Diagnosis: Bronchilitis

I took Justine to the doctor today because she hadn't really improved at all. The doc said she has bronchilitis and prescribed albuterol (breathing treatments) and a steroid to help improve her breathing. He said she should improve in 2-3 days. He also said something in the air has triggered it as he had seen it all day. Justine had RSV as an infant and he told us that makes her more prone to developing asthma in the future. So we have to watch her over time. Hopefully this is just something in the air and she won't develop asthma.

Ready for the next baby

Last summer we got ready for a baby expecting him to be here very quickly like Justine was. We waited 9 1/2 months for Nathan which meant all that I had washed was dusty by the time he came and I had to start over. I just finished washing all my laundry, including the last of what we had during Nathan. So this time I got smart. I have those Big Bag Ziplocks and filled one with all I would need to get through the first 24 hours. Blankets, swaddlers, bath towel & wash cloth, bassinet sheet, onsies, sleepers, gowns, socks, paci's, bottles, diapers, bibs, and burp rags. Of course this only makes me ready for a newborn because that's the size clothes that are all washed. Watch us get a 9 month old. I'm trying at least. Maybe I'll make a 3-6 month old bag and a 6-9 month old bag?? We'll see how things go. I'm ready for another one though.

What to do on a Friday night

We could have done a couple of things tonight. We could have gone to VBS Family Night at church. Justine wasn't old enough to participate this year but we still could have gone tonight. Or I could have gone scrapbooking with my friend Lyn. But we didn't do either. We did this instead...





Justine has had "allergies" all week and I've been giving her Zyrtec. But today she has had several coughing fits. So I started giving her cough medicine today. After dinner she had a coughing fit that made me think she was going to throw up. Waylan listened to her heart and her lungs (nice having a paramedic in the house) and said her heart was beating fast. And she started wheezing so we broke out the purple monster from back in the day. Now we are going to attempt to get her to rest tonight. Pretty hard for her because she is a busy body. We girls are just basket cases.

The Day After

Here's an update on the klutz. I slept on a heating pad all night. I'm still very sore today in the behind area. The old lady look I feared has come to fruition. The burning on my arm went away (thank goodness!) cause that really hurt. I did find bruises on my other arm too and my wrist is a little bit sore but not too bad. And a little soreness in my back around my shoulder blades. But other than that, I'm hanging in there. Think I'll hang out on the heating pad some more today.

I've Fallen and I Can't Get Up!

This is rather embarrassing but what the heck, I'll blog it anyway. I fell down the stairs at work earlier. Now I've fallen down stairs before but never bounced down on my bottom one stair at a time for several in a row. Good thing I was almost at the bottom because I didn't stop until I got to the bottom. And I've never fallen and not been able to just jump back up. This time I had to wait a couple of minutes before I could pull myself up off the ground. On the way down I managed to scrape my forearm (which is still burning so bad) and scrapped my knuckle. As long as I am sitting it's my arm that hurts but when I walk around it's my rear end that hurts. Justine is with me at work today and was privileged to witness the circus act. She gasped as I fell then kept asking why I fell. Upon making her way to the bottom she hugged my neck; such a sweet girl. She also asked if I needed bandaids for my bottom. Again, sweet girl. I'm sure I'll look like an old lady later tonight and tomorrow as I try to get up and down and walk around. Looking so forward to that...NOT!

Quotes from the Queen

Mommy: (overhears Justine putting someone in time out) "Who is going to time out?"
Justine: "Snickers" [the dog in case you are wondering]
Mommy: "Why is Snickers going to time out?"
Justine: "She said, "no mommy!" [not allowed in the Langford house--time out is the consequence]
Justine actually put Snickers in our room and shut the door telling her she was in time out. I saved her, don't worry.

Quotes from the Queen

Justine: "I need to crash the cymbals." she says as she pulls out lids from the pots and pans cabinet.

Mommy: ears ring to the clashing!

Justine: "You want to make noise with me?" (hands me a book (aka drum))

How are we doing?

