A few weeks ago Micah had a swallow study. I was assured that the cost of this was covered by insurance. And we met our deductible a LONG time ago. So am I surprised that I just got a bill for almost $300? Not really. How can you ever really know how they're going to bill something??
We're well aware that we have no more Speech therapy benefits this year. Micah used them up with the early intervention and cannot have any more private sessions until January. We looked into it because of his feeding issues. So, if I had been told in advance that there would be a charge in the swallow study charges including speech therapy, I would have had to wait until January to have it done. But I wasn't. Hence the bill.
Is there really any way to know that everything will be covered before having a procedure done?? I want to see the itemized bill in advance. Wouldn't that be something?
I also have a lovely bill for over $4k sitting here. The company that is covering Emma's therapy has refused to pay. Seriously. Four times, so the bill was sent to me. After I was so excited that she could have the therapy and got approval, and the therapy company got approval... and now... the bill. We'll be working on that one for sure. But in the mean time these things just stress me out. Who has time to mess with people that don't cover what they should cover? And who has the $$ not to?
The Cornish Family... Chasing God's calling...
Tuesday, December 01, 2009
Sunday, November 29, 2009
ahhh!
On our trip we used a black garbage bag for our dirty clothes. Today I've been dumping it a load at a time into the washing machine. I made it through 2 loads and as I put the 3rd load into the dryer I noticed... ick.
One of Emma's diapers made it into the washing machine!!!!!!!!!
Not just any diaper. No, this is Emma's diaper. You know, the ones with a super capacity to hold pee. The ones that are made to wear overnight (tho she wears them in the daytime and we add a booster pad in the nighttime). The ones that expand to three times their size. Yep, those.
And now the entire load of laundry is covered in that gooey gel stuff that's inside of diapers!!!!!
I've split the load in half (but left the load size as extra large so there's extra water) and I'm re-running half of it in the washer. If that doesn't work I have no idea what to do!
Any help?!!?
One of Emma's diapers made it into the washing machine!!!!!!!!!
Not just any diaper. No, this is Emma's diaper. You know, the ones with a super capacity to hold pee. The ones that are made to wear overnight (tho she wears them in the daytime and we add a booster pad in the nighttime). The ones that expand to three times their size. Yep, those.
And now the entire load of laundry is covered in that gooey gel stuff that's inside of diapers!!!!!
I've split the load in half (but left the load size as extra large so there's extra water) and I'm re-running half of it in the washer. If that doesn't work I have no idea what to do!
Any help?!!?
Saturday, November 28, 2009
We're Home!
We had such a great time!!
I have to say, we had our hesitations about bringing our family of 7 into the home of another family of 7. BIG ones. Especially, when we've never met a majority of their family (just Shelley)! But Shelley and Robert both are such sweet and easygoing people with HUGE hearts, and their children opened right up as well :)
I'm afraid Kristopher and Zoe might have a little something going on... They are LOL! And Kristopher asked at dinner this evening whether he could marry someone from a different state. I said yes, why? He said he's thinking he'd like to marry Zoe. I told him that would be wonderful, but he has a looooong time to decide who he wants to marry. He seemed ok with that :)
Xander and Emma are also so very much alike. They definitely have their distinct little personalities, but so many of our joys and struggles with those four kids are alike that it's so easy to openly talk and be able to honestly have someone respond with "I know just what you mean." Micah is such a little lovey kid and he took to Shelley really well. He wanted to win her over I'm pretty sure! And Brianna took to Robert really quickly. (And I am now sure he really does like baby girls, he just doesn't want another one!)
Kristopher was in heaven both with Zoe and Jakob to play with. A big boy with play guns (we had about 4 conversations about not talking about guns at school) and a little girl who was just as bossy as he is :) Pure joy.
And not to leave out Olivia and Grifyn! Grifyn was right in with one group or another and switched off between the "big kids" and the "little kids". He and Brianna played a little and he played with the older kids some. He's much tinier than I had thought from pictures! But he's SO sweet and loving and goodness he understands a lot!
Olivia... she's going to be a wonderful mommy one day :) She decided Lynae was the neatest little person ever and after she figured out how to hold her without her arms getting tired, there was no getting the baby away (until she cried or pooped or puked!). Shelley had to quick and sneak in some snuggle time when Olivia wasn't looking or she lost the chance to hold her LOL.
Early mornings (WAY early the first morning... 5am is earlier than I ever want to be up!) with little ones, late nights talking and watching movies and just hanging out together, and fun relaxing days... that's the best way to spen a vacation.
Not only that, I'm home, it's 10:20 at night, and I don't feel like we just ran a marathon. It was relaxing, refreshing, and I hope we can talk the Bedfords into coming down here before too long (at least we know we'll see them in July for the conference!) to spend more time with their family.
We had a great time. I only wish we lived closer so we could have this fellowship more often. But a refreshing weekend away is just fine too!
I'm so thankful for each of my kids, too. We have surely been blessed. It took us 10 1/2 hours to get to their house (6 hours away) because of awful traffic and a wreck that had us sitting parked on the Turnpike for over an hour on the way up. But we had no problems in the car and the kids were great when we got there an hour after their regular bedtimes.
Then 3 nights (and naps and everything) in a different house and we really had no qualms. Two full days with an additional 5 kids and in someone else's house with different boundaries... and really no big difficulties. Then after we left the Bedfords around 10:30 and got to Jacksonville at 5:30... 7 hours later... we ate at Applebees with my older brother, Bruce (who hadn't yet met the 3 newest kids), and the kids were awesome. Seriously, they were GREAT. It always makes me feel good when the waitress comes over and makes a point of saying how good the kids are. Not to praise them or say "wow you were good!" to them. But to me, quietly, and to say "with so many little ones it could be so different, your kids were great, you're doing so well with them." That is the best way I could have chosen to end a 4 day trip.
We had a wonderful visit with Bruce and the kids all loved him. We hope to see him next month when he comes down for Christmas!
Better run... baby is ready for some snuggles after a long (sleeping) trip in the car.
I have to say, we had our hesitations about bringing our family of 7 into the home of another family of 7. BIG ones. Especially, when we've never met a majority of their family (just Shelley)! But Shelley and Robert both are such sweet and easygoing people with HUGE hearts, and their children opened right up as well :)
I'm afraid Kristopher and Zoe might have a little something going on... They are LOL! And Kristopher asked at dinner this evening whether he could marry someone from a different state. I said yes, why? He said he's thinking he'd like to marry Zoe. I told him that would be wonderful, but he has a looooong time to decide who he wants to marry. He seemed ok with that :)
Xander and Emma are also so very much alike. They definitely have their distinct little personalities, but so many of our joys and struggles with those four kids are alike that it's so easy to openly talk and be able to honestly have someone respond with "I know just what you mean." Micah is such a little lovey kid and he took to Shelley really well. He wanted to win her over I'm pretty sure! And Brianna took to Robert really quickly. (And I am now sure he really does like baby girls, he just doesn't want another one!)
