There's a Stroller in my Kitchen

Our condo has a tiny entryway that basically fits a welcome mat and 2 pairs of shoes. So naturally, after our walk last night, the stroller ended up pushed from the entrance into the kitchen right when I was getting dinner ready. I tripped over it 4389504 times, and when I was walking to the dining room to set the table, I stepped on at least two baby toys.

I then got T-man in his highchair, not realizing their was a cracker still there from his afternoon snack, and crumbs rained down onto Watson, waiting below for the baby's inevitable food spillage. Awesome.

I sighed and looked at my house full of toys, and now crumbs, and felt like a mess. I told this to the baby (he doesn't argue which is nice) and he just grinned at me with his two little teethies. Suddenly the toys and loss of square footage didn't even matter :)

I had the opportunity to get to chat with T-man's mom earlier this week and I'm so grateful. She is very saddened by the loss of her children, but is always excited to talk about what her baby boy is learning. It's a look into the life he's living outside of her home.

I realized last night that having this precious boy in my house - and the crumbs, toys, and drool that comes with it - is something that his mother desperately misses. Because of my conversation with T-man's mom, last night was the first time I began to grasp the loss that a birth parent faces when their children enter foster care. Their kids bring me so much joy...but as parents they are facing the toughest time in their lives. They are painfully aware of the milestones they are missing.

I know many may read this and think the parents "deserve" to miss out on this time with their babies. I do agree in extraordinary situations but for the majority of kids in care, their parents did the best they could with the hand they were dealt.

I'm sad for T-man's parents when they miss out on these sweet moments I get to share with him daily. My goal is to try to include them in as many events as possible, and share as many pictures as I can. After all, how can I love little man without caring about his parents too?

I will embrace all the two-teeth grins I get...and even the stroller in my kitchen :)