*It's been a little over a year since Benji was adopted. His caseworker is coming to check in on him. Send suggestions! Love • Bree 💙
Will and RJ just finished up cleaning the house and they are watching TV. Will pulls out the camera and vlogs.
"Benji's caseworker is coming over today. Just for a checkup. To make sure he is doing well and adjusting. Don't worry everything is fine, this is just a thing you have to do when you adopt through the foster care system. Also because of Benji's situation." Will says as he films RJ and Coralei.
"His caseworker is like our best friend. She is the reason we are Benji's parents. She is an phenomenal person. She is also having a baby so we made her a little basket." RJ says.
"I don't think she knows what she is having yet, so we put gender neutral things in there. Benji is taking his nap, so we are just relaxing downstairs with Coralei waiting for Carrie to arrive." Will says as he waves.
A few minutes later the door bell rings and it's Carrie. RJ puts Coralei in her swing and then he walks over to the door and opens it.
"Hey! Come on in!" RJ says as he hugs Carrie. "Hey guys! I love the new house! It's incredible!" Carrie says as Dobby tries to jump on her.
"Dobby, down." RJ says. "Hi Dobby! You have gotten big too! You smell the other doggies I have met today, huh?" Carrie says as she pets Dobby.
"It's so good to see you! And thank you! Benji is taking a nap, but he will be up any moment." Will says as he hugs Carrie. Coralei coos in her swing.
"Aw, the baby! She is so beautiful!" Carrie says as RJ picks her up. "Would you like to hold Coralei?" RJ asks and Carrie happily nods.
RJ hands Coralei to Carrie. "She is so beautiful! She's a chunker!" Carrie says, causing Will and RJ to giggle.
"Thank you, Benji loves her so so much." RJ says and Will nods. Will and Carrie talk about baby things since Carrie is expecting her first child.
"Thank you so much for the basket! I appreciate it so much!" Carrie says with a huge smile.
"Of course, it's the least RJ and I can do. You have done so much for us and you are family." Will says.
Benji walks down the steps from his nap. "Hey bubba! Look who's here!" Will says as Benji sees Carrie.
"Ms. Carrie!" Benji says as he runs over to Carrie. "Hey! I missed you!" Carrie says as she hugs Benji.
"Woah, you have gotten so tall!" Carrie says and Benji smiles. "He has gained a lot of weight and grown a lot." Will says and RJ smiles.
"You are holding Coralei!" Benji says as he kisses Coralei's cheek.
"I am holding Coralei! You are a big boy! Who is Coralei?" Carrie asks Benji. "Baby Coralei is my baby sister and she was born upstairs in the bathroom!" Benji says and Carrie giggles.
RJ laughs loudly as Will covers his face, laughing too. "Long story short Will gave birth to Coralei at home. It was an accident home birth." RJ explains to Carrie.
"Aw, that's cute! I don't know if I could do that. Coralei is so beautiful." Carrie says happily. "I know, I was scared and I am so grateful that she is here and healthy." Will says.
"Thank you for finding Mr. Duckie, Ms. Carrie!" Benji says proudly. "I am so glad you have Mr. Duckie! I was so happy when I found him and mailed him to your house!" Carrie says happily.
"We filmed Benji getting him back. We gave him back when we gave him his big brother present." Will says and RJ nods, showing Carrie the video.
"Aw, I am so happy you have Mr. Duckie back!" Carrie says with a smile. "I'm in preschool now, Ms. Carrie!" Benji says as he jumps up and down.
"Wow! That's awesome! Do you have a lot of friends?" Carrie asks Benji.
"Yes! I have a lot of friends and I have two teachers!" Benji says as Carrie listens.
Carrie and Benji talk for a few more minutes before Benji wants to play. "Benji, you can go play. Just try to be a little quieter because Coralei is sleeping." Will says as Benji runs over to his dollhouse.
"He is a talker! So happy to see him talking and having lots of friends." Carrie says as she fixes Coralei's blanket.
"He definitely has a lot of friends! Preschool has been great for him." RJ says and Will nods.
While Benji plays, Carrie brings out her folder of things for Benji. "I have found some photos that we have saved of Benji. These survived the fire." Carrie says as she hands the envelope to Will and RJ. Will and RJ open the envelope and look through the photos.
Some of the photos are of Benji with his birth parents, one photo is of the day Benji was born that the hospital takes, a few photos of him in the NICU, and a few photos of Benji as a baby and toddler.
"Benji looks just like his mom." RJ says as a tear falls on his cheek. "Look how little Benji was when he was born. Thank you so much for bringing these, Carrie." Will says.
"My pleasure, I know Benji would want some pictures of himself as a baby. His birth family asked for an update on Benji, and I have sent them one. I didn't send any pictures, just a written update for you guys and Benji's privacy. They are happy with the decision they have made and are relieved that Benji is in the best hands and family for him." Carrie says.
"Maybe someday we will meet the grandparents. But I don't know when. Probably when Benji is way older." Will says.
"That would be great, I think they would love that someday." Carrie says. Carrie, Will and RJ talk about all the positive and negatives about Benji's behavior and other things for almost an hour. Benji plays with his Pokémon and Dobby.
"Benji is like a different child! He is so confident and very social now. When I first met him, he barely talked and was afraid most of the time. I am very thrilled that he is happy and so loved." Carrie says with a big smile.
"We are happy too! Thank you so much for everything." RJ says as he hugs Carrie tightly.
"We are working hard with his PTSD. He is getting so much better with his symptoms and how to manage them." Will says proudly.
"Well, I need to head to my next appointment, they live a little far away." Carrie says as she puts things back in her bag.
"Benji, Ms. Carrie is leaving to go home." RJ says a Benji runs in. "I am so happy I got to see you and talk to you!" Carrie says to Benji.
"I'm so happy to see you, Ms. Carrie." Benji says as he hugs Carrie again. "I am so glad you, Daddy, Papi and Coralei are doing well!" Carrie says.
"Yeah! I wuv Daddy, Papi and Coralei!" Benji says as he smiles at RJ and Will. "Thank you so much for coming over, Carrie. It means a lot." Will says as he hugs Carrie.
"It's my pleasure! I am glad Benji is doing well!" Carrie says as she hugs RJ.
"Thank you so much for everything!" RJ says with a smile. "Of course!" Carrie says.
"Ms. Carrie, can you come to my birthday party! Pwease!" Benji asks Carrie. "When is it?" Carrie asks and Benji looks at Will and RJ.
"His birthday party is November 19th." Will says with a grin. "Sure! I would love to come!" Carrie says and Benji's face lights up.
"Yay!" Benji says as he hugs Carrie again. "I'll see you all at your birthday party!" Carrie says as she hugs Will and RJ again.
"We will see you then!" Will says and RJ smiles. Carrie leaves to go to her next appointment.
Will, RJ, Benji, Dobby and Coralei spent the rest of the day today! :)