If ever I need a reminder

Of how I love that the kids play together…

 

Yes, I realize Emma’s not in any of those photos.  And no, she doesn’t really play with the other kids.  But… that just goes to show that there are MANY reasons why we love each of our kids… not just one thing to ‘judge’ a good fit by :)  Emma fits perfectly, despite this difference!

And in case you didn’t notice our little monkey up there, climbing on the side of Micah’s crib… well, today she got even more adventurous and climbed up to the top bunk of hers and Kristopher’s bunk bed!  I was vacuuming and shampooing her carpet and she wanted to be close… but not too close :)

Oh, and go ahead… ask me if it will be “worth the work” to add one more… go right ahead! :)

James update

James has bronchitis and the beginnings of pneumonia. He's on antibiotics and being loved on by his foster mom under the watchful eye of his night nurse. After talking to his FM we both know he'd be better to stay there until he's more stable and feeling a bit better rather than come back here where everything is still so new while he's really feeling puny. We'll play it by ear as to when he's ready to roll and rejoin the ranks here. Mike is planning to go spend the day with him on Saturday if he's not ready to come here yet. We'll just do a wait and see as to when he's ready.

Thank you for praying, please continue to pray him back to health!

And... there's another update on the adoption on the My Normal Family blog!

James at the ER

James is headed to the ER this morning with his foster mom.  His temp is over 101 but comes down some with Tylenol, but his SATs were low too.  He's been running a fever since Sunday and had a cycling of other symptoms. 

Please pray for James and the doctors.  He's already been in to urgent care earlier in the week but they just said liquids and tylenol.  It's hard wanting to be there with him yet knowing I can't be... nor would I do anything differently.  I know he'll be more comforted by his foster mom, too, since she is who he knows and loves and is comforted by.  One day soon that will be us as well but right now we are still friendly strangers that come to visit.  My mommy heart is hurting to not be there for him still.

I will try to update as I hear from his FM but am posting on the road.  Emma gets her new orthotics this morning and I'm headed to Sam's after.  Thank you for praying!

Just sitting here

... listening to Kristopher read "Are you my mother?" Loving that my kindergartener is reading independently and loves to read!

... watching Lynae up on all fours taking little creeps toward her toys then sitting back and sitting herself up. Wow, how quickly little ones get big! She is 7 1/2 months old now.

... hearing the quiet songs Brianna is singing to herself in her bed. Yes, I'd rather she slept, but a pleasant happy child I'll take over one with an attitude any day! She sounds so sweet with her little made up songs.

... listening to the quiet babbling of Micah and the silence from Emma in their room, on their way to sleep. Thanking God for bringing them both to us and for restoring their health so dramatically. Realizing just how boring life would be without either of them and marveling at how God built our family.

... answering e-mails from the team of wonderful people God brought together to work with me getting even more children home to forever families. Marveling at how one year ago I was 'solo' in the program and now there are 6 more people that He has raised up. He's grown the program just as quickly... we have 70+ families in process right now!

... listening to the dryer, wondering just how many more loads I can get through tonight.

... looking at the porch and seeing that after Kristopher got in trouble for unpacking the bin of toys that I'd separated out to put away for a while he went and cleaned up every single teeny tiny piece of every toy and put it away.

... missing the little boy that belongs in the empty crib, whose toothbrush is dry and whose car seat has been empty. Knowing that when he's here he has a mama that is missing him in his crib at her house and in the carseat in her car. Thanking God James has two families that love him.

... writing an article for a church newsletter about adoption and wondering just what He wants to say.

... feeling my eyelids get heavier and heavier and praying at least one of the kids (preferably 6!) will sleep through the night tonight since 5 each took a turn (or two or three) last night.

... and waiting for Michael and N to get home from youth group. The house feels empty with just the 6 of us here!

Better late than never… Pool pictures!

The kids all had a great time in the pool on Saturday!  Our new little guy had never been in a pool, and the kids have been begging to get in for a month or more now.  The big pool was still too cool for me to let the kids in, but we heated up the jacuzzi and blew up the kiddie pool and let them all go to town!

