Cute Baby!

The other day, the cuddler and I were at the grocery store. As we neared the end of an aisle, I saw a gentleman quickly walking past - obviously trying to shop as quickly as possible. As he passed the aisle we were in, he screeched to a stop, turned around and said "cute baby!" and then speed off for the produce section.

A drive by compliment!

A Visit

Lat week, we had a visit with the cuddler's CW. Not much new information, but it's possible that a relative placement may have been found... apparently, this CW is sit back and wait for someone to tell me what's going on because "otherwise I can't be bothered" kind of person. The actual words she used were "I heard a rumor last week, but no one has contacted me with an update". Did I mention that every single thing this office does is completely compartmentalized? I can tell you that basically the CW is responsible for making sure that the cuddler is alive and well. Everything else is handled by someone else. Seriously.

This news isn't entirely welcome. I've always known that the cuddler was "temporary" but as time has gone by and no family member stepped up or appeared to motivated to do anything, I kinda let my mind think about the possibility of his staying. I suppose I should have kept myself on the fence for several more months.

Of course, it doesn't help that I keep reading blogs about people who find out rather quickly that they'll get to adopt their first placement. Seriously, isn't there anyone who rode the merry-go-round several times before striking it lucky?

I'm still on the list for a homestudy sometime near the beginning of the appocalypse. At least now I get to call every week to check on list. I can't decide if this means I'm moving up or what.

how many posts in this blog titled "waiting"?

I just got off the phone with the adoption worker assigned to me... I'm still at the bottom of the list for the homestudy. Call back next week. Apparently, the glacier is frozen in place.

 

In the meantime, the cuddler continues to do well. His last check up showed that he getting very tall (with his gianormous feet you had to figure...), keeping up his weight and doing everything he should be doing. His is supposed to have a visit tomorrow (after nearly a month of none) and then a visit with his CW. At least I got a email about it today, instead of hearing about it afterwards.

