Dear Baby J

Dear Baby J,

You came to us as a six week old that we anticipated having for two weeks – a month max – and nearly five months later you’re still a part of our family. Sometimes life is like that kiddo. We are definitely glad you’re still with us.

You’re growing into quite a big boy! At your last check-up you weighed 18 pounds and were almost 25 inches long. You’re growing really well – except you still haven’t really grown a neck yet, J!  You’re wearing the same size diapers as your big sister, which is mind blowing but very convenient!

Speaking of your sister, S still thinks you are her most favorite toy ever. She loves giving you a kiss (and asks to do so first thing every morning)! She brings you toys when you whimper and makes you fist bump her an average of 7 times a day. You are starting to pay attention to her and your eyes light up when she pays attention to you.

You’re sitting up a little on your own and will roll over from your back to your tummy. We’re trying to give you more opportunities for tummy time but you don’t like it very much. You’re also starting to make more noises. You’ve started making the “mamamamama” noise which is adorable. You suck your lips in while you do it and look just like an old man! We’ve been trying to feed you baby food but you REALLY don’t want to eat – or can’t. You seem like you want to and then have a hard time getting it down. We know you’re “tongue tied” and we’re going to ask the doctor next week if that could be making learning to eat harder for you.

You sure do like sucking on your fingers. You shove the first two fingers on your hand into your mouth the first chance you get. Miss Shannon at daycare HATES this, which you think is pretty dang funny. I think its fine if you know how to calm yourself down, and no one has to keep track of a paci! In the big scheme of things kid, you sucking your fingers is WAY down on the list of things I’m worried about for you.

You should also know that you’re the fifth kid we’ve cared for in a year. That may explain why there are fewer letters to you and less information about what’s been going on. (You’re also still a pretty little baby who just doesn’t do that much, no offense or anything.) When we got C, our first foster kid, we were SO excited about every milestone and getting to do things with her “the first time.” For example, she ate baby food much earlier than you have. Four kids later, we are somewhat over this excitement but did realize this month (thanks to your WIC vouchers) that it is time to start giving you baby food. We even managed to photograph feeding you for the first time with a real camera, which felt like a MAJOR accomplishment!

So you may be getting baby food a little later and there may be fewer pictures or Instagram posts featuring you, but you are loved no less than any of the other kiddos we’ve known this year. We’ve learned so much this year about taking care of babies and about ourselves as parents. You are the first boy we’ve cared for more than a weekend and the first baby we’ve had that didn’t mostly look like us. We are grateful for the lessons we are learning from you and we are grateful you are such a chill baby. You’re a great sleeper and really just are up for anything. You’ve really fit right in.

You have your Bubbie wrapped around your little finger and she adores you. She came home last night from class and barely got in the door before you started whining for her to pick you up. And of course she joyfully obliged. We’re not sure what’s all happening with your family, but it looks like you may be going to stay with your grandmother soon. Until you leave us, little one, we will do our best to love you and take care of you. You will never remember these days you’re spending with us, but you should know that you spend these days and weeks and months with people in a family that was safe and loving and adored you.

Love,

Meggie