PUSH Sarah !!!!

We heard you are getting close to having the baby. You are in our thoughts and can't wait to hear about the little one when she is born (and maybe come and see her).

Congrats to y'all...I am glad we get to call Becky grandma soon :)

Sorry it has been so long

Things have been pretty busy lately. I was out of town with the boys for several days in the beginning of the week...we went to visit Amy & Avery. We had a lot of fun, but it was pretty crazy trying to keep them occupied in new surroundings (well they were occupied, but with all the wrong things). Going out of town is a lot of work with those boys- by the time we have it child proofed and I can relax then it is time to go. I forgot my digital camera, so I don't have any cute pictures to share- I am getting forgetful in my old age. We went to Chuck E Cheese, the boys loved it (and I really kicked myself in the butt for not bringing my camera). Casey was such a big boy and just walked around and held my hand and played the games and went on the little rides, it was fun. Nikolas just sat in the stroller most of the time amazed at everything, and a little overwhelmed. Avery is getting so big and just got promoted to the 4 year old class at her Academy for Creative Learning. She turned 3 in March...so that is pretty good. She is such a sassy little thing, she has the most stylish clothes and accessories you can tell she is the only child and grandchild. She still calls me "Ba-Ba" though so I am thankful for that.

While I was there we got a call from Nik's CASA worker asking us if we wanted to take in his sister as an adoptive placement- it was the call I had been waiting for and couldn't have been more excited. After a couple of days of no one knowing very many details- it turns out there was a mistake. They aren't looking for a placement for the baby, but the baby and the mom, because they are doing great and need a more permament place to stay. The mom is most likely going to stay in foster care for a while so she can be put through school and have help with the baby. It was a very mean and cruel mistake...it was very hard to accept that they had called us with out all their information. It seems they have been making a lot of mistakes lately.

Nikolas has an estimated adoption time of the end of September....so that is a plus. We were worried that things were going to be a bit longer since we weren't hearing from the adoption worker. I will keep y'all updated when we get an exact date.

We are still planning on fighting for Casey. His estimated reunification time is in September...but no date. We plan on intervening and stopping him from leaving till a judge can hear everything again. Foster parents don't have a lot of chances over bio parents, but we have to do something. I will post more as I know more.

A family Picture

This is one of the few family pictures that we have that everyone is looking towards the camera. Good job Jillian !!

Pics from Nik's party

Here are a few more of him opening presents. I have by far the goofiest face, it was a combination of aww and ohh...and Eric is clapping, so it is a perfect example of how ga-ga parents get over there kids :)

More...

Eric holding Nikolas while he was eating his cake, Jason holding Casey (I think I already have one on here, but this one shows how messy he actually got). Nikolas was a little freaked out here- this was after I put him down near the little sprinkler and it turned into a HUGE one and he got soaked and I ran (I went back for him though). Needless to say we were both soaked and he was a little surprised.

More Pics from Nikolas' Birthday Party

Jillian just sent me more pics of Nikolas' birthday party. She had some that we didn't have. I also took a lot on a normal camera, so eventually I may get motivated enough to scan them in and download them.

The first picture is Jillian & Casey, then the cake and a certain cutie looking at it. Then Nikolas and I.

What a Pain !!

Casey and Nikolas are both teething really bad...it has been going on for weeks now, but today has been the worst (and mind you it is only 9am). Casey was crying this morning and I saw a molar on top and 2 on the bottom, all of them were only partially through- and I know the one on the bottom he has been working on for at least a couple weeks now. Nikolas has one in the front coming in. They are in so much pain, I feel bad for them. Casey is pulling on his ears and holding his head and laying on the ground and fussing- it is so unlike him and sad. Nikolas just sits there and fusses. They have been living on tylenol and Motrin (per the Dr, for their mid grade fevers and pains). I have put a bottle in the freezer and let them suck on that, give them popsicles and teethers all the time and even the horrible dreaded orajel, none of it seems to work for long at all. They are probably extremely fussy because they aren't sleeping as well at night either (poor babys!!). If any mommy's out there have any other ideas to help them with the pain I am very open to suggestions (rebeccalynn@austin.rr.com).

Eric & I

I know we aren't as interesting as the kids, but I thought I would update you a little on how we are doing.

