So Much to Say

Where do I begin? It has been too long since my last post. We have adjusted well to being a family of five and have enjoyed so much being the parents to two beautiful little girls. We had no idea how much we would learn and grow as parents and how quickly we could become attached to someone else's children. In other ways we had no clue how easy we had it with Andrew. He is the sweetest, easiest child ever. He has never talked back, told us "no", or needed timeout five times in a day. It was definitely a change for us taking on the girls, especially our little three year old, Rose. It took Andrew some time adjusting to have siblings as well. After the first two weeks he would cry at the dinner table if the baby cried or even if someone else was getting attention. It was definitely a challenge when all three kids would go off crying or yelling. WOW those nights were fun. Rose has grown such an attachment for Andrew and it is something I always wanted for him. She calls him her "buddy" and she knows that he is special and different yet treats him like her best bud. We often find her talking to him, feeding him, and singing to him when he is upset. It is precious!



Madison is our little one and she is such a cutie pie. When we first got her she couldn't do anything but sit and stare. She had no affect and was severely delayed. With help she is now scooting around the house and playing with toys, laughing, playing peek-a-boo and babbling. It's a fun time for her right now. She is still delayed and needs a lot but she is getting there and we sure do love this little girl. She does have digestive problems and asthma and was actually hospitalized over the holidays but is now doing better. Precious baby!



I think that part of my staying away from this blog has been due to confidentiality issues with now being a foster parent. I am always trying to be careful about what I can and can't say and for sure I am not allowed to post pictures, which stinks, because we have some really cute ones. Being a foster parent is a challenge in a lot of ways. In some ways I have felt like I have no rights and that the biological family is always a priority. It has been hard but in the end I know that these girls are worth all the pain and frustration that we have and are yet to experience. They deserve a stable, consistent, and loving family and if they ever become available for adoption we will for sure go for it.



Andrew has really enjoyed the new additions to the family, but has had some real struggles lately. He has been unable to put on weight and has had lots of trouble with chewing and swallowing food, which have always been his favorite activity. It takes him an hour to eat a meal and it really only half of what he could eat a year ago during meal time. We have tried nutritional supplements, giving him fatty greek yogurt everyday for breakfast, cooking food in avocado oil, but no luck on his weight. We actually went this past week for his annual aptmts at Texas Childrens. Doctor Motil, his GI, has recommended a G-tube (feeding tube). We knew he was headed down this road as most children with Rett battle feeding and swallowing during their life. We saw his GI back in September and she gave us these last few months to keep trying and to really think over this possiblility. I have a lot of mixed emotions about this but don't really feel like writing them out at this time. Other than feeding he is still our happy boy that brings us so much joy and we are so thankful for everyday with him. I just can't believe my baby is four years old. I love him now but I was really hoping he would stay about 2 or 3 forever. Time flies.