May have gotten lucky

We still have not received any medical cards at all in regards to Lil J. Our temporary card expired on 3/31. When I called a few days before the 31st, I was told that I would have my card on or by the 31st. Fine.

Well, here it is the 7th of the month and I still have not gotten anything.

They way it works in our state is that each child qualifies for federal medical insurance (Medicaid) and then each person also has to pick a HMO for the county that they live in.

I basically picked the HMO that had the same main provider as our current family insurance. I figured it would be easier because they will more than likely have the same medical providers.

When Lil J came to us, he came with NO medical records and no information regarding his immunization records. I was told that they are going to "try" to get them, but if we did not get them by May, that we would have to have blood tests to see what he has gotten, if any. There was a possibility that he would have to have ALL the shots again.

Well, here is where the lucky part comes in. When I called looking for the cards, etc - I found out that his mother also was on Medicaid, and by total coincidence, she also picked the same HMO that I did. There were about 6-8 HMOs that I could have picked. So, the fact that she had the same one is great news.

The HMO was also able to tell me the doctors name and the last time he was seen by that doctor. Which means I can call there and request the records. YAY! I called and I guess I just need to send over a request along with the documents that state I am his foster parent.

Since according to the HMO, he was seen in 2007 & 2008, which I would hope would mean that he has at least SOME of his vaccinations. I really did not want him to be poked and stuck for no reason.

So, after being on the phone for almost an hour between 4 different numbers, I finally got great news. yay!

Seriously, is is that hard to give notice

I just got ANOTHER call about a vacation respite placement. Starting Thursday till the 21st. See my original post below.

I mean - come on. I have a hard time believing that someone does not know about vacation, especially when it is over spring break and a holiday.

I again had to say no, for the same reasons as the first one.

But something makes me think this will NOT be the last call I get.

Turned down a respite placement

When you do foster care, they have this progran called respite. Basically, it is used when the current foster family has either an emergency, or a vacation and they need short term placement for their foster children.

In this case, the current foster family is going on vacation starting tomorrow - and yes, DCF is mad that they gave such short notice.

Anyway, it would be for 2 kids - 19 month girl and 4 yr old boy. The placement would be for one week and would come tomorrow.

If we had more notice, we would have said yes in a second. But, I have several doctor's/dentist/other appointments this week and easter is on Sunday.

I would have to rearrage all the appointments, cancel some of the other things (playdates, egg hunts, etc) because I can not bring 3 kids to a doctor's appointment and 3 kids would be too much for a playdate. Also, Easter is on Sunday, so of course we would be making baskets, etc for them.

My husband said it was really up to me, since I would be home with all these kids all week. But, he did say that it looks bad if we ask for respite in the future and turned down this one.

Plus, we would have to assemble the other twin bed, which would have to be done tonight.
They would be coming with a week's worth of their stuff, so it is not like I would really have to go out and buy stuff.

I really hated saying no - especially since they are in my age range. I just hated saying no to these kids. I did tell them that if they do not find a respite home by the end of the day, to call me back. This will give me the rest of the day to think about it.

Heck, at least now I have the van, so if they did come, I would be ready lol

First Baby Purchase

There was a hug consignment sale in my local area yesterday. They have it 2x a year so it is pretty big. They have all things from cribs, strollers, toys, clothes, etc.

I really went to get some some toys for Lil J and to see if I could get some bargains elsewhere. The prices are set by each individual "vendor", so it is very possible that 2 identical items are prices differently. So, you really have to look.

I was looking over at the bedding section, a few caught my eye. There was one set that I really liked, sold by 3 different people, they all wanted around $75 for the full set. I don't want to sound cheap, but I did not want to pay $75 for used bedding - I was there looking for a bargain :)

So, I looked around, and saw a bedding set. It said it was missing the fitted sheet (no big deal) and the price......$10!

I could not turn it down for 10 bucks, and besides, the sheet the the easiest thing to replace. I am sure most of the time it would not have the matching sheet on it anyway!

It is very gender neutral (not finding out the sex), and it will match the current wall color. It only comes with one valance, but what I will do is cut the valance in half and add green gingham on either side - I am sure it will look great.

I checked out prices, depending on where you get it, it ranges from $98 - $150 - so I really think I did OK :)

Here is a pic:

NT Scan - take 2

I went today for the second attempt of the NT scan. The baby was not is a good position last week to take any measurements, so we had to go back again today.