Kristopher was in heaven both with Zoe and Jakob to play with. A big boy with play guns (we had about 4 conversations about not talking about guns at school) and a little girl who was just as bossy as he is :) Pure joy.
And not to leave out Olivia and Grifyn! Grifyn was right in with one group or another and switched off between the "big kids" and the "little kids". He and Brianna played a little and he played with the older kids some. He's much tinier than I had thought from pictures! But he's SO sweet and loving and goodness he understands a lot!
Olivia... she's going to be a wonderful mommy one day :) She decided Lynae was the neatest little person ever and after she figured out how to hold her without her arms getting tired, there was no getting the baby away (until she cried or pooped or puked!). Shelley had to quick and sneak in some snuggle time when Olivia wasn't looking or she lost the chance to hold her LOL.
Early mornings (WAY early the first morning... 5am is earlier than I ever want to be up!) with little ones, late nights talking and watching movies and just hanging out together, and fun relaxing days... that's the best way to spen a vacation.
Not only that, I'm home, it's 10:20 at night, and I don't feel like we just ran a marathon. It was relaxing, refreshing, and I hope we can talk the Bedfords into coming down here before too long (at least we know we'll see them in July for the conference!) to spend more time with their family.
We had a great time. I only wish we lived closer so we could have this fellowship more often. But a refreshing weekend away is just fine too!
I'm so thankful for each of my kids, too. We have surely been blessed. It took us 10 1/2 hours to get to their house (6 hours away) because of awful traffic and a wreck that had us sitting parked on the Turnpike for over an hour on the way up. But we had no problems in the car and the kids were great when we got there an hour after their regular bedtimes.
Then 3 nights (and naps and everything) in a different house and we really had no qualms. Two full days with an additional 5 kids and in someone else's house with different boundaries... and really no big difficulties. Then after we left the Bedfords around 10:30 and got to Jacksonville at 5:30... 7 hours later... we ate at Applebees with my older brother, Bruce (who hadn't yet met the 3 newest kids), and the kids were awesome. Seriously, they were GREAT. It always makes me feel good when the waitress comes over and makes a point of saying how good the kids are. Not to praise them or say "wow you were good!" to them. But to me, quietly, and to say "with so many little ones it could be so different, your kids were great, you're doing so well with them." That is the best way I could have chosen to end a 4 day trip.
We had a wonderful visit with Bruce and the kids all loved him. We hope to see him next month when he comes down for Christmas!
Better run... baby is ready for some snuggles after a long (sleeping) trip in the car.
Friday, November 27, 2009
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Happy Thanksgiving!!
Do you happen to recognize a few of these kiddos? We’re having a great time in ALABAMA! 5 kids with Down syndrome, 5 typical kids, and 4 adults means…
We’re at the BEDFORDS’ house for Thanksgiving!
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Dinner for $2.79?
Tonight we got a large stuffed pizza, meat lover's (I think) with 8 pieces of boneless mild wings for $2.79. Unintentionally.
Knowing that I needed still to pack clothes for 6 people, clean out the van, and get the house under some sort of order not to mention gathering activities for the car, 2 playpens, etc... tonight, I asked Mike if he'd bring home dinner if I ordered it around the time he gets off work.
I got online at 4:30 and found a coupon in my email. Around 12:30 today they sent me an 'online coupon' for $5 off any $15 order placed online. Sounds good... So I put in a large stuffed crust pizza- half cheese, half Hawaiian. The total? $10. Because there's another deal going on that's ANY pizza ANY size for $10. Ok, so whatever else we want will be $5 off of it. Some wings are $6.99. $2 wings? Sure! Plus tax of course.
Well, as you might have noticed, Mike brought home the pizza and Kristopher was interested in finding out how they made it half with stuff and half without. He was pretty disappointed when he opened it to find his beloved cheese pizza was non-existent. In fact, so was our Hawaiian. With 6 of us sitting at the table ready to eat, I didn't have much choice but to say "pick it off". I did call them, though, to let them know there had been a mix up.
They put a $10 credit back on our phone #. So though our pizza tonight was still $12.79, We now have $10 toward a pizza. Maybe we'll slide in another dine-out night while they're doing the $10 any pizza deal.
Knowing that I needed still to pack clothes for 6 people, clean out the van, and get the house under some sort of order not to mention gathering activities for the car, 2 playpens, etc... tonight, I asked Mike if he'd bring home dinner if I ordered it around the time he gets off work.
I got online at 4:30 and found a coupon in my email. Around 12:30 today they sent me an 'online coupon' for $5 off any $15 order placed online. Sounds good... So I put in a large stuffed crust pizza- half cheese, half Hawaiian. The total? $10. Because there's another deal going on that's ANY pizza ANY size for $10. Ok, so whatever else we want will be $5 off of it. Some wings are $6.99. $2 wings? Sure! Plus tax of course.
Well, as you might have noticed, Mike brought home the pizza and Kristopher was interested in finding out how they made it half with stuff and half without. He was pretty disappointed when he opened it to find his beloved cheese pizza was non-existent. In fact, so was our Hawaiian. With 6 of us sitting at the table ready to eat, I didn't have much choice but to say "pick it off". I did call them, though, to let them know there had been a mix up.
They put a $10 credit back on our phone #. So though our pizza tonight was still $12.79, We now have $10 toward a pizza. Maybe we'll slide in another dine-out night while they're doing the $10 any pizza deal.
Monday, November 23, 2009
First question of the day
How do I hang a 2-screen DVD player in a 12 passenger van so that 4 (forward facing thankfully) children can see it? AND... there aren't headrests? AND... there's only about a 3' cord between the 2 screens? This may take longer than packing. Or we may be a no-go on the DVD player. For a six. and. a. half. hour. drive. WITHOUT. stops.
What do you do for your kids to keep them entertained in the car? I have coloring books and crayons and stickers for K and B and a magna doodle for E. Everything Micah likes to play with makes repetitive sounds and though he can have some for a little while at a time, it will quickly drive the rest of us nuts. Hence my DVD idea. Maybe we'll put Emma in the back with Micah and just put the DVD player back there...
What do you do for your kids to keep them entertained in the car? I have coloring books and crayons and stickers for K and B and a magna doodle for E. Everything Micah likes to play with makes repetitive sounds and though he can have some for a little while at a time, it will quickly drive the rest of us nuts. Hence my DVD idea. Maybe we'll put Emma in the back with Micah and just put the DVD player back there...
Packing to go!
I've spent the last two days wiping noses, wiping butts (the great side effects of antibiotics), de-junking the house, and as I go along... packing!
