Anthony's story of how he became a part of our family is remarkable.
He was born six weeks early, and shortly after his being born, Social
Services informed us that he would be coming to our home. We had
recently been licensed as foster parents, and he was our second foster
child. We were a little bit wary, having had no experience with
parenting a preemie. Sheri visited him in the hospital a couple times,
and visited with the nurses before bringing him home. He was born four
pounds seven ounces, and when he came to our home at two weeks weighed
about five pounds. He was the love of our life from his first coming
home. Man those preemie diapers are small.
His only medical
problem after that has been his kidneys retaining too much water. But
that has pretty much resolved itself as he has gotten older. They were
also worried about the strength of his legs. But with climbing up
stairs, and jumping on trampoline, his legs are as strong as anyone's
his age. He now enjoys climbing trees, the wall the shelf etc. He's
Spider Man you know.
My proudest moment with Tony, when he was
small, was taking him to my older son's Marine graduation. I had him in a
carrier, and people so much wanted to see the beautiful baby. He was
still small, but such a beautiful boy. I didn't tell anyone he was our
foster baby; just our baby.
But, unfortunately, our happiness with
Tony was short lived. Social Services found a relative placement for
him, with cousins, and after he was with us only two months he moved
on. I went to the exchange, which took place at the shelter. He
weighed eight pound when he left us. We really didn't think we would
ever see Tony again.
But who knows how things work. About ten
months later, after his first birthday, Social Services called us to
inform us he was available for placement. We jumped at the opportunity.
Our little boy was coming back home.
We were close to Tony from
the first moment he came to our home, both times. We have loved him.
He was very easy to love. After a child has been in your home six months
you can petition for de facto parent status. This we did as soon as we
could. And so we were then more involved in the court process. Social
Services has a general philosophy of placing with relatives, no mater
the circumstance. so much so that even after his mother's parental
rights were terminated, they found a relative placement for him.
When
Tony became available for adoption we wanted him to stay with us,
forever. We did not feel it would be good for him to move to another
home. Social Services found a family, and after his being with us for
almost a year altogether, developed a plan to move him, to family
members he didn't really even know. We felt Tony was already home, and
that a further loss (he had bonded to us) would not be good for him. He
had already gone through three removals--loses in essence, and didn't
need another one. They went so far as to take our little baby by car,
over an hour away for a visit. We understood he cried all the way
there. Poor little Tony.
Tony developed a funny habit during this
time. He started seeking out Sheri's blouses when for what ever reason
he couldn't have Sheri. I was cute, but an indication to us that he
was overwhelmed with things in his life he couldn't control, and found
some comfort with Sheri's smell. He preferred dirty ones from the
hamper, but would take a clean one from the closet if he couldn't get to
the hamper.
And so a court contest ensued. We petitioned the
court to not move him, and discontinue visits, which they had started
with the new family. Visits were continued, but on a pared down basis.
The court decided to have hearings with regards to determining the
placement.
This process seemed to drag on forever.
Generally
the court sides with social services. However there was a precedent of
another case being decided in favor of a foster family. County Counsel
was representing social services, recommending movement to the relative
home. The County Attorney's office which represented Tony were
fighting for him to stay with us. We finally got our own attorney as
well.
After numerous postponings, we finally made it to court.
The deciding testimony was that of Tony's pediatric MD, who was an
expert on loss and separation, and told the judge that moving Tony would
be detrimental, making him more susceptible to separation issues and
ADHD. What a great day when the attorney ruled in our favor and decided
Tony would stay with us.
Tony's
adoption was finalized April 15 2009. He was two years, two months at
that time. H e through his adoption, and I held him the whole time.
We celebrated at BJs.
Another big day for Tony was his sealing day
at the temple. We went to celebrate before, because of people's
schedules after. Sheri went to the car to change his butt, and left her
purse as we were all filing out. Someone broke the window and took off
with the purse, in that little time. What a stunner, as the pursue
contained the documents we needed for the temple, as well as the
recommends for most of our party. Tony's older siblings were going to
the temple as well.
With calls to our neighbor who was able to fax
the documents, and the Bishop being there to verify temple worthiness
for everyone, we got the sealing done. Tony wasn't happy until after.
He had to ride in a care with a broken window, and couldn't sleep like
he normally did in the car.
It is a joy to have Tony as our son.
Tony
reminds us everyday that it is important to have a good time. I took
him to the library and he gets to play on the computer, and climb on the
seats, and look at books and after he will say, "We had a good time." I
take him to the park and he "swings like a monkey" on the bar, and he
pretends to be Spider Man in the swing and shoots his pretend webs, and
kicks me in the belly as I pretend to be the monster. He will go by the
creek and he throws stones into the water and I pick black berries. We
have a good time. H loves to bounce in bouncy hoses, he loves to play
with his toys, he loves McDonald's for the new toys.
Tony
has the winningest smile. His face is so expressive. He has a good
time, and in doing so has reminded us all that it is OK to have fun. I
can't remember exactly what the psychiatrist on MASH said, something
like "Pull down you pants and slide on the ice." That is our Tony.
The
;\last few weeks we have seen another side of Tony, which also has to
do with having a good time. He has become a server. He will bring
candy and cookies to you. He loved handing out candy for Halloween. He
will also do little things for you, without being asked, when he sees
there is a need.
Tony, like all our babies, is a miracle. He is a miracle and we love him.
