I've been absent from blogging for over a week, but I'm alive! My absence wasn't planned, things just got busy. Oronzo's mom, Alezia, visited last week so when I wasn't at work I was spending time with her each evening. Entertaining her and keeping track of our three little ones didn't leave me any time for blogging.

I'm amazed at how much more time consuming 3 children (3 years, 13 months, and 4 months) are than two. How do you parents with 4+ children manage? I have so much more respect for you now!

The kids are doing great. Snuggle Bug is still displaying signs of jealousy from time to time but he is doing better. Oronzo and I are working hard to make sure he gets his own one-on-one time with us at various times throughout the week. We make him share with Boo a lot, but there are times when we tell him he doesn't have to. If there are certain toys he absolutely doesn't want to share, we ask him to take them into his bedroom and close the door so Boo can't get to them. And when Snuggle Bug takes a toy away from Boo that he doesn't want her to have, we've gotten in the habit of telling him, "Okay, if you don't want her to have that toy, can you find her a toy that she can have?" He will scan the room, grab a toy, and bring it to her. We still have to referee Snuggle Bug and Boo but it's not nearly as demanding as it first was.

Despite the feelings of jealousy, it didn't take Snuggle Bug long to take to Boo. I just love watching them play together and Snuggle Bug will often go out of his way to engage Boo in play. Snuggle Bug is the first up in the mornings and in the mornings or at nap time he often asks, "Where Boo go?" and assure him that she's just in bed sleeping.

Boo loves Snuggle Bug! She tries to follow him (she's walking more than she's crawling now but she's not very quick because she falls down a lot) and she is constantly imitating him. When we're driving around in the car, Boo and Snuggle Bug are chatting up a storm and laughing with each other. Boo truly seems happy in our household. She's adjusted very well!

Baby Bug is also doing well. At four months she's much more vocal and is almost able to roll over. She's a beautiful baby and such a joy! We'll sure miss her when she returns to her parents. I have quite an update on that but you'll have to wait until tomorrow. Snuggle Bug is quite protective of Baby Bug and very attentive to her needs. Boo really doesn't interact with Baby Bug much, other than to steal her blanket or bottle or pull out her hairbows when she's sitting next to her in the car. Boo is surprisingly gentle around Baby Bug, she just likes to take things from her, maybe to make up for the fact that Snuggle Bug likes to take things from her. I'm learning there is definitely a pecking order when you have more than one child. :)

Okay, that's all for now. I have to go eat some breakfast and then get in to work. I'll have more blog time this week because I'm actually in Ft. Walton Beach, FL this week! I'm working at Eglin AFB through Friday. I have to say, I'm rather excited to be spending a week in FL. My work load shouldn't be too heavy and I'll have time to do shopping, blogging, and sleeping since I'm away from the family. Poor Oronzo is left alone to deal with the three kids 24/7 while I'm gone. I'll have to make it up to him when I return home.

Labels: Baby Bug, Boo, family, foster children, foster-to-adopt, fostering, Snuggle Bug