Eric is working his bootie off, both at work and after. It has been SO hot here so it really wipes him out (he actually got dehydrated yesterday, they had him pushing a trencher outside ALL day long). He has had some side jobs and hasn't had much time to play golf or soccer games. I can't wait till the weather cools down, I couldn't imagine working in the heat. He is starting a very big job next week (the biggest his company has ever had). It will be a lot of pressure on him, but it is also an honor that they chose him- he is a very hardworking, valuable employee. He is also a wonderful daddy. There are some days that he has to work late and the boys are asleep when he gets home (our kids go to sleep usually around 6). He talks to them on the phone (and Casey says "Hi dada" and Nikolas says "hiiiiiii"...it is cute, they love to talk to daddy. But, when he is here they follow him around the house chanting "dada" and he sits on the ground and plays with them, they love it. He is actually taking a vacation in December, we are taking a little over a week vacation to California to visit my family there, then we will fly home on Christmas Eve to be with everyone here. Hopefully Eric and I can get a night away and go to Reno or Lake Tahoe for a peaceful and relaxing evening with out the kids. My mom is already starting to buy things for the boys (hopefully it will be both boys at that time).

I have been staying busy with the kiddo's. They have both been teething- Casey worse than Nikolas since he has been getting his molar and has been pretty mush miserable now for over the past week, so that has been a little difficult. I am enjoying having only 2 children right now, after having 3, taking care of 2 one year olds is actually easy. Unfortunally I am having cyst problems again though and haven't been feeling 100% the past few days. I did go to the Dr for a physiical though and my bloodwork came back better than it ever has. My cholesterol dropped drastically (and my high cholesterol is really high, making my total 200, my high is 75)...so much better than before. My anemia is gone, so I am trying to slowly get off my iron pills to see if it will stay down without the pills- hopefully it will, I would love to not have to take the iron anymore. It is great to know I am healthy- I have been battling that for a while now.

I went to a foster care meeting the other night. The foster care system is broken so there are a lot of changes that will be taking place over the next 5 years. It was said at the meeting that there are a lot of deaf children in Austin (due to the School of Deaf being located in Austin). There are several children that are having to be placed in homes where the family does not know sign language so the children are unable to communicate with anyone. I am considering taking some Sign Language classes so that maybe down the line I will be able to take in a deaf child...I think that would be a wonderful thing to do. Also, they tend to go to school and spend the night at the school during the week and just need a home to go to during weekends and holidays...I think it would work out well. I could stay home with the children and also we could be a family to go home to for a child that needs one. It is just one of my latest missions...I am hoping to start teaching myself before taking a class to see if it is something I think I can do, I do think I can pull it off- and you don't have to have a certificate or degree, just know how to communicate with them. I want to make a difference and this sounds right up my alley. We will see :) I am starting to also type more often about my feelings and thoughts about foster care and things that happen in my life...I will one day write a book (I promise grandma Devereaux), it will probably take some time, but I am starting to have a direction and it has been therapeutic to be able to sit down and type out my thoughts.

What can't they do ??

These boys continue to amaze me every day!! It seems they do at least one or two new things a day and I know it will continue like this forever.

Nikolas is trying to walk. He is standing for longer periods of time (and even dances while standing alone when music or his shows come on). He lunges forward and doesn't move his feet (which are pretty far apart to begin with). He is definitely trying but it may take him a little longer to figure out that his feet need to be closer together so he is more stable, but he keeps trying and it won't be too long before I have 2 walkers. He is constantly mimicking everything we say. He does his more sign and says it when he wants more food. He LOVES to throw balls and then chase after them- if they go too far he says "uh-oh", it is adorable. He will also throw them to other people, this will entertain him for quite a while, or till Casey decides he wants to take the ball away. He is teething and is finally starting to feel better (the past few days have been rough). His 5th tooth is coming in. He has started taking his clothes off at night (luckily only his clothes and not his diaper- yet). I went in this morning and he was completely naked and smiling up at me, it was definitely a photo-op, but it was too early in the morning to go get the camera, I was still half asleep.

Casey is talking more and more. He says "Tank-you" sometimes when prompted, it is too cute (although Eric hasn't heard him say it...so I am not sure yet if it counts in his vocabulary). He now gets out the mat that I change their diapers on and unfolds it, and lays down on it (but with his butt in the air), he almost has it. He is doing well with commands now...he was coughing the other day while eating and I told him to take a drink, and he did, I was pretty surprised. He is getting good at telling us when he is hungry, he goes to the gate that blocks the living room from the kitchen and shakes the gate (he is so strong the gate is about to fall down). He still LOVES to read, grandma bought him a book about animal sounds and we are working on those right now. Nonna got him a book about Biting and how teeth aren't for biting...I love it. Casey isn't biting as much as before, but when he does get mad he does bite anything in his way...which is usually Nikolas. Casey is starting to lose a little weight (or actually not gain so much so fast), I think the walking is doing him a lot of good- he walks 100% of the time now and is pretty stable.

