Six months!

Dear Sweet S,
You've been with us for six months today and more and more I am seeing how you're no longer a baby! A couple of days ago you turned 13 months old. You'll learn soon that eventually people stop counting your age in months and that's when you REALLY aren't a baby anymore. (Plus people would just look at me like I was crazy if I started telling them I was 369 months old!)

You're changing so much! You're not walking yet by yourself yet but you'll take lots of steps holding on to our fingers or furniture or toys.

You will however stand up by yourself for a few seconds. You especially like to do this if you can see yourself in the mirror.

You seem to have no fear...of water, falling, people, dogs, anything. I hope you'll always be brave. (I also hope you don't bust your head open doing things like this...)

You also love to dance or move to music. Sometimes in your car seat you move your arms like you're conducting an orchestra or choir. You also like to sway or bob up and down in your exersaucer or when you're just playing. Auntie Diana gave you a stuffed bunny that sings "Jesus Loves Me" and you love to make it sing and then sway along. She gave it to you so even if one day we're not around to tell you, you'll have something that reminds you Jesus Loves you. He does kiddo. He really does.

Everything was perfect at your one year check-up. Its really amazing how fast you've caught up with milestones and are exactly where you're supposed to be on all the fancy doctor charts.

Your favorite foods right now are sweet peas and dried fruit. You're a really great eater (something people also stop saying when you get my age) and eat almost everything. The only things you consistently don't like are green beans and beans like lima beans and blackeyed peas. We keep trying them though because one day you might discover they really do taste good. We did have a couple of weeks this month when you threw lots of food on the floor every time we ate. Ms. Shannon at daycare definitely doesn't put up with this so that's getting better. We were about to start carrying a dustbuster or broom and dustpan set to restaurants when we ate out - but you have gotten better.

Bubbie has a friend from her working at Sam's days who is an ice cream man. We stopped one Sunday at the park and visited him. You had your first (probably) treat from the ice cream truck! You ate just enough to make a mess on your face and shirt and then decided you wanted to do it yourself without Bubbie's help and it fell on the ground. We were all ok with that...well Bubbie and I were at least.

We had no trouble at all getting you to stop taking a bottle. We had a one day relapse when you had another set of ear infections a couple of weeks ago but since then you've not seemed interested in one at all. You're a champion of sippy cups with straws. You do call any cup a "dull" (like the end of the word "bottle). Its one of the things we can understand most clearly when you say.

The most clear thing that you say is "HEY." And you probably literally say it 100 times a day. You say it and wave when you see anyone! You also say it if you think you're about to get in trouble to distract us. You say it to the dog, mirrors, strangers, your stuffed animals you call "baby," and sometimes to nothing or no one at all. Its your signature thing at the moment.

You are also saying the word "thanks" when we hand you something. Its adorable. You can also say "more" with your mouth or in sign language. When you see something you want you say "OOOOOOO" and make a perfect "O" with your tiny lips. Also adorable. You're still saying "dog" when you see our dog or my parents and I think you're learning that bigger dogs are dogs too!

Sometimes we think you're saying our names and then sometimes we think you will never say them. You definitely call out for us when you want something but usually it comes out as "deet deet!" You do however say "STEVE" or "EEEVVVEEE" pretty clearly when we are with my parents. They have a swing hung in their carport just for you. It was my swing when I was little so we all like that you're getting to use it. You love going to swing with "EEEVVVEEE" as often as we can. He likes to throw his head back and laugh out loud. One of the funniest things you do is mimic him! You open your mouth as wide as he does and fake laugh. Its so funny to all of us!

This isn't the swing at "EEEVVVEEE's" house but one you like at church.

You did have another set of ear infections that started while we were at Bubbie's parent's house. You didn't feel very good while you were there but you still had a good time seeing people and hanging out with Bubbie's family. Here you are enjoying dinner Bubbie's mom prepared for us and you're sitting in Bubbie's old high chair:)

The weather has been wonderful this month. We've really been enjoying more time outside. We've taken lots of walks and have eaten many dinners outside.

We've seen your mom twice this month. She has a lot going on but is excited when we see her. She thinks you're funny, beautiful, smart, and a good dancer.

You have pooped twice in the bathtub this month. Let's agree to not to that again, okay? One day we can talk about all the reasons why.

You HATE shoes right now. When we try to put any kind of shoes on you you curl your toes up so tightly it nearly makes it impossible.