random questions

1. First thing you wash in the shower?
my hands
2. What color is your favorite hoodie?
grey - they're all grey
3. Would you kiss the last person you kissed again?
no.
4. Do you plan outfits?
sort of - I try not to miss-match and generally only wear my fav combo of green and red during the holiday season
5. How are you feeling RIGHT now?
relaxed
6. What's the closest thing to you that's red?
the scarf on my grizzly bear christmas ornament/computer montior topper
7. Tell me about the last dream you remember having?
I dream a lot, but don't really put effort into remembering unless it's really weird... like the time I a co-worker borrow my foot for her medical school disection assignment.
8. Did you meet anybody new today?
Luckily, no. But it's only the middle of the day. Usually all new students are dumped into my afternoon class.
9. What are you craving right now?
Lunch. I forgot to bring on.
10. Do you floss?
Yeah, but not as much as I should.
11. What comes to mind when I say cabbage?
cabbage rolls and soup
12. Are you emotional?
Yes.
13. Have you ever counted to 1,000?
no.
14. Do you bite into your ice cream or just lick it?
lick.
15. Do you like your hair?
yes, if it could only hold onto the dye for more than a week.
16. Do you like yourself?
most of the time
17. Would you go out to eat with George W. Bush?
eww. NO.
18. What are you listening to right now?
Students wandering into their classes.
19. Are your parents strict?
I know they like to think they were, but not really.
20. Would you go sky diving?
no. I didn't find paraponting that exciting, so I'm thinking that I wouldn't find sky diving that great either.
21. Do you like cottage cheese?
honestly, it's been so long since I've tried it, I really don't know.
22. Have you ever met a celebrity?
depends on what you mean by celebrity... do politicians count? The notorious?
23. Do you rent movies often?
well, I pay for Netflicks every month but I've had one movie sitting on my shelf for about 3 months.
24. Is there anything sparkly in the room you're in?
the snowman being built by the grizzly bear of the aforementioned christimas ornament.
25. How many countries have you visited?
7?
26. Have you made a prank phone call?
yes - hasn't everyone?
27. Ever been on a train?
many, many times. I like trains, it's a great way to travel.
28. Brown or white eggs?
brown
29.Do you have a cell-phone?
of course
30. Do you use chap stick?
rarely
31. Do you own a gun?
a water gun (actually two)
32. Can you use chop sticks?
yes
33. Who are you going to be with tonight?
the baby
34. Are you too forgiving?
I think no.
35. Ever been in love?
maybe
36. What is your best friend(s) doing tomorrow?
going to work
37. Ever have cream puffs?
yes, once.
38. Last time you cried?
last night during that humane society commercial
39. What was the last question you asked?
what day will you all be here? (the seniors are a little sketchy when you have less than a month to go.
40. Favorite time of the year?
summer - because I'm freezing the rest of the year.
41. Do you have any tattoos?
yes
42. Are you sarcastic?
Is the Pope a Catholic?
43. Have you ever seen The Butterfly Effect?
no - doesn't that have Ashton Kutcher? I dislike his acting.
44. Ever walked into a wall?
yes, about 30 minutes ago
45. Favorite color?
pink
46. Have you ever slapped someone?
yes, but not lately
47. Is your hair curly?
flat as a pancake. It's nearly impossible to get a curl.
48. What was the last CD you bought?
I do itunes
49. Do looks matter?
apparently so.
50. Could you ever forgive a cheater?
no
51. Is your phone bill sky high?
no. I'm cheap like that.
52. Do you like your life right now?
at times - the adoption thing is very frustrating
53. Do you sleep with the TV on?
sometimes.
54. Can you handle the truth?
it depends what we're being honest about.
55. Do you have good vision?
Lord-luv-a-duck no! I'm nearly blind
56. Do you hate or dislike more than 3 people?
not really. I tend to forget about them after a week or so.
57. Do you talk on the phone a lot?
no - I've actually come to really dislike it.
58. The last person you held hands with?
can't remember... how sad is that?
59. What are you wearing?
jeans, turtleneck and fleece pull-over. my standard work outfit thanks to the near incessant cold air blowing in from the "heater".
60.What is your favorite animal?
dog
61. Where was your default picture taken at?
The Courtyard
62. Can you hula hoop?
I used to...
63. Do you have a job?
at the moment. Although I've been assured that it is unlikely that I will be RIF'd the state legislature did away with the initiative that pays for me...
64. What was the most recent thing you bought?
Books, of course
65. Have you ever crawled through a window?
more than once.

Time...

Today I was asked to another child - I have the room, the kid walks, so I could handle it and the weather is nice enough to kick the dog out of house much more. I even have a new vacuum to get all that floating dog hair (shedding!!!)... and I had to say no. Why?

On Wed. I have to mail in a very important project for work. One that has an strict deadline and I'm not finished. It even has three pages of instructions on how to mail it! It's a commitment and I've spent a lot of time working on it. If it's not perfected and mailed by Wed. all that work is worthless. A new child and this deadline may just drive me crazy. It's two days away. Two stinking days... but they can't plop the kid in a spot for two days, obviously.

It's such a fine line to walk. On the one hand I have to keep my life going. I can't stop living my life. At the same time, I feel like most of the time I get calls for children exactly when something is already going on (out of town conference, major project, toilet explosion, etc.), where I just have to say "not now" and then spend the next two weeks wondering if that was one.

Happy Easter!

I wish I could post the Easter photos, but you'll just have to take my word for it... they're very cute! Everyone loved the Easter togs - especially the little argyle sweater vest.

Two Years

On March 29th, I officially hit the two year mark of waiting. It seems a little low when compared to those who are up in the thirties...

Following China

I still follow China on periphery level. Rumor Queen is in my blog reader and occasionally I get an email from my agency, but I haven't even read a group or forum post in months. What's the point? Do I really need to know which Kai Lan video is great? Honestly, if my LID day wasn't written on a piece of something in my paperwork folder, I'd forget what it is.

