Baby 1...almost

We got the call.  Yesterday around 3, DSS called us and said "Are you ready?  We have your first placement....a 7 mo old little girl."  "okay" I said ("HOLY CRAP" I thought).  "She's African American, is that okay?"  This one caught me off guard.  I guess people say "Nah, was hoping for a white baby to take care of." Strange.  "Yes, that's fine" I said.  
DSS said she will need to be dropped off that afternoon.  Yikes.  Panic quickly ensued....well, not really....I was driving 3 kids to the dentist so panic had been ongoing since I wasn't sure I was going to be able to pin Luke down in the chair while discussing the oral hygiene of all 3 children with a dental assistant..in heels.  I quickly got myself together and then again quickly freaked out when I realized my long, tediously typed and well thought out list of questions to ask would not support a conversation being made on a dangerous highway.  I remembered a few questions "Can you tell me the history of the child", "Can you tell me if there are any known medical issues", "Are there any siblings / where are they?", "Why was the child taken from the home", etc...  I tried my best to jot down the answers with a sharpie on the back of a receipt (note:  clean out purse) that I had in my reach.  I told the social worker I would call back after speaking with Danny.  I filled Danny in on the background - it was a unique situation but the baby was healthy and happy from what we understood.  No idea how long the child would be with us.  (You have to assume a long stay - which is why the questions are vital.)
After a few back and forth texts (in between checking kids in, prying them off of the video games in the office, and playing musical chairs with the dental chairs), we decided it was a go.  I mean...why wouldn't it be?  We signed up for this.  More freaking out - needed to secure clothes and reminded myself that we probably wouldn't want to have any of baby girl's belongings in the house and that she will need a bath ASAP (just because you never know where they were and what the conditions were like).  What size diaper does a 7 mo old wear?  What formula do we get?  Where will she go to daycare?  How do I make that happen?  Called DSS back and left a message saying we were ready and asked about formula, daycare, and belongings.  We waited and imagined every single circumstance possible with baby girl - it's kind of impossible not to.
De ja vous.... radio silence.  We heard nothing from them for 2+ hrs.  Then, they call back at 6PM to let us know the courts had reconsidered and determined the home was safe for baby girl.  The story was kind of a strange one but overall it sounded like it was going to be a safe place for baby girl.  Was a good drill for us.  A little more numb to the whole situation and a lot more prepared.  
As an aside:  the kids were stoked about everything.  Arguing over whose room the baby should sleep in.  Love those kiddies.  
More to come....

My oh My....

We are licensed!  Eeeekkk!  Just called to check in & found out we were licensed on 6/24.  Game on.

Jeez.....

"Hello:

I just got a response from the state licensing office.  I have your  W-2’s for 2013, but they are requesting recent check stubs.  Can you please forward me three months of recent check stubs.  Usually this is the final request from the state office before you are licensed."

We already gave pay stubs....twice.  Ehh....I forwarded her the emails that she should have already had in her inbox.....yawn.

June 12.....and counting

"Your license is still in pending  status. I sent an inquiry in reference to the status and have not gotten a response. If I don’t get a response by Monday I will call them."