Poor Micah- I kept him out of either of the ‘real’ pools because of his tummy trouble.  Instead he got a rubbermaid bin with warm water in it right NEXT to the kids’ pool.  Much easier to dump if he was to have a diaper blowout :)  Thankfully he didn’t have any trouble, but caution and forethought have saved me MANY headaches :)  As you can see from the pictures- he didn’t really mind!  He loves the water no matter how he gets to be in it :)

Lynae still hasn’t been in a pool.  Since she’s not 100% stable sitting up yet I didn’t put her in the kiddie pool and I didn’t want to have her get wet if she wasn’t going to stay in the water because I didn’t want her getting cold.  All the other kids stayed in the warm water most of the time.

I worked some with Emma on balance in the pool.  We bought ‘spring’ floats that are toddler floats for the pool.  Last year we had some with a smaller circumference and she WANTED to tip them constantly!  She sat higher out of the water in those too and she is definitely TOP HEAVY.   So I put her in the spring float (Brianna’s in it in pic’s below) and tried tipping her and seeing what she did when playing in it.  She learned very quickly how to keep it from tipping over and enjoyed all the praise for staying upright.  I think she’ll do great this year in that and we’ll continue working on using a swimming vest as well.  This float will let her spend more time in the water though, and I know she’ll love that!

Enjoy the photos!

  

Blessed to be Mommy

If you haven't hopped over to read, there's an update on our new son and an announcement with his name on my other blog, My Normal Family! He's spending the weekend with us and we are having a great time. What a joy to share our love and family with another child of God! And it certainly isn't without a 'prize' as we are in love with our new little guy.

He's been here about 36 hours, and we're ready for him to stay!

More updates to come as I find time (ha!).

A few reminders:
Password protected posts are only for those that know us personally so if you fit that criteria email me at mkp1982@hotmail.com to get the password.

Also, he won't be officially placed with us for several more weeks it looks like because we were just re-printed yesterday and it may take a month to come back before adoptive placement can be made. We're a little disappointed but are just thankful that we can have the visits and time with him until he's with us. He has a WONDERFUL foster mom and big sister and we are so thankful for that! We know he's in very good hands and are so grateful to them. He's been with them for over 3 years, so I can only imagine how difficult it will be for them to have him leave. We are glad we're not too far away and can continue to see them! We haven't even had Emma and Micah for 3 years which gives a little perspective.

More updates on the other blog!

Fighting for life

Chrissy was adopted from Serbia just a few months ago and is now in limbo between what the doctor's hands can do and what God's plans are for her. Chrissy had a heart defect that is "incompatible with life" yet, she was alive! Her open heart surgery didn't go as planned and she's fighting. Please visit their blog and add your prayers to the many!

GI appointment update

Micah had a GI appt yesterday and it went pretty well. Fortunately Micah's bowels seem to have CALMED over the last few days! So weird (and the timing is impeccable since it always stops when you go to the specialist, right?). I won't complain though! The GI said in general he's not worried about the diarrhea because Micah doesn't appear to be dehydrated and continues to gain weight. He also tends to put things out as "kids with Ds ________." Fill in the blank. Today we had it filled in with "have unusual stool patterns." We also were told "kids with Ds just have reflux." I think that's interesting since both of his statements are absolutely correct for Micah, but not for my two daughters, who also just so happen to have Ds. Anyway, I DO like this doctor and we will continue to use the reflux medication for Micah.

The only thing that the pediatrician hasn't tested for that he said right away was for Celiac. He said that seems to be a likely problem for Micah. We shall see. We'll do the bloodwork later this week.

That's all for now. Been prepping the house for our little visitor this weekend and getting our ducks in a row as school is quickly coming to a close (one month from today!). Trying to figure out whether Emma really doesn't qualify for summer school (I don't get how she couldn't but she apparently doesn't according to their screening!). And when I dropped Micah off at school this morning there was no aide for him since another substitute didn't show up. So that took a good 20 minutes of talking to teachers and people in the office to make sure someone was headed that way before he got out of OT this morning. We do not all need to be sick again!!

Voice of Truth

Sometimes, it feels like you're facing the giant, walking out on the waves. And you hear the giants taunting. Yet you know by faith that the stone is just the right size to put the giant on the ground. And that the crashing waves will support you. Jesus is holding out His hand.