I've gotten that question so many times in the last week and thought I would "publish" how we are doing. I won't lie...I think about Nathan every day. And I miss Nathan. And, yes, I wish I was Nathan's Mommy. However, God had something else in mind and I've come to discover just what that is. God needed an intercessor for Nathan and his Mom and Dad (we'll call them G and W). The chances that G and W are Christians are pretty slim. I realize that's a bold statement to make of two people I've never met but their circumstances give us a pretty good indication of where they are. So with that being said, MY purpose for Nathan, G and W is to pray for them daily. To pray for their salvation. To pray for a healthy lifestyle. To pray for a house filled with love and protection. I find it a privilege that God chose me to take on that calling. There may have been no one else on this earth who would ever have done that. So I will. If God chooses to return Nathan to our home at some point in the future we will welcome him with open arms. And if that happens I will still pray for his parents. To be honest, I wasn't in this place at the time of placement of him and had he not been discharged I may never have come to this place. So I have grown and changed my perspective as a foster parent as well. I will begin to pray for Justine's birthmother also, something I had not done previously. And I will pray for all other families I ever have contact with through being a foster parent in the future. The pain is still there but God is using that for his glory (as if I should expect anything less!). And every day is an easier day. So the bottom line is...we are okay.

2008 Great First Responders Award Ceremony

We attended the 2008 Great First Responders Award Ceremony today. Waylan was one of 18 people from 19 counties in the area to receive this award. One of the chiefs told us afterwards that he was her first choice and also the other chiefs first choice as well. Hands down. This award is sponsored by CareFlite and the North Central Texas Trauma Regional Advisory Council. I got a little tour of a CareFlite helicoptor which was cool. And the guest speaker was Chip Wagnor. Below are some pictures and here is what was written about Waylan in the program. (You can see more pics by clicking the "Our Pictures" link on the right.)

Waylan is one of those incredibly steady people that consistently do the right thing, making everyone around him better for it. As a Firefighter/Paramedic for this department, he conceived and developed a mentoring program for new personnel to ensure their successful integration into our culture. This not only cultivates success for the rookie, but also goes a long way to develop our internal future leaders. He goes beyond every day, including the thankless job of keeping EMS supplies stocked for the department. Waylan exemplifies the saying that leadership is action, not position. His personal contributions to society are just as impressive, with a steadfast dedication to his family as well as his "brothers". The Flower Mound Fire Department is especially proud of FF/Paramedic Waylan Langford's recognition as a Great First Responder.

Quotes from the Queen

Justine: "Mommy, I love you."
Mommy: "I love you too Justine."
Justine: "I like your hair. Your hair is funny."
Mommy: "Why is my hair funny?"
Justine: "Cause you brush it funny."

The Zoo, ZZ Top and Weddings

With that title I'm sure you are expecting to read about 3 unrelated events....but not so much. Waylan's cousin got married yesterday...at the Dallas Zoo...with ZZ Top playing as not only the groom and groomsmen walked in but, yes, also the bride. The men walked in to Sharp Dressed Man and the bride to She's Got Legs. Very interesting choice of music I thought. They both work and met at the zoo which explains why the wedding took place there. I missed the vows because someone (who shall remain nameless) requested DURING THE PRAYER in a normal tone of voice TO GO TO THE POTTY! The wedding was outside so EVERYONE could see us leave as we made our way to the potty and back again. Not to mention the show I sure hope I DID NOT give as I picked up Justine's flip flops that she kept kicking off a hundred times. I was wearing a shorter than usual skirt. Not exactly bending over or squatting type of attire. When making our way to the restroom we had to go through the reception area where the cakes were beautifully displayed. Justine requested to have cake at that moment. I just wanted to get her in and out of the restroom so I didn't miss the ceremony. So we made it back in time for the unity candle song and the remainder of the ceremony. Then off to the reception where, again, Justine requested cake. And not just cake, cake with flowers on it! But she still had to wait because the cake had not been cut yet. When she finally got cake she was one lucky girl (or should I say I was one lucky mom because we avoided a meltdown). By the time I made it through the cake line they had just started handing out pieces with flowers on them. In fact, I got the first piece. And it was a large piece. And Justine ate every bit of that cake including all that icing. And strawberries! And what followed cake eating you ask? A very happy, dancing around, crazy 2 year old.

And that was our ZZ Top Wedding at the Zoo experience!

Quotes from the Queen

Setting: Lunch at the kitchen table
Mommy: "We need to clean up-clean up after lunch." [sings] "Clean up, clean up, everybody clean up."
Justine: "Why?"
Mommy: "Because it's messy in here."
Justine: "Me sing clean up after me finish lunch and you clean up."
Mommy: [laugh]...and head to the computer to blog it.

