Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Adoption #2- Meeting Boo (long)
Yesterday afternoon I got to meet Boo for the first time, at the airport as Oronzo was picking us up.

I watched as Oronzo walked up to us, holding a little girl with a full head of silky brown hair. Her face was somber and inquisitive.

Snuggle Bug looked up and said, "Daddy has another baby!" I had to laugh at that! He didn't seem to phased at this additional baby, he was just stating the obvious.

Before I barely got the words, "Hi!" out of my mouth, Oronzo handed Boo over to me so that he could sweep Snuggle Bug up for a big bear hug. Boo didn't fuss at being passed over to me, she just looked me over intently and I did the same to her.

Boo is a beautiful little girl. She has shoulder length hair that is thick, soft, and wavy. Her bangs are a bit long over her dark brown eyes. Her skin is creamy and fair. She has a pretty bow shaped mouth and a delicate nose. It's obvious that she's been well taken care of because she's a solid 12-month old.

I got to spend the rest of the day yesterday getting to know Boo. She's certainly quiet and clingy but I don't blame her. She was removed from the only family she's known for the last 7 months. I'm surprised she wasn't more agitated. She doesn't like to be set down on the floor, it makes her cry, but if we set her on our bed or on the couch, she's okay with that. She just wants to keep one of us within eye-sight.

Despite her shyness, we had a few happy moments with Boo yesterday. She smiled and laughed out loud as she watched Oronzo and Snuggle Bug tickling each other and giggling together. She pretty much laughed each time she heard Snuggle Bug laugh. She also chattered away to Baby Bug when we had the three kids strapped in their car seats in the back seat. Oronzo said that's the most he's heard her laugh or chatter since she arrived at our house. Apparently having other little ones around her is good for her.

Boo is a good little eater. She doesn't appear to be picky about what she eats and Oronzo says she can eat more than Snuggle Bug at times! She ate quite a bit at dinner last night.

Bath time last night was interesting. Juggling 3 kids' bath, storytime, cuddling, and bedtime was a bit of a challenge but between the two of us Oronzo and I got it done. At one point, while Oronzo was finishing Snuggle Bug's bath, I was holding Boo and Baby Bug at the same time in our leather rocker recliner. They both snuggled up to me and let me rock and sing to them. It was very sweet.

Boo went to bed last night with no objections. Oronzo said she's the easiest baby in that respect. If you put her in her crib with a blankie for a nap or bedtime, she'll not fuss a bit. She just goes to sleep. I don't think I've ever had a child that doesn't fuss at least a bit at having to go to bed, so I'm not sure what to think of that. I checked on her a few times throughout the night and she appeared to be doing fine.

I found out yesterday that there's a chance we may have to send Boo back to her most current foster family. We weren't supposed to get her this soon, she came earlier because the foster mom requested respite care for her. That respite care was only approved by CPS through Monday and Oronzo got a call from our agency social worker telling us that she'd have to go back to the foster family until her CPS case worker could get a transfer approved.

Oronzo told our agency worker that Boo is doing fairly well at our house and he thought it might be more confusing to go back her previous foster family, only to be sent back to us within a few days. Oronzo asked if she could just be transferred directly to us. Our agency worker said that wasn't up to her and since Monday was a government holiday, the CPS case worker wasn't in to discuss it with. Oronzo got off the phone with the our agency worker believing that he'd have to return Boo that day.

10 minutes later, Oronzo got a call from Boo's previous foster mom. She sounded quite distraught at hearing Boo would be coming back when she thought we'd get to keep her. She said she wasn't feeling well and didn't think she could handle taking her back. Oronzo told her it was out of his hands and suggested that she call our agency worker to discuss it with her, since Boo's CPS worker wasn't available. Apparently she did just that because our agency worker called back and told Oronzo she was going to extend the respite care through Wednesday in the hopes that she could get a hold of Boo's CPS worker before then.

Apparently Boo's CPS worker is okay with her staying with us, but she has to get Boo's lawyer to approve of this immediate transition and she's not 100% convinced that the lawyer will buy off on it. So, there's still a chance that Boo will be sent back to her previous foster family, despite the fact that the foster mom seems to be under a lot of emotional stress right now (at least that's what Oronzo can tell from the few conversations he's had with her) and would rather not get her back.

I hope Boo isn't sent back, she's been traumatized enough without being bounced back and forth even further. She's had 4 moves in her 12 months of life. I just want her to be able to settle in to our family so that we can love her and help her to trust those around her. She's very timid and scared right now.

Today Oronzo will have three small kids to care for while I'm at work (a 3 year old, a 12 month old, and a 3 1/2 month old). This is the most he's ever had at one time and he's wondering how it'll go. It won't be easy, but I'm confident he'll handle it with patience and love as he always does. He's so wonderful with children!

Wish us luck today as we wait to hear back from Boo's lawyer as to whether or not her case can be immediately transferred to us so she can stay.

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6:53 AM
13 comments


13 Comments:
At 11:32 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wow, it's so exciting! I'm glad she's doing well, and here's hoping she gets to stay!

 
At 12:13 PM, Blogger Mari said...

This is exciting! You have had such changes in your family in the lsat few months. I hope she can stay too, it sure doesn't sounds like another shuffle would be in her best interests.

 
At 12:46 PM, Blogger Sally said...

That sounds crazy that they would take Boo back for such a short time. Where is the common sense??

I'll pray that you guys get to keep her, and that she continues to adjust well in your family.

 
At 1:56 PM, Blogger Thalia said...

congratulations on meeting Boo. I do hope she gets to stay with you, it would be really tough on her to go back and forth.

 
At 2:44 PM, Blogger Crissybug said...

