3 years ago today at around 3pm, I received a call from the State for an 8-month-old baby boy that needed a foster home. “Foster only”, she repeated twice. “Sure!” was my quick response.
If you recall, that was presidential primary election day. My husband & I were planning to attend our precinct convention that evening & were excited about the possibility of attending the Texas Republican convention again, this time in a presidential election year.
However, this call from the State changed our focus from that night forward.
A State investigator from an adjacent county arrived at our home at 6:45 that Tuesday evening carrying in her arms the cutest baby boy. His bright eyes lit up as he smiled at us for the first time. His bottom 2 teeth gleaming. He was wearing an olive corduroy jacket over his navy onesie with the cutest navy & white striped pants. He was wearing navy tennis shoes! So adorable!
I can only rely on my memory as I didn’t have the foresight to grab my camera.
(A mistake I haven’t made again!)
As the State investigator began telling us the story on this baby, we were thinking “how can anybody neglect a baby that way?” He came with next to nothing & had been kept in his car seat & dirty diapers. What a horrible diaper rash he had! (This is one reason we are having such a difficult time potty-training him now!) He was 8 months old & couldn’t sit up or even roll over! He was also very sick. (Look at those poor little sick eyes!)
That first night was TORTURE! He was so congested that he could only sleep 15 minutes at a time – ALL NIGHT LONG! It was the most exhausting night of my life!
The next morning I drove 1-1/2 to pick up my mother-in-law to help me. I had no idea how to care for an infant! (When pregnant, you have nearly 8-9 months to prepare.) I was an instant Mommy!
For the next 2 weeks, we had DAILY trips to Walmart to pick up some type of baby paraphernalia that we needed. I was absolutely, totally FRAZZLED for at least 6 weeks solid – overwhelmed by the incredible responsibility of instant motherhood!
As time went on, it became more apparent that this baby wouldn’t be going back to his parents. He did have a full brother 2 years older that was living with his grandparents. The baby would have been sent to live with his grandparents, but they were already raising SIX of their other grandchildren!
Once the parental rights were terminated, the grandparents realized that we could provide more for the baby than they could & decided to allow us to adopt him.
What a handsome little man he has become!
Have a great weekend!
Tagged as:
neglect,
placement,
placement calls,
State
That first night was TORTURE! He was so congested that he could only sleep 15 minutes at a time – ALL NIGHT LONG! It was the most exhausting night of my life!
What a handsome little man he has become!
{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }
Awwww.
Happy 3 years of mommyhood!!!! Reading your story reminded me of exactly how I felt when we brought our son home from the shelter! It’s amazing at how quickly your life is turned upside down all within one day. Your just a family of two, husband and wife, then suddenly your a family of 3 and that 3rd is tiny and helpless soly dependent on you! Insta-parenthood is hard BUT so worth it!!! Your stink pot is so adorable!!!!
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March 4, 2011 at 12:09 pm
I was so overwhelmed! And I was sore from squatting and lifting the baby. I’ll have to read your story!
Awww, what a cute little guy. How lucky all of you are to have each other!
We had no idea how to take care of my daughter after she was born. Our first night home we were up all night and when my mom came over the next day I just cried and cried…then she stayed with us for about 3 weeks! (And her house is only a block away) We were okay with the feeding and changing really, it was just sleeping that was a problem, she never wanted us to put her down…so exhausting.
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Twitter: Foster2Forever
March 4, 2011 at 12:15 pm
I had never imagined the fatigue. And we’re still tired with 2 little ones…
Off to check out Dr. Suess! (My dad made us green chicken on Dr. Suess’ birthday one year)
Every year we celebrate our adopted daughter’s GOTCHA day
The day we were blessed with her was March 6th and you never forget that day. Reading your story reminded me of all the emotions I felt that day. What a blessing! I love your blog 
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March 4, 2011 at 12:27 pm
Stinkpot’s was adopted on my hubby’s birthday! (his, uh hum, 50th, gulp!)
What a gorgeous boy!! Congratulations on your 3rd year with him!
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March 4, 2011 at 4:10 pm
Thanks, Mandy!
Oh so sweet. yay that he got to stay and that he is so darn cute! Happy Anniversary
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Twitter: Foster2Forever
March 5, 2011 at 9:06 am
That first night he smiled at me with those 2 bottom teeth just melted my heart! He is still so cute, even if he is a stinker!
What a grand story! He is beautiful and God’s timing is perfect. I love how He grows families through adoption! I have 4 of my own stories….
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Twitter: Foster2Forever
March 5, 2011 at 9:10 am
The most amazing part of this story is that he would have been conceived about the time we found out about our infertility. I remember my husband saying that God had a child for us. HE had a plan all along!
I enjoy your blog! How’s Hoss doing?
This is so sweet! He looks so sick in that second picture… he’s so lucky to have gotten some great parents! It was nice of the grandparents to let you guys adopt him. Happy 3 years!
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March 5, 2011 at 9:55 pm
He is adorable!! you are lucky to have an amazing story
Does he ever see his bio brother?
I love celebrating Gotchya day. Our’s happens to fall on my sister’s birthday so it is easy for my whole family to remember. Nevaeh is the only child in our family who gets to celebrate Gotchya day, adoption day and a birthday. I of course celebrate the day her birthparents called and told us we could adopt her but no one else remembers that day quite like I do.
Thanks for sharing your memories.
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Great story and so happy for your family. He’s adorable.
Those phone calls change your life INSTANTLY, right? I remember every emotion I felt for all four of our phone calls. Such beautiful moments.
Beautiful story! We are still in the 6 month waiting period..but hoping to finalize this summer!!
I love your blog. I’m a new follower. We adopted twin boys through family of a friend of ours. They were 2 mnths old when we got them. Six months later a judge made it final. I thank GOD every day for my beautiful children.
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