A Bittersweet Day at 4BabyAndMom...

For those of you who haven't been with me since January...

At the beginning of this year, we were asked to be non-relative custodial caregivers for a beautiful, preemie baby girl. We accepted, and our life became rather interesting very quickly.

My children were both turkeys at birth- (Alex was 10lbs, 5 oz, & Abbie was 8lbs 15 oz two weeks early!)- so I had to get used to having a peanut in the house. NewBaby was born at 1lb 13 oz, and when we got her, she was just over 4 and a half pounds! I had to explain to the children that even though she was a 'newborn', she was *not* their sister. We explained that we were going to be "babysitting" for the baby for awhile. They accepted that. (Thankfully, the year prior I had been watching a couple of kids that were with us for awhile and then left to enroll in Preschool, so I think that helped too.)

Through the months, we watched as NewBaby grew in leaps and bounds. She packed on the pounds quickly, and evenly, and we sat in wonder and awe every time a doctor told us she was a "miracle baby". She truly is a blessing that was meant to be here, to serve a greater purpose, and the things God has in store for her must be amazing! To go through everything she did while in utero, and afterwards-- she's truly a miracle.. and every day we recognized it.

Everyone asked as the days and weeks kept passing, how were we ever going to give her back? Without hesitating, we both would say we would know when it was time. That time was today.

NewBaby has been officially reunified with her birth father at court today.

We got to meet up with her this evening to say "good-bye", even though the bio-dad and his girlfriend said we'd stay in contact, I wanted to make sure the kids got that closure. That Bri and I got that closure too. After all, for almost 6 months we were that baby's primary caregivers. It is hard to love a little one that you know is 'not yours' when you know that you're not going to be with them forever, but the love came so freely. To watch her eyes light up when we spoke to her today, that made it all worth while!

I hope and pray, that things go well for her at her new home, with her real dad.. and his family. I can only pray that God protects her and continues to bless her little life, and anyone who meets her. She truly is a walking an army-crawling, rolly-poly, miracle. Our lives have been blessed knowing NewBaby, and nothing can ever change that. We will definitely miss her.

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Lots of Excitement @ 4 Baby And Mom!! Updates and More!

Wow! So life has been interesting to say the least.. adjusting to NewBaby, and having a sick toddler on top of everything- days are a little longer and nights a whole lot shorter, but the rewards are definitely worth it.

NewBaby is doing well. She's grown from 4lbs 13oz to 5lbs 2 oz!! Grow Baby, Grow!! The pediatrician is very impressed with how superb she is doing. She really is a little miracle baby!

Abbigaile is sick.. The other night she spiked a high fever and instead of just keeping a watchful eye on it, I decided to bring her to the ER because of NewBaby. Surprisingly, we were in and out in about an hour! Turns out she has an ear infection, and a sore throat, possibly strep, but the doc couldn't really see all the way in. Abbie has ear tubes, I thought infections weren't supposed to happen?? Oh well.

Alex is doing very well at school, now that they've advanced his reading group. He is in a 1st grade reading group, and LOVES it! Completely different from his old school that thought perhaps he had Autism or Asperger's Syndrome, or some other spectrum disorder. Amazing what some people can come up with, just because they're not willing to recognize excellence.

On to the fun stuff! 4BabyAndMom's Fabulous February Fiesta is coming up! We have only a few more slots left for sponsors, so if you know of an amazing company that you'd love to see featured, please let me know! You can contact me at 4BabyAndMom [at] gmail [dot] com.

You saw the other list of sponsors HERE, right? I cannot wait! There's going to be giveaways, discounts galore, interviews and many amazing products featured! Oh, now you want to know who else is participating?? Ok, ok.. Here's another sneak peek!!

More of this year's sponsors include:
SHI SHU BABY
ABBA DABBA BAGS
SEE KAI RUN
KID SAFE INK
ME4KIDZ
Ingrid & Isabel BELLA BANDS
MY PRECIOUS KID
AND MORE!!!

HOW TO SCORE EXTRA ENTRIES:

• Make sure you are a follower!
• Refer a friend, or two!
  
• Tweet about our Fabulous February Fiesta and link it back to us!
• Email at least 3 new friends and CC me 4BabyAndMom [at] gmail [dot] com
• Grab my Banner and promotion banner and put it on your website, blog, etc.

Make sure you comment on this post to let me know which of these you have already done.

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Goodness Gracious!

I apologize for neglecting my blog this week, HUGE changes have occurred in my household since Monday.

Have no fear, the children are all doing well, in fact, all three of them are. My husband and I are now officially the legal temporary guardians of a beautiful baby girl. Without getting into specifics (legally I am not sure what I am allowed to disclose or not) the baby was either going to be placed into foster care, or we were going to keep her awhile. The judge chose us.

She's adorable- born premature at 27.5 weeks and 1lb 15oz. She's a miracle baby, for sure! She was able to breathe on her own within 24 hours, her lungs are still doing great. She had to receive blood on a couple of instances, but I am unsure of all of those details. She eats like a champ, and so far, so good. She was released today at 4lbs, 13oz- HALF the weight of Alex when he was born! She's such a peanut, I don't even know where to begin! I was given an infant CPR course before I left the hospital today with her, and a short video on preemies. Did I mention, she's HALF the size of Alex when he was born?!

I need you, my readers to give me some advice now. For those of you that had preemies, what was the one thing you wish someone told you? What is "different" with a preemie vs. a full term baby? (Aside from the obvious, weight, immune system, etc). For those of you that didn't have teeny babies, what was the one baby product you couldn't live without??

Normal blog posts will resume on Monday. I apologize again for any inconvenience. Remember to mark your calendar, because the FABULOUS FEBRUARY FIESTA IS COMING SOON!

This week, be sure to look for our Giggle Bug Boutique review and Bugaboo Shoes giveaway!! Trust me, it's totally worth it, and subscribers get bonus entries! Hurry, tell your friends! ;o)

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