The Call

The call came Friday around 11. Almost 48 hours after we were on the list. I had just pulled into the parking lot of Old Navy. This was after leaving Ann Taylor loft where I had finally spent my gift card that I received back in December. Thanks, Sandy! Covenant Kids says they have a 2 week old baby boy who is in need of placement while his adoptive parents get their license current. He has a brother who is 2 that is already living with this family. What? A baby? We're not suppose to get a baby. We're suppose to be 1-5 years old. She looks at her paperwork and it says 0-5. Oh,my. Wow. I ask if I have time to call Todd. Yes. Can't even imagine a 2 week old baby, but then I'm thinking what a great chance to cuddle a baby and for a predetermined link of time. I think she did mention 2 weeks and we all know how the last 2 weeks worked out. 2 months. But this is different since I'm sure the adoptive family will be motivated to get their paperwork done quickly. I call Todd, explain the situation and ask him if he's in or out. I have to repeat the question again but he says,"I'm not going to move out." Perfect. Just the positive YES that I needed to hear. I then try to call back and give her the news that we will. I don't have her extension number nor her last name. Its dial by directory last name. Hate those stupid automated systems. Rack my brain with 2 other people I know in that office. Neither answer their phones. Call and text my case manager but she's in a doctor visit. Finally call the other CK office and pick a random number. Yes, I get a live voice who gives me the correct number. I swear this must have taken an hour, well, at least 10 minutes. Of course, she doesn't answer so I leave a message. Then I'm still nervous so I call back 2 more times. Finally I get her. YES! Ok, she'll call me when she has a specific time. And that's it. We're getting a baby.
I guess I'll refer to him as Baby since that's what I seem to call him. His bio mom filled out the birth certificate but I'm not sure what adoptive parents will eventually do. So,its Baby. He's suppose to do the car seat test, sitting upright for 1 1/2 hours. He was born at 35 weeks at 6lbs 9oz. Doesn't sound like a premie to me. They are suppose to arrive at 2:30 so I decide to get kids early from school since I usually get them at 2:50. Not quite that simple since I'm getting 2 other kids that day, so I have to arrange to have them leave early,too. I should know better, it wasn't until 5 that he got here.
I had 2 hours of getting to visit with the person from Covenant Kids whose job is to find and call families for placement that go do the paperwork for the initial placement. She has been to the house before! It is very interesting to hear some of her stories. She also gets to witness my lovely children as Lucas chases after Camille, reaches her, and grabs a handful of her hair. Love it when the kids choose to act their most absolute worse when we have someone associated with foster care at our house. Get Lucas up to his room, and no, I don't pull him by his hair to do it. Probably would have if I didn't have the witness :).
Its hard to put into words the emotion of having a 2 week old, blond, blue eyed, pink baby deposited on your door step. Unbelievable. What a blessing. Even Todd comments about what a beautiful baby he is. And oh my, is 7lbs 3 oz tiny. I have totally forgotten what it feels like to hold such a tiny baby. Never had one quite this tiny, Camille was 7lbs 11 oz, and the big kids were both 8lbs 4oz.
He arrives with a diaper on, a white tshirt, 3 pacifiers, 8 bottles, 2 sample size wipes, sample size pack of diapers, 2 booger sucker things, and 2 sample baby washes. That is it. And I have zero baby things in my house. Got rid of all of it. As I walk to get Camille from school my neighbor was doing yard work. They have 3 little ones and so I asked if he had any baby things still. Needless to say, God is already gracing the path for our baby adventure. When I walked back by the packnplay with bassinet insert that looks almost new is waiting for us. It had been in the garage waiting to be donated. Now we are ready because at least he will have a place to sleep.
Put out an email to my neighborhood moms, Caprice & Lesley and before the evening is over we are equipped. Before Saturday is over I put out an email telling the neighborhood moms thanks for their generosity. We have so much stuff for him. I could have had 6 packnplays, all from an email and a telephone call. I get teary when Helen & Alexis bring by new clothes and diapers. I am overwhelmed by the support for this baby. I am also saddened at how easy it is for us to get everything we possibly could need for this baby plus more and how difficult it is for so many young women to support their babies. I am grateful for the many blessings we have and for the chance we are going to have to share them.