Getting to Know You

Today I spent the whole day with the baby. I am exhausted. Not just from chasing a 2 year old around all day, but also because he had a bad night last night. I was alone putting him to bed and it took me 45 minutes. He slept soundly until Flaco came home around 10 pm. Then he woke up and only feel asleep for Flaco. Then, around 3-3:30 am, he came into our room crying. Flaco scooped him up and because the baby was clinging so tightly to his neck, plopped him in bed between us, where he slept fitfully until around 8 am. This morning the baby's teacher, Maria, came by the house for his therapy. I'm not really sure what kind of therapy, really. She said she worked with him on his speech, but if he didn't improve she would need to call in a specialist. She had him work on putting pegs into a foam pad with holes in it. She explained that not a lot is known about his mother's pregnancy with him. She also let us know he only started talking about 5-6 months ago and mostly speaks in Spanish (because that is what his previous foster family mostly spoke). She is coming back next Thursday. She told us to keep talking to him and try to get him to say an item, rather than pointing and grunting at it (which tonight he did by telling me over and over again he wanted a cookie (animal cracker) until he ate the whole box!). We should also find him a simple puzzle or shape game and have him work at it for about 20 minutes to increase his attention span. I asked if it was ok for us to speak to him in English and Spanish and she said it was ok, but just that we know right now he speaks and understands more Spanish than English. I find that he understands both languages rather well.

I think the baby is doing surprisingly well considering the trauma he has just experienced. He is a very happy baby, laughing and babbling to himself for most of the day. He is also very affectionate, diving into my arms and giving me bear hugs. He likes to play with my hair and push it in front of my face. He also love his bath time. Tonight he dumped a large cup of water all down the front of me and I couldn't help it, I just laughed and laughed at him and me! Trying to keep the house in order and the floors clean has been a monumental task I have yet to master - or even come close. And I worry that the baby is not getting enough food, since he insists upon feeding himself and spends most of his meal time dropping food on the floor for Canela or smearing it all over the table. For lunch this afternoon, he dropped almost half of his lunch on the floor - it was a pasta soup a friend had come over to make. It got all over the dog and all under the table. It was not fun to clean up! The baby didn't like my mom's homemade applesauce and he didn't eat much of the beans and rice I made him tonight. My mom suggested making him more finger foods. This means another trip to the grocery store, since I don't have many finger foods in the house.

I have also started making a list of the things that we need to purchase, such as a changing mat. The baby had his first poop with us this morning and it was a hot mess when I was trying to change him. He is too big for the changing table attached to his bed so I have just been putting him on the floor. This works unless he did number two - then not so much. I found my list growing and growing and growing! But, I think we can get things bit-by-bit.

Right now the hardest thing for me is trying to figure out my schedule while also caring for a toddler. I have parties, bridal shows, and other events planned with my Mary Kay business and these things usually take place after normal working hours (because I am generally at work normal working hours). I am working on the things that are coming up this weekend. Generally, a couple has 9 months to work out these issues. We've had since Tuesday!

I called WIC today to enroll the baby (as instructed by Heather at CHOR). I had to leave a message due to a high volume of calls. I was patched through by a rather unhappy telephone operator. I also called the babysitter and spoke with her about the baby starting there next week. She suggested Flaco bring the baby by Monday or Tuesday morning when he has off, so the baby can meet some of the other kids and her before being there the whole day.

I don't know if this post makes any sense. I am so tired right now and my mind is spinning - Flaco is still having doubts about adopting the baby and I am starting to fall in love with him. My heart hurts for his situation because he is a sweet, sweet little boy who deserves to be with a family who loves him unconditionally.