They are both drinking whole milk now. Casey has to drink Lactose free. I am starting (next week) to not give them daytime bottles and only nighttime ones. I thought of quitting cold turkey, but the nighttime bottle really helps me out (well at least the one at 5am that they drink and then go back to sleep till 8am) I am not ready to give up that extra sleep yet. They are both doing well drinking in sippy cups now, even though they still really like their bottles more. They both are eating pretty much anything we have now a days...they are such big boys. They are starting to play with each other a lot more than before, it is adorable to watch. Casey will get Nikolas out a toy from the toybox, if Nikolas tries to reach it and can't- then occasionally he takes it away, but hey it is a start. They still stay up for at least an hour and babble at each other before falling asleep at night, it is adorable to listen to. Both of their favorite words is still dada, but they are starting to say mama more. They both clap their hands together and say "yeah", if one does it then the other starts. When Nikolas throws his ball we all clap and say "yeah" Now if he does it and we don't clap- Casey does, it is too funny. They are great for each other and if one wasn't almost 30 pounds and the other 17 pounds you wouldn't even hesitate as to whether they are twins or not, they sure act like it.

Adoption Update...

Nikolas' caseworker still hasn't called me back (this is the new one that should have received our files over a month ago). I have emailed her and left a message as well as my LSS caseworker. We were being patient, but now this is silly. He was supposed to be officially adopted this month and now it is being pushed back to who knows when, we are ready for it to be official.

We haven't heard anything on Nik's sister- her given name is Angela. The last we heard is that they are well bonded and that the bio-moms priorities have changed, I really hope things work out for the best- whatever situation that is.

Casey's case is moving forward to reunification within CPS and it can be any day when he starts unsupervised visits (my biggest fear). I am starting to force myself to come to terms that things don't look good. Although our intentions have not changed and we intend on fighting till the end, like any mother and father would do for the safety of their baby. I will keep you updated on anything we hear.

Cameron Update

Cameron has been calling a lot the past few days. (about 7 times in the past 4 days, I think he is getting bored and ready to go back to school). He called me one night and I was sleeping so when I checked the message the next morning he said that his cat had laid 4 kittens...it was adorable, and I couldn't delete the message (along with the other 4 or 5 where he says I love and miss you Rebecca). It really tugs at your heart strings. I know he is doing well though because I can hear his dad in the background and I know that his dad wouldn't allow him to call unless things were well. Cameron is turning 8 on the 23rd and I am sending him some presents, along with a few other things that I found when we moved his bed. If anyone wants to send me a card for him I can add it to the box. He asked me last night if it wouldn't be cheaper to just drive the presents over...so I may go ahead and talk to his dad and maybe before his birthday we will drop them off, if it is okay. I would love to see him. He was one I knew wasn't staying forever, but he was also the first one that was older and was able to talk to me and told me he loved me all the time...he will always hold a huge piece of my heart. I sent him a card the other day (he asked me to) and some pictures of us and the boys. He called last night and said that Casey was a giant, it was funny. I couldn't really deny it :)

Uncle Bri

Brian was in town this past week and came by for an evening. We had pizza, he played with the boys and we watched TV (a typical evening at the Parrott house, well minus the pizza, that is only on special occasions). The boys loved playing with their Uncle Bri. We have to plan a time to go visit him in College Station, hopefully soon before we get another foster child and things become entirely too complicated for me to travel by myself :) I am not sure how Brian's roommates will like us to come and visit, maybe it will have to just be a day trip !

When Brian was here we got a call for a placement of 2 more children (we are only licensed for 3, but can legally have 4). They were a 4 year old and a 2 year old (named Jada...that in itself was a little odd). Eric was in a meeting at work and I wasn't going to take the placement (especially 2 of them) without talking to him, luckily by the time he got out of his meeting they had found another place for them...but they had to go with another agency. We are holding out right now for a child in pre-k or kindergarten, old enough to be in school, but not too old & old enough to be out of pull ups or diapers, that would make my life a lot easier !!

