Hannah and Baby S in the Tub

Does this picture need any words?

Enjoying Spring

I love spring! It's the time of year when the outdoors seems to know my name and call it often. Here are a few shots we've taken lately.

Months ago, Hannah hated swings. She didn't have a lot of courage. She was very timid about them. So this picture of her enjoying her swing is special to me.
If you ask Hannah where she's going when she gets in her car, she always says to "Papa's". She means she is on her way to her grandparents' house. She calls her granddad, "Papa Jack". At Chick Fil A she ran up to a man today thinking he was her "Papa Jack" because he was old and had a similar hat on. I'd say she loves her Papa Jack.
Baby S. laughed for the first time yesterday. Now she reaches for things. She also seems to demand that we keep her "with us" more. When she's awake, which is most of the time, now, she wants to be able so see us. And when someone unfamiliar tries to hold her, she cries, or should I say, she screams.
She started out sitting in this chair and this is the way she ended up. She can't turn over yet, and doesn't like to be on her stomach or side so she has no reason to turn over. She does like to sit up more, however. Or we put her on the floor and she flaps her limbs like a sea turtle.Hannah the musician.
The cherry blossoms are over a week late this year, but they are beginning to bloom. Yeay!Baby S. really likes this swing at our neighborhood park. She feels like a big kid when she's swinging with the best of them.

The Case Plan

The SW came by with a copy of the case plan on Tuesday. It was about what I expected. The father must do the following:

1. Obtain and maintain a source of income/support for the child.
2. Obtain and maintain stable, clean and safe housing that is also large enough for self and child.
   
3. Obtain childcare services or assure proper supervision of the child at all times.
4. Attend and complete parenting classes.
5. Cooperate with parent aide/family service worker and follow all aides recommendations.
6. Obtain substance abuse assessment and follow all of treatment providers recommendations.
7. Attend and successfully complete drug/alcohol treatment program with a licensed treatment provider if assessment recommends treatment.
8. Submit to at least 6 random drug screens.
9. Remain drug/alcohol free for 6 consecutive months and test negative when drug screened.

I did a little research and discovered that the father was last in prison in 1996, so he seems to have stayed out of any serious trouble for a long while. He has been incarcerated 5 times. His offenses have gradually gotten less severe. Past crimes committed include burglary, possession of LSD, possession of narcotics opiates, possession of marijuana, carrying a concealed weapon without a license, driving habitual violator, and DUI. I think he is 46 now.

I do pray that he can get better, but at the same time I am more convinced than ever that Baby S would have a better home with us. We covet your prayers.

A Weekend in Forsyth

This past weekend we went to Forsyth twice. My sister Pam returned from Germany after spending several years there. I'll add her photo later. It was good to see her back home again. My Aunt Bernice's daughter Kathy came from Maine for a visit. I somehow didn't take any pictures of her either. I think we were all too busy talking and playing with the kids.

Aunt Bernice

This is Rebecca, from church. Her dad is our minister of music. She loves Hannah and Baby S, as you can see.

Baby S's New Outfit

Our neighbors, the Livingstons, bought Baby S a new outfit.

I think she's proud of it!

Update on Baby S

Baby S is 95 days old today. She is staying awake more each day and since her body is growing, not only is she getting heavier, she isn't comfortable in one position or in one place for very long. She needs to be held often. It must be tough at this stage in a baby's development. They are still unable to sit up so but they are a lot bigger and more aware of things than when they were first born.

We have had her for this long and today Baby S saw her biological father for the first time since we've had custody. The visit was short--only 30-45 minutes. She came back smelling of perfume and cigarette smoke. Ugh. When the lady from DFCS brought her back, she brought a box her dad had sent that contained clothes and formula. There were even photos of her biological parents. Here they are, with the notes that were on the back.

Dearest Baby S, Daddy promises to do right and you'll be home real soon. Daddy loves you!

To My Beautiful Baby S from Mom

Sigh! Doesn't that make you feel for her parents? As we get more and more attached to Baby S, our emotions get more intense. It is not easy for our relatives, friends and neighbors, either. They love her, too.

I keep telling myself that God is sovereign and He'll ultimately be the one who decides where Baby S grows up. At the same time, I hope and pray for the salvation of Baby S's biological parents and that God heals them and delivers them from their addictive behaviors that have gotten them in this predicament. Now you have more faces to recall as you pray for what is best for Baby S.

Baby S Sings at Church

At church Sunday we were singing and Baby S started making noises I've never heard her make. I think she was singing, or at least trying to. What do you think?

Update on Baby S's Hearing

Our child advocate attorney for Baby S called today and gave us an update. In the hearing a week or two ago, it was disclosed that the father was ineligible to have custody of Baby S because of DUI and other past charges. So that has been confirmed. We did learn that now the father's sister or some other relative may be interested in having custody of the baby. We'd appreciate your prayers and support. Specifically, we'd like to know what course of action we can take to possibly influence the judge and/or the father to allow us to raise Baby S.