If it did not happen today, then I would only be able to get the bloodwork portion of the test done. It has to be done before 14 weeks, and I will be 14 weeks on Thursday. So, needless to say, I was so happy that the baby was in a good position this time.

The tech scanned for a while, trying to get just the right shot. She was able to take measurements and the baby measured a perfect 13w5d. :) She was also able to get the NT measurement of 1.7. From everything that I have read, anything under 2.0 is considered good. She was also able to see the nasal bone, which is a good thing (In general, a down's baby does not have a prominent nasal bone). So, they took my blood and I guess I will get the results when I go back in 2 weeks.

I also had my 1 hour glucose test. Yummy. It actually was not too bad, really just tasted like super sweet orange soda - it was cold, so that made it easier to drink. I had to fast for 4 hours before the test, and they were running behind. So, by the time I did the test at around 3:30, I had not eaten since 9AM. I was actually starting to get the shakes. So, I am sure my numbers are going to be crappy. I have a history of very low blood sugar, I hope that is not the case again.

I did gain back 2 of the 5 pounds that I lost last time. So, as of right now, I am still -3 pounds.

So, there is my appointment update :)

According to my mom, I am the only pregnant woman EVER

I love my mom, but she is being a total pain in the ASS! I understand that she wants what is best for me, but she is treating me like I am the rare woman that is pregnant.

I took her out to lunch yesterday. She asked how I was feeling, I told her that the past few days have been rough, still getting sick, etc. She replied, "well, why haven't you called the doctor?!?!?!" Yeah, ok, Mom - I must be the only one that has ever not felt well during pregnancy. I was not like I was throwing up 10 times a day, running a fever, passing out, etc. just normal pregnancy stuff. Why would I call the doc because I am having normal pregnancy stuff. Could you imagine the doc if I called.

Me: Um, hello., Yes - I have not been feeling well. Been throwing up 1-2 times a day.
Doc: Um, yeah - AND????

Besides, I am seeing the doc again tomorrow, so any concerns would be addressed then.

She also thinks that there has never been another mom in the world that had to juggle a toddler while being pregnant. Everything thing I did yesterday, or every part of a conversation, she would say this or that. I was talking about naps, and she actually YELLED at me that I should be taking a nap each and every day. yeah - ok Mom. Oh, and um, didn't you have 3 kids under 3 years old at one point.

We went to the mall and Lil J was by my mom, I was about 15 feet away. Lil J looked around and realized that I was not right there. Yeah, he totally freaked out!!!! He saw me and ran into my arms. Of course I picked him up right away. He had the look of sheer terror in his face. She tells me that I should not have picked him up, but rather just said, "it is OK, mom is right here" Whatever. It is not like I am doing toddler weight lifting throughout the day. And, I have limited the amount of time I do pick him up. I either make him climb up on the couch where I give him lots of hugs and kisses, or I go down to the floor. In that situation, he needed to be picked up.

Again, I knows she wants the best for me, but come on.

I love him so much already....

Lil J was placed with us about 2.5 weeks ago. Right now, he is a foster child. If the mom does not work her court ordered plan, then it is possible that we would be able to adopt him.

This process can take a long time, about 2+ years.

To date, mom has not been working her plan at all. Part of her plan includes visits. So, she has not seen Lil J in about a month (another family had him before me).

Anyway, his case worker called me yesterday and asked if I can make a call to the mom (blocked number of course), because she will be "unavailable" for a period of 28 days to 3 months.

Since it is in our "contract" that we will support reunification, I knew I would have to make the call.

We did just that, he talked to her like he would talk to anyone else, not really getting the idea that it was mom on the phone. After they chatted, she spoke to me for a minute or two. What she said really got to me.

She thanked me for taking care of her son, that she would pray for me everyday, that I am an angel that she will never forget, she misses and loves Lil J very much, etc. I wished her the best of luck and we hung up.

I got off the phone and cried and cried. I know that there is always a possibilities of kids going back, and I know that there the possibility that they will not. I knew I would love him no matter what.

But in 2 weeks, I have grown so attached to him. I love him like he is my own - and I know it will be devestating if he goes back to mom.

I have always said that I will never fault a mom for working her plan and gettting her child back, and that I am here to love and care for any child that comes into my care.

They want us to love these kids, make them feel like part of the family. We have done just that. But, boy does it hurt to know that he could go back.

+++++++ I just want to add that I KNOW if he goes back to mom, it is the best thing for him. But, it still hurts just thinking about it++++++++