We've been going to church on Wednesday nights. You really like to be the greeter and tell everyone "hey" as they come in and you also like to help Mr. Scott talk while he's doing the devotional. Last night you seemed to really like the discussion on the difference in the "J" and "P" bible source for the story of Noah. Maybe you'll be a bible scholar one day. Or at least be able to heckle bible scholars as they talk. I just like being in a church where that is the Wednesday night "lesson." Maybe one day we'll talk about those reasons too. (You also seem to like their baked tater tots...4 at a time!)

We have loved this month with you just as we have loved the ones that have come before. We love watching you learn and grow and explore the world. We also love sharing you with the people in our world. You are a gift to me and Bubbie and to so many others who get to enjoy you right now. 

Love you Sweet S,

Meggie

Birthday Party Pictures!

I love our village...and it does take one.

This part weekend Aunt Missy took some wonderful pictures of S outside near the river where she lives. I wish we could show her face!

Month Five

Dear Baby S,
You've been with us for five months now!

The biggest thing that happened this month is that we celebrated your birthday! You have been in this world for one whole year!

We celebrated on your actual birthday at Burger King with your family. Your mom, half-siblings, aunt, cousins, grandmother, and several friends met us and celebrated. You ate some french fries and ketchup for the first time and hamburger bun. You also enjoyed digging into the chocolate cake your mom brought.

She also brought you three presents and an outfit.

On Saturday we celebrated with our friends and family. We had quite the party in our front yard! We grilled hamburgers and hot dogs and had cake and ice cream.

While we were getting ready, you spent some quality time with Uncle Jar.

Your favorite part was the fruit we arranged in cups. You ate more blackberries than anything else - even cake!

I'll have more pictures to post of your birthday party soon. I was so busy having fun that I didn't take very many but Maggie and Melissa did and I will get them soon!

Before your birthday we had a busy month!

As soon as we got back from the mountains last month you had a double ear infection. You were pretty grumpy and didn't feel very good for several days. You got to take yummy pink medicine until you felt better and spend some time at home with me.

You've started cruising around holding onto furniture. You're getting very comfortable with walking and holding our fingers to take steps.

You want to be moving all the time now. Barely stopping for a bottle!

You're only interested in eating things you can feed yourself. You're really good about trying new things. The only thing you consistently don't want to eat is mashed potatoes - which I can't believe! Your favorite thing to eat seems to be yogurt melts. Here you are eating with a fork!

We let you take a bath in the bathtub now without the baby tub in there. You have no fears about water. I'm glad you like the water but it makes me nervous that you like to put your face in it so much! (Don't worry - I'm not including any embarrassing bathtub pictures:))

Most every night we are home we watch Family Feud on tv after dinner and before your bath. You LOVE it. You like to watch the bright lights flashing and every time anyone on the show claps (which is often) you clap and laugh!

You're saying a few more words. You still say "dog" every time you see our dog or the dog that lives at my parents house. You say "hey" all the time to us and random people! Sometimes they don't say "hey" or wave back and that makes you mad! You also like words with "p" sounds. When we zip or snap your clothes or pajamas you say "zip" or "snap." You also liked everyone telling you (and singing to you) "Happy Birthday" so now you repeat "hap" and sometimes "happy." You are calling Bubbie "DeeDee" and sometimes say "Meggie" but usually it comes out "mamamamama." You say "MMMMM" when you eat things you like and when we get in the car you look for and call for your "baby" that Susie's parents gave you for Christmas. You make all kinds of other sounds. We can't wait for you to start saying more words!

This month we met your CASA Volunteer. She's someone who volunteers to make sure that you're getting what you need and everyone involved with you right now is doing what they are supposed to do. We hope she will be helpful and we are glad to have this person looking out for you.

We also just celebrated St Patricks Day. It wasn't your first...but it was a good one. Mrs. Suzy at church made you this fun shirt!

Bubbie and I are so happy we've gotten to know you for almost half of your whole life! You are a blessing to us and our families and friends and even strangers. You are such a happy girl. You are a gift from God. On people's birthdays I usually write in their cards (or on facebook) that I am glad they were born - and that's always true - but right now I am celebrating that you were born and that I get to know you and love you. You have no idea - and you never will probably - all that your presence in this world and our lives has done for me, Bubbie, and our families and friends.

