We chose to meet at our adoption agency’s office as it was middle ground for us and the foster mom, quiet and it had a toy room so could be a relaxing visit. The adoption agency has a huge fish tank in the center of the office and lots of comfy couches. It has a colorful playroom with a mural of the sea and pictures of fish hanging from the ceiling. It is filled with fun toys and more comfy couches.
We arrived early to meet our social worker on the case for the first time. We asked questions, took notes, made a tentative calendar for the visits, listened intently to whatever she could tell us about this case. The the doorbell rang that the Foster mom and the children had arrived. We waited for what seemed like an eternity as our social worker went down to get them. We were both nervous. I prayed quietly for us and for them again.
Suddenly they arrived with their foster mom. They first saw the fish tank and raced toward it. We walked over to it with them and kneeled down beside them and talked to them about the fish. They wanted to be lifted higher to see them better. We each picked them up. I picked up the little boy and David picked up the little girl. They blew kisses to the fish and looked at us and laughed. So blessed that they opened up to us so soon!
So in love with these babies. They have my heart.
We brought them into the toy room and the little boy saw his present and raced toward it. We bought them each a Mickey doll and have been keeping it in our room so it gets our smell on it. Sounds silly, but I’ve read about this. Trust Google, eh. We also bought him some balls to play with, and we bought her a doll with doctor stuff.
They played with their toys intently and were happy to share with us. They let us rub their backs gently while we played next to them. The foster mom and our social worker quietly talked beside us trying to engage us in some of the more important stuff as we sat there mesmerized by these babies. They talked to us about their history, their routine, their likes and dislikes, their sizes, what they need.
She is a picky eater, but getting better.
He eats everything.
She is slow to warm up, but will tell you everything when she warms up to you.
He instantly warms up.
She loves to sing the ABC song and knows her colors and loves educational shows. She also tells me she loves pink.
He loves balls, and trucks and trains.
She is potty trained and sleeps through the night.
He is not potty trained yet and having trouble getting there.
They go to bed at 8, they wake up at 7, they take a 2 hour nap everyday just about.
They need everything. They came to her with nothing but the clothes on their back. They need clothes. She is between a 3T and 4T and he is a 2T. I did not catch shoe size. They need car seats, beds to sleep on, gate for our stairs, toys, wagon, stroller, and everything else a 2 and 3 year old need.
They decide they want to see the fish again and let David and I take them there again and pick them up. I am in heaven holding them. They both gaze direct into our eyes so intently trying to figure out who we are and why we love them so much.
We get to show them our book of photos of our home, their home, and our family, their family. We look at books on adoption. They don’t quite understand, but you can tell they think we are pretty cool.
Then, she wants to draw. David gets her a notebook and sits with her as she draws. He plays peek-a-boo with me. Then David plays Candy Land with them.
Then, she points to the computer in one of the offices and tells David she wants to get on the computer. He pulls out his Surface and finds a game for her and teaches her how to use the computer. She keeps looking at him with her arms in the air, saying “I did it! I did it!”
He needs his diaper changed. Why make the foster mom do it. She does it so often. I just jump in and take care of business and he does not mind at all. He even hugs me when we finish.
It is time to go and she is very sad. We explain to her that we will come get her in a few days and spend the whole day with her and soon she’ll get to come to our house. She is confused and excited all at once. As we walk down to get in the car. They both give us a hug goodbye. The little boy hugs tight and lingers in my arms. She hugs tight too and is so sad as she gets in the car. She looks at me for a long time with so much sadness in her eye. It breaks my heart to leave her. She has experienced so much sadness so early on. I don’t ever want to leave her again. I want to take her home forever and now.
I hold my tears, but ball as soon as I get alone.
We see them again on Friday. I can’t wait.
The tentative schedule is 2 more day visits, 1 night visit, 1 or 2 weekend visits, then move in with us right at Thanksgiving or just after.
This can’t happen soon enough. So what at all the stuff to get done. God will provide.
