Homecoming

As we sit on a plane headed back to California, I thought we should update you on the baby situation. We started getting visits with her shortly after Ashley penned our first post. She is an adorable bundle of joy. She is always happy and takes to new people well. We found this out by bombarding her with her new grandparents and aunt on our first all-day visit. She'll stare at you for a minute but then she's all smiles and love.

When we were matched, we already had a trip planned to Texas to see my sister and her family. We asked if we could take the baby with us, but since the vacation was so close, we weren't able to do so. Apparently it takes about a month to get a court order to take a foster child out of state. So we agreed on a visitation schedule with her social worker and foster mom. We had a few visits, including an impromptu overnight. She was great for us every time and we fell deeper in love with her. 

About a week before we left, Ashley got a call from the baby's social worker saying we can sign paperwork to become her foster parents and bring her home shortly after our vacation.

So we set it up to have some time with her on the night before we left and took her out to dinner. After dinner we set up post-vacation/pre-homecoming visitation. It was difficult knowing we wouldn't see her again for a week, but we knew it was good to take that final baby-free vacation. Ashley dubbed it our "Babymoon."

We had a great time in Texas and bought the baby a bunch of stuff. So much stuff that we had to borrow a duffel bag from my sister so we didn't have to pay fees for an overweight checked bag.

So now, as we fly over some mountains and farms, I'm anxious to get home. We have another visit tomorrow and we can't wait to give the baby her new toys and clothes. And a bunch of hugs and kisses. Then we will have a few more visits, including an entire weekend. 

I guess y'all (yeah, I just spent a week in Texas) want to know when we get to bring her home. Ashley said we were hoping to have her home by the end of June. Unfortunately that's not going to happen. Instead, we have to wait. But we don't wanna wait! We can't wait! Can't wait to welcome her into our home. On July 1st we're going to smother her with love and affection and give her something every child, every person really, needs and deserves. A sense of family. A sense of belonging.