dynamom's blogBaby Z updateHe's not so much a baby anymore, going to be 2 in a month. (How does that always happen so fast?) There's so much to say, it would really take me all day to type it out so I am going to try my best to be succinct. Right before his 2nd birthday, they called us about baby Z, also waiting at the hospital. Z is his biological brother. We said yes immediately. We thought it'd be the same. A few weeks after he came home they told us we'd have to start visits with his parents. At first they were still using and they looked terrible. Visits were not consistent. (Supposed to be every 2 weeks for 2 hours, supervised at an office) Then they went to rehab for many months and the baby was getting a ride to see them instead. When I finally saw them again I almost didn't recognize them...skin, hair, eyes so much healthier. Improvement you could see. At that point E's adoption was finalized and I felt comfortable bringing him with me to drop-offs. He was shy at first but now he is very comfortable with seeing his birth mom and I always let them play for a bit when we drop off and pick up Z. It was really really REALLY hard on me for awhile but the visits have turned out to be a blessing. I have a good rapport with them and it meant so much to me that we all hugged at the last visit before xmas. They trust me and defer to me on if it's okay to feed Z something or not. They see how happy and wonderful both boys are and how much they love each other and me. Z constantly calls me "mama, mama, mama" and if it hurts her she doesn't show it. Now it is really hard for me to think of what comes next because in April there will be a trial in which most likely their rights to him will be terminated. I have let the courts know that I fully intend to stay in touch with them but it will never be like it is now with visits twice a month. They won't be getting rides to my county for visits anymore and once the rights are terminated, the state stays out of it. So if I want to get together I'm going to have to arrange it. I wish there were resources for us to utilize--I have some worries about doing this alone. My biggest fear being them relapsing, though of course I hope that does not happen. They are doing well, she's working on her GED, they are engaged...but jobs are very hard to find right now and they're still living with family. The trial is mid-April (actually on E's 4th birthday). The judge has (and will probably take) 30 days to make a decision. Once their rights are terminated, they have 45 days to appeal. If the appellate court approves of it, that process could take another year. So this could be a long, long road ahead of me yet. Or their rights could be terminated and they could decide not to appeal. Or their rights could be not terminated and then I just don't know what I would do. It pretty much destroys me to think about that, so I just don't anymore. We didn't know this is what we were getting into when we said yes to Z but of course even if we did, we would have said yes anyway. And that is the BRIEF version of what's been going on....
Not a thing a day but a lot of things nonethelessI've been inspired by thing-a-day but can't quite keep up. Am very happy with the things I've been doing and thought I'd share some... (Oh and for the curious, the rest of it when IT was brandy-new: Here's some seed paper. I've wanted to do this for awhile. It's made like recycling paper (equal parts ripped up paper and water in the blender, then hand mix wildflower seeds in, spread on screen, push/roll water out, let dry for several days) When it's dry we'll make cards that people can plant. Here are some gift bags made out of an old cool calendar and some ribbon that came tied around my new comforter: And this fabric I got at the thrift shop, made these skirts for dd and her doll. We want to dye them red. This isn't all of it but enough for now! And I've been inspired enough to invite some ladies over in a few weeks for a night of crafty fun. Thanks Mercury for helping me fuel my crafty fires with the thing a day challenge!
The top ten1. Getting the fire re-started with no match usage
It's so pretty when it's newYes the East Coast got walloped with snow over the weekend. I've never been a huge fan of winter but even I have to admit it is just so pretty when it's new.
Well I made it to the salonI forgot how much more...lady-like, for lack of a better word...I feel when I have two distinct eyebrows. And my hair feels very soft...though my sister (my beautician) cannot stand that I won't let her cover up my grays!
So then how about some grats?Just like in the good ol' days. Feel free to join in: 1. Puppy sleeping with her head on my lap as I balance the laptop next to her.
