The First 24 Hours...

We've officially been home for 24 hrs!!  It has been a very heartwarming and busy time!

We met the boys' caseworker halfway yesterday while Hails and Zach were at school.  We were so happy to see them again and anxious to get them home.  When she opened the car door and we saw their little faces peering back at us, it was hard not to cry.  The joy that welled up inside me was overwhelming.  They looked a little scared, a little tired and like their noses had been running.  We held them and talked to them and kissed them.  Elijah was very happy that Mama was ready with goldfish crackers and apple juice! 

The caseworker and I talked about how the pick up and the ride over went.  She said foster mom was brave, but broken over the situation.  We loaded up the many bags of toys, clothes and medical supplies into our van and set out to take our new babies and all of their worldly possessions home.  The ride went very smoothly; the boys napped and Josh and I talked excitedly.

The afternoon was spent unpacking, organizing, snuggling and snacking.  Foster mom sent so many nice outfits for them, some still had tags on them!  She sent all of their favorite toys, including a special teddy bear that she had programmed to say 'Elijah'.  We were really touched by that.  It told us that not only did she remember what his new name would be, she accepted it, and was trying to help us teach it to him. 

Bonding is going really really well.  Isaiah seemed to not be feeling well, so after dinner, I took him to my room to snuggle him and sing to him.  He fell asleep in my arms.  I forgot how amazing that feels.  He is such a happy baby.  He is always smiling or laughing or cooing.  Elijah is also very happy, and very spunky!  His little personality is really coming through.  At one point he was looking for me and called "Mama, Mama!"  My heart melted!!   And at bedtime, when Josh was saying goodnight, Eli said "Dada, Dada!"  Sigh...  Bedtime went smoothly, only a few tears and they were out.

We felt that it was important to have some quality time with Hailey and Zach after the boys went to bed.  We rented a movie and got some ice cream, and cuddled up for the night.  It was good for the soul.

Foster mom text me before I went to bed to make sure the boys were feeling better and to see if we found everything we needed.  I assured her they were doing great and thanked her for everything.  I really am sorry for what she's going through, but I'm so grateful for everything she's done for us and for them. 

The two kiddos that I expected to get up early slept in until 7:30am this morning and my late sleepers woke up at 6:00am anxious to spend more time with their new little brothers.  We were greeted with smiles and cuddles!  We got everyone changed, medicated, situated and fed by 8:30.  We spent the morning playing, dancing and establishing boundaries and a routine.  

We laid the boys down for their nap and decided to work together to straighten up the house and work on a little laundry.  So now we're relaxing.  My my my, I have taken this for granted in the past!  I have a feeling I'm going to really enjoy nap time everyday :) 

It's amazing how natural this all feels, it's as though I've always known them.  It's only been one day and already I can't imagine our lives without them in it...  So what has changed in the last 24 hrs?  Well, my house is filled with the sounds of musical toys and giggles, there is a new set of fingerprints a little lower on my walls, everything is being cut into bite sized pieces and my fridge is proudly displaying a photo of another family never to be forgotten.  I'm feeling a strange combination of elation, exhaustion, joy and finally...peace. <3