She Smiles With Her Eyes

Tonight, we got to talk to Charlee for the very first time.  I was so excited and nervous leading up to the call that I nearly got sick.  I knew that once I started talking to her foster mother that I would feel better - and I did.

We spoke for a while about Charlee.  She told me she had told Charlee that she's going to have a new mommy and she's been telling her about me.  Then she said, "I'll let you introduce yourself to her".  It's so hard to know what to say to her, but all I could say was, "Hi Baby Girl.  Hello Charlee.  I love you...I love you so much".  I sang the ABCs to her and she made a few remarks that I'm sure were about my awful singing voice.  I suppose that's something she'll have to get used to.  Shane got to say hi to her, too, and tell her he loves her.

Anyone who has tried to talk with Tyler on the phone knows that he hardly ever will oblige.  So, knowing I was going to be making the call soon, I asked him if he might want to say hi to her.  He said yes.  I asked him what he would say and he said, "I'm going to say 'Hi Charlee' and I'm going to tell her that I love her".  Melt.My.Heart.  And - that's exactly what he did.

I happened to catch them at dinnertime, so her foster mother told me that she might be able to give me a call back later.  I was thinking tomorrow, and was surprised to hear the phone ring and it be her about an hour later.  This woman is A-MAZ-ING!  Her and her husband are caring for four foster children right now...one of which is just a few months older than Charlee.  We are so grateful that they have taken such good care of her and the other children, which has allowed Charlee to have a great start in life.  We plan on sending lots of photos of Charlee and keeping them up-to-date on her progress and our bonding experience with her.  She had mentioned that it is best for Charlee to have no contact with her during the time she is bonding with us.  Since she is the only mother she's ever really known, it would be confusing to hear her voice or see her on a video call.  I really do understand this - it does make me sad, but it doesn't need to be forever.

I told her that I have probably a million questions about Charlee, but they'll probably be best answered when we go to Toronto to see her.  It's all the little things that I'd like to know that might make it easier for Charlee during her transition into her new forever family.  What does she like to eat? When does she nap? Does she nap? Does she have a favourite toy, show, song?  The list really goes on for days.  She did tell me she's a bit of a picky eater, has sensitive skin and eyes, and is very good-natured.  She said, "She lights up the room when she walks in...it's in her eyes.  She smiles with her eyes".  She also told me to learn, "Skinnamarink" and "You Are My Sunshine", since she sings it to her (and all the other children, one by one) while holding her before bed.  Those are two songs that I know well and love from my own childhood.  I'm so excited to sing them to her soon.

The way she spoke of Charlee warmed my heart.  I can tell that she has been nurtured, cared for, and loved immensely by this family.  She is so blessed ~ and so are we!

Charlee taking notes at the meeting with her social worker and foster mom.  Look at those curls!    This was actually taken on Brandon's birthday, April 29th.

I forgot to mention that she asked how much Alyse weighs and I told her 24 lbs.  Apparently, Miss Charlee is petite and weighs just 20 lbs.  So, I guess they'll be in the same size clothing, afterall!