What are you doing for yourself mama?If I had a few more hours in the day, would it be easier to find time for myself or would that time be filled with more laundry and whatnot? This down time in the afternoon (bigs at school, littles napping) is good for me. I'm sipping tea and messing around on the computer. But I'm fighting off a headache right now, AGAIN, and am reminded that I really need to get to the chiropractor. I have not been in ages. I'm hoping he can knock these headaches right out of me. But oh to find the time to take care of myself...pffft....maybe if I put it out here in on the interweb I'll actually get around to scheduling it. I double dog dare myself to schedule a chiropractor's appointment AND an appointment at my sister's salon before xmas. Can it be done?
Inspired to come out of lurkdomIn case anybody remembers/wonders about me and mine... Oh and E's begun to have some realizations about what being adopted means and talks a lot about his bio-siblings. Wish they weren't so far away. As for me, besides being busy with four kids and the puppy we got last Xmas (and the cat and the house and the yard and the cooking more-more-more from scratch and making gifts and being crafty in general)...I'm my dd's Brownie leader and Iove it and am now the President of the diversity organization I've been involved with for several years and we are doing a lot of great stuff together. Winter's descending which means fires roaring, bread baking, kids getting on my nerves by 5:30. Need to adjust my attitude and dust off my winter survival techniques. And that's my update
I've got a great new way to advertise!I'm going to bump up a million old recipes so you'll click on my link to my own website! Yeah! There's something that hasn't been done before!
There was actually not a filthy thing about herThat's right, I met Madame Filth last night (and baby Filth who wondered how I knew her name)...as they drove a bit across the state to my film screening.
Baby Z updateI've been stalking the law guardian for two days, finally spoke to her today.
Guest blogging, I'm guest blogging...that's to be sung to the tune of "Night Clubbin" by Iggy Pop. Least that's what I've been singing in my head all day.
What's new with meI know, I know, it's about time I broke down and updated about myself. I know you see me here lurking, commenting now and again...I have no excuse for not filling you in.
NJ Mamas: Who Does She Think She Is?Not sure if there are any other Jersey moms these days besides myself and Madame Filth, but just in case (and MF if you are interested)...
For Jess: Our survival storiesTo help Denessasma in this terrible time
Motormouth?So here's how my mind works:
How serendipitous!When we had E's big adoption party, we asked that in lieu of gifts party goers donate to one of two charities that we chose. One was the hospital where he was born.
If anyone is interested in the ongoing saga of the "Nazi-named" kidsThey live in my area so there's a lot of coverage. Some of it is astounding, some of it is predictable, all of it makes you feel sad for the kids. And now it turns out Dad's had some domestic disturbance problems in the past and Mom would like a free lawyer. Selling online w/etsy/paypal questionSo I just sold something on etsy, this is only my 2nd sale (didn't notice this problem the first time around but maybe I just didn't notice?) item price: $10.00 TOTAL SALE: $12.00 (US) The buyer chose the following form of payment: PayPal BUT the email from paypal tells me So where's my $2 for shipping?
A grats & ho o'ramaFrom the mama who never means to be such a lurker but somehow still is. 1. Overnight sleeping has been decidedly improved. THANK MAUDE. 2. Mornings have been me getting up 40 minutes before anyone else, enjoying coffee and computer time in quiet. Ahhhh.... 3. Finally broke down and joined facebook, have had lots of pleasant little interactions with people I haven't seen in so many years and have wondered about.
Help me make a non-dorky brownie leader shirt for myselfSo I have a nice little light blue tee shirt. I want to have a shirt to wear when my dd's wearing her vest. Anything clever you can think up for me?
And what are your kids thankful for this year?Not surprisingly, my dd went the lovey route and my ds went the random route. I'm thankful for both of those things, too, though pickles aren't really so high on the list for me. I like me a good pickle, but come on!
File under "either brilliant or asinine"My smarty pants 6 yo reading entire anthologies of Calvin and Hobbes that is. Cover to cover. Repeatedly. And he confessed that at school when they say the pledge, he says it the C&H way, which is something like "I pledge allegiance to Queen Fragg and her mighty state of hysteria..." and one of my favorites, "english muffin ULTRA PACK!"
I'm having 70+ people over tomorrowForecast says rain all day. I'm cool as a cucumber.
where was that list of hipmamas' etsy shops?I'm so bad at the search on this site. Anybody remember who posted it or what it was called?
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