Up the Stairs

On Friday, I went to a hearing for Miss R and her siblings. The hearing was to determine whether or not there was a preponderance of evidence to support CPS' case against the parents. As I've said before, I can't go into revealing details for privacy reasons, but I can say that Miss R now has a new lawyer representing her b/c her older siblings are split on what they want to happen. One wants to return to the parents as soon as possible. The other does not. The lawyer representing the one who does not want to return has been appointed Miss R's guardian ad litem. I gave a short report to the Court saying how Miss R is doing. She is doing very well and is now caught up on her immunizations. She has fit into our household without noticeable signs of distress from the transition. The details of the case are complicated...very complicated. The family has found an extended family member, who happens to be taking care of Miss R's paternal grandmother and other children of the father. Consequently, it is unclear how long Miss R will be staying with us. The Court is giving CPS discretion but has suggested not "disrupting" Miss R again as she is doing well in our house...until the direction of the case becomes more clear. I talked with Miss R's parents after the hearing about Miss R's diet and such. They were helpful. I don't doubt their sincerity in wanting their children back. It unfortunately doesn't mean that it is the best place for them at this time. I felt a bit drained emotionally after the hearing just because the reality of the case isn't a simple narrative of good guys versus bad guys story, although some wrong things have been done, which call parental capability into question. Again, I can't explain what I mean by that w/o disclosing details which I simply can't discuss legally. Bottom line: Life is complicated, often more than it should be.

Shirley, Henry's PT, visited at 2PM. Henry said a word but we couldn't understand what he was saying at first. Jeff figured it out. Henry was saying "wheel barrow." We haven't said the word since Shirley visited last month. Henry wanted Shirley to hold his legs while he walked around on his hands.

Henry and Miss R went over to Grammy and Poppy's in the late afternoon. Jeff and I went to get party supplies for Henry's birthday party tomorrow. We had some dinner before returning home. Grammy and Poppy returned The Twins about a half-hour later. At their house, Henry didn't eat much. Miss R ate a lot. For awhile, Henry was trying to keep up with her on eating, but he seems to have given up on that feat. Grammy said that at one point, The Twins were chasing each other around the kitchen and having fun doing it.

Miss R was a riot last night. She was very excited about the ball pit. She went crazy in it. Rolled around the balls. Then stood up and shook the railing, jumping until she was out of breath.

Henry was his usual daredevil self. He sat on the railing of the ball pit and fell backward into the balls. Then, he wanted me to hold his hands as he stood on the rail and then fell backward into the balls.

We gave The Twins a bath. Miss R led the way, which was a surprise to us. Then, "Jungle Book" and bed.

This morning, we went to Joel's for breakfast. As we got in the car to go there, Henry said "fish pond" and "up the stairs." When we arrived at the restaurant, Miss R and I sat under a table with an umbrella near the fountain. I held Miss R, drinking my coffee, as Jeff ran around monitoring Henry. A huge wind gust blew the table almost over, spilling water and coffee everywhere. Luckily, the coffee missed Miss R and just got on my pants. Four people came to my rescue and got the table back up. We ended up moving to a more secure table.

We visited my office afterward. Henry and Miss R loved walking up and down the steps. Miss R even cried when we left the building. I think that she could have spent all day there. We visited the turtle pond before leaving campus.








We came home, and The Twins took a nap. Jeff is now taking them to the grandparents' house so that we can get ready for the party for tomorrow.

Henry's words over the last few days:

350. Chase
351. Elevator
352. Fish pond
353. "Up the stairs!"
354. Tie