Quotes from the Queen

It seems that every day Justine says the funniest things. So I'm going to try remember them and give you a funny quote or two every day. This quote came first thing this morning...

"Mommy! My two feet are on the floor!" (She said as she hopped out of bed--she slept with me last night).

Justine's first dentist appointment

Justine had her first dentist appointment today. She did awesome! We talked it up ahead of time in hopes it would be no big deal and it worked. The dental hygenist came out to the waiting room and talked with us for while to ease any anxiety. She went back without me which was great! She never cried at all. Towards the end of her exam they called me back and let me watch from afar without her knowing I was there. When they finished up they let me walk up to her. They said her teeth look great and I was happy about that. So good they didn't feel she needed to have x-rays just yet. I had heard that drug babies turn out to have bad teeth and I made sure the dentist knew about her exposure. Turns out he has an adopted child with a similar womb experience. He said only her baby teeth would be effected by the drug exposure but hers are fine. If you need a dentist for your child go see Dr. Pearson. The experience was a great one! She left with a Dora Backpack tattoo, a new toothbrush, a sugar free lollipop, sugar free gum and a toy. Also got to watch Dora and cover up with a blanket while she had her exam. They are awesome with kids!

Correction about Nathan's story

When CPS called yesterday I thought it was the grandmother he is now living with that hired the attorney. After talking with her this morning I was corrected. It was Nathan's dad's mother who lives up north somewhere who hired the attorney. She apparently didn't want to see yet another one of her son's children get taken away. She came in town to see Nathan after he was born only for him to be gone when she arrived. She must have some money to be able to pull strings so quickly. She got the grandmother he is living with to agree to help supervise his parents as they raise him. My prayer is that he will be in a loving family that cares for him, loves on him and provides for his every need (including spiritual!). If at any time he is not cared for properly I pray it will be made known to CPS who has already confirmed that we would be the first contact to take him.

Back to a Family of Three

My phone rang at 7:45 am this morning and I was changing Nathan's diaper so I couldn't answer it (didn't want to leave me exposed to the fountain :-)). So about 30 seconds later it rang again and this time I answered. It was the CPS investigator. I hoped she was calling to cancel but no such luck. She wanted to come an hour early. So she arrived at 8:25. I had just finished feeding him and was getting ready to change him. She was nice and let us hold him until we were ready to let him go. I made a scrapbook for his parents last night and she looked at it and loved it. Said it was nice of us. So we packed him up and walked him out to the car. She was relieved when I told her he would probably sleep the entire drive. Justine waved to him as they left and now we are back to a family of 3. I already contacted 4 different employees at our agency to make sure we are back on the list for another baby.

Here are a couple shots of his scrapbook:





We have a busy day to take our minds off of things. Justine has a dentist appointment then we are going to McDonalds. Waylan is mounting a deer today and this afternoon I have a ton of work to do for our Finance meeting tomorrow.

Overshadowed

I feel so bad. Waylan received both a promotion and an award while on duty yesterday and with all this going on with Nathan I've completely ignored him. I feel terrible. So, Waylan here's to you...congratulations on a job well done! He was promoted to Field Training Paramedic Officer. Basically his job as a Firefighter/Paramedic doesn't change...just gets added to. He will now be responsible for training all the new medics who come in to the station. As for his award, he was awarded with Careflight's First Responder of the Year. This is an awesome achievement and I am very proud of my man. If I'm not mistaken he will be presented with his award at a ceremony on Thursday.

Foster Parent Initiation

The road ends for us and Nathan tomorrow. Nathan's grandmother (who lives with his parents) hired an attorney, went to the judge and agreed to help raise Nathan. Recall, she was the one who initially said she couldn't raise him and also care for her husband who has cancer. She changed her mind. So the judge agreed because there are no drug users in the home. At 9:30am tomorrow morning we will say good bye to sweet Nathan. It's only been 4 days but we've bonded already. I sing praises to my fellow foster mother friend Heather who has raised her son for over a year and she sends him home this week too. If 4 days is this hard I can't imagine one year! And he is the second child she has sent home.

So I suppose we've been initiated. This is what it feels like to give a child back. Even though we were foster parents with Justine we didn't have to experience anything foster parent related besides paperwork and caseworker visits. I'll cherish his pictures forever and, yes, he will make it into my scrapbook.

