So far in my blogging I've glossed over the fact that we had nine high-legal-risk foster-adopt children before we finally got to adopt.


Hubby and I went in with our eyes open. We knew we wouldn't actually get to adopt all the kids that came into our home. We even said yes to a couple of kids that on paper, were foster adopt, but I had a hunch they wouldn't ever be up for adoption.

Our first child that came to us was Rick. He was two-years-old and very cute. I'd never been a parent before and I had no idea what to expect, but he was the perfect first foster child. Easy to love, easy to handle.

Oh yes, he had issues, lots of them. Birth mom and he co-slept, so moving into his own room was very scarey for him. Foster parents in our state are not allowed to have foster children sleeping in the parents bedroom after the child reaches eighteen months old. Rick wasn't used to sleeping alone, and it was heartbreaking to hear him sob alone at night. I'd stay with him until he fell asleep, but he'd wake up three or four times in the night crying. To calm him, I spent many nights sleeping on the floor in his room, comforting him through the night, trying to coax him to sleep. It seemed to work, after a while he got used to sleeping alone, and eventually slept through the night.

Oh boy was he was spoiled, and I don't mean with love. Rick had never picked up a toy, learned to listen, or hold hands on busy sidewalks. If he didn't like dinner he'd throw it on the floor. If he wanted to watch TV, he'd scream and shout and cry and stomp. He was used to getting his own way. Tantrums happened fairly often and when I walked away from his wailing he was surprised. In the past his tantrums seemed to work and all of his previous caregivers - especially mom, let him have his own way. It was easier.

Although I couldn't be sure, I don't think he had ever had books in his home, he couldn't say any words and didn't know any numbers. Potty training was a long way off. Developmentally, he was on target for some things, behind on others, just like most kids.

Mostly though, he was fun and daring, willing to try whatever new adventures we took. He loved our home, our dogs and cat. He took to our routine and lifestyle. We fell in love with him within a week and we hoped to adopt him, but it wasn't mean to be.

I've kept in touch with Rick and his mom.

Tomorrow I'll continue the story of Rick.