Not Quite Ready - Real Life

Yet another orthodontist appointment an hour south. We are on our third retainer. Cora has an issue retaining the retainer. It's Cora. Her mind is elsewhere. This one is 1/2 green and 1/2 pink. Perhaps she will become attached to this appliance. 

Since we were driving by at lunchtime, we picked up Miss R and took her out to lunch. We voted and came up with KFC mostly because Joshua LOVES chicken. Actually, he calls all meat: chicken!

We ordered the 16 piece dinner figuring with 9 of us, we would plow through most of it. Besides, getting 8 kids to figure out what they wanted with 9 people waiting in line behind us wasn't happening. The guy waiting on me said (in that tone of voice), "WHAT are all these kids doing here? WHAT, no school today?" My response: "They are all mine," trying to smile smirk sweetly.

The E-Team was left at the counter to grab the trays of food and fill up 8 water cups. I cannot bring myself to buy 8 drinks that would cost as much as the food to feed us.

Little Miss R was wound up!

I contained this one on the inside of the booth.

The other brother was contained by Miss Erika.

We split between two tables. Let's say we had the whole back end of the dining area to ourselves. 

This going out to lunch idea was a challenge. 

He needs this, she needs that.

Joshua using his (loud) voice, not his words, for more CORN.

Pass the potatoes. No potatoes left? Please don't melt down. 

The chicken went on the floor. NