Shit Is Getting Real
This week things are starting to feel very real. We completed Part 1 of our Home Study and scheduled Part 2. Our licensing worker is putting in the request for our inspection, and I did another mountain of paperwork and gathering of millions of documents. All that is left is a few more documents, passing the home inspection, and the state reviewing everything.
It's been exciting and stressful. We’ve had a lot more conversations about parenting style, what we like or dislike about how other people parent, and what we want to incorporate into our own parenting. I think we can both say “parenting” without shuddering or breaking into a cold sweat now- so that seems like progress. We also own a car seat. It’s still in the box, but we’re going to have to open it and install it soon. I’m anticipating a decent amount of cursing and questioning of choices...
I’ve also noticed weird things seem to set one of us into anxiety and panic mode. Mitch doesn’t like the word “crib”, I wonder if we should get a bigger refrigerator because for some reason the current one seems too small to accommodate another person. I am going to need space for multiple types of milk and juice soon!
We’re also making adjustments around the house- we own a giant fire extinguisher, and a smoke detector in every room. Not every bedroom, every actual room. We have 7 rooms. I may have to ban microwave popcorn because I don’t even want to fathom what this place will sound like if it burns. We also have magnetic locks on our cabinets and a key lock on a closet with meds and cleaning supplies in it. I am not a fan. Cleaning is not my favorite activity to begin with, and now that I have an added barrier to getting to any supplies, it’s not helping. Also we have a lot of meds- it’s amazing what opening every cabinet and drawer and collecting every bottle of Aleve and tube of Cortisone cream adds up to.
We’ve been calling Doctors and Daycares and even toured one so far, with more in the works. Yes it is awkward when they attempt to ask you questions about “your child” or “the baby” when you do not actually have one yet. Overall people have been very kind and understanding when we say we’re going to be foster parents, but there have been more than a few long pauses. My own self consciousness is positive that they are also looking me up and down to figure out “how far along” I am. I’m working on not worrying about that.
Our time line is looking like sometime in October we can expect a placement- a lot hinges on the inspection getting scheduled (there are 2 people who do all the inspections in Southern Arizona) and the state approving everything. We’ve been told as soon as our license gets the final approval, we should expect a call. We’re trying to get prepared, but it’s tricky without a “due date” and without knowing the age or size of the child. Clothing, diapers, formula/baby food/toddler foods, etc will have to wait. We already plan to do an emergency Target run the day of placement- one person will stay with the new kid and one will get the basics needed for the first few days, to give us time to regroup and collect other needed items.
This brings up a registry. Several people have asked if we need anything or if we have a registry. There are lots of foster care resources available in Tucson, and we will gladly utilize them, but there are a few things we’d love to have to make our home more welcoming for a new family member, so we’ve created a registry with Target. We’d also love to expand our library of kids books! A book from loved ones would be a wonderful addition, and help us have some variety in what we read every day.
If you’d like to check it out, our registry is https://www.target.com/gift-registry/giftgiver?registryId=342169d5701d41fbb874f886a36e53be&type=BABY
Thanks to everyone who has offered kind words, support, encouragement, and sent love. It is very appreciated!