I think that's where we are. Listening to the radio this morning, this song came on. I think that's exactly where we are. And my previous post that I removed-- which I don't do very regularly-- spoke to this, but apparently not very well. Those of you that wrote to me to apologize for your comment, please know that I was not offended by any of the comments made by people who identified themselves, and the one that did not identify yourself, well-- I guess you're the giant. I removed the post simply because so many commented in a way which I realized that my post alluded to RR being an issue, or adoptive parents. And both are far from the truth. So rather than allow something to stay up which suggests something with those areas, I chose to remove it and try again :)

And if that first paragraph didn't mean so much to you, here are the lyrics to the Casting Crown song, Voice of Truth. And even better yet, a link to listen :) Be blessed!

Oh what I would do to have
The kind of faith it takes
To climb out of this boat I'm in
Onto the crashing waves

To step out of my comfort zone
Into the realm of the unknown where Jesus is
And He's holding out His hand

But the waves are calling out my name
And they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me
Time and time again. "Boy, you'll never win!"
"You'll never win!"

Chorus:
But the voice of truth tells me a different story
The voice of truth says, "Do not be afraid!"
The voice of truth says, "This is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

Oh what I would do to have
The kind of strength it takes to stand before a giant
With just a sling and a stone
Surrounded by the sound of a thousand warriors
Shaking in their armor
Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand

But the giant's calling out my name
And he laughs at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The giant keeps on telling me
Time and time again. "Boy you'll never win!"
"You'll never win!"

But the stone was just the right size
To put the giant on the ground
And the waves they don't seem so high
From on top of them lookin' down
I will soar with the wings of eagles
When I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus
Singing over me

I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

Quick Micah update and excitement here :)

Micah woke up FINE! I knew he would, but the thought that it COULD be something bad really concerns me and if I didn't follow up on it and it ended up being bad that would be awful! So he actually had a NORMAL BM today which is unheard of for him and I'm hopeful maybe we're doing better again!

He ate and drank all day with no issues so... we'll see the GI tomorrow and hope to figure things out. (don't the symptoms always go away the day before the specialist appt and return the day after?)

In other news, we have a date with a cute little 3 foot tall blond boy for the weekend and are looking forward to letting him explore the home turf! :)

And now the top end

After 6 weeks of unexplained loose bowels, now Micah gave back his dinner through the top end.  And at the risk of too much detail, I will share anyway so there's your warning  :)

Micah threw up about 10-15min afdter eating, but it was all exactly as it had gone in.  Completely unprocessed.  Nothing added, just as if his food had spilled rather than being swallowed and brought back up.

We callwd the on-call pediatrician and he's not concerned at all, just says to keep him hydrated.  He suggests pedialyte and just a little at a time so he doesn't aspirate.  Clearly he doesn't know Micah because he aspirates just tiny bits of meds.  We are glad he's not concerned, though since we were considering a trip to the ER thinking he could have a blockage or something with all the loose bowels and now no BM's in 24 hrs and puking instead.

We see the GI on Tuesday and I sure hope he has some ideas!

Oops...

I posted... and I removed it. Because based on the comments in the first hour or so that I had it public I really hadn't gotten across my point very well. Sorry about that. Thanks for sticking around... maybe I'll try again :)

Not Easter

But not to be left out :)

Lynae

Easter 4

Micah

Easter 3

Kristopher

Easter 2

Brianna

Easter

Some easter pics...

no.. we don't have a diagnosis

I got a few comments/emails that sounded like we had a diagnosis of Hirschprungs. We don't. We're just trying to figure out what COULD be wrong with Micah's intestinal track to cause such difficulty for him and that is something that several people suggested we ask about. Since I was unfamiliar with most of it, I asked for clarification. That's all!

We see the GI doctor on Tuesday and hopefully will have some plan of action to figure out what's going on with the little guy!

Hirschsprung's

Tell me more about this??

I thought this was a 'dead' piece of the bowels that causes a child not to pass anything? So why would this be something that wasn't noticed until 3 1/2 yrs old and is it something that would cause these loose bowels? And would it rear its head after a surgery? I don't know much of anything about it... Any info would be appreciated so I know what I'm asking about when I talk to the GI doctor on Tuesday.

Thanks!

Love

Is a decision. I hope one day that everyone can meet someone that makes the decision to love them. And to love with abandon.

Not Eros love, but Agape love. Tue love inspired by God the Father and shown to us in the sacrifice of His son.

When was the last time you showed Agape love to someone outside your circle of close family and friends?

Fed a homeless person?

