{"id":2431,"date":"2009-07-10T09:28:52","date_gmt":"2009-07-10T16:28:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/osbornz.net\/amy\/?p=2431"},"modified":"2009-11-21T12:08:16","modified_gmt":"2009-11-21T19:08:16","slug":"our-adoption-story-part-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/osbornz.net\/amy\/?p=2431","title":{"rendered":"Our Adoption Story – Part 3"},"content":{"rendered":"

Part1<\/a> :: Part 2<\/a> ::<\/p>\n

So, we had J1 for about 4 mos when we learned that his Tummy Mommy (we prefer that over birth mom) had given birth to another boy.\u00c2\u00a0 Her lifestyle had not changed and, in fact, by the time the state called us, she had already disappeared.\u00c2\u00a0 It wasn’t that she didn’t love her children, but she is so totally without skills to parent.\u00c2\u00a0 I think she gets so completely overwhelmed that it is just easier to disappear and let someone else take care of her children.<\/p>\n

We never hesitated about our decision that, if J2 was available for adoption, then we would do everything we could to make sure the brothers were together.<\/p>\n

Even though the Tummy Mommy was out of the picture, they system would only work so fast.\u00c2\u00a0 So, while we wanted him the moment we heard about him, we learned that it would be awhile.\u00c2\u00a0 At first, all we knew was that J2 was in a medical foster home in the Portland metro area.\u00c2\u00a0 But eventually we were given the foster mom’s phone number.\u00c2\u00a0 I have my notes from my first phone calls with Laurie somewhere.\u00c2\u00a0 After a few phone calls (I hope I wasn’t a pest!) Laurie graciously extended the invitation to come visit J2 and her family.\u00c2\u00a0 It was a neat experience.\u00c2\u00a0 Not only did we get to meet and hold tiny J2, but Laurie and her family were a joy!<\/p>\n

One visit, we went along with them to J2’s doctor’s appt!\u00c2\u00a0 I imagine that was something to see!\u00c2\u00a0 One dad (Doug was at work), one mom with a toddler, and another mom with an infant (J2) and a triple stroller and a few more kids! lol\u00c2\u00a0 But it was so neat to hear the Doctor give us an update on his withdrawal experience and development.\u00c2\u00a0 The Doctor seemed to roll with the fact that J2 had two mommies! lol<\/p>\n

In December of 1996, Laurie and her family were planning a vacation over the Christmas break.\u00c2\u00a0 Laurie worked it out so that we would be her respite foster parents for J2.\u00c2\u00a0 So we were going to have him for 2 weeks!\u00c2\u00a0 We were pretty excited about that.\u00c2\u00a0 But then someone realized that we could just make the permanent transition from her home to ours.\u00c2\u00a0 After all, we were foster parents at that point too.\u00c2\u00a0 We weren’t considered his adoptive placement home (that would come later) but he could live with us as foster parents.\u00c2\u00a0 To be honest, I have NO idea who instigated it or even if it was acceptable.\u00c2\u00a0 But we were beyond excited!<\/p>\n

On December 13, 1996, Laurie and her family drove to The Dalles and brought us the best Christmas gift!\u00c2\u00a0 We ordered pizzas and tried to make it more like a visit than anything really formal.\u00c2\u00a0 But as Laurie explained to me about his medications and feeding needs, I struck by the enormity of what we were doing!\u00c2\u00a0 I was going to be Momma to 2 boys – ages 23 mos and 3 mos old.\u00c2\u00a0 Laurie shed more than a few tears that night – I could only imagine how hard it was\/is to pour so much of yourself into a little one knowing that it’s only a temporary situation.<\/p>\n

Those early days of two babies is sort of a blur now.\u00c2\u00a0 But fortunately we have some videos and pictures to help us remember.\u00c2\u00a0 Maybe I’ll see what I can do about scanning some this summer!<\/p>\n

There is so much more to share….3 more children…many moves….lots of stories!\u00c2\u00a0 But today there is no more time.\u00c2\u00a0 More soon – I promise!<\/p>\n

~~~to be continued~~~<\/a><\/p>\n

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