We really are going, though there's been several brief pauses to say "should we really go" with the family we're going to visit with, we really ARE going. Which means I really do have to pack up clothes, food, snacks, and gear for all 7 of us (ok, Mike can do his own clothes...) and we're hitting the road on Wednesday morning to go stay the weekend with friends. And yes, they, too, must be nuts to be having the 7 of us come up on a holiday weekend and join their family.
The bags of groceries (for Thanksgiving dinner!) are by the door and my children keep snatching the bag of marshmallows out of the top of one thinking they might be allowed to snack on those. Um... no. I found the bin in my closet with warm accessories in it and bout $1 hats at Target. Though we were thinking it would be in the 70's... there's a nice cold snap coming through and it's looking more like 50's. Still not cold, but to these Florida kids, it IS!
I just got done wearing out Lynae by dressing her in 4 different outfits trying to make sure the 3-6 month size clothes that I'm going to bring along won't completely swallow her whole. They are definitely a bit big still (she'll be ELEVEN weeks on Wednesday, hard to believe isn't it??) but I only have about 4 warm outfits in 0-3 months size so big and warm is better than cold :). She didn't mind the little mini-pageant too much. One of the warm outfits I just tried on her brings back memories :) I bought it for Brianna to wear for her first Birthday. I didn't think Brianna was that tiny as as were in that stage... but now seeing Lynae in the same outfit 9 months earlier... Yes, she was that tiny.
Brianna at her first birthday party with Aunt Elizabeth- wearing the outfit Lynae just tried on.
Off to get some things accomplished. Or at least try :) The kids have been thoroughly enjoying some new activities we have on the porch (one gifted and one loaned to us) and have been happily jumping, climbing, and playing all morning. Not sure how much longer it will last though!
We really are going, though there's been several brief pauses to say "should we really go" with the family we're going to visit with, we really ARE going. Which means I really do have to pack up clothes, food, snacks, and gear for all 7 of us (ok, Mike can do his own clothes...) and we're hitting the road on Wednesday morning to go stay the weekend with friends. And yes, they, too, must be nuts to be having the 7 of us come up on a holiday weekend and join their family.
The bags of groceries (for Thanksgiving dinner!) are by the door and my children keep snatching the bag of marshmallows out of the top of one thinking they might be allowed to snack on those. Um... no. I found the bin in my closet with warm accessories in it and bout $1 hats at Target. Though we were thinking it would be in the 70's... there's a nice cold snap coming through and it's looking more like 50's. Still not cold, but to these Florida kids, it IS!
I just got done wearing out Lynae by dressing her in 4 different outfits trying to make sure the 3-6 month size clothes that I'm going to bring along won't completely swallow her whole. They are definitely a bit big still (she'll be ELEVEN weeks on Wednesday, hard to believe isn't it??) but I only have about 4 warm outfits in 0-3 months size so big and warm is better than cold :). She didn't mind the little mini-pageant too much. One of the warm outfits I just tried on her brings back memories :) I bought it for Brianna to wear for her first Birthday. I didn't think Brianna was that tiny as as were in that stage... but now seeing Lynae in the same outfit 9 months earlier... Yes, she was that tiny.
Brianna at her first birthday party with Aunt Elizabeth- wearing the outfit Lynae just tried on.Off to get some things accomplished. Or at least try :) The kids have been thoroughly enjoying some new activities we have on the porch (one gifted and one loaned to us) and have been happily jumping, climbing, and playing all morning. Not sure how much longer it will last though!
Saturday, November 21, 2009
There really was a wolf!
Yesterday I'd not have known she was 'off' once she got home. In her familiar environment left to play and enjoy herself and do as she wished... she was fine! She had a late lunch after her nap and then ate dinner just fine. This morning, though, she didn't eat breakfast for Mike (I went back to sleep for an hour since Lynae didn't sleep well) and when I got up she had four tiny bumps on her face.
You know, those little bumps we saw on August 20th when Emma was brought to the doctor and had Strep (the first time). That was after a rough few days at school. Then, October 8th I blogged again about... Strep.
Go ahead, act surprised.
Emma and Micah both have strep. Brianna and Kristopher went to Sea World with Mike while I went to the ped with the other 3 kids.
They tested E for Strep and the flu. Strep positive, flu negative. Then I asked the nurse if they'd please also test Micah for Strep because if Emma has it... he probably does too! (I'd also mentioned this at check-in that if she was positive I wanted M tested also). The nurse says of COURSE and brings us back to a room again since they'd let us wait out the 10 minute test in the lobby instead of the room where Emma screams constantly. The dr comes in says the nurse already brought me a script for Emma, have a good one and is about to leave. Uh, wait!
I asked her to test Micah. There's no need. Seriously, that was her answer. Yes, there is a need. This is the THIRD time in 3 months that Emma has had Strep and both times Micah has had it too. I bet he does now. No, no need. Can't do it. I held my ground and said he has a runny nose, and I'd like him tested. She left saying they'd need to draw up an appointment for him too (so she can charge me for it). Fine. We wait. Nurse comes back. She asks if the dr swabbed him. Nope. WHY??? Then we weigh him and wait for the dr again. Finally she swabs and leaves (obviously miffed). The nurse comes back in and says that Micah's positive, pick the script for him up at the front. The dr didn't plan to come back in. Stinks when Mom's right and her child has a contagious infection that you didn't want to test for, doesn't it?
Now we have 2 kids on anti's. When they filled the scripts they gave us 250 ml for Emma and 100 for Micah. Emma only needs 150 for her dosage, though. I am VERY tempted to give the other 100 ml to Brianna rather than waiting for Monday to find out that she, too, has Strep.
I think I'll be calling the ped (our regular ped, not this person that happened to be on call from that office) and finding out what I need to do to get the kids tested to find out who's the carrier. Emma has her tonsils and adenoids out already and seems to be the one getting the most sick from it (twice anyway) so I'm guessing it's Micah or Brianna. And I lean toward Micah because he licks EVERYTHING so he's the easiest one to spread it to everyone else all the time. But Brianna sucks her fingers so who knows. Brianna's had her adenoids out already but Micah hasn't had anything done with his tonsils or adenoids.
Anyway, I now have a house full of Strep for the third time in 3 months time and I'm pretty tired of the smell of Summer Breeze. I suppose I should go buy some different scented Lysol to clean the house with this time? Thankfully the weather is now cool enough that we have the house open some and it's not nearly as stuffy with the scent of Lysol as it has been the last two times.
I really don't like Strep! (And of course I feel bad that the kids keep getting sick and that E DOES feel pretty miserable this afternoon because for some reason the doctor's office is like torture and after you've cried for so long and your eyes and nose are all red and swollen you have to feel miserable. It's a requirement.)