Our only hope is that if his parents and/or grandparents decide raising him is not doable, or if CPS decides they aren't working out then we are the first they call.

As usual, God has a plan that makes no sense to me. But I just have to rely on Him anyway. I just want the best for this sweet baby boy.

Nathan's story

We were originally told that Nathan's birthmother dropped him off at the CPS office. That was actually not correct. She gave birth to him in Tyler and didn't want to have anything to do with him. When discharged she attempted to leave without him. That's when CPS got involved. Once they got there she changed her mind, wanted to take him and wouldn't speak to the investigator without an attorney. Birth mom has a history of depression and mental illness and doesn't take her meds properly to control. Birth dad has had 2 other children removed and adopted out to a family outside of his family 7 years ago. Birthparents live with her parents. Her dad has cancer and her mom takes care of him and doesn't want to take care of a baby too.

There will be a court hearing in 2 weeks to decide if CPS's decision to remove is warranted. If not he goes home. If so he stays (but not necessarily permanently). If he doesn't go home the courts begin working with his birth parents to rehabilitate them. This process could take 12-18 months. If they succeed he goes back. If not their rights are terminated and we would adopt him. We could have a long road ahead of us. The investigator told us she doesn't forsee him going back so I'm hanging on to her hunch and praying for God's will. The judge is a woman who doesn't put up with infant neglect and that is definately helpful for us. I'm hopeful but want to be realistic at the same time knowing this may not go our way. In the meantime I will love on this little boy as if he were my own.

I as I sit here typing this...we just experienced the first pee pee fountain experience while diaper changing...and Waylan was the lucky one! Go Dad! And more laundry for Mom.

Justine meets Baby Bubba

Grandma and Grandpa arrived home with Justine about 5pm today. Nathan was asleep on our bed. I answered the door and the first thing Justine said is, "where is baby bubba?" So the introductions began. She did really well with him. Insisted on being the one to check on him when he cried, give him his paci and enjoyed rocking his bassinet. She picked a flower for him from the flowerbed and actually made him hold it. Putting her to bed was a different story. I think she was a little over stimulated and it took her a while to wind down. Here are more pictures of Nathan meeting his grandparents and big sister:

More baby pics

I had to get a feet picture. I just LOVE baby feet!!

He likes his fingers...

He is a sweet boy. Justine has been at grandma and grandpa's so she hasn't met him yet. They are going to the family reunion today (which we were supposed to go to also). They will be over afterwards and Justine can meet baby bubba! I'll post more on how that goes.

More on baby Nathan

So far so good. He's been here for about 6 hours and really has only cried when he's hungry (about every 2 hours or so). He's a snuggler for sure! I posted some pictures on our dropshots so take a look. www.dropshots.com/langfordcr

Look what the stork brought in...

Introducing healthy Nathan Lee, 7 pounds 9 ounces, 20 inches long. Born June 10 in Tyler, TX.

The case worker who did the investigation seems to think he will not be going home but we could have a fight on our hands. There is a court date in a couple of weeks and we will know more then. The judge who will preside is a woman who isn't too happy with people who mess with infants. So it appears we may get lucky.

He is about to be hungry so off I go...

Finally!! A Baby Boy!!

I received a placement call today!!! Finally!!! A 3 day old white boy who was dropped off at the CPS office. His mother said she can't bond with him and can't care for him. He is coming today but I don't know what time yet. I'll post more info as I get it.

For now...it's off to wash bedding, onsies, bottles, etc and speed clean the house!!

No Naps

We are trying something new...no more naps. We'll see how things go. I'm seeing if we can work Justine out of her afternoon nap because she typically gets it in so late that it interrupts bedtime. So we are kicking the nap. She didn't have a nap yesterday and ended up sleeping from 7:45pm till 8:30am. She hasn't slept that many hours straight in ages. In fact, last night she was snoring within 30 seconds...I kid you not! Right now she is watching her before bed tv show and I'm sure she'll fall asleep just as quickly tonight.

In addition to her not napping...the dogs didn't nap today either. The poor pups are pooped. Justine walked them a good portion of the day today. We put their leashes on and off she went to the back yard, around the house...wherever they took her (or she took them). She laughed and laughed. After dinner we took them for a real walk around the neighborhood. So needless to say...they are out right now. Poor dogs are 13 and 14 years old and just not cut out for such activity.