Held the door for an elderly person with a smile and complemented them on their plaid polyester pants (hey, they ARE back in style)?

Complemented a mom-of-many on her well behaved children in a store or restaurant?

Told a dad and kids that you see about that you were glad to see a father take on his children and love them so obviously?

When was the last time you invited someone over for a meal simply because you felt like they might benefit from an invitation and a night of friendly talk? Even if you don't know them well?

I'd love to hear your experiences with expressing love to others around you!

That homeless person you buy a hot coffee for might have been close to suicide because of their misfortunes in life. The elderly person may have gone to the store because they had no one to talk to and just had to get out of the house. The mother might have had a rough day or debated ever going out again because the last shopping trip was a disaster. The dad might be on his first visitation with his children or a weekly walk- but the complement will be kind just the same. A meal and conversation can make a week of lonliness brighten up and be something a person remembers forever.

The possibilities are endless. The results may be timeless.

Love someone today :)

Unfortunately

The milk isn't the whole culprit.  Today was just like last week and not fun.  I got a sample yesterday to test for c-diff and we have an appointment Tuesday with GI.

Aside from Celiac, anything else we might look into?  We're ALL ready for him to feel better!!  :)

Kristopher requests

That we now refer to the new brother as Optimus until we choose a name. I must say, no one else suggested that one!!

Potty talk- coincidence?

Micah has consistently had 2-5 NASTY diapers every day for the last 5 weeks or so.  They were the most HORRIBLE smell (not just dirty diapers, I can handle dirty diapers… but this was AWFUL!).  The stench not only permeated his bedroom, but the entire house!  Airing out the house daily was necessary- no matter how cool of a morning it was, windows were open!! 

We even went on vacation for 5 days in a hotel room with 8 people and it was not something that we were looking forward to!  Thankfully our room had a sliding glass door and balcony so we could even air out the hotel room!

 

We tested for parasites, Giardia (sp?), Roto Virus, and something else that I don’t remember and everything came back negative.  That was just a ‘starting point’ and the easiest thing to figure out—if he had an infection.  Our ped called us and said let’s test for C-diff since he was on so many antibiotics previously and it would make sense.  I picked up the nice little ‘cup’ to test him on Friday morning.

I also had my mind running thinking WHAT IN THE WORLD and I remembered something that might be helpful.  When we first brought Micah home from Ukraine he had horrible explosive bowel movements 4-6 times/day.  He was miserable.  And then… we put him on SOY.  We’ve already been doing the “BRAT” diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast- but he doesn’t eat toast) for 2 weeks, so let’s see what else we can change…

Thursday I took Micah off milk again.  He’s been on it for almost 18 months with no issues, but then all of a sudden after his tonsil surgery this has been just awful.  When it didn’t come back as an infection (we also ran bloodwork which did not suggest infection), my next thought was this.

Thursday after the initial morning BM hat he always has he didn’t have another BM all day.  Or all night.  Friday he did not have a BM.  AT ALL.  Today he woke up and wouldn’t you know… the house didn’t smell!  Now, I don’t want to take one problem and make it the opposite (constipation) but this morning he had a BM unlike the ones he’s had for 5+ weeks.  It was the ONLY one we’ve had like that.  Even the smell… was tolerable.

And now I come to think… MUST be the milk!  But I don’t know enough about allergies to really be able to say.

Would a milk allergy’s effects  “go away” that soon (within 48 hours) of removing all milk products?  He’s also been very bloated.  His pants fit yesterday!  His little round tummy has once again recessed to his normal size.  Can that all happen that quickly after taking him off milk?

Or is this just ‘time’ that is finally kicking something he had going on that is ‘wearing off’?  Or maybe the BRAT diet is finally working?

Today we’ll put him back on oatmeal instead of rice to thicken his drinks.  And soy milk.  No dairy, but less of the BRAT diet. 

In a way I hope it’s a coincidence, because a milk allergy that causes that severe of stomach discomfort is not something I wish upon him!  But I also hope it’s the answer because it IS something that we can manage and he can hopefully feel better now!!

More potty talk later… for now I’m just glad he can take a bath and sit and enjoy himself without me being concerned that he’ll fill the entire tub with a brownish MUCK that will require 4-5 baths to get out of his hair :)  Yes, I know… leaves you with such great imagery, right? :)

Names...

So... anyone want to help us out in the name arena (once again!)?