You know, those little bumps we saw on August 20th when Emma was brought to the doctor and had Strep (the first time). That was after a rough few days at school. Then, October 8th I blogged again about... Strep.
Go ahead, act surprised.
Emma and Micah both have strep. Brianna and Kristopher went to Sea World with Mike while I went to the ped with the other 3 kids.
They tested E for Strep and the flu. Strep positive, flu negative. Then I asked the nurse if they'd please also test Micah for Strep because if Emma has it... he probably does too! (I'd also mentioned this at check-in that if she was positive I wanted M tested also). The nurse says of COURSE and brings us back to a room again since they'd let us wait out the 10 minute test in the lobby instead of the room where Emma screams constantly. The dr comes in says the nurse already brought me a script for Emma, have a good one and is about to leave. Uh, wait!
I asked her to test Micah. There's no need. Seriously, that was her answer. Yes, there is a need. This is the THIRD time in 3 months that Emma has had Strep and both times Micah has had it too. I bet he does now. No, no need. Can't do it. I held my ground and said he has a runny nose, and I'd like him tested. She left saying they'd need to draw up an appointment for him too (so she can charge me for it). Fine. We wait. Nurse comes back. She asks if the dr swabbed him. Nope. WHY??? Then we weigh him and wait for the dr again. Finally she swabs and leaves (obviously miffed). The nurse comes back in and says that Micah's positive, pick the script for him up at the front. The dr didn't plan to come back in. Stinks when Mom's right and her child has a contagious infection that you didn't want to test for, doesn't it?
Now we have 2 kids on anti's. When they filled the scripts they gave us 250 ml for Emma and 100 for Micah. Emma only needs 150 for her dosage, though. I am VERY tempted to give the other 100 ml to Brianna rather than waiting for Monday to find out that she, too, has Strep.
I think I'll be calling the ped (our regular ped, not this person that happened to be on call from that office) and finding out what I need to do to get the kids tested to find out who's the carrier. Emma has her tonsils and adenoids out already and seems to be the one getting the most sick from it (twice anyway) so I'm guessing it's Micah or Brianna. And I lean toward Micah because he licks EVERYTHING so he's the easiest one to spread it to everyone else all the time. But Brianna sucks her fingers so who knows. Brianna's had her adenoids out already but Micah hasn't had anything done with his tonsils or adenoids.
Anyway, I now have a house full of Strep for the third time in 3 months time and I'm pretty tired of the smell of Summer Breeze. I suppose I should go buy some different scented Lysol to clean the house with this time? Thankfully the weather is now cool enough that we have the house open some and it's not nearly as stuffy with the scent of Lysol as it has been the last two times.
I really don't like Strep! (And of course I feel bad that the kids keep getting sick and that E DOES feel pretty miserable this afternoon because for some reason the doctor's office is like torture and after you've cried for so long and your eyes and nose are all red and swollen you have to feel miserable. It's a requirement.)
Friday, November 20, 2009
Adoption Questions: What did you not expect?
Question: Did your kids come home with a lot "more to deal" with than you thought?
My answer: For us we brought home 2 children we weren't expecting to bring home. We went over for 2 preschoolers, we came home with two children at an infant level. Though we weren't prepared for infants, our transition home went wonderfully! The hardest thing was (and still is) bonding with an older child Something I didn't expect was autism or at least autistic tendencies. I, in fact, always said I couldn't deal with that ONE thing. Don't ever say never :) God doesn't call the equipped but equips the called and we love Emma without question and continue learning how she ticks and what we can do to help her as well as continue the process of trust with her.
From working with other families: In general families that have difficulty upon coming home (which I'd say about 1 in 10 have significant enough difficulties that they share, and others have adjustment issues but quickly resolve) it's based on behavior or a lack of connection.
Those are great big generalizations, but sometimes the behavior of the child- like Emma- is more affected by their time in an institution. Some children may have true autism. But a general thing that can be overwhelming is either 'orphanage behavior' (hitting, kicking, biting, pushing, never saying thank you, demanding things, jealousy of other children) or institutional behavior (stimming, rocking, grinding teeth, not doing well in new situations, spinning, hitting self). And then the lack of connection is generally the parent's side, but it's another thing that I've heard several times. "I love her but don't feel connected yet" I've heard twice this week. Sometimes it feels like you're babysitting someone else's child when you come home. Love is work. It will come ;)
I think families that expect instant love and gratification generally have a more difficult transition time, but some people definitely DO find that quickly as does the child! Some families that go in without expectations also find an instant connection and reward whereas others do feel the disappointment or difficulty with some things. A LOT just depends on the child/parent interactions and 'chemistry'. Some parents and children mesh immediately whereas some take a lot of time and effort.
Other ideas from post-adopt parents: Many people commented that their transitions home were easier than they'd expected. They found their medical info on their child was sparse and often inaccurate. Depending on who gave the information on the child and what the original intention of the description was for (funding or to find an adoptive parent or to dissuade people from adoption), the description may hold a completely different tone.
The question was also raised about previous descriptions and the expectations that come with it- giving a child character traits based on their photo or pieces of the description. That's definitely something to consider. Words can paint a picture, but not necessarily an accurate one :)
Feel free to add to this in the comments! This was a conversation going through RR today and I think it's a good one to share! :)
My answer: For us we brought home 2 children we weren't expecting to bring home. We went over for 2 preschoolers, we came home with two children at an infant level. Though we weren't prepared for infants, our transition home went wonderfully! The hardest thing was (and still is) bonding with an older child Something I didn't expect was autism or at least autistic tendencies. I, in fact, always said I couldn't deal with that ONE thing. Don't ever say never :) God doesn't call the equipped but equips the called and we love Emma without question and continue learning how she ticks and what we can do to help her as well as continue the process of trust with her.
From working with other families: In general families that have difficulty upon coming home (which I'd say about 1 in 10 have significant enough difficulties that they share, and others have adjustment issues but quickly resolve) it's based on behavior or a lack of connection.
Those are great big generalizations, but sometimes the behavior of the child- like Emma- is more affected by their time in an institution. Some children may have true autism. But a general thing that can be overwhelming is either 'orphanage behavior' (hitting, kicking, biting, pushing, never saying thank you, demanding things, jealousy of other children) or institutional behavior (stimming, rocking, grinding teeth, not doing well in new situations, spinning, hitting self). And then the lack of connection is generally the parent's side, but it's another thing that I've heard several times. "I love her but don't feel connected yet" I've heard twice this week. Sometimes it feels like you're babysitting someone else's child when you come home. Love is work. It will come ;)
I think families that expect instant love and gratification generally have a more difficult transition time, but some people definitely DO find that quickly as does the child! Some families that go in without expectations also find an instant connection and reward whereas others do feel the disappointment or difficulty with some things. A LOT just depends on the child/parent interactions and 'chemistry'. Some parents and children mesh immediately whereas some take a lot of time and effort.
