[Barksum]

Weeeelll, I hadn't posted much about what's been on the horizon for us. I guess I wanted to play this hand a little closer to our chest. Anyway --

We had a committee scheduled for today. (yes, on the Sept 11th anniversary. wasn't sure how I felt about that...) Our caseworker called just before noon to let us know that our family was selected!!!

We have a new son! He is one year old and just adorable. He has some delays and special needs but they are mostly mild at this stage of the game. We have to wait a bit longer than we'd anticipated because his cw has a really hectic schedule for the next two weeks but we should be able to bring him home sometime in the first part of October.

Needless to say, we are pretty excited. The kids are enthused and can't wait to meet their new brother. I'm still in shock, but starting to make lists so must be coming out of it.

[Jurcelay]

Congratulations!!!!
Wonderful news.

[Suntrekker]

Many congratulations and good luck.

[Katey]

n/t

[Yvette]

Oh Barki, how wonderful! I'm so happy for you. Things should really start to get interesting now with three kids and one so little. Keep us posted.

[Graham]

Wonderful for you all. Are the kids showing excitement? Should be interesting to see their making the adjustment.
Best wishes,
Graham

[Barksum]

Yvette! Haven't seen you for a coon's age!! I was so happy to see your reply. Thanks!!

Yes, it's going to be an adjustment, but we are all pretty excited. The foster mom has sent along a very complete life book (she should be the poster child for how to compile life books of children in foster care!!!). The kids both want to look at Baby Brother's photo album a few times each day. I'm so grateful that our new son's foster mom was so conscientious.

Our DS, now aged 4, talks about his brother ALL the time. He plays that he is helping his brother into the car seat, talks about which toys Baby can play with and which toys he will have to put out of Baby's reach, etc. He asks me when Brother will be coming and we go over to the calendar and review the time line again. DD is just as excited and keeps asking who we know that is the same age. Providentially we have a friend who's baby is 3 months older so we have a little body who provides a good point of reference for the kids.

Overall both of the children are waiting with excitement. I know that we will have some transitional bumps but I feel that because they are looking at things with a positive view it will go well in the long run. We continue to talk about what will change and what will be just the same. I'd kind of forgotten all the prep work that goes into having a new sibling arrive. It's been almost two years exactly since our oldest DS came to us so I haven't had to deal with this for awhile.

Our newest son is slightly delayed, but making great strides. He was born drug addicted and has had some of the expected difficulties that tie in with that. Other than that he's just your normal darling little boy.

There is no request for open-ness (how DO you spell that?!) with any of the bio family. We plan to have continued contact with the foster family -- the foster mom was REALLY relieved when we discussed that with her. Things look pretty straight forward for most of the transition and all.

The ONE fly in the ointment at this point is state budget cuts and shortfalls. There is talk of not filling positions that are waiting to be filled right now. One of those positions is adoption caseworker for our county. They would have to reshuffle some positions and cobble together some people who would cover post-placement visitation and others who would complete the paperwork needed for finalization. We'll have to wait to see how it all pans out.

Still, we'll cross those bridges when we get there. Right now we are drooling over baby pictures and getting all gooey eyed over our new baby and waiting with anticipation until we get to meet him.

[Peggy]

[louise]

how are you containing yourself???

Huge congratulations!