baby b leaves the nest.

today baby B left our home. we knew it was coming but oh, has this day been painful.

kinship is almost always the goal when a little one is taken into custody, and that's where B went off to. a great-uncle who i've met, possibly slightly interrogated, and ultimately loved. he will be so great at his uncle's, i just know it. he will thrive. he will hopefully get to see his amazing parents even more. but our house is still so sad today.

i couldn't wait to blog my feelings about it because it's so cathartic for me. so here is my usual 'list of things i love and will deeply miss' about baby B:

- his piercing blue eyes. they held so much sweetness. when he looked at me i was a puddle of mush. he will get away with a lot in his life with those sweet eyes ;) 

- his courage. this boy is a fighter. i've never met a more sad baby to be taken away from mom and dad. he wouldn't crawl, he wouldn't look at us, he wouldn't eat, nothing. after a week he was trying to walk, trying to say big boy words, and we even got a laugh here and there. all he needed were a couple visits with his mom and dad and they lit a fire in him. when he left a few hours ago, he was practically running and never let a day pass without belly laughing.

- his amazinnnnggggg blond hair. and the way stefen so proudly fixed it for church into a most perfect mohawk.

- his ability to trip over anything, including air.

- his appetite. holy wow, that boy can eat! he ate double what baby J did and then ate her leftovers! we are going to save so much money now that he's gone (kidding, kind of.)

- speaking of his appetite, i will miss telling him "B, food is not love, food is NOT love." and having him giggle afterwards. it was a common phrase used around here.

- his busyness. no time for cuddles, aunt chelsie. i've got giant legos to destroy.

- his love for my daughter. oh bless, this is why i spent so much of my day crying. thinking about them being separated is just…sad. 3+ months of sharing a room and spending every waking second together really bonded them. before he left, stefen told him "never forget who your first love was, B."

- HIS BELLY. SO BIG AND CUTE.

- i will miss tucking him in every night.

- i will miss his precious baby smell.

- i will miss brushing his tiny teeth.

- i will miss everything.

i am asking whoever reads this to please pray for him, as moves are always confusing for little ones. please pray that he isn't confused, but secure in his new home. that he continues to thrive and learn and grow. that he gets to see his parents exponentially more. and finally, that they are all three reunified as soon as possible. 

thank you, everyone.

chelsie