Busy Weekend

It's finally coming to an end...a busy weekend for all!

Waylan spent Thursday thru Saturday at his annual taxidermy convention. Cuddos to him for winning 1st place for his habitat and 3rd place for his deer mount. And he won those in the Professional Division! He went to lots of workshops and learned some new tricks of the trade. I met up with him and his parents for the awards banquet Saturday night.





Justine spent the weekend with Grampa Bob and had fun. She got to do lots of swimming! We picked her up today and brought home with her the double bed that used to be our guest room bed before we sent it to my dads to store it in order to turn our guest room into Justine's room. So it's now come full circle. On the way home we stopped to purchase new bedding for her. She picked it out herself. Of course she requested it be PINK. She is such a girly girl. And to top it off, we have now given her priviledges to the house so to speak. She has always had a child safety knob on the inside of her bedroom door. We took that off today since she is such a big girl now. She is completely potty trained now so we thought she should be able to get out of her room when necessary to go to the bathroom. Of course, I'm sure what this really means is she now has access to me at 3am!





I went to the Great American Scrapbook Convention with Ami and Melissa on Saturday. Lots of shopping! I was afraid to spend any money in the beginning because I thought I'd get to the end and find something I wanted to spend my money on but be out of it (I took cash and refused to use my debit card). We ended up making several trips around the hundreds of vendors looking for just the right stuff for just the right price. And I didn't spend near as much as I thought I would. (Which leaves money to make a Hobby Lobby run...anyone in?)

How to Handle 2

Oh my...I had a 14 month old VERY ACTIVE boy tonight. I provided respite care for another foster family in our agency. This boy was quick and all over the place! He loved the fireplace (can we say UNSAFE). I only had him for 3 1/2 hours and it wore me out. I'll have him again on July 12 from 7:30am-5:30pm. I will especially be exhausted then so if anyone is willing to come over that day to assist consider this your invitation. When Justine was at his stage we were in the old house and could baby gate all the doorways. We can't baby gate anything in this house so he had free reign.

I suppose this was sort of a boot camp to prepare me for our boy (wherever he may be). Baby Zaira was a couple of months younger when we kept her and she was so calm and laid back. Must be a boy thing. I've always heard boys are different and now I can testify.

As far as 'our boy'...we increased our age range today to increase our chances of receiving a placement. We were birth-6 months and now we are birth-age 1. I'm still hoping for a baby, but even more just want a keeper (and one I can keep up with).

Adoption Day Anniversary

Two years ago yesterday we stood in a court room and officially became Justine's parents. I was trying to post some pictures from that day here but they were very small for some reason. So to see pics click here. It was an awesome day. We were out of the house at 6:00am if you can believe that. We weren't sure how bad traffic was going to be and this was one event we weren't going to be late for! Because we left so early we had plenty of time to hang out with family and friends that joined us for the occasion. There were several other families in the lobby who were adopting that day also. Our attorney apparently does this ALL the time because he was well versed with the judge. We had never met him before that day. He gave us the run down of how things would go. What he would say, what the judge would say and what we should say. It went off without a hitch. After that day we were given a new birth certificate for her that has our names as her parents. For so many years I never thought my name would be "mother" on a birth certificate. There is not a better feeling than knowing that no one...no one would ever take her from me.

Tonight we went for a walk before Justine's bedtime and I was just watching her. Amazed at how much of a big girl she is. No diapers, very vocal, long hair blowing in her face, prancing as she pushed her baby doll in the baby stroller asking which way to go next. She is growing up so fast. I can't believe I'm planning her 3rd birthday party already. We are teaching her about adoption. The other day we asked her if she was adopted and she said, "No, not yet." Funny stuff. But yesterday I asked her and she said yes she was. I also told her last week that Aunt Marla and Mrs. Jackie had babies in their tummies. Her response was, "I came from someone else's tummy." Smart girl. She listens when we read to her (and when we aren't addressing her for that matter....LOL). We want her to have an understanding from early on that she is adopted and that God chose her to be our child and us to be her parents. She is not a mistake, not unwanted, not abandoned but rather a loved child of God with a big purpose in this world.

Happy Adoption Day sweet girl!