[brink]

We are waaayy past the baby stage with any of our kids, but I agree that you've got to be realistic about what this small child has been through. Our most recent addition was our 10 year old daughter, and you can just imagine what all she has seen change in her life. At least she can now understand English and we can discuss her feelings, etc. She is doing extremely well, but there were certainly adjustments. None occurred in the night when we were sleeping, however!

I'm convinced you're having some difficult days, if you're getting up so much during the night. That feeling of utter exhaustion, when you hear that baby cry one more time in the night, is a feeling of desparation. I remember laying in bed with that newborn cry ringing through my head, and just begging this not to be true! But with this child at this juncture, this is what is evidently going to be required of your family. Hopefully, as you give your baby much love and support during the waking hours, he will "settle into" your routines and feel secure enough to get a full night's sleep. And if your baby is willing to give you snuggles and trusting you enough to lay his sweet head on your shoulder....even as exhausted as you must surely feel, try to remember the months you longed for those moments.

Our children, even when they come at ten and knew of us, heard our voices over the phone, saw our photos, are adjusting to all new people, places, sights, smells, schedules in their lives. It's frustrating to be sure, but not surprising if an infant was happy and adjusted at the foster mom's and now is having to adjust to everything that is now new in their lives. I hope these days are soon a distant memory for you very soon!