All this does have to be hard on little Boo. That is probably why she is so clingy, and shy. Hopefully the lawyer will understand, and you will be able to keep her. This is all so wonderful for your family. I am so happy for you!

 
At 4:23 PM, Blogger Ms. Kathleen said...

I am praying hard little Boo gets to stay with you. It is wonderful that you heard her laughing and the last thing she needs is a stressed out foster mom who doesn't want her back. That would not be good so prayers going up for you all. She sounds simply adorable! And praise God you have a wonderful husband and father to partner with... God is good!

 
At 4:37 PM, Blogger Michelle said...

Crossing my fingers and praying hard that she gets to stay with you! It seems like that would be in her best interest instead of more back and forth...that would get confusing...hopefully her lawyer would come to the same conclusion! I can imagine that was quite the experience for Oronzo to have all 3 kids by himself for the first time...hope he's not too frazzled! :)

 
At 7:04 PM, Blogger Unknown said...

It sounds like you're off to a good start. I so hope she gets to stay with you. I agree that bouncing back and forth would not be good for her at all.

 
At 7:49 PM, Blogger Carey said...

I hope she can stay! It would be so much better for her and all of you. Im glad things are working well. Im praying for you.

 
At 9:30 PM, Blogger Heidi Hess Saxton said...

You know, there are times when it would be SO tempting just to cut out the middleman and work it out between the foster homes. It seems pretty clear: You want her, she doesn't. Seems pretty clear-cut, doesn't it?

 
At 11:11 PM, Blogger MommaofMany said...

Oh, the hoops you must jump through to help God's little ones. I hope they see the common sense of keeping her with you.

As an aside, a little more back and forth won't do any permanent damage. My children came to me at 4 years, 11 months and 7 months (the babies are twins, I just got them from separate foster families and at different times). They turned six today!

 
At 7:40 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wow. I cannot imagine how stressful that must be for Boo. I hope she settles in well.

 
At 10:55 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

My heart goes out to sweet little Boo. I will be keeping her and your family in my prayers. I can't imagine what it must feel like for such a little girl to go through so many changes. It breaks my heart. I'm so glad she has your family to love her right now!

 

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Name: Overwhelmed

My complete profile

It wasn't supposed to work this way...Parts 1 through 10

(the story of the private, domestic adoption of our son)


(Part 1)
(Part 2)
(Part 3)
(Part 4)
(Part 5)
(Part 6)
(Part 7)
(Part 8)
(Part 9)
(Part 10- Adoption Finalization)

Fostering isn't for the faint of heart!

(our journey to adopt again through foster-to-adopt, the good, the bad, & everything in between)


Adoption #2- considering the State
More Adoption #2 thoughts
Adoption #2- Back to considering the State
Adoption #2- The Paperwork (Round 1)
Adoption #2- The Paperwork (Round 2)
Family Foster Home Licensing Prep Checklist
Adoption #2- Long overdue update
PS-MAPP class homework assignment
Our preliminary home inspection went well!
Adoption #2: Licensing update
Adoption #2- Foster Facts
Adoption #2: I love it when things go my way!
Adoption #2- The home inspection
Adoption #2- We failed our home inspection!
Adoption #2- We passed the follow-up home inspection!
Adoption #2- Still waiting
Adoption #2- We're getting closer
Adoption #2- An update & a lead
Adoption #2- The lead that didn't pan out.
Adoption #2- We're licensed!
Adoption #2- We have a tiny baby here!
Adoption #2- Update on this precious little girl.
Adoption #2- Quick update on Baby Bug
Adoption #2- Baby Bug is staying longer!
Adoption #2- Baby Bug is growing!
Adoption #2- Overdue update on Baby Bug
Adoption #2- The latest on Baby Bug
Adoption #2- Shopping spree for Baby Bug
Being a Foster Parent Does Not Make Me A Saint
Adoption #2- Another Placement Call!
Adoption #2- Placement Meeting- UPDATED!
Adoption #2- We have Boo at our home!
Adoption #2- Meeting Boo
Adoption #2- I'm angry on Boo's behalf!
Adoption #2- A Birthday Party for Boo
Adjusting to three 3 and under!
Stressful moments in fostering.
Adoption #2- Update on our foster daughters
CPS Workers Jerking Our Chain!
It's getting much worse!
Fostering: Update on Baby Bug
Fostering: Update on Boo
The effects of fostering on Snuggle Bug
The time is drawing near to let go of Baby Bug.
Good conversation with Baby Bug's dad.
Boo has a Permanency hearing coming soon!
My heart is breaking!
Bittersweet news about Baby Bug.
Next Friday is going to be tough.
Packing up Baby Bug's belongings
It's done- Baby Bug is gone.
Working on finding peace, one day at a time.
Referral to the Early Intervention Program
Baby Bug update
Home Inspection for re-licensing
Parole granted for Boo's bio mom
Baby Bug is turning 1 year old soon.
Day 2 of Boo's permanency hearing
A prayer answered today!
Attending Baby Bug's 1st birthday party
Foster news
Good news for Boo's case
Boo's bio family visits
Termination Trial date set!
A new caseworker for Boo
I've been asked to testify in court.
Court hearing for "John Doe"
Contested termination trial begins tomorrow afternoon
Boo's adoption has been finalized!

Adoption #2- We have Boo at our home!
My Blog Spotlighted on 5 Minutes For Mom!
Favorite Ingredients Friday (Tomato Basil Fettuccine)
Adoption #2- Placement Meeting- UPDATED!
Adoption #2 Info & Stroller Review
Favorite Ingredients Friday (Chocolate Edition II)
Adoption #2- Another Placement Call!
February Pay It Forward- 11 books up for grabs!
Books & Baby Cereal Winners!
Favorite Ingredients Friday (Dried Beef Over Potat...
























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