Precious Boys

Ok, back to the computer so I can type about a hundred times faster. Trying to keep up with the thoughts racing through my head. What is it about foster kids that they can sleep in a strange bed, strange house, and go to sleep with no problems? I know there are a million reasons, mainly because they probably haven't had a stable bed of their own or perhaps because their little bodies are so weary and tired. Need to back up a little and describe how J came to the house. I carried in his just turned 3 year old body from the case manager's car. Spread the blanket on the sofa and laid him down. He didn't make a peep. CPS case manager, and CK representative, and I sit down and go through the paperwork. CPS asks if she needs to explain each page. I say no. We are finished in about half the time it has taken before. Love fast processes. When we are finished she asks how long I have been doing this. When I say since November I think she is slightly shocked and probably felt like she should have read the papers to me. It is always at this point that I feel the need to tell that I can read and write. I have a master's degree. Even though my mom red marked almost every paper I wrote for that master's degree, I still have it. As cps is leaving I suggest that she wake J up and say goodbye so that he won't be so confused when he wakes up. She gently tries to rouse him but no can do. She leaves. I make one of the kids sit on the sofa by him for the next hour so that he has a friendly face to wake up to. I tell Madeline that anyone that wakes up next to Princess Madeline will surely be happy. I'm sure she loves this since in a middle school class where she had to write what occupation she wants to have, Princess was on the list. Too much William and Kate on her mind.
The doorbell rings and in comes the baby's family to be. As we are all greeting, making a fuss over the baby, J still sleeps. There are 5 of us sitting on the sofa when he wakes up. He has the deer in the headlights look before the crocodile tears start rolling. I quickly snatch him onto my lap tell him I'm Nina, and that I am so glad he is here. I hold him for another 10 minutes. All adults in the room are brought into the tears. It takes awhile, and Camille is confused at first that he might not be able to talk, but before long he is laughing and talking. Wow, probably an hour adjustment and he is Mr. Charming. Falls to sleep and sleeps for 12 hours. It is such a blessing to have Todd work from the house as J could keep sleeping while I ran the kids to school. Camille is in her element again as she reads and plays with him. Todd has switched to calling the baby, Madeline's baby as holding him is the first and last things of the day for him. When I comment that she doesn't change diapers nor get up at night, she says that's why she has a maid. There you have it, my life as a maid.
The first nightime feeding is still all snuggly and good but the 2nd one has become a little more difficult. I feed him then lay him back down, thinking he can go a little longer without a diaper change. He squeaks some more, so I get back up to change him. I lay back down. Now that his diaper is changed, he is hungry again. I get back up and feed him some more. Still all is good, and I am so blessed by his sweet presence.
Today was like starting over with a new little family as I had a baby and a 3 year old in the house. J sleeps till 9, eats 2 eggs and a plate full of fruit. An hour later he is asking for pasta. He is charming, entertains himself, but is definitely a boy. The fisher price doll house has become a fort and the people are flying off it. He found some of the little bear math manipulatives and is carrying them around calling them gummie bears. Adorable. Lays down for a nap and doesn't make a peep. I get the baby to sleep for his nap. Yes, my much needed naptime for me, too. The doorbell rings and the phone rings 3 times. Guess naps are overrated.
I am sitting at the dinner table with 4 boys. Madeline is babysitting and Camille is in trouble. I am so happy to share our table. Lucas & Todd begin their pushing each other around. I watch to see how J will handle it. He is really watching. I wonder if he is scared. My question is answered when he takes his plate to the sink and gives Lucas an elbow when he passes him by. I'm no longer worried. He can hold his own here. Such a precious boy.