Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Five family, for now

When my brother Jake was born -- the third child in the clan -- I was so excited to be "a five family." That's how I said it, reportedly, at age 3.5 (my poor mother).

Well, now I have a five family, at least for a while.

Baby J is 6lb 9oz and doing awesome, eating and sleeping and pooping like he should. He has lots and lots of very black silky straight hair and dark gray eyes. Skinny limbs and long digits. Obviously he is not full African American, and we think probably at least part Hispanic, but beyond that who knows?

The caseworker called a few minutes ago to say he was just waiting for a police escort so he could detain J's 3 year old brother, T, who is currently with his grandma. There may not be trouble, and I sure hope not for T's sake, but they have to be ready just in case. So really we may not stay a five family for long at all. It may be late at night when T gets here. We are in for an adventure.

The boys' mother -- we can't say birthmother yet because legally she is still their mother -- was discharged from the hospital yesterday but has not been back to see him. I'm trying very hard not to read anything into anything, not to expect much. This beautiful child could be gone in a week. Or he could be here six months and then be gone. That's the risk we're taking here.

Sam says "he has nice big cheeks like this" and he pinches his own cheeks.

Abe cannot leave him alone to save his life. He adores him.

I can't share identifying pictures on the blog, again because he's not really my baby at this point.
But maybe I can get some good toe pictures. I'll work on it.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

So you are taking the brother too? You will have a house full of boys.

I am so excited for you Ana!!! 3 days old. Shesh. I hope you enjoyed sleeping.

P.S. I know that the toddler thing isn't a sure thing, but there is a great book called Adopting Toddlers : A weavers craft. It will scare the poo out of you (just as many "transracial family books" can do...but it is the one book that families who have adopted toddlers have recommended HANDS DOWN. Just take it with a grain of salt. Also, on the Ethiopia boards there are TONS of people who have adopted children 2-5 yrs old...if you find you have questions.

LOVE LOVE LOVE it.

BTW>..this is Bek but I was logged in under the kids' website name....

Unknown said...

Update on the brother: they went to the grandma's house tonight but the police escort would not detain T. The county will press for a court order to detain him next week.

SalGal said...

HOW incredibly awesome, wonderful, super-fantabulous this all is!! Call if you need help, ok??

(((((hugs)))))

Anonymous said...

Wow! Exciting, huge news! I am glad you'll have a nice long weekend to enjoy cuddling little J and I pray the adjustments go well.

Utahdoula

Essy said...

Wow...this is all giving me flashbacks. I'm keeping your family in my prayers. I KNOW how exciting and scary this all is and how difficult it can get at times (you've got my E-Mail if you ever need to chat).