We don't want a name that starts with the same first letter as our other kids, if we can help it... we use initials for a LOT of things and that just makes life easier with 6 kids :)

That means E,K,B,M, and L are out of the running :)

And we want it to be something that he will be able to pronounce or approximate so that it is UNDERSTOOD even if he ends up having somewhat significant speech difficulties. We don't have a good grasp on his speech ability since he is so young but it is definitely delayed so we want to consider that when naming him.

We have a list going... but I'd love to hear input!
All that info is for a first name... we also need a middle (possibly keeping his middle name, not sure) but it doesn't have to follow the 'rules' with pronunciation or first letter...

When we have a name, I *think* I can share it publicly since it's not actually got anything to do with him personally :)

Where was I?

Thanks so much for everyone that has prayed for us and continues praying. We appreciate the support that so many have provided though we've never met many of you in person. What a blessing to us!!

This week has been a BUSY one!

Monday we completed our CPR and First Aid training at a facility about 30 min away. We left the house at 7:50 and got home at 6:00! The space shuttle went up at 6:30 or so and traffic was bumper to bumper and pretty much stopped everywhere!

I went with a plan and a backup... I couldn't leave Lynae for that long, so the plan was for her to hang out and sit along with us. But I had no idea if they'd let her stay. I honestly was afraid to call and hear their "policy" rather than see what the instructor said. So we brought her along and had my mom 'on call' to come pick her up if they said she couldn't stay. The instructor said "you didn't have to bring your own infant for practice" when we came in, but I think when we went around the room asking our name and why we were seeking certification and we said we're adopting a child from medical foster care... they realized we weren't on the clock for work or anything like that and they were happy to have her stay :) And so were we! She did great- she's an easygoing kid- and she even wanted to copy me doing the CPR.

A little visual for ya... I did all the CPR hands-on studies with her right with me. She's not really sturdy sitting independently yet, so I was kneeling with her leaning against my legs, in her own little 'cave' as I bent over her to do the CPR practicum. And she pumped the dummy right along side. What a trooper :)

Very glad to have grandparents that want to be around, this week! The different grandparents kept different kids at each part of the day and allowed us to go do this all day and not have to worry about our other kids.

Then Tuesday I dropped off the kids at various schools and drove Emma back down to the same town I'd been in for the CPR and got her fitted for new AFO's. She's getting some DAFO #4's with straps. I think this will be a good fit for her and provide great ankle support in addition to the arch and foot support she's already getting with the suresteps. Of course the DAFO's required casting to be able to fit them for her... and though she fidgeted and kicked during the casting, you would have thought he was taking her LEGS off by the way she screamed when he used the little saw to get the casts OFF! Lynae didn't love that part either... That pretty much blew the day on Tuesday!

Wednesday Mike and I drove back to Tampa to get the medical training for our new son. I will post more about that on MyNormalFamily.wordpress.com :)

We also went to the Florida Mall on our way home to eat at the food court there then grabbed a few things at two stores there. Two years (or so) ago my sweet husband bought me a 'stash' of Bath and Body Works soap for our bathroom. At the time that was a big splurge and he saved it for my birthday or Mother's day or something like that. Unfortunately, that day came and went and the soaps didn't show up. Later on we talked about them... and we haven't ever found them! So I finally said that I wanted to go buy some 'replacements'. I think 2 years is a bit much to hope it'll show back up again... don't you? :) (yes, we still had soap, just 'cheap' soap!)

Today after bringing the boys to school and then N to his school I grabbed my mom and the three girls and mom and I went BACK down 30 minutes to the same town AGAIN for the 3rd time this week for a cardiology visit. Emma was not a happy camper! She doesn't like the building very much since she sees almost all of her specialists there. She cried and cried and cried... no hope of getting a blood pressure on her (which isn't so good since her last BP at the pediatrician's office was a little high and she just came off BP meds a few months before that). She cried through her exam, but the doctor did finally get a good (average!) BP for her. Brianna's BP was LOW, 82/40 or so but there was no concern about that so I guess that's all right.

Then it was time for echo's and Brianna did good with Lynae's "help" to keep her listening and playing. Her heart looks great. Small regurgitation but no shunting and her patches look great. She doesn't need to be seen for another year and charmed the doctor with her sweet toothy smile and that sparkle in her eye. I promised Brianna animal crackers and milk after her echo and true to my word produced those back where Emma was waiting when I brought Brianna and Lynae back to my mom. Boy was Emma interested!

