Baby Updates and Upcoming Court

Well, DSS finally got smart and decided to wait and see if Baby Girl's birth mom shows up before they come to get her. So, this morning, at 9am there was a scheduled visit. At 9:20am the social worker called and said that birth mom was not there and that until they heard further, it would be a weekly thing to wait and see. I appreciate them saving my tax-payer dollars and not driving all over Egypt un-neccesarily.

Next week is a big week for us. On Monday, we go to court for Baby D. Since he's 6 months old, the G.A.L. has recommended to the court a concurrent plan of reunification and termination of parental rights (TPR). Now, that does not mean that is what will happen, it is purely her recommendation. DSS is still recommending reunification. Baby D's parents have not passed a drug screening and it is my understanding that they have all but stopped attending their drug treatment classes. Also, the judge on the bench is very pro-birth parents. My understanding is that she almost favors them to a fault. NOT good if we want to begin the TPR paperwork and try to have the concurrent plan passed. However, we will have good friends in court with us that day, and I think it will provide some much needed peace.

Then, Baby Girl is scheduled for court next Thursday. However, her social worker told me that they have not yet determined paternity so her case may not be heard. I don't know how much longer before they move past the fact that her father cannot be located and determined and they just proceed. It's all so very frustrating.

Baby D is doing so well and is such a happy boy! (As I type this, he is "making" me a party favor.) He just laughs and talks and his favorite thing is the Johnny Jump Up. He adores it and will sit in it for nearly an hour jumping and talking and squealing.

Baby Girl is growing and getting so much more alert. I don't remember any of the other 4 kids being this alert at 2 months old. She is cooing and smiling and she will turn her head and follow me with her eyes when I walk across the room. She's so precious and cuddly and (except for today) is such an easy baby.

I know I haven't blogged much about how much I adore and love her, but it is not because of the lack of emotion. Trust me, I'm completely in love with her. But like I told my BFF last night, I just don't think I can allow myself to be consumed with her case like I was Baby D's. Seriously, when we got him it was all I thought and prayed about (notice the abundance of posts about him from the beginning).

This time, I'm trying so hard to let go and just let God be in control. So, I plan on spending an entire post on her and my love for her, but right now I can't let myself be that emotional. I'm afraid if the flood gates open, they will not shut easily and flooding isn't something extra I need in my house right now. I've got lots of kids to take care of, and during the day, I'm the only one here who knows how to swim.