Settling in...

Eight days home and we're starting to settle into a family with three kidlets. It's been exhausting, exhilarating, messy, frustrating and fabulous.

Repeatedly, I breathe a sigh of relief as I look at the precious little faces climbing/crawling/running/singing/dancing/shrieking/drooling underfoot and thank God for the opportunity to be their mother. My life with them is chaotic and good.

Owen is doing amazingly well in his new home with his new family. He has had so many changes hurled his way in the last week or so, and he continues to take them in stride. We have had some predictable bouts of grief along the way (for his foster family, etc.), as well as some significant sleeping challenges, but overall our son just might be the most mellow little boy around. He is observant and interested in all that's happening around him; once he feels secure, he begins to babble and explore, which is great to watch. He loves his sisters but possibly adores Mookie even more... He crawls as fast as he can to keep up with him, and if given his way would do all his teething on Mookie's back and ears.

Caroline and Jane are hanging in there. All things considered, they, too, have taken this huge adjustment quite well. I think Caroline spends a lot of time contemplating and analyzing the new "arrangement"; whereas Jane approaches the situation with her usual aplomb and indifference. They all seem to be comfortable around each other, which is all I can ask for at this point, and I know that their affection for and protectiveness over each other will continue to grow.

Thanks to all for the support and love over the past few weeks. We've needed it. Everything still feels so strange and new, but I'm confident in the days ahead we'll fine-tune our crazy, wonderful life together.