Baby S's First Coos

After 48 days of taking care of Baby S, we saw the miracle today of her making her first sounds other than crying and silence. What a joy. She focuses on faces somewhat and even smiles. We're smiling, too. Thank God for little steps of development.

Judge Says No Visit Yet

Our case worker for Baby S called us back at 11am, and said the baby wouldn't be visiting the maternal grandmother and/or the bio-dad after all. Since the case worker never quite made it to our house today, we didn't find out anything. She promised to come tomorrow. We got another call from a lady who will come and take a sample of the baby's DNA on Wednesday. My guess is that the judge said there would be no visits until the identity of the man as Baby S's bio-dad was certain. Anyway, hopefully we'll know more tomorrow.

Baby S Meets her Bio-dad and Godmother Today

Just got a call this morning. There is a hearing regarding Baby S today and the maternal grandmother and the bio-dad are here for that. While they are here, they want to have a visit with Baby S, so the case worker will come and pick her up most likely late this morning. Please pray that the visit is a good one and that God will have his way regarding who raises Baby S.

Precious

S----- is 7 weeks and 2 days old today, and we've had her for 5 weeks. Isn't she precious! I've just got to share these photos with y'all.

Oh, here's a photo taking tip. If you get this close with a camera you usually have blurry photos. The reason they turned out focused is because I used the macro feature of the camera. On my camera there is a flower icon showing when I've turned the macro feature on. It's for close-ups.

Grandparents Meet Baby S

After an hour or so hiking at High Falls State Park, we visited Papa Jack and Grandma Shirley in Forsyth. The visit was short, but sweet. We enjoyed the hamburgers and hot dogs that Papa Jack made for us.

Father Wants S----- Too, Says Case Worker

Today we got a visit from S-----'s case worker, and the news is that she says the father is now active in attempting to lay claims to his baby. This all depends, of course on him satisfactorily cleaning up his act and going through a home study with all the things that entails. Other sources we have, say that since he has a criminal record, he may not be eligible, so we are unsure if having a criminal record automatically disqualifies a person in this type of case.

I've got to hand it to the DFCS, they are diligent in getting involved with people and giving them a chance to prove that they'll be good parents before they give up on them. Although we are unwavering in our desire to keep S----- if the Lord wills, at the same time we are still excited to see not only that the biological parents chose life instead of abortion, but they are interested in raising her.

Duk-Sun and I aren't about to give up hope yet though, so we'd appreciate it if you would keep asking God to do what He thinks is best.

S----- is a month old today.

S----- had a present from Uncle Sam today. While at the DFCS Christmas party last night, we all saw Hannah's original foster mom, Ms. Morris. It was a nice reunion. Ms. Morris was so glad to see Hannah. I know it had to take a while for her pain to lessen. I can't imagine how it felt to give up Hannah after a year and a half. I understood she was taking the separation a little hard after we took Hannah for good. That's why we deliberately kept our distance for a while...to make it a little easier on her. Ms Morris had a new baby boy she was keeping, and her three adopted children were there. Hannah seemed to have no problem recognizing them. Too bad we forgot the camera!

Anyway, at the party we were asking her what kind of formula she used and where she got it and Ms. Morris informed us of a program that gives foster children free formula. So today I took Hannah and S----- to Decatur and we applied for the aid. Next time I'll take toys and books. It took longer than I thought, and Hannah got a little bored. We had to go through 6 different people if you include the security guard. The funny thing is, while killing time by walking around a big lobby area, Hannah was trying to get me to go to another part of the building. I told her that we had no business there. As it turns out, she was pointing to the last station we would go to before we were finished. It had been over 6 months since Hannah had been there, but she remembered a lot about the place. It wasn't what I'd call "a fun day", but it was nice to get a month of formula for S-----. That's money that can be spent on the other baby things.

It just goes to show that it is more blessed to give than to receive. We went to the party hoping to be a blessing to Ms. Morris, but she blessed us more by sharing this good news with us.

New Baby Bulletin

Today:

• S----- was awake more than ever.
• She lost her umbilical cord.
• Michelle got to hold her long enough to say her arms were tired. She loved it!
  

Here are some photos.

One 10 and Four 3s

There we were, sitting in the living room at 10pm when the phone rang, and lo and behold, it was a lady from DFACS. I couldn't believe my ears. She asked if we would be willing to accept another child. I said it depends on the child's age. She said, "Is 3 weeks young enough for you?" I said, Wow! Are you kidding?" And she said there was a baby at the hospital and she had tried for 3 weeks to find a relative and couldn't. And she had tried calling folks for 3 hours and couldn't find anyone willing to take the infant home with them. I checked with Duk-Sun and said yes, and so now we have another baby. Her name is S---- E-------. It was exactly 3 hours after we got the call that we were leaving the hospital with this bundle of joy.