Grandma Candy

Grandma Candy came over twice this past week and played and helped with the boys (it was great!, and she brings me smoothies!!). She is planning on coming over once a week to give me a day to do anything, either help me take them somewhere fun, give me a rest, help with them while they are at the Dr appointments or allow me to clean with out rushing around so much. It really will help a lot !!!

They have alot of fun with her and it is great to have them play with someone else and not be SO attached to me. They do fuss a little when they see me walk by...but I am sure it will get better. I think it will be good for them to spend time with their grandma Candy and me to have a break - whether I am cleaning or forcing myself to do nothing.

Thanks Grandma Candy :)

Nikolas after...

I took Nikolas to his first haircut, we went to KAOS (Kids are our speciality). It was a neat place, they had video games, horses and cars to sit on...it was made just for kids. He did really well. They actually just sat him on a booster seat and put a little smock on him. They gave him a stuffed animal and he did really well. Everyone kept coming over and talking to him...he looked like a little man when we walked out of there, it was harder on me than it was on him ! They gave him a certificate for his "First Haircut" and gave me an envelope with all his hair in it. They then put him on the motorcycle so I could get a few more pictures of him :)

Now that I look at Casey he looks like he needs one too, but we have to actually go through his bio-dad to get permission, now that we have another week before the pictures I may actually try to get permission.

Nikolas' hair before...

Here is Nikolas in the bath the night before his first haircut. His hair was getting really long and going over his ears and was almost done to his shoulders when wet (in the back). I was really not wanting to get his haircut, but the boys were getting their first professional pictures done (it was supposed to be today) and I wanted him to look good. Turns out yesterday Nikolas tried to walk and didn't move one foot and at the same time lunged forward and basically dove into the ground and got rug burn on his forward- needless to say I had to reschedule the picture appointment for when his rug burn went away (it looks horrible). Luckily he was okay and didn't bump it too hard, but it did give me quite a scare.

Nikolas playing with his leap pad

We got this a long time ago for Jaden (but she never played with it). The boys are just now getting to the age where they like it. I got them a book for their birthday. It came with a little piece of paper that says that the pages are tear proof and indestructable...Casey almost ruined one book within a few mins (no kidding). So, it is now a toy that we play with together. Nikolas loved it though !

Heart Gallery of Texas

Hi y'all,

Someone I was talking to reminded me of the Heart Gallery and thought I would post a little something about it in case you or anyone you know is interested in looking at it (or into it). There are some interesting statistics and harsh truths about foster care and the number of children that are waiting for forever families. Most of them are older kids (over the age of 6) and a good majority of them are minorities or are a part of a sibling group that wants to be raised together. The Heart Gallery is a wonderful thing- area photographers give their time to take pictures of the many children waiting for families. The photographs are then portrayed online, as well as in a traveling Portrait Exhibit (the Gala Premier in Austin is on September 21st from 6:30-9pm). If you are interested in learning more about the foster care children visit www.heartgallerytexas.com . Even if adoption is the last thing from your mind, there are tons of other ways to help those that they call "Forgotten Children". Also- just in case you do know of someone who is interested in adoption (this is considered special needs due to their age and/or race or sibling group). Please let them know that the biggest fear most people have of adopting a child over the age of 6 is that college is closer and you would have less time to save...these children receive free college in the state of Texas- anywhere from UT, A&M or ACC. They are also eligible for a monthly subsidy up to $400 a month as well as free Medicaid till they are 18. So, this does help ease the financial fears that some people have. Regardless it is good thing to take a look at, it makes you realize what is out there and who these kids are.

Have a good night :)

Hello...

Hi, Just wanted to update everyone on Casey's case. Yesterday we found out that his permanency plan has been changed to Family Reunification, from Adoption by non-relative (us). Very soon (we don't have a date or time-frame yet), he will begin extended and unsupervised visits. I will keep you updated on things as I know more.

Nikolas went to the DR today and now weighs 17.5 pounds (he was 15 pounds when he got here), although he hasn't gained much weight- he has gotten quite a bit taller !! We are watching his weight gain to make sure he at least moves forward in weight...right now they don't have any concern about it, and the Dr's think he is just a little guy.

We are getting the boys pictures taken this Saturday. It is actually the first time we have done it (I have meaning to for a long time).

Angela and Nik's bio-mom are actually doing really well, she is well bonded and still very intent on keeping her. Things may actually end up working out for her, it seems her priorities are changing, for now.