Other ideas from post-adopt parents: Many people commented that their transitions home were easier than they'd expected. They found their medical info on their child was sparse and often inaccurate. Depending on who gave the information on the child and what the original intention of the description was for (funding or to find an adoptive parent or to dissuade people from adoption), the description may hold a completely different tone.
The question was also raised about previous descriptions and the expectations that come with it- giving a child character traits based on their photo or pieces of the description. That's definitely something to consider. Words can paint a picture, but not necessarily an accurate one :)
Feel free to add to this in the comments! This was a conversation going through RR today and I think it's a good one to share! :)
WOLF!!
Methinks she cried wolf...
Emma was in the school clinic just crying and crying away... During speech she got mad that another little girl was doing the signs and getting the toy and she refused to cooperate and got mad. And cried. And cried. And cried. LOL She's had a runny nose for a while and the ear thermometer showed she was over 101 temp. Unfortunately with her teensy ear canals, they rarely read right. But the teacher sent her to the clinic and they took the temp again and it was somewhere over 100. Mike just brought her home. Happy. Carefree, and right at nap time.
Emma doesn't usually nap. But, if she is "sick" then she will nap!
I took her temp, 99.8. Maybe she's coming down with something. And obviously she was really upset (until Mike got there and calmed her down). But can you get so worked up that you run a low-grade fever? I have no idea, but her body doesn't feel warm just her forehead. I suppose her nose gook could have had her running a low grade temp already and we just hadn't noticed because she didn't feel warm and there was no reason to take her temp until she was uncontrollably screaming! LOL
I guess we'll know after she gets up from nap and I'll take it again. I was just putting M and B down, though, so down she went too. And she was none too happy about that. Her teacher is great and just called to fill in the gaps and let us know the circumstances surrounding her being sent home. I really don't mind them calling us to get her. I'd MUCH rather they call then have her screaming nonstop and just miserable at school. Then again, she won't be playing this game and doing this just because she didn't get her way either! We shall see....
Emma was in the school clinic just crying and crying away... During speech she got mad that another little girl was doing the signs and getting the toy and she refused to cooperate and got mad. And cried. And cried. And cried. LOL She's had a runny nose for a while and the ear thermometer showed she was over 101 temp. Unfortunately with her teensy ear canals, they rarely read right. But the teacher sent her to the clinic and they took the temp again and it was somewhere over 100. Mike just brought her home. Happy. Carefree, and right at nap time.
Emma doesn't usually nap. But, if she is "sick" then she will nap!
I took her temp, 99.8. Maybe she's coming down with something. And obviously she was really upset (until Mike got there and calmed her down). But can you get so worked up that you run a low-grade fever? I have no idea, but her body doesn't feel warm just her forehead. I suppose her nose gook could have had her running a low grade temp already and we just hadn't noticed because she didn't feel warm and there was no reason to take her temp until she was uncontrollably screaming! LOL
I guess we'll know after she gets up from nap and I'll take it again. I was just putting M and B down, though, so down she went too. And she was none too happy about that. Her teacher is great and just called to fill in the gaps and let us know the circumstances surrounding her being sent home. I really don't mind them calling us to get her. I'd MUCH rather they call then have her screaming nonstop and just miserable at school. Then again, she won't be playing this game and doing this just because she didn't get her way either! We shall see....
The Car Surprise
A few days ago I was driving down the road and all of a sudden when turning a corner I heard this AWFUL squeaking sound. Then again when I stopped at a stoplight. And again, and again, and again! YIKES! This van is just over a year old (to us, we bought a year used too) and we're supposed to be driving for Thanksgiving next week, so this isn't great timing!
I was going grocery shopping and had to get the groceries home but then I went straight to the church. Mike and I drove it around a while over the church speed bumps and through the parking log, through the grass parking lot... it kept doing it and it sounded awful! And... sometimes it came from the BACK of the car, other times further up the car.
We had just about decided to take it in to the shop when we discovered that the awful squeaking noise... was coming from INSIDE the car. Then it only took us a minute to locate it.
Earlier in the week I'd uninstalled and reinstalled Brianna's carseat because it had loosened some. When I reinstalled it I used the clip (as always) but I hadn't 'locked' the seat belt otherwise. You really don't have to, so no big deal. BUT... the mechanism that attaches the seat belt to the car, because it wasn't locked, was swinging slightly as we turned or hit bumps or started or stopped the car!! I pulled on it to lock and... voila! Car problem fixed.
WHEW! So very thankful that there's not an issue with the van!! (what would we do if it needed more than a day of maintenance?? All the carseats don't fit in our other car!)
I was going grocery shopping and had to get the groceries home but then I went straight to the church. Mike and I drove it around a while over the church speed bumps and through the parking log, through the grass parking lot... it kept doing it and it sounded awful! And... sometimes it came from the BACK of the car, other times further up the car.
We had just about decided to take it in to the shop when we discovered that the awful squeaking noise... was coming from INSIDE the car. Then it only took us a minute to locate it.
Earlier in the week I'd uninstalled and reinstalled Brianna's carseat because it had loosened some. When I reinstalled it I used the clip (as always) but I hadn't 'locked' the seat belt otherwise. You really don't have to, so no big deal. BUT... the mechanism that attaches the seat belt to the car, because it wasn't locked, was swinging slightly as we turned or hit bumps or started or stopped the car!! I pulled on it to lock and... voila! Car problem fixed.
WHEW! So very thankful that there's not an issue with the van!! (what would we do if it needed more than a day of maintenance?? All the carseats don't fit in our other car!)
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Question:
Why do I have to sit on hold for 3 minutes for insurance to pay a claim?
A claim, I may add, that's 2 months old and that they'd held because they wanted to know if she had any other health coverage. Yet they've processed everything else and paid it out.
What will they tell me after these 3 minutes on hold that are wasting my time?
Hmm... it's been almost 3 minutes...
Should I be surprised that after 3 minutes all they told me is that they sent it back to the inpatient claims center and they'll pay it for me? Wow, what a waste of time...
A claim, I may add, that's 2 months old and that they'd held because they wanted to know if she had any other health coverage. Yet they've processed everything else and paid it out.
What will they tell me after these 3 minutes on hold that are wasting my time?
Hmm... it's been almost 3 minutes...
Should I be surprised that after 3 minutes all they told me is that they sent it back to the inpatient claims center and they'll pay it for me? Wow, what a waste of time...
