Overnights

The kiddos went for their first overnight visit with their Papi this Friday.

I was a little reluctant to let then go, but not too much. He was really excited and Miss M was up for it, so off they went.

We said they'd be back by 1 or 2 Saturdsy afternoon, which ended up being 2:30, which meant I was a little nerve wracked by the time they showed back up.

If course I quizzed M about the visit. She said it was fun, but that she woke up crying in the night, and her dad gave her a piece of candy to stop (?!).

And when I asked if she wanted to do it again next week, she was like, "mmmm, no; I just want to go play over there for a little bit and then come back here to sleep."

Hmmm. Interesting.

Last, but certainly not least, Papi took the kids to get haircuts (which we took them to get a few weeks ago, but...whatever) and Miss M came back with a bang trim and Baby A came back with a freakin buzz cut. OMG. It looks horrible. I've never seen it that short! He has a big scar on his scalp, a big "C" from the surgery he had following his abuse. With his hair long, you can't see it, with the buzz cut, it's exposed to the world.

It makes me sad; like, "yup, this is a damaged kid"- it's marked right there on his body. At least with his hair covering the scar he could "pass" for a normal toddler.

Just like we can pass for a normal family, until Miss M calls me by my first name or pipes up about what her "real" dad lets her do or not do. I just hope she doesn't get the bright idea that she needs a piece of candy when she has her next bad dream, cause THAT ain't happening!

Update on Da Boys!

Yesterday, I made the trek up to the downtown DHS office, to get a replacement child care card. I misplaced mine for a WEEK, then, of course, finally found it at 11pm last night.

Anyway, I was up on the 3rd floor, the foster care floor, waiting. And I spotted a familiar face. It was Da Boys caseworker, Angela. I said flagged her down and asked about the boys.

She reported that they (DHS) had just closed the case after a 6 month follow-up period. Which means everything was good! The boys are still in their same school, doing well, receiving in-school therapy & counseling g services. They live in the same house (impressive) and their mom is even in school herself, for medical assisting. Wow. So awesome.

Since we haven't had contact with them since this summer- Mom changed her number & couldn't get the worker to return my calls (hence the accosting in the DHS lobby)- I'm not sure it would be appropriate to just pop back in their lives...but I sure want to! If only to encourage Mom and hug on those boys skinny little necks!

What do you all think? Should I call or drop by? Or just wish them well from a distance?

Baby A update

From earlier this week; for posterity.
Via FB

Full On Toddlerhood

Baby A is walking like a fiend! From really only starting to walk independently around Chrsistmas-time, he's now walking everywhere! And we've encouraged it. I make him walk from the changing table to his high chair for morning Cheerios, out to the car to go to daycare, etc.

So, I'm like insanely proud of him for walking like a big boy, but also a little annoyed.

He follows me everywhere, which Lola (our dog) already does. So now I've got two shadows! Hehe. It's pretty cute.

We went to Ohilbrook last weekend for their free 2nd Saturday event. Miss M & I did the art projects while Greg basically followed Baby A around, as he was exploring and having a grand time toddling up and down the ramps between floors.

He did great until near the end, when he turned into a slippery eel. If we tried to direct him by holding his hand, he'd either yank it out of our grasp or just immediately melt to the floor and start crying.

After he pulled that ish 3 or 4 times in a row, I blew the whistle on the excursion and we high tailed it to the car. Game over.

Still, we made it 2 hours or so, at the museum, before we hit Meltdown City.
I'll take what I can get!

How do you deal with toddler behaviors? What other joys of toddlerhood do I have to look forward to?