Everyone have a great day !!

Fun Times!

I can't believe they are both one now! It seems like just yesterday that we brought Casey home, and that Nikolas was brought to us. Nikolas is standing now on his own and is days away from taking his first step, then I will be chasing around 2 toddlers...I am trying not to think about it.

It was great to have my mom here for the past week, she left this morning- but we are already planning a Christmas trip to go to California. My grandparents haven't met their first great-grandchildren yet, and they haven't met their pa-paw, Jim, Cathy, David or Christopher. Not to mention I am sure my sister would love to see and spoil her nephews a little bit. It seems so far away, but I know that the time will fly...it always does.

Well I hope y'all have a wonderful rest of the weekend. Eric is coming home soon from his side job and hopefully we can have a nice family day !!

PS I plan on updating this more than I have been, I have been getting complaints about my lack of updates (sorry!).

Presents

Daddy helped Nikolas open the presents this time. It was a lot easier than Caseys party because we had a lot more room and didn't have all the kids trying to help. Nikolas LOVED all his toys and actually would say "oh" and get excited when they were opened, it was adorable. He got some great toys!!

He got some adorable clothes (mommy loves those), and a cute framed poem of Nikolas' name from aunt Gigi and Brandon. He got a ride on tractor that does all kinds of things, an animal sounds farm, a spinning bee, some neat cushy cars and trucks, a cute bowling set that goes in a bag with his name on it, a rocking horse that makes noise, lots of DVD's (for the Suburban), a bubble machine (that doesn't spill the bubbles- how cool is that?), baby's first puzzle and a lot more really cute toys. You should have seen both the boys yesterday afternoon when we were opening them and taking them out of the box at home, they didn't know what to play with first.

The Cake

I am hoping that someone took a picture of the cute cake that was made (I was running around too much to even think about it, and when I did it wasn't picture worthy). Casey sat on Jason's lap and Nikolas sat on daddy's lap. Nikolas ate his cake a lot quicker this time and managed to get it all over daddy (surprise, surprise). Casey was wearing Tigger ears (I know they look like little devil horns), he did the same thing as last time and put the cake up to his mouth and didn't take his hand away till it was gone. I did really good and made sure to get a cake that had tons of colors of icing so that I stained everyones clothes (hopefully it comes out). I will remember that for next time, at least I took the boys shirts off and put bibs on them- they were Winnie the Pooh bibs that said "One year sweet".

I did have 2 disposable cameras on the tables that I haven't developed yet and there were several others taking cameras so hopefully someone got some good pics of the cake and of the birthday boy eating it. I know we have it on video..so at least we have that. Also, for some reason the quality of my pictures didn't turn out right...not sure what happened to make the lines on the bottom of the pictures like that.

Loving the attention...

There were so many people there that he was being passed around quite a lot. He is a very loved little boy (and we now own a toy store from all the gifts him and Casey received the past month). Here he is with some of the (ex) and current caseworkers that have been a part of his life. It is great to still be in contact with them, and they have all become such good friends of ours, they will be at many more birthday parties to come!

Thanks everyone for the gifts, you will be getting thank you cards very soon :)

*A* was there !

For those who know *A*, you will be equally as surprised and excited that he made to the party. It was great to see him, since he no longer stays with us. We miss him a lot, but it was great to see him and hear about how much he misses us and talks about us. He is being taken care of very well and we were blessed (yet again) to be able to keep in contact with a foster child after they left our house (we have done this now with every child who has left, or who has come in to our home...it is wonderful).

Because the case is still high profile I am not going to post any pictures, but believe me he looked adorable !!

Nik's Foster Family

We invited Nik's prior foster family to the party as well. They hadn't seen him for 6 months and were very shocked at how much he had grown. I keep in touch with them often to let her know how he is doing and to send pictures. He was a little fussy and clung to me or Eric a couple times when we tried to have them hold him- I felt bad. But they were very glad they came and we will continue to keep in touch.

Brushy Creek Lake Park

Here is a picture of the park we had Nik's party at. My mom and I got there early and decorated. We found a set of 4 tables under some trees, it was perfect (and we were very lucky to have found such a great spot). There was a playground and a sprinkler area for the kids, and the lake was in the background-it was a lot of fun ! Nikolas had a Winnie the Pooh themed party. A little over 40 people ended up coming- it was a huge turn out. It was really hot though, so I was glad that the sprinklers were near by- even the adults enjoyed cooling off in them.