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
wow
So much happening right now, no time for blogging!! But yet isn't that the best time to blog?? :)
My chocolate last night... well, I made some chocolate covered Oreos the day before and decided that I had a bunch of chocolate chunks and wouldn't it be fun to mix it in with the white chocolate. Thankfully I decided to melt them separately. The white chocolate was intended for melting and making candies and such out of. The chunks... not so much. So instead of a nice puddle of chocolate ready for me to dip the Ritz and peanut butter sandwiches into, I had a burnt heap of chocolate 'dirt' that seemed to be alive. If you ever need a smoldering volcano, this is your stuff! It wasn't liquid by any means. It really did turn into something that much more resembled wet dirt and grained off like that. But it was moving. Literally moving. Almost as if it was physically on fire.
I believe it may be a talent to be able to catch chocolate on fire in a microwave.
Kristopher, however, thought I was making brownies. I guess burnt chocolate doesn't smell so bad to a 5 yr old.
(The chocolate dipped Ritz peanut butter sandwiches were done with just white chocolate and are delicious, in case you wondered.)
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This morning I sat down to nurse Lynae and even though I don't usually turn the computer on before school unless it's to check the weather, I did. And I even thought before turning it on that I was going to have to deal with Mike rolling his eyes... :)
So I turned it on and in my inbox found... 6 emails from my bank. Never a good start to the day.
This morning at 5am they were having fun without me. Apparently I wrote my homeowners insurance check from the wrong account. Not the end of the world, we have overdraft protection and it's a charge I didn't want, but it's just one check, right? No. Apparently they process the large amounts FIRST. So... Sunday afternoon's dinner from Panda Express $12. With a $34 overdraft fee. My $2 stop at McDonald's yesterday at lunch time? Add a $34 overdraft fee. Yes, this happened with SIX transactions!
And I get that the check was my fault. I have no problem with a $34 overdraft fee ONCE. But within 15 minutes they filed 6 transactions and put the one that was for over $3,300 FIRST so that all the others had insufficient funds... when in reality my account was just FINE when I made the other purchases.
I transferred the funds to the right account immediately this morning so there wouldn't be any other issues. Then I had to take the kids to school.
For whatever reason, 2 of the overdraft charges were gone when I got back home. YAY! That's $68! Then I called the bank. I explained that I understand why ONE charge is there, but that there's no reason for me to have insufficient funds on purchases made 2 days ago when they held that charge until after this large check went through. The funds were there NOW, so it's not like I'm trying to get off without paying something. I just think it's immoral to charge this way!
They reversed $70 of charges. I accepted that. It means 2 overdraft fees were removed and I was charged only 2. Still $68 I didn't want to donate toward my bank's pocket but it was definitely my mistake in writing the check from the wrong account and I completely understand ONE fee.
Better a fee from the bank than the government (for not paying the taxes). But even better if I just had my act together in the first place! I guess that 'savings' of a little over $100 for paying my taxes early is a bit nil now?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This morning when I brought the kids in to school I stayed around for 20 minutes then went to Emma's classroom to show her teacher how she's doing with the Pony Walker. She's started to use it appropriately some and we've brought it to the Special Olympics Young Athletes meetings the last 2 weeks. Her teacher brought in the gait trainer they're using at the school for me to see as well and to show me how she's doing in that. She does all right but there's still limited control when she does it. The biggest thing is that she wants to "slink out" of the gait trainer and her super lax joints just might let her do that! LOL
Emma signed more for me at school! She signed baby for us several times and she told me all done when prompted. She listened when I told her to stand up in the walker and to stop 'cruising' by shoving off with her feet. That little girl never ceases to amaze me :)
I spent that first 20 minutes in the preschool class and Brianna told me she needed to go to the bathroom and then went. She's become so independent in so many areas, I'm just waiting for it to 'click' to her that she can go to the bathroom by herself and stay dry all the time. Walking in to the school in the morning I was carrying the carseat and holding Micah's hand. Usually I sling Lynae but today knowing I'd be in Emma's class I brought in her seat, which meant that Brianna just walked with us without holding my hand. I crossed the line of kids coming in from the buses with Lynae and Micah and she stopped and waited for another opening. She even said "NO!" to a girl that turned and bonked her with her backpack (on accident, Brianna was standing just on the other side of a bush and she's REALLY TINY! LOL, the girl didn't see her until she said something). Then when she saw an opening (I really thought she was going to wait all the way until the END of the line...) she ran across! Big girl! I'm so glad she was assertive to the girl that bumped her too. She's little and is going to HAVE to say something or she'll get run over!
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In just a few minutes I'm headed down to Lynae's 2 month check up. Then school pick-up and three kids are going to play at my parents' house for a little while. I'll be headed down with Micah to the orthopedic doctor for (hopefully his LAST) checkup on the curvature of his back.
Tomorrow morning is Brianna's IEP, and Thursday is the Kindergarten Thanksgiving Play as well as 'lunch with your child' for every class in the school. Seriously. They invited ALL the parents to lunch tomorrow. Can. We. Say. Hectic?? I'll be having lunch with Kristopher and Emma, and depending on what time that falls I'll eat with the preschoolers too, but I won't tell them I'm coming unless I show up :)
Next week we have Emma's IEP on Tuesday and I'll be spending the afternoon packing. Yep, we're hitting the road for Thanksgiving and visiting some friends :) Kristopher and Brianna are really excited about our little road trip, and Mike and I are ready for a little time away from everything as a family. Not sure yet whether we're leaving on Tuesday afternoon or waiting until Wednesday morning.
Off to the doctor's....
My chocolate last night... well, I made some chocolate covered Oreos the day before and decided that I had a bunch of chocolate chunks and wouldn't it be fun to mix it in with the white chocolate. Thankfully I decided to melt them separately. The white chocolate was intended for melting and making candies and such out of. The chunks... not so much. So instead of a nice puddle of chocolate ready for me to dip the Ritz and peanut butter sandwiches into, I had a burnt heap of chocolate 'dirt' that seemed to be alive. If you ever need a smoldering volcano, this is your stuff! It wasn't liquid by any means. It really did turn into something that much more resembled wet dirt and grained off like that. But it was moving. Literally moving. Almost as if it was physically on fire.
I believe it may be a talent to be able to catch chocolate on fire in a microwave.
Kristopher, however, thought I was making brownies. I guess burnt chocolate doesn't smell so bad to a 5 yr old.
(The chocolate dipped Ritz peanut butter sandwiches were done with just white chocolate and are delicious, in case you wondered.)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This morning I sat down to nurse Lynae and even though I don't usually turn the computer on before school unless it's to check the weather, I did. And I even thought before turning it on that I was going to have to deal with Mike rolling his eyes... :)
So I turned it on and in my inbox found... 6 emails from my bank. Never a good start to the day.
