am emotionally. Little Man is our first newborn-ish baby. I thought for sure I'd be a wreck trying to hold on to him and be maybe resentful of his parents. When we took our classes this time I felt more confident, but still I wasn't sure I could trust that. He had his first visit, and now his second visit and while I adore him to pieces I just know that I want his parent to get it together and get him back. I can see with certainty that where we fall short, the Lord fills the gap. He must be standing there for me now.
So for those of you who wonder "will he stay? will he go?" the answer is we don't know. He'll be here for at least a little while, but the plan is, the hope is that he will get the chance to go home and be loved by the mommy who brought him into this world. Until that happens we will just enjoy this comfortable new normal.

He's Here

We got a call last week that we might be getting a placement. The next day we got a call confirming that we indeed were and could I come get him. So right now as I type I can hear the sweetest little squeaky sleeping baby noises. I can't share much about our little guy who we'll call Bubs, but he's precious. Just a teeny little thing.
We are settling in well. He has great smiles and coos. He'll giggle for Avery. And finally we have a good sleeper in this house. Can I get an AMEN!?!?!
He'll probably be here for a while, but as it is with foster care that could change tomorrow.