Day one of fostering!

Holy cow I am exhuasted! What a day today was for all of us. Oliver had speech therapy this morning. The social worker/case manager was supposed to be at our house at 12:00 but we were both running late so they got here about 12:30. She forgot the custody letter and phone numbers that I needed along with other pertinent information. She didn't even know if the kids had eaten. WHATEVER! I got to work with the system I have been give not try to fight it, right? So she left me a hungry 4 year old boy who is very lonely and sad, a 13 month old little girl who is more like 6 or 7 month old in size and in development, a dirty diaper bag with 2 outfits for the baby, some diapers, baby food and a nebulizer. Nothing for poor John.

So, we had lunch. Chicken nuggets, mini corn dogs, tater tots, carrots, and fruit what every 2 and 4 year old boy loves. John warmed up to me pretty quick asking for ranch and more food:) I fed the baby two jars of stage 2 baby food and some juice from a sippy cup. She did feed herself some Gerber puffs. Then I made some calls. Lizzie goes to speech, occupational and physical therapy on Tuesday mornings. So, tomorrow we will go to them (bmom is coming, not sure about how I feel about it). And John and I got to talk to his preschool teacher and so he is going back there tomorrow! He is very excited and his teacher was much relieved to hear from both of us. She said the fact that he is talking to me is huge, he is very very shy.

The baby barely napped, not sure how to get her down. Going to ask Mom tomorrow for how to accomplish it amongst other things. Oliver and I rocked and had a bottle but no nap for him either. I am hoping to change all that, I could really use an hour break. Oliver and John had a lot of fun today playing together. John can't believe all the toys and the swing set in the backyard and got big eyed over the pool and water. After an early dinner (Lizzie threw hers up all over) we all got in the car and went to meet their former (for a week) foster mom to get John's suitcase and for me to get a quick demo on a nebulizer.

Home for baths and bed. Lizzie went down at 7:00 and the boys at 8:00 with no problems. John gave me a hug and a kiss. He was so excited to get two drawers in the nightstand next to his bed in Oliver's room and a toothbrush that he got to pick from my stash. So sweet! He had some rough times today, welled up with tears that he misses his mom. Oh, the cutest thing....Lizzie had to have her finger and toe nails clipped and he then wanted his done, then Oliver his. It was just too cute that they all wanted them done and all sat still as could be for me to do them.

How am I doing? It was a tough day, I missed my time with Oliver but know he was fine. He was having a great time and didn't seem to mind that I was having to tend to two other kids. I didn't get to focus on his eating like I should of but I will with time. I plan to do breakfast and lunch while John is at school which should help. John is in school 8:00 to 1:45 Monday through Friday. I am hoping as the days go by I learn better how to manage my time and juggle three kids. I was basically home alone with them today, Brynn was just home for a couple of hours that involved a nap....this has to be tough for her too. She isn't working too much this week and Don has a break between mini-terms so he is only gone Monday and Wednesday evenings this week. I just have to remember to ask God to guide me many times each day and to give me strength but overall it was a great day!

Tomorrow should be interesting and each day will get better!