This morning at 5am they were having fun without me. Apparently I wrote my homeowners insurance check from the wrong account. Not the end of the world, we have overdraft protection and it's a charge I didn't want, but it's just one check, right? No. Apparently they process the large amounts FIRST. So... Sunday afternoon's dinner from Panda Express $12. With a $34 overdraft fee. My $2 stop at McDonald's yesterday at lunch time? Add a $34 overdraft fee. Yes, this happened with SIX transactions!
And I get that the check was my fault. I have no problem with a $34 overdraft fee ONCE. But within 15 minutes they filed 6 transactions and put the one that was for over $3,300 FIRST so that all the others had insufficient funds... when in reality my account was just FINE when I made the other purchases.
I transferred the funds to the right account immediately this morning so there wouldn't be any other issues. Then I had to take the kids to school.
For whatever reason, 2 of the overdraft charges were gone when I got back home. YAY! That's $68! Then I called the bank. I explained that I understand why ONE charge is there, but that there's no reason for me to have insufficient funds on purchases made 2 days ago when they held that charge until after this large check went through. The funds were there NOW, so it's not like I'm trying to get off without paying something. I just think it's immoral to charge this way!
They reversed $70 of charges. I accepted that. It means 2 overdraft fees were removed and I was charged only 2. Still $68 I didn't want to donate toward my bank's pocket but it was definitely my mistake in writing the check from the wrong account and I completely understand ONE fee.
Better a fee from the bank than the government (for not paying the taxes). But even better if I just had my act together in the first place! I guess that 'savings' of a little over $100 for paying my taxes early is a bit nil now?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This morning when I brought the kids in to school I stayed around for 20 minutes then went to Emma's classroom to show her teacher how she's doing with the Pony Walker. She's started to use it appropriately some and we've brought it to the Special Olympics Young Athletes meetings the last 2 weeks. Her teacher brought in the gait trainer they're using at the school for me to see as well and to show me how she's doing in that. She does all right but there's still limited control when she does it. The biggest thing is that she wants to "slink out" of the gait trainer and her super lax joints just might let her do that! LOL
Emma signed more for me at school! She signed baby for us several times and she told me all done when prompted. She listened when I told her to stand up in the walker and to stop 'cruising' by shoving off with her feet. That little girl never ceases to amaze me :)
I spent that first 20 minutes in the preschool class and Brianna told me she needed to go to the bathroom and then went. She's become so independent in so many areas, I'm just waiting for it to 'click' to her that she can go to the bathroom by herself and stay dry all the time. Walking in to the school in the morning I was carrying the carseat and holding Micah's hand. Usually I sling Lynae but today knowing I'd be in Emma's class I brought in her seat, which meant that Brianna just walked with us without holding my hand. I crossed the line of kids coming in from the buses with Lynae and Micah and she stopped and waited for another opening. She even said "NO!" to a girl that turned and bonked her with her backpack (on accident, Brianna was standing just on the other side of a bush and she's REALLY TINY! LOL, the girl didn't see her until she said something). Then when she saw an opening (I really thought she was going to wait all the way until the END of the line...) she ran across! Big girl! I'm so glad she was assertive to the girl that bumped her too. She's little and is going to HAVE to say something or she'll get run over!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In just a few minutes I'm headed down to Lynae's 2 month check up. Then school pick-up and three kids are going to play at my parents' house for a little while. I'll be headed down with Micah to the orthopedic doctor for (hopefully his LAST) checkup on the curvature of his back.
Tomorrow morning is Brianna's IEP, and Thursday is the Kindergarten Thanksgiving Play as well as 'lunch with your child' for every class in the school. Seriously. They invited ALL the parents to lunch tomorrow. Can. We. Say. Hectic?? I'll be having lunch with Kristopher and Emma, and depending on what time that falls I'll eat with the preschoolers too, but I won't tell them I'm coming unless I show up :)
Next week we have Emma's IEP on Tuesday and I'll be spending the afternoon packing. Yep, we're hitting the road for Thanksgiving and visiting some friends :) Kristopher and Brianna are really excited about our little road trip, and Mike and I are ready for a little time away from everything as a family. Not sure yet whether we're leaving on Tuesday afternoon or waiting until Wednesday morning.
Off to the doctor's....
Monday, November 16, 2009
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Friday, November 13, 2009
EMMA SIGNED BABY!
And I got it on VIDEO! Oh my, this is a HUGE thing for us. She didn't just do it once without meaning... or happen to comply, she did it over and over.. my goodness, I could just cry, what a BIG STEP this is! Emma's finally starting to communicate back to us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thursday, November 12, 2009
What do you do when
your child's tiny hiney still fits in one size diaper and the next size up is too big therefore leaks in gaps... yet... they pee too much for the size that 'fits' to contain it all???
Emma's peeing out of the overnight diapers. She had to have her pants changed all 3 days of school so far this week. Overnights are already super absorbent! We tried UnderJams at night (she's leaking out most nights too) but the smallest size is too big on her.
Any suggestions?? She's in a size 6 Overnight right now and weighs 32 lbs.
Thanks!
Emma's peeing out of the overnight diapers. She had to have her pants changed all 3 days of school so far this week. Overnights are already super absorbent! We tried UnderJams at night (she's leaking out most nights too) but the smallest size is too big on her.
Any suggestions?? She's in a size 6 Overnight right now and weighs 32 lbs.
Thanks!
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
The Purple Tongue
Yes, it's from Gentian Violet because Lynae has thrush. So far it worked pretty good but not all the way gone and I left it off a day and now it's coming back more, so we're back to purple a few more days.
Unfortunately, when she gets a little around her lips and on her sweet pink lips... she then looks... blue in the mouth. AKA: dead. Not a good look I don't think. I hope it's all better soon!!!!
And thanks for the tip about the grapefruit seed extract! I hope there's never a need for me to use anything more than the little bottle of purple stuff that we already have, but if there is then that is what I'll try.
I worked HARD for this little bottle though. You have no idea...
On Friday we brought Micah and Brianna to my parents' house and then went to the school. Mike and I checked in at the office and Emma and Kristopher went off to their classes then we waited for Kristopher's 1st 9 weeks award ceremony. He got an award for "Outstanding performance", which is an alternate to the perfect attendance since the Swine Flu allowed for an absence or two I think.
After the ceremony I picked up the little ones and dropped Mike off so he could go to work then went to GNC to see about getting some Gentian Violet. I drove by the window looking for their hours. None posted. It was already 9:30, the light was on, and there was a man at the counter at the back of the store, so I figured it must be open. I didn't have any strollers with me, so I ventured out with two 3 yr olds and an infant carrier and my purse across the parking lot to the store. (this was the beginning of my thoughts of wanting the monkey!) I got to the door, and it was... locked. Yes, they don't have hours posted but they don't open until 10am.
We went home.
I then called Wal-Mart to see if they had it. Nice pharmacist answered the phone. Said they have to special order it. Then said no, it's on the herbal aisle. Then she hung up. Before I could ask if it was in stock.