Emma started signing eat more to me over and over again so I took off her glasses, took off her shirt, grabbed her juice box, grabbed the animal crackers... and said let's walk! She had no hesitation walking to the echo room and laying down on the table knowing that a cookie was soon to follow :) She ate a little piece at a time and though she kept grabbing the ultrasound tech's hands or the wand or the stickies for the EKG part, she took redirection well (as I pried her hands off) and overall had the BEST echo we've gotten in 2 years! That speaks volumes for animal crackers and juice!! :) Some may call it bribery... I call it finding what works!

Emma's heart wasn't quite as good of news, but still ok. One valve has 'opened up' a little where it was stitched and there's more of a moderate leak on it. It's still not something to be concerned about immediately, but it's something that "occasionally kids need to go back in about 5 years after their surgery and have that repaired". So, we may be looking at another heart surgery for her in a few years. For now we'll go back in another 6 months to monitor it. See? Can't be SO bad if she doesn't need to be checked out for 6 months, right? :)

It was wonderful hearing Dr. N talk about Emma and tell her story to the person in charge of Brianna's medical appointments. Dr. N holds a great fondness for Emma and is the person I credit with saving Emma's live- she talked the cardiac surgeon into operating! She was the first person to look at Emma and say "she's alive, and I want to see her live!"

All in all a good day. We had a girls' lunch with my mom and I and my 3 girls at Steak and Shake then came back to town to pick up the boys. It was another FULL day! Now Kristopher and Mike are at soccer practice and N went along tonight as well. The four little ones are running the roost while I'm sitting here with a headache typing away rather than getting the kids into pajamas :) Now on to my mom duties so I can go to bed in an hour with the kids! It's been a busy week and I'm ready for a good night's sleep :)

Hard

Would you please pray for us?  We are at a hard spot right now and are looking for guidance on how to move forward.  This is NOT about our adoption, nor will it affect it in any way.  But it is impacting our lives and a secure covering in prayer would be much appreciated.  I wish I could share more (oh how I wish!) But cannot.  Thank you to all who are willing to go to the throne on our behalf and pray God's will to be done and for direction for us.

Christ has Risen! He has Risen indeed!

Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it.  His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you."  Matthew 28: 1-7

Easter is by far my favorite holiday.  It signifies the resurrection of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!!  God loves us each so much that He gave his only son to Earth.  He allowed him to leave his side and go to a place where he would have to experience pain, hurt, and anger.  A place where people would hurt him, mock him, and eventually kill him.  God loves us so much that He allowed that of His son so that death and the grave could be overcome!!  We no longer face eternal separation from God, but life everlasting through the sacrifice of Jesus if we believe in him and accept his forgiveness!

Happy Easter from the Cornish family!  May you discover his Love, Mercy, and Forgiveness anew today and always!  If you haven’t yet accepted the gift of Christ’s sacrifice, I pray today will be the day you join the family!

My attempts

My attempts to blog more aren't quite working out as planned, but the joy and family time we've had is not something I'd put aside for blogging :)

Yesterday we worked around the house most of the day. I went to Orlando to visit with a new friend that I've corresponded with online for about 9 or 10 months but had yet to meet in person. I brought Brianna and Lynae along and we met the mom of one of the sweetest little angels! V had surgery on Monday and though I'd hoped to make it over to be with her family during that time, we were in Tampa meeting our new son. So Friday it was, and I had a great time with her mom! V is having some eating issues and possibly reflux problems after her heart surgery so your prayers are very much appreciated. V will spend her first Easter in the hospital.

It was so much fun getting to know a "new" mom (V is almost 5 months old and has Ds too!) and getting to share Brianna with her as well. Bria was her usual sweet self and very easygoing even though I hadn't prepared her to be IN the hospital room! I didn't realize we'd be allowed back into the ICU so I had just told Bria we were going to visit Ms. P. Well... she didn't get phased a bit! There were 3 chairs in the tight little room and of course tons of wires and machines and such. Brianna found her entertainment in the chairs and in just smiling and looking for a reaction from us... and of course playing with her baby sister!

