A Month into Motherhood

Well I'm not doing a good job of keeping up with this.  Partially because I don't get on the computer anymore much at night and usually it's blocked at my job...though today I found it to be unblocked and here we go.  (don't worry I'm not avoiding teaching- it's a parent/teacher day)
Improvements since last post:   Sleep habits are improving some.  We have now how almost full nights of sleep and Boy has slept in bed most of the time.   Both kids are behaving better for longer spurts and I'm enjoying having them around.   We took a trip to the KC Ren Fest and it was very successful.  Girl screamed all the way up, but we survived and overall they were very well behaved.  It helped that there were 4 adults also.   After the Ren Fest we took them to the Trex restaurant because Boy is really into dinosaurs right now.  That was a lot of fun.  We go every year to both, but it was different to have kids.  We got to see things through fresh eyes.   Boy is asking for things more instead of whining and really both kids fits/tantrums have decreased.   This week has been nice because of P/T conferences, they have had sitters this week and are getting to bed at a decent time.
I know that getting to my schedule is probably rough and every once in a while it really hits me that we are ALWAYS on the go.   Poor kids.
Things I'm still struggling with.  Girl still bites and bit 3 kids yesterday (she also got bit).  It's become less often and she did have a crap load of shots the day before (both kids were really behind in shots).  I wish I knew how to stop the biting.   Boy still pushes/hits/pinches - especially at church.  Last sunday he pushed another child and she bit her lip.   71/2 years at the job and no accidents till now.  very frustrating.  Yesterday he bit someone also.   I hope they don't get kicked out of daycare.   I really like the daycare they are going to.
Really the few times they get like this and nighttime is the only time we are still struggling.  I have seen huge improvements in the last month (it was a month yesterday).  People always ask me how I'm doing but other than night time, it's really not been to different.  I still get up about the same time, I go to bed earlier and eat better.  It takes a little longer to get in and out of the car, but that's about it. I'm still doing everything almost that I was before.  

What to do.

I've hit a delimna.   Nighttime with Boy.  He won't go to sleep.  he's been sleeping on the couch a lot lately.  I get so frustrated.
Also today was rough.  Girl bit Boy and left a lovely mark.  I've been trying so hard to keep the kids mark free for fear of retaliation of parent or social services...though they are bound to have marks.  Girl is just learning to walk and Boy is clumsy.   Also Boy had the biggest and hugest tantrum ever tonight at rehearsal.  He cryed so hard he made himself sick.   I don't know why either.  He won't answer yes or no questions so it's hard to get information from him.
I guess tomorrow I'll call my FSW and find out about the bite.   ack.
Tomorrow will be better...right.  It has improved there are just moments....

Getting Better

Things dramatically improved since the last post.  In fact that night they slept better and have done much better sleeping most nights.   I've changed daycares and feel better about the new one.    they are adorable, just can be cranky.  The kids at school love playing with them and it wears them out which is good.  

Change can Happen fast!

It has been almost a week since I became a 'mom'.   And it has been crazy.  Boy and Girl are not the well behaved children they seemed at first and can throw a tantrum like none other.   They are extremely adorable when they are in a good mood.   And night time has become harder and harder every night.  
Now I'm not saying I can't handle this all but it is a drastic change especially with two.  Last Thursday we looked into a daycare and found one (or so I thought).  I plan to change to a different one if I can get brave enough to tell the current one.  She wanted it all up front and now I'm poorer than ever.   We also spent time with my 18yr old cousin that led us to going to wichita - mainly because Boy needed to sleep and I thought the car ride would help.  My aunt met us and this ended up in a shopping trip and dinner and another late night...but she bought some cute clothes and we ended up with a stuffed dinosaur that Boy loves!  Friday was even crazier as my family came to my house and we proceeded to go to the zoo.  Boy gets along pretty well with my Nephew and they had a lot of fun playing this weekend.  It was an interesting mess with it also being the last weekend of the Shakespeare show.  I am lacking on sleep and this is not unusual for me, but it's rough when both kids are up screaming most of the night.  Last night was extremely rough as they visited their Mom and caused them to be confused.  Tonight both kids are asleep though and were by 10:30 (Girl much earlier) and Boy went to sleep without much crying.  Yea! ME.   Girl has to cry herself to sleep.  It was shorter tonight.   I know part of it is they have such different   sleeping arrangements here.   I'm amazed at how well they are doing for all the changes in their life.  I don't think I'd be doing so well.

My life is like the Weather

This morning I got up, spent part of the day thinking about how I needed to clean before my inspection next week and not real sure where I was going to find time with rehearsals, show, Landon coming and work.   For the most part is was a pretty normal day.   And then the phone call came.   Around 4:30 this evening I got a call from the foster place asking me to take not one, but two kids.   This phone call is how I found out my temporary license came through.  Ages 1 and 2.  And I said yes.  I had to rush and get two car seats, a toddler bed (thank goodness the crib was already together), food, and necessities.   By 7:30, the kids were here.  Boy and Girl.  And they came with nothing, but the outfit they had and one other.  Thank God for my parents who when I called came and helped me go shopping and welcome the kids.   My dad put the bed together while my mom and I took the kids back to walmart to find some clothes.  I think I spent $700 today.  There is the big downfall of not having kids, having them myself I would have been gifted everything.
It has been a whirlwind of an evening.  The caseworker was only here for about 1/2 and hour and then left.  Both kids are happy and well behaved kids with LOTS of energy.  My parents didn't leave till late and the walmart trip went late and both were still going when we returned home.   Night time was a little rough.  Girl after crying awhile fell asleep, but Boy refused.  I rocked him in the living room till he fell asleep.  Thankfully he didn't wake up when I put him in his bed.  It's now 2am and I'm exhausted.  Tomorrow, or rather today, I have to figure out daycare.   This should be interesting.   I can't believe I now have two foster kids.  This should be fun.  :-)

Moving Along and hopeful

I'm still waiting on information for my fostering.  Getting through this fostering process is a huge waiting game.  I haven't heard anything and feel ti should have occurred.  I've slacked on house cleaning because of all the rehearsals and school starting.   I did last night email my case worker to find out what was happening.  I also asked in the email about finding out about that little girl.  I do want to know about her and would gladly take her.   I think the chance of getting a small baby is slim anyway and she's still young.   I would like to get that moving though if it's a possibility.  I spent part of today with friends and kids and I really want kids.
 
update:  I got an email back that said not to worry that I haven't heard about my license.  My case worker is going to look into finding out about the little girl.   :-)

Waiting.....still waiting

I have now been waiting a week to hear from KHDE for my inspection...Actually it's been longer.   I think waiting is the hardest part.  And I have decided to ask about the little girl.  Just don't know where to start.  I really dislike the waiting.