15 days and counting!

We are 15 days away from finalization of the boys' adoption! It is so hard to believe that we are so close. It feels like it was just October when the boys moved in! I can remember how nervous I was the days leading up to them moving in. We had been having the boys for weekend visits for 8 weeks prior to them moving in full time so we were used to having little feet around for a while. But having 2 sets of feet for good was a bit scary, to say the least. "J" has some speech issues and I remember saying to Billy "What happens if we can't understand him and we don't know what he needs??" Well, the little man's speech has come SO FAR in the last 8 months and what he can't verbally tell you, he figures out a way to tell you in other ways. We are really excited to be closing one chapter of their lives, the one that labels them as "foster kids" and opening a new chapter, the one where they are part of a forever family. "K" has started to tell any and everyone that he is getting a new name soon and that he will be stuck with Jennifer and Billy forever. His face seems to light up as he tells people and gets a cute little giggle to his speech. It just makes me very so great. I am not really sure how much of the process he understands but he is comfortable with us and that is all that matters. "K" has an attachment issue and for a long time would not respond to "I love you" with anything other then a smile. He has recently started to respond with "I love you too" and even better, just saying it at random times!! What a big step for him. 

Tonight we went to the Laynes' house for dinner. The Carr family was there as well, including the very cute 1 month old Wesley. As long as he isn't crying, I enjoy holding him. As Wes was all snuggled up on my chest sleeping soundly, I couldn't help but think about how no one did that for "K" and "J" when they were little. No one just let them cuddle and sleep and feel safe while being held. "J" was 6 weeks old when he was placed with his special mom and dad so he had a great deal of love and cuddle after that, but "K" didn't have that bonding time as an infant. I have heard/read/been told that the most important time for learning attachment happens during those precious few months of life. It breaks my heart to think our little men didn't have that time! I guess my thoughts tonight, my sadness for this missing part of their life, especially "K", just means we need to work that much harder on giving him that nurturing time he missed out on. Hopefully it isn't too late....