I made a quick garlic chicken and artichoke dinner with some rice and garlic cheese bread- yum :)- and then got the living room unburied from the half-unpacked suitcases and bags while Mike got the kids down for bed. After everyone was settled Mike and N and I pulled the 5 laundry baskets into the family room and turned on Transformers and had a nice little laundry folding party :). I'm sure that was the most entertaining Friday night we've had in a while (or... not...).

We all went to bed late and everyone slept until after 8am! We're going to have to set up some alarms to get up early tomorrow so we can get back on a school schedule or we are going to be hard-pressed to be ready on Monday morning!!

N packed up some things yesterday and got ready to visit with his parents tonight overnight and spend Easter with them. So now that I cleared out all the half-unpacked bags, there's another packed bag sitting by the front door. We will miss having him with us for Easter but glad he'll have a little time with his family as well.

Today I put AWAY all that folded laundry and pulled everything that doesn't fit the kids anymore out of the drawers, switched stuff from Emma's to Brianna's dressers, and got a little more organized in the clothes room. I even moved all the long sleeved shirts out of that room and into one of the kids' closets because it is WARM here now!! Today's high is 78 and it is beautiful :)

Mike, N, K, and B are all outside at the moment. N and Mike are working on raking leaves and K and B are playing on the swingset and enjoying the weather. I kept the other 3 kids inside with me and they're enjoying the house with al the windows open and airing out! We've done this out of necessity for a few weeks now because of Micah's early morning diaper explosions (ewwwwwwww........) but it's been great weather for it so I guess that works.

Speaking of, I did get some poo samples tested and it came back negative on most things and one was still pending. Our regular ped called me back with the results and said she wants him tested for c-diff now to see if that could be the problem. She also suggested we try to get in with the GI doctor soon to which I said my my, it will be a while before we ever can get an appt with them! Surprise! About 2 hours later I got an appointment letter in the mail from the GI for Micah with an appointment on the 20th. Good timing! But that's still about 2 1/2 weeks away and will make nearly 8 weeks of this YUCK by then! On Monday we'll pick up the labwork order and the poo catcher :) and Tuesday will drop that off at the labs.

Monday Mike and I will take a wonderful 8 hour CPR and first aide class to be certified for our adoption. It was one of the requirements since he is in medical foster care right now. Then Tuesday Emma will be fitted for orthodics. She'll be getting DAFO's that will give more upper-ankle support and we are hopeful that with the additional support we might get some STEPS out of her soon :). Wednesday is another trip out to Tampa to be trained on the medical parts of our new son's care with his nurse and to get in another visit and snuggle with him! Then Thursday will be a day at the cardiologist with both Emma and Brianna. That visit is always fun- trying to 'wrangle' both girls and the baby for a doctor's visit and an echo. I may enlist some help :). Friday Kristopher's class is headed to the planetarium, and unless they REALLY need the help, I think I'm going to sit this one out!

It promises to be a busy week, but one that will hopefully get us to continue to go in the right direction with each of the kids' health including our new little one as we prepare for his arrival. I might not be taking tours of the hospital and labor and delivery classes, but I do feel like we're preparing for a QUICK birth as we hope to have him moved in before the end of the school year :)

UPS

This afternoon the UPS truck drove up to the house and the man came up to ring the bell. He was very nice and offered to bring the huge box inside, which I greatly appreciated! I had him set it down on top of the cooler that was still in the foyer-- I was unpacking still. Kristopher took a look at him and said "Hey, I have a costume like that!" and was very proud of the fact :)

The UPS man, instead of saying "oh great..." said "wow, so does my little nephew!" Then he went on to say "my nephew has Down syndrome and likes to dress up."

Of course you know I couldn't pass that one up :) I told him I have 3 kids w/ Ds and that we're in the process of adopting a 4th. Then he said... my nephew is adopted! So I had to dig and found out that indeed I know his nephew very well and he's the same age as Brianna. I think our new little guy looks a lot like his nephew and I've told "the locals" that.

We stood and talked for a few minutes about how sweet the little ones w/ Ds are and what a blessing they are to our families, introduced ourselves so now we're on a first-name basis with the UPS man, and we went our ways.

You just never know who you might encounter at your doorstep or when the topic of Ds might breach another gap in the great world of 'strangers'!

(and yes, mom, I realize I've never known a stranger...)

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I tried mobile blogging on vacation but was unsuccessful.. hoping this is fixed now!