Sunday, August 13, 2006

Glow Worm

The Back Story of Casey's Open Adoption
We really hit the jackpot when it came to Casey's birth family. We have an open adoption, which means we have ongoing contact with his birth family. We exchange e-mails, photos, care packages and phone calls. Plus, we try to get together in person every year. They are in Ohio, and we live in California-- so it takes some effort, but it is totally worth it. Casey's situation is a little unusual because he has two half-siblings, whom he adores. They are half-siblings because they have a different biological father from Casey, but they all share the same biological mother. Casey's birthmother passed away in a car accident quite tragically in October 2004. This was very sad for allof her children-- the two who live in Ohio and Casey, who won't get to know how amazing she was. Fortunately for us, Casey's birth-grandparents wanted to stay in touch with us! Casey's birth grandparents (Grandma Linda and Grandpa Jim, as we refer to them) share physical custody of Casey's birth siblings with their father, who we don't really know. So we have continued to get photos, e-mails, phone calls-- and invitations to visit-- even though we made the agreement with their daughter (Casey's birth mother), not them. How lucky is that?!? They are great.

Anyway, when they heard we'd received our referral for Marcie, Casey's birth family sent a package which included a couple outfits for Casey (which he is practically wearing a hole in this summer because they were Thomas and Lightning McQueen clothes, which Casey LOVES), a toy for Casey (Wingo, from cars), and some items for Marcie. Marcie received a couple of very cute outfits and a glow worm. You can see a picture of the glow worm just below.

The Disappearing Glow Worm
Now, Casey loved the car and the clothes, and he played with the car for a while. But then his interests turned to the glow worm. We explained that the glow worm was a gift to Marcie-- and that it was Marcie's glow worm, not Casey's. Casey seemed to understand, but he just couldn't help pushing the glow worm's stomach. After all, this wasn't the old school glow worm (like the one I had and gave to Casey when he was younger-- the kind that just lit up), this glow worm plays music. And Casey loves music.

In any case, I put Marcie's glow worm in her nursery (we'll post pictures soon). But the other day when I was in Marcie's room, I noticed the glow worm was missing! Did the dog take it? I wondered. After all, that would be awfully bold of our pug. And Pugasus doesn't have a strong jaw. But no, it wasn't Pugasus. I found the glow worm in Casey's room! Since then, I've found it in Casey's room, or heard Casey playing it probably a half a dozen times. It totally cracks me up. Guess we'll have to get him a musical glow worm of his own!

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