In the meantime, I'm still waiting to start homestudy number three. I did get a call and I'm fourth in line. At the moment. I could be bumped for someone with an actual adoptive placement in their home at any moment. Nice catch-22... those with pre-adoptive placements already in the home get first dibs on the SW's time, but I can't get a pre-adoptive placement until I finish this homestudy. I did feel a little selfish in wanting to be ahead of the family who've had their placement for four years before getting to this point. But then again, maybe a little selfishness is in order.

The cuddler continues to charm all those who meet him. And he finally got his first tooth! It's slowly making it's first appearance, but according to my cousin it's quite sharp. (he's also learning biting!) I tried to get him to eat some avocado pieces last night, but he wasn't having it. We'll be moving onto carrots pieces this weekend.

Any ideas on what to do for Easter? I'm really wanting to do the whole easter basket thing, but can't figure out what to put in it

False Alarm

Apparently, the visit was with a parent... not some random person from out of the blue, probably. And no one ever bothered to officially notify me of it. Or the cuddler's actual CW, for that matter. She was very surprised when I asked about it, but apparently unconcerned because she didn't really bother to find out who the visit was with for sure, since he was returned unharmed and all.

In the meantime, I'm still waiting for an adoption worker to call me. I'm not really being all that pushy at the moment since it's spring break and once school starts again, I'll be finding out if my job is going to eliminated or if someone who can take my job is having their job eliminated. After five years I'm still at the bottom of the list - two jobs have to eliminated, so it could very well be me. It's driving my anxiety up more than just a tick.

Not to be an Eyeore or anything, but, of course, there is another possible wrench thrown into the works. Although I am surprised that this didn't wait to happen until after I had the (3rd!) homestudy completed.

Just When I Was Starting To Get Used To The Idea...

"the cuddler" had a mysterious visit this morning - with who is currently unknown... does this mean they've found another family member? Maybe someone will let me know another day.

Meanwhile, my paperwork has been completed for a week now and no one has bothered to set up any appointments or even call about the actual homestudy. Maybe I should move my projections to some time in 2011.

Finally!

All the paperwork has been received (found!) and has been passed on to an adoption worker.  Since it took nearly five months for the paperwork to be completed, any guesses on how long it takes the adoption to call me for the first (of four!) visit? I'm officially guessing that the homestudy should be completed sometime around September.

 

In other news, I still have the cuddler. For how long, I don't really know. Word on the street indicates it might be awhile, but for whatever reason, I'm only being approved for care on a month by month basis. It could be that things are still up in the air, relatives may be on the horizon or the new computer system that was installed a few months ago. (Apparently, it's making everyone's life miserable. Big shock, I know.) As always, I'll just keep plugging away.

Flattery will get you nowhere...

Yesterday I got a call about another placement. Apparently, I was recommended because the placement in question is somewhat a special needs one. The placement coordinator had A LOT information and told me to "think about it"... ominous don't you think?

I had to turn it down for the simple reason that two non-walkers make logistics of living very hard. I realize that parents of multiples do it all the time, but right now it's not a good time for me to do that.

Passed Annoyed About A Month Ago

So, the state STILL does not have my medical form... despite it being faxed to them numerous times. My fingerprints STILL have not been spit back (my Lord in Heaven! you'd think they'd just print out the "no criminal history" form every month just in case I have to be fingerprinted AGAIN). And have I seen a single social worker for a visit? NO! And YES! I have to go through FOUR home visits even though I am a licensed foster home with current placements. That means this stupid paperwork that was started in NOVEMBER is not even close to being done and probably won't be done until sometime next November.

Two days ago I emailed the "paperwork" person (note: this is this person's sole duty. Gather papers.) to ask if I could physically carry the medical paperwork from the doctor's office to her office and hand it to her... since faxing seems to be way too difficult. Nope. They must fax it again. Can I hired a messenger service? Have them send it Fed-Ex? Nope. They must fax it again. Seriously, I want to scream.