So keep it up, Happy Girl. Keep learning, and growing and smiling and waving. Keep trying to copy what was say (mostly) and do (mostly). Keep moving and exploring. Keep being curious. Keep being excited about the people around you. The world is full of wonder and mostly good people. Keep being you. I hope you will someday hear about your first birthday and all the people who celebrated you because they love you.

Gotta go. You're starting to stand up in your rocking chair! You keep things interesting!

Love,
Meggie

Hope

I'm not sure if you've noticed but anchors sure are trendy right now.

Before we were called about our first placement I spent a lot of time on Instagram and Pinterest looking for anything I could get my hands on about fostering. There was a lot of waiting to do and I don't wait easily.
I came across a hashtag on Instagram that foster parents were using to connect with one another. It seems they have adopted this verse kind of as a group verse.

It comes from Hebrews chapter 6.

I've spent a lot of time thinking about hope since we've started fostering. There are a lot of things I hope for. There are a lot of things that give me hope. Some of them are very simple and some are very complicated.

Most of all I hope that I love well through the source of hope.

And that is the anchor for my soul. That hope and love.

In this adventure I need an anchor more than ever. Fostering means there is always something happening. Visits with family. Visits in our home. Training hours to make up. Doctor appointments. Screenings for Babies Can't Wait. WIC appointments. Court. Ugh. Court. Panels. Papers to fill out. Papers to turn in. Papers to get refilled out because my name or baby's name is spelled wrong. Lots going on. And then there is the normal stuff of life. Work. School. Church. Family. Friends. Things that are life-giving for me.

Something has to be an anchor.

Hope and love. The hope of love. The promise of hope.

So forgive me if I indulge in the anchor trend. :)

Month Four.

Baby S,
I'm sorry this letter is a little bit late but things have been very busy around here recently. You've been with us for four months now and you just turned 11 months old.

On January 18th we celebrated MLK Jr. at the "Dream Lives" event with lots of people from our city. We walked in the procession with people from Circles. It was very very cold - but you stayed bundled in the stroller in the sun and enjoyed the music!

That weekend after the MLK event we went to Macon. We made it in time to go to church at St. Claire's and have dinner with friends and family after. You enjoyed sitting at the table with Aunt Maggie and letting her feed you. We spent the night with LeAnn and her family and then got to go to the park with Parker and Patrick on Monday. You liked swinging in our laps. Bubbie got sick while were there. Then you got sick. Then everyone else got sick. Your tummy was MAJORLY upset. We hope that doesn't happen again. It was good to see our Macon folks but we were glad to get home. There is only one good place between here and Macon to stop and change a diaper and we had to turn around and get back to it! Whew.

We had to go to court this month. You and I spent a long time waiting with your mom. The judge didn't really have any new information to give us. He was missing a piece of paper and just called everyone there to make sure everything was in order.

It snowed here! (Don't get used to it!)

You've started pulling up and standing in your crib. We might end up having to put the crib in the middle of your room because somehow you always find something to reach for and pull into the crib!

You've started preferring us over other people. This is good news. It means you'll be able to love and attach to other people.

You've gotten to take several walks - err rides -  around our neighborhood in the car Bubbie's parents gave you for Christmas. You treat the whole thing like a parade and wave the whole time - no matter whether or not there is anyone to wave at!

You're talking a lot more. You're favorite sound seems to be a "p" sound. You like it when we say "snap" when we're buckling your car seat or snapping up your pajamas. You've also started making a "sss" sound like a snake. Soon you'll be talking in words we can understand! You still hate socks and work very hard to get them off!

Groundhog Day was this month! Our family actually has a stuffed real groundhog that my dad got out of the attic and we had a photo shoot. Having a taxidermy groundhog isn't something that most people would consider "normal" but its probably the closest to one you'll ever be - and Baby, normal is really just a setting on the dryer.

We celebrated Valentine's Day with you! You had a special shirt Mrs. Suzy from church made you and Aunt Missy took some great pictures of you wearing it. The pictures make you look so old!

You also got Valentines in the mail from my Grandmama and Bubbie's parents. Here is you and my Grandmama!

The weekend of Valentine's Day we went to the mountains with Jar, Aunt Maggie, Sarah and Kristen. There was still a lot of snow on the ground there.

We got to eat a fun restaurants, do some shopping, and spend some time with people who love you. It was very nice to get away for a couple of days! You started not feeling so well while we were there...but I'll tell you more about that next month.

The days are long, Baby Girl but this month seemed short! In our next month together we will celebrate your birthday! We can't wait!

Love you,
Meggie