We got our first foster placement on November 2, 2007. The baby was the most beautiful thing. Pumpkin was 11 days old. She was a wonderful and easy baby.
Our second placement followed closely on the heels of the first. I couldn’t hold fast to our plan to start slow and foster only one when we were told the child shared my sister and niece’s (her daughter) birthday. Gemini was 21 months old and so smart. She celebrated her second birthday in our home. She grew and changed so much in the four months she was a member of our family.
We did not get another placement until five months after Gemini left. It’s funny because we thought we’d get a placement immediately after getting licensed and the first 20 days felt like forever. Our daughter Jessie was our third placement. She was 27 days younger than Pumpkin and the two looked very similar. It was like having twins.
Eight months after Pumpkin left we got placement number four. Sweet Pea was five days old and stayed two days. Losing Sweet Pea was difficult for Jessie. Jessie was 21 months and worried that someone would come take her away.
On November 21, 2009, we adopted Jessie. On November 23 we took in our fifth placement. Giggles was the happiest baby we’d ever met. Jessie was very attached to her. When we learned that Giggles was going to leave we agonized over how to tell Jessie.
Our explanation must have worked because she handled Giggles leaving much better than when Sweet Pea left. We’ve had three more placements (one being a return of the first) since Giggles left. We continue to tell Jessie that she’s our forever child. She is happy with all the babies for however long they’re here. She still calls all babies Giggles, though.