Note that I've heard nothing about the fingerprints. Have they been accepted? I don't know. Are they being run? I don't know. Will I ever get to actually adopt a child? I don't know. But every day that passes makes me wonder just how likely it actually is.

No sleep

the cuddler, while cute and smiley, is NOT sleeping through the night. I wish I could nap... but for now, I have to settle for falling asleep by 8.30pm. In fact, I'm yawning my head off as I type this....

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23 months

Since there is no 29 this year...

Cuddles had his first trip to church today - he was so good! Of course, he could have had a screaming hissy fit, the kind that make your ears bleed and they would have been thrilled to see him. He was the youngest person there by about 30 years...

While there I suddenly realized that I'm almost in the exact same spot I was a year ago this time. Planning outings around nap times and wondering if I'll ever get an Easter where the basket can hold more than a large chicken...

Oh, yes. Cuddles loves chicken clucking. Hearing a chicken sound makes him laugh out loud and given that he's a baby boy, probably pee also. I found a rather large and overpriced chicken at the grocery store the other day and he loved it. I'm pretty sure I'll be buying it in April for Easter.

Also, does anyone have tips on what to do about peeing in the bathtub? Boys are just massive random urinators, but this child pees every time he gets a toe in the tub. EVERY TIME. How do you get clean wash water with this?

Napping

ah.. the life... time revolving around the nap schedule. Nothing is more sweet!

Last night, I took *the cuddler* to the basketball game. It was all an effort to keep him up to a decent time. For the past couple of days, he's fallen asleep at 6pm and, of course, waking up at 4.30 am. oof. So, a little more action that I can provide was needed. I played pass the baby with another teacher there and another fan entertained him with her jewelry. *the cuddler* loves bright shiny jewelry. Now, I just have to come up with something for today... the weather is nice, so I'm thinking a nice walk this afternoon and possibly a trip to the river. Or perhaps a trip to Olympia to visit friends.

People always ask me about his bio family and I always tell them I have no idea other than he's healthy enough for me to assume that someone loved him a lot. The next question is always as to whether or not if the state has told me anything. It's really easier to just to tell them "nope" and leave it at that. I don't want to break confidentiality and a lot of what I know is just supposition anyways. It does however, shock people that I would be expected to care for a child I know nothing about and perhaps it doesn't cast the state is a very positive light, but I just don't know what else to say... any tips?

We made it through the night - "the cuddler" did not really go to sleep until 11pm(!), but did sleep through the night until I woke him up at 6.30am (he was only lightly sleeping at that time). Tonight, he fell asleep at 6.45pm. I'm wondering how long it will last... but we will getting up much earlier tomorrow morning as "the cuddler" is starting daycare.

In the meantime, I've discovered that "the cuddler" loves to be held and cuddled. He's got one of those fantastic wide toothless grins that make people want to have a baby. Although he cannot sit up well, he's crawling everywhere he can. Why sit, when you can move? pretty much sums his playing attitude. He's already got us on our toes!

Brrrriiiinnng!

Just when I was telling myself not to feel sorry for myself and that I was already blessed... stop being bloody boring, I got a phone call.

I picked up a beautiful baby boy this evening. He was full of smiles all evening. Of course, he's now full of "I'm not sleeping and you can't make me". Thank God my mother was in town to help out. Otherwise I'd be going mad with amount of work I had planned on doing this evening that must be done.

On a high note, a boy means more shopping! Sadly, probably not much. I'm really hoping that a family member will step up soon. It's obvious to me that someone really loves this little boy and wanted to care for him.

Every morning I get up, go to work and basically live my life until noon. Then I get out my cell phone and turn it back on (we're not allowed to have them on while students are about) and watch it until it I have to put it away again. Once the students are gone, I pull it back out and watch it until 5pm.

Then I check off another day of waiting and start the clock on the next one.

I'd say that life sucks, but really it doesn't. I, apparently, just want to obsess on the phone ringing.