Some of you have probably heard  recently of the amazing project I’ve been lucky to be a part of: the 1st Annual Mom 2.0 Summit taking place in Houston next February 19th-21st,  a conference that will bring together Moms, Bloggers, Marketers, Media, and all things saavy and smart.  Houston has become a hot bed for these talented Web 2.0 moms, and I am happy to be able to showcase Houston the the country, when over 300 attendees, speakers, and sponsors descend upon the Bayou City in February. Check out all the deets here, and don’t miss our 2nd Houston Kick-Off Party at the Caroline Collective on Wednesday, Dec 17th.

No, I’m not a mom, but I have a pretty great one, as I’ve pointed out many times on this blog.  I think being a parent is the greatest, most important job in the world, and both of mine have managed to do it with flying colors.  I would be so lucky to be half the woman that my mom is. Which brings me to another reason why I truly believe my mother is a saint.

A few weeks ago, my parents were awarded custody of my cousin’s two month old baby girl, Kailey.  Baby Kailey had been in and out of the hospital since she was born on Sept 8th.  Without going into too many details, CPS stepped in and held an emergency hearing for Kailey’s welfare.  While a few of  Kailey’s caregivers are being investigated, the baby was to come live with my parents.

I’ll never forget the night at Texas Children’s Hospital with my mom and Aunt Barbara. I’ll never forget the look on my mother’s face, a look of concern, sadness and determination to get this baby to a safe place. The next morning an emergency hearing was held.  The baby was appointed an attorney, and the case was assigned a case worker from CPS.  My parents were identified as potential candidates for custody, pending a house visit from both the baby’s lawyer and the CPS worker.

That day, I got to work, contacting all of my amazing friends, who I called on to help us get my parents’ house ready for the site visit that weekend.  Before I knew it, the place was looking like a Babies R Us, with bouncers, and pack-n-plays, bathtubs, and cribs coming out of our ears!  My sister and I’s friends, in one short day, had supplied us everything we needed to welcome home this dear baby girl, and everything we should need for the next year of her life.  (Of course, irony set in, as I usually am the one hyperventilating as i walk though the baby department in Target.) :-)

Throughout all of this, baby Kailey was still recovering in the hospital, 5 broken ribs, and a broken collar bone.  Her little bones were healing well, and she was ready to be discharged, unfortunately before the site visit occurred. Kailey was taken to a foster home for what seemed like the longest week and a half EVER, before we finally we back to court and got to go pick her up.   We couldn’t be more happy to be able to have her in a safe place with family.

So, for the past 3 weeks, mom and dad have transformed their lives to care for a now 3 month old.  Mom took a leave of absence from her teaching job, and has become little Kailey’s angel on earth.  Or as I now call her, the REAL Mom 2.0!!  If you know my mom, you know she was born to do just this.  She never for a second even flinched when asked to take on this role.

Jill and I help out as much as we can,  after work and on the weekends, and during the holidays. Jill’s boyfriend, Matt, and his 2 boys, Matthew (8) and Jacob (3), have been very helpful, too.  Matt put the entire nursery together, schooled us in formula, and is a pro at getting Kailey to sleep when she’s fussy.  The boys ADORE her, and love to hold her when she sleeps.  Jacob whispered, the first night he saw her, “I bet she thinks we’re her brothers!” And sweet Matthew said to me, “Monica, Kailey is my little angel.” :-)

We don’t really know what will happen next.  As they continue the investigation, Kailey will continue to stay with us, until we return to court in January.  We are just glad to have her in a safe, happy place.  She is such a joy to be around, such a good, happy baby.  I’ve taken her to her first party at Shekara’s, to the Mall, and even to Taneka’s 20th birthday party this past weekend.  She was a doll the whole time, and everyone just falls in love with her when they meet her.

I’m constantly updating my Flickr page with pics of her here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/metropolitician/sets/72157609075569204/

Thanks SO MUCH to all of you who have let us borrow all of your baby stuff! Jen, Ashley, The Whittons, Adriane & Aunt Mary, Shekara, and Kerri. And for those of you who have offered to help.  She’s a little chunker and and is squeezing right out of those 3 month outfits!  I swear mom comes home with a new outfit for her everyday.

So, I just wanted to give you all an update.  If you haven’t seen me around lately, this is why.  I am simply amazed every day by my mom (and dad) who have taken this on without a second thought.  I’m trying my best to help mom out every chance I get.

Thanks for all your love and prayers for Baby Kailey (and for mom and dad!).  We feel we are the lucky ones getting to spend this time with her. I’ll update as soon as we know more.