Good evening~
Gabe and I are settled in watching some football and relaxing. It has been a busy couple of days in Colchester.
We will start with yesterday. My mom had an emergency shower for us to help us get things we need. Well, did we ever. People came out in droves and were incredibly generous. All non essential items are hiding in the basement for a gradual roll out. He will have enough toys to last the rest of the year!!! He came to the end of the shower briefly, had some cake and, being a little overwhelmed, left early. He did have a chance to play some basketball and football with the boys. It was cute! Pictures will be posted.
Today was a nice day. Gabe and I were both home most of the day. I had a couple of clients I had to see this afternoon. This morning, Gabe went out to wash the cars and Isaiah wanted to sit in the car. Literally. He climbed up in his car seat, with his cup and stuffed toy and played for an hour while Gabe washed the cars. It was hilarious. I thought, if DCF could see us now...with the kid in his car seat for an hour.
Some milestones met today:
*Out of sheer hunger Isaiah ate a plate of veggies as a snack!
*About 5pm, for the first time since we have had him, Isaiah pooped...on the toilet! Double celebration!
*Last week when he stayed over for the first time, he didn't fall asleep until 8:45. Tonight, he was in bed at 7:30pm!
We are gradually figuring things out. Tomorrow's challenge will be...no nap. He had a prescheduled appoitnment with his pediatrician for 1pm so we will drive nearly an hour for that...right smack dab in the middle of lunch and nap time. I suppose that will mean an early bed time!!!
Until then...
Monday, August 31, 2009
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Day one: check!
Good evening from Casa Carr!
Gabe and I are sitting in the living room watching some preseason football listening to Isaiah talk to himself in his bed. WE SURVIVED the first day...well 3/4 of a day.
When we arrived at his foster home, he was READY to go. Seriously, like out the door. It was a dismal rainy day so we scurried into the car with him and all his stuff and made the journey to Colchester. He snoozed on the way.
We settled in and got situated. Had some lunch and then it was nap time. Gabe had to run a couple of errands so I was flying solo. Had to use my stern voice a couple of times, but we survived. Overall, it was a very nice day. Only a little bit of testing, as to be expected.
Once we had dinner and settled in for some evening Dora, Isaiah got snuggly. He wanted to get up on the couch with me and JP. So we snuggled. I think I was more nervous than he was. He snuggled right in and loved on JP (who better stop pooping in the house, by the way).
As soon as the darkness set in, he knew it was bed time. He brushed his teeth, of course and got up in bed. Gabe read him two stories and we said goodnight. As I finish this post, there is no chatting coming from upstairs!
For the first day, I am amazed. As I was preparing dinner I thought, holy crap, we can actually do this. Well, so far anyway.
Gabe and I are both tense this evening but we imagine that will wear off as time goes on. Below is a picture of us snuggling!
Tomorrow is the Emergency Shower, which received more 'yes' RSVP's than I could have EVER imagined. People really amaze me with their well wishes and generosity.
Until then...
Gabe and I are sitting in the living room watching some preseason football listening to Isaiah talk to himself in his bed. WE SURVIVED the first day...well 3/4 of a day.
When we arrived at his foster home, he was READY to go. Seriously, like out the door. It was a dismal rainy day so we scurried into the car with him and all his stuff and made the journey to Colchester. He snoozed on the way.
We settled in and got situated. Had some lunch and then it was nap time. Gabe had to run a couple of errands so I was flying solo. Had to use my stern voice a couple of times, but we survived. Overall, it was a very nice day. Only a little bit of testing, as to be expected.
Once we had dinner and settled in for some evening Dora, Isaiah got snuggly. He wanted to get up on the couch with me and JP. So we snuggled. I think I was more nervous than he was. He snuggled right in and loved on JP (who better stop pooping in the house, by the way).
As soon as the darkness set in, he knew it was bed time. He brushed his teeth, of course and got up in bed. Gabe read him two stories and we said goodnight. As I finish this post, there is no chatting coming from upstairs!
For the first day, I am amazed. As I was preparing dinner I thought, holy crap, we can actually do this. Well, so far anyway.
Gabe and I are both tense this evening but we imagine that will wear off as time goes on. Below is a picture of us snuggling!
Tomorrow is the Emergency Shower, which received more 'yes' RSVP's than I could have EVER imagined. People really amaze me with their well wishes and generosity.
Until then...
Up and at 'em!
