About Lankford #4

Jaiden arrived at our house and a week later he had a birthday. Since the day the caseworker called me that he existed and would we like to adopt him, we were under the impression that he would turn 3 years old on June 9th. 

That's what she told us. 

So we celebrated him turning THREE!!

A few days later we were trying to get him in to see the Dr. b/c he had to have a check up within 72 hours of being "placed" in our home. 

Medicaid had his birth date as June 9, 2010.

We thought it was June 9, 2009.

Erik just randomly brought this up at dinner, and I said well, maybe he's only 2.

It would explain why he doesn't speak like a 3 year old, why he was still sleeping in a crib at his Grandma's and why he wasn't potty training yet. 

So we looked at the paper work (which we had gotten the night they brought him to us and never looked at it) and SURE ENOUGH.....everything had his birth date as June 9, 2010. 

We are morons. 

So in case you haven't heard, we now have 2 FIVE YEAR OLDS, a TWO YEAR OLD and an ALMOST TWO YEAR OLD. 

We are very blessed by this little boy. 

It's quite a bit more of an adjustment taking in a two year old rather than the infants we had. 

Trying to get used to his personality and his cry and his fits. 

So we celebrated again the next Friday for Isaac's Birthday and we had a FIVE YEAR OLD and a TWO YEAR OLD party!

You can tell how much they look alike in this picture.
Jaiden has a LOT of the same personality traits as Isaac.
He shoves his food in his mouth like a chipmunk. Isaac used to do this.
He gets out of his bed 5-10 times before actually going to sleep. Isaac still does this.
He laughs a lot. (the reason we chose the name Isaac for Isaac)
He is stubborn/hard headed. Just stares at you sometimes refusing to say or do what you ask him to.
Totally ignores you when you call his name. (is this a boy trait in general? heeeheee We actually had his hearing checked just in case)

He is coming out of his shell for sure though. He and Libby are starting to play with one another.
Reminds me of Isaac and Hadleigh.
This week he actually said the word "please" to me several times.
He is talking just as much as Libby now, he just doesn't do it on command, but he CAN say anything.
He repeats everything Erik and I say to the big kids like he's the boss. :)

That's all I can think of for now.
We are hoping to finalize adoption mid December sometime!!
 

Lankford #4 has arrived

On June 1st CPS went to court to recommend that Jaiden come to live with us. Court was held around 1:00 pm or so and by 10:30 p.m. that night we had Jaiden in our home. The judge ruled that he immediately be placed in our home (even though we were not TECHNICALLY certified) or he would have to go to a group home until we were available. 

Of course we said to bring him here. We did not want him to go anywhere else. 

The CPS caseworker and Jaiden hopped on a plane and flew in to Abilene and drove to Aspermont. 

When he got to our home he was exhausted. He had just fallen asleep. 

He was terrified, scared and extremely sad. 

They had yanked him from his Grandma and she really didn't get to say goodbye to him. I am sad for her about that.

He doesn't really talk much. 

He's less verbal than Libby who is 19 months old. 

Please pray for his speech.

By the next morning on Saturday he seemed to be doing fine. 

He woke up.

No crying, 

Ate breakfast.

Played with all the kids outside. 

Did not stop until about 6:30 that evening. 

He was like the energizer bunny. 

So far he is a good sleeper. 

Aunt Lauren brought him a toddler bed, but he was used to sleeping in a crib still. 

We have to sit with him most nights until he falls asleep. 

Introducing Lankford children #4 and #5

So you may have read about the sickness I had when we first moved here and the stabbing I inflicted upon myself within the first few weeks we were in our new home. There has been something going on constantly and I can't seem to catch my breath. 

We, and by we, I mean me and the kids or just me and then there was one time when we all, went back to Kerrville to visit. Each time it has been for work, but also an excuse to visit. We miss our friends and our life there, but we are very happy to be right where we are in the midst of where God has placed us for this part of our journey. 

On March 30th I took a pregnancy test. I had actually taken one a week before and it was negative. 

This time.....YEP.....you guessed it. 

POSITIVE.

Kind of took us by surprise only because we weren't really "planning" it. 

Right before Libby turned one, we decided we would start "trying" again. 

So Dr. W started me on the Clomid and we did this for I think 4 months. When we moved I decided it was time for a break. 

We sort of had a lot going on. 

Anyway, obviously the Lord had plans for us and I ended up getting pregnant naturally with NO drugs!

YAY. 

Fast forward to 3 weeks later. 

I get a phone call from CPS on my voice mail. 

When I called them back they explained to me that our Son Isaac has a biological brother. 

Same Mom and Dad. 

He's been in foster care since he was 11 months old, living with his Great Grandmother, who is 80 years old. 

His birthday is June 9th and he is about to be 3 years old. 

That's almost EXACTLY 2 years younger than Isaac, who's birthday is June 15th. 

His name is Jaiden and his parental rights have been terminated and they want us to consider adopting him. 

WHOA! 

Talk about a lot to take in. Of course, we immediately said we would pray about it and consider it. We have always known that if either of our adopted children would have a sibling it would most likely be Isaac. 

All that's to say, we have been getting re-certified as foster parents so that Jaiden could come live with us! Court date is June 1st where they will rule and then hopefully sometime that week we will be able to get him. 

Last Friday I went in for my 12 week check up and the EDD is December 3. 

Introducing the Lankford's Poppyseed #2

That's where our life is at now. 

It's non stop around here. 

Stay tuned to see where our adventures take us!