Mike's mom came over after lunch and kept M and B so I could go back up to the school and meet Mike for Emma's award ceremony. Emma got a teacher's choice award for the most improved in the lunch room :) She is now completely feeding herself with a spoon and fork for most meals!!
On our way home from school I stopped at Wal-Mart, put Emma in the cart seat, Lynae's carrier in the basket and Kristopher walked and in we went. We walked the aisles of the store. Twice. Then we found a helpful pharmacy worker. She told us she was 99% sure it wasn't stocked and had to be special ordered. She checked the computer and said she could order it for a few days out. Sure enough not in stock.
*sigh*
I went back out to the car and called my house then asked Mike's mom to look on the medicine bottles on the counter so I could call Walgreens. As I loaded the car back up I dialed then listened to the answering service:
"Thank you for calling Walgreens, Main Menu: If you'd like to speak with... I'm sorry. I didn't understand you. Let's try again... Main Menu: If you'd like to speak with... I'm sorry. I didn't understand you. Let's try again... Main Menu: If you'd like to speak with..."
Seriously.
I hate voice-prompt menus!! They always think I'm talking to THEM just because the person walking by made a noise or I closed a car door or... whatever! I dislike the system and it doesn't WORK!
Finally I hear "Let me find a representative to help you." FINALLY!
Then she puts me on hold. One minute. Two minutes. Three minutes.
And I hear.... "Thank you for calling Walgreens. Main Menu: If you'd like to speak with... I'm sorry. I didn't understand you. Let's try again... Main Menu: If you'd like to speak with... I'm sorry. I didn't understand you. Let's try again... Main Menu: If you'd like to speak with..."
Then I got a representative again. The same one. She said "just a minute." I went on hold again. One minute. Two minutes. Three minutes.
And I hear.... "Thank you for calling Walgreens. Main Menu: If you'd like to speak with... I'm sorry. I didn't understand you. Let's try again... Main Menu: If you'd like to speak with... I'm sorry. I didn't understand you. Let's try again... Main Menu: If you'd like to speak with..."
OH MY! The third time I spoke with the lady she answered the phone apparently knowing it would be me.
And guess what? They don't have it either.
I decided to try again at GNC. Three kids and I truck on in only to find out that they don't carry it either.
We went home. Then as a last resort I called CVS. Not only did they answer the phone when I called, not repeat the menu 3x to me, and didn't keep putting me on hold, they HAD ONE BOTTLE!
Mike's mom offered to go get it for me so I didn't have to haul the kids around again. That was MUCH appreciated.
So you see, I worked HARD for this little bottle of purple liquid. And we will be using it as long as it is working!!! :)
Unfortunately, when she gets a little around her lips and on her sweet pink lips... she then looks... blue in the mouth. AKA: dead. Not a good look I don't think. I hope it's all better soon!!!!
And thanks for the tip about the grapefruit seed extract! I hope there's never a need for me to use anything more than the little bottle of purple stuff that we already have, but if there is then that is what I'll try.
I worked HARD for this little bottle though. You have no idea...
On Friday we brought Micah and Brianna to my parents' house and then went to the school. Mike and I checked in at the office and Emma and Kristopher went off to their classes then we waited for Kristopher's 1st 9 weeks award ceremony. He got an award for "Outstanding performance", which is an alternate to the perfect attendance since the Swine Flu allowed for an absence or two I think.
After the ceremony I picked up the little ones and dropped Mike off so he could go to work then went to GNC to see about getting some Gentian Violet. I drove by the window looking for their hours. None posted. It was already 9:30, the light was on, and there was a man at the counter at the back of the store, so I figured it must be open. I didn't have any strollers with me, so I ventured out with two 3 yr olds and an infant carrier and my purse across the parking lot to the store. (this was the beginning of my thoughts of wanting the monkey!) I got to the door, and it was... locked. Yes, they don't have hours posted but they don't open until 10am.
We went home.
I then called Wal-Mart to see if they had it. Nice pharmacist answered the phone. Said they have to special order it. Then said no, it's on the herbal aisle. Then she hung up. Before I could ask if it was in stock.
Mike's mom came over after lunch and kept M and B so I could go back up to the school and meet Mike for Emma's award ceremony. Emma got a teacher's choice award for the most improved in the lunch room :) She is now completely feeding herself with a spoon and fork for most meals!!
On our way home from school I stopped at Wal-Mart, put Emma in the cart seat, Lynae's carrier in the basket and Kristopher walked and in we went. We walked the aisles of the store. Twice. Then we found a helpful pharmacy worker. She told us she was 99% sure it wasn't stocked and had to be special ordered. She checked the computer and said she could order it for a few days out. Sure enough not in stock.
*sigh*
I went back out to the car and called my house then asked Mike's mom to look on the medicine bottles on the counter so I could call Walgreens. As I loaded the car back up I dialed then listened to the answering service:
"Thank you for calling Walgreens, Main Menu: If you'd like to speak with... I'm sorry. I didn't understand you. Let's try again... Main Menu: If you'd like to speak with... I'm sorry. I didn't understand you. Let's try again... Main Menu: If you'd like to speak with..."
Seriously.
I hate voice-prompt menus!! They always think I'm talking to THEM just because the person walking by made a noise or I closed a car door or... whatever! I dislike the system and it doesn't WORK!
Finally I hear "Let me find a representative to help you." FINALLY!
Then she puts me on hold. One minute. Two minutes. Three minutes.
And I hear.... "Thank you for calling Walgreens. Main Menu: If you'd like to speak with... I'm sorry. I didn't understand you. Let's try again... Main Menu: If you'd like to speak with... I'm sorry. I didn't understand you. Let's try again... Main Menu: If you'd like to speak with..."
Then I got a representative again. The same one. She said "just a minute." I went on hold again. One minute. Two minutes. Three minutes.
And I hear.... "Thank you for calling Walgreens. Main Menu: If you'd like to speak with... I'm sorry. I didn't understand you. Let's try again... Main Menu: If you'd like to speak with... I'm sorry. I didn't understand you. Let's try again... Main Menu: If you'd like to speak with..."
OH MY! The third time I spoke with the lady she answered the phone apparently knowing it would be me.
And guess what? They don't have it either.
I decided to try again at GNC. Three kids and I truck on in only to find out that they don't carry it either.
We went home. Then as a last resort I called CVS. Not only did they answer the phone when I called, not repeat the menu 3x to me, and didn't keep putting me on hold, they HAD ONE BOTTLE!
Mike's mom offered to go get it for me so I didn't have to haul the kids around again. That was MUCH appreciated.
So you see, I worked HARD for this little bottle of purple liquid. And we will be using it as long as it is working!!! :)
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