Good morning from Rainy SE CT! Blach, it is nasty outside. We have a tropical storm or something hovering around us so the weather is crummy. We don't really care though. (;
This morning we are up cleaning the house and kid proofing areas for the arrival of Isaiah.
JP is thrilled, so much so that the FIRST thing he did this morning was go into Isaiah's room...and poop! Seriously, this dog doesn't poop in the house. This is now the SECOND gift he has left in that room for us to clean up. We think he is sending us a message. We will not be swayed. Well, I am heartbroken for his anxiety but Gabe keeps reassuring me he will be fine!
So we are heading out in an hour or so. The house is clean and strategically set up. Gabe has left Cleveland Browns items through out the house hoping for subliminal messages to sink in. HA! We have a few toys around the house for him as not to overwhelm him and his room...well that has been ready of course.
We will keep you posted as our day progresses!
Until then...
This morning we are up cleaning the house and kid proofing areas for the arrival of Isaiah.
JP is thrilled, so much so that the FIRST thing he did this morning was go into Isaiah's room...and poop! Seriously, this dog doesn't poop in the house. This is now the SECOND gift he has left in that room for us to clean up. We think he is sending us a message. We will not be swayed. Well, I am heartbroken for his anxiety but Gabe keeps reassuring me he will be fine!
So we are heading out in an hour or so. The house is clean and strategically set up. Gabe has left Cleveland Browns items through out the house hoping for subliminal messages to sink in. HA! We have a few toys around the house for him as not to overwhelm him and his room...well that has been ready of course.
We will keep you posted as our day progresses!
Until then...
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
That's my bed!
Greetings~
Isaiah came over yesterday for his first over night at Casa Carr. I went to pick him up about 4pm and we traveled to Colchester. He was very chatty in the car ride and in a pretty good mood.
Gabe got home shortly after us and we settled in for dinner; Sloppy Joe's, French Fries and Green Beans. The Green Beans were turned upside down on the table in no time but he did eat one in an effort to get the fries.
We all enjoyed dinner and then headed out to the playground at the local school. We had fun, he had a lot of fun. JP got a nice walk out of it too. When we got home, it was time for cookies and settling down. Small tantrum about wanting to eat the cookies on the couch...but he got over it. As the night wore on we got ready for bed, HE LOVES TO BRUSH HIS TEETH! It was too funny.
Bedtime was a struggle but we know now that it is because he normally goes to bed around 8:30 and we had him in a hour earlier. But we did the bedtime thing, reading books, rocking and saying goodnight. Another larger tantrum and the repeated notification that he didn't want to go to bed...along with a side of "I'm Scared". He was finally out by 8:45. Nice!
This morning was nice, he got up, brushed his teeth and got dressed. Had some breakfast and played. Brushed his teeth again...not even kidding.
His DCF social worker showed up about 9:30am to get him and have us sign some paperwork to finalize him living with us. This is where I got emotional (see previous post for reasons why). Because of her schedule and our schedule, today was the only day we could sign papers even though we are picking him up on Saturday. DCF Worker thought my "tears of joy" were sweet. HA, Tears of FEAR LADY! She felt that was appropriate as well.
At the end of paper signing, I asked Isaiah if he wanted to show her the upstairs. He jumped down from his seat and ran to show her. When he got into his room he showed her his toys and puzzles and said "that's my bed...my bed!" We felt that was a good sign.
So Saturday we go, mid morning, and pick him up...for good. Gabe and I are super excited...and scared....but I think I already mentioned that. Below is a pic of him from this morning after breakfast. We have finally got the OK to take and post pictures!
Isaiah came over yesterday for his first over night at Casa Carr. I went to pick him up about 4pm and we traveled to Colchester. He was very chatty in the car ride and in a pretty good mood.
Gabe got home shortly after us and we settled in for dinner; Sloppy Joe's, French Fries and Green Beans. The Green Beans were turned upside down on the table in no time but he did eat one in an effort to get the fries.
We all enjoyed dinner and then headed out to the playground at the local school. We had fun, he had a lot of fun. JP got a nice walk out of it too. When we got home, it was time for cookies and settling down. Small tantrum about wanting to eat the cookies on the couch...but he got over it. As the night wore on we got ready for bed, HE LOVES TO BRUSH HIS TEETH! It was too funny.
Bedtime was a struggle but we know now that it is because he normally goes to bed around 8:30 and we had him in a hour earlier. But we did the bedtime thing, reading books, rocking and saying goodnight. Another larger tantrum and the repeated notification that he didn't want to go to bed...along with a side of "I'm Scared". He was finally out by 8:45. Nice!
This morning was nice, he got up, brushed his teeth and got dressed. Had some breakfast and played. Brushed his teeth again...not even kidding.
His DCF social worker showed up about 9:30am to get him and have us sign some paperwork to finalize him living with us. This is where I got emotional (see previous post for reasons why). Because of her schedule and our schedule, today was the only day we could sign papers even though we are picking him up on Saturday. DCF Worker thought my "tears of joy" were sweet. HA, Tears of FEAR LADY! She felt that was appropriate as well.
At the end of paper signing, I asked Isaiah if he wanted to show her the upstairs. He jumped down from his seat and ran to show her. When he got into his room he showed her his toys and puzzles and said "that's my bed...my bed!" We felt that was a good sign.
So Saturday we go, mid morning, and pick him up...for good. Gabe and I are super excited...and scared....but I think I already mentioned that. Below is a pic of him from this morning after breakfast. We have finally got the OK to take and post pictures!
Sit with the Feelings!
Hello!
Two entries today...it was that big of an experience!
Now as a therapist I am constantly encouraging my clients to "sit with their feelings". You know, feel them..don't avoid them, don't change behaviors to make them go away. If something is sad, acknowledge it and be sad. If something scares you, be scared.
As Gabe and I laid in bed last night after getting Isaiah to sleep, I acknowledged my FEAR! Big fear. I had to because I found myself wanting to say, No-we can't do this...because I was scared. Changing behaviors to avoid the feelings. Then I started talking to myself...all while Gabe wanted to sleep. Telling myself that it is normal to be scared, we face a lot of unknown things ahead of us. Talking myself down from a panic attack.
Gabe and I are sitting in a LOT of feelings right now. The good news is that we are talking about it and normalizing it for one another. Thank goodness he is here or, out of fear, I may have called DCF to pick the kid up at 10pm last night. Not for anything HE did, but from fear.
So, we are just going to sit in this, let it be what it is and take it one step at a time! When I think about it that way...excitement creeps in next to the fear!
Thank you to all of you for your support and love. We are both incredibly blessed to have so many caring family members and friends to be a part of this experience with us. We never could get through this roller coaster without you!
Two entries today...it was that big of an experience!
Now as a therapist I am constantly encouraging my clients to "sit with their feelings". You know, feel them..don't avoid them, don't change behaviors to make them go away. If something is sad, acknowledge it and be sad. If something scares you, be scared.
As Gabe and I laid in bed last night after getting Isaiah to sleep, I acknowledged my FEAR! Big fear. I had to because I found myself wanting to say, No-we can't do this...because I was scared. Changing behaviors to avoid the feelings. Then I started talking to myself...all while Gabe wanted to sleep. Telling myself that it is normal to be scared, we face a lot of unknown things ahead of us. Talking myself down from a panic attack.
Gabe and I are sitting in a LOT of feelings right now. The good news is that we are talking about it and normalizing it for one another. Thank goodness he is here or, out of fear, I may have called DCF to pick the kid up at 10pm last night. Not for anything HE did, but from fear.
So, we are just going to sit in this, let it be what it is and take it one step at a time! When I think about it that way...excitement creeps in next to the fear!
Thank you to all of you for your support and love. We are both incredibly blessed to have so many caring family members and friends to be a part of this experience with us. We never could get through this roller coaster without you!
Monday, August 24, 2009
The Room - video!
Here is a video of the room we have made up for Isaiah. Overnight starts tonight at 4pm!
Sunday, August 23, 2009
S-A-TUR-DAY Night!
Last night Gabe and I headed down town to our local pub, which we love. Our good friend Paula joined us and we had some drinks and dinner.
We were in a celebratorious mood after our good visit and decided to do just that: celebrate. After dinner and drinks we headed back to our house where Paula delivered a mattress she is letting us borrow for the time being. We sat outside and talked and had another cocktail. We needed to talk with someone else about all this stuff, I think.
After Paula left we got Isaiah's bed together. I have really been DYING to open up the cute IKEA bedding we bought him. So we dusted off the bed and made it up nicely. JP was curious so we put him up there and he settled right in. Too funny.
We sat on the floor just chatting about this adventure and what lies ahead of us...mostly the unknown....the fear.
My mom went ahead and sent out invitations for a shower for us next weekend and we realized this is really happening. It's hard not to be emotional.
As I woke up this morning...with a slight headache from the celebrating, I realized, that may have been the last kidless Saturday night in this house. Oh how life is going to change.
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