Merry Christmas to all! Hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas!
Once again I bought DD10 way too many things but if you can't spoil them at Christmas time, when can you? It's been a little difficult year for her as she found out she is not the center of the universe.
On Jan 3rd this year we got a call from Children Services that my brother and his wife had given birth to a baby boy-born Christmas Eve. Due to their preference for drugs over health he was placed into the County's care. Since we had previously been approved as foster parents we were able to cut through some of the red tape and bring him home on the 4th (what a whirlwind that was getting ready for him-thankk goodness for craigslist!). My DD10 was so excited to finally be getting a baby brother (they are biologically 1/2 brother and sister).
While she loves her little brother she quickly found her little world changing.

It was no longer just about her. Now the baby took center stage and she's had a hard time adjusting to it. There have been a few meltdowns over the year.
So if I spoiled her a little more this year, so be it.

Besides, thanks to these boards I got most things at a great deal! This is definitely the year of DVDs. I got her Tink ($5); Harry Potter, G Force, and Night the the Museum 2 all for $10 pre-ordered. And the best deal of all-I got her grandparents to get her her Wii! Saved me $200!

I also get her 7 Zhu Zhus but I'm giving 2 to my neighbor for her DD6 (they also adopted a new baby this year) so she'll end up with 5.
The baby is doing great! He was a little small for his height but we quickly fattened him up (though he's not fat, he has a slender build) My DSis signed papers for his adoption a few weeks ago and the adoption will be final about the end of Jan. Even though he doesn't live at our house we do watch him while my Dsis works so he is here 5 days a week. (or more). In fact he spent the night last night since his mom worked until 10 last night and had to be back in at 8 a.m. today. So Happy Birthday

little Benjamin, you are 1 year old today. We are so happy you are such a happy and healthy baby!

And wait until next year when you know who Santa is!
Once again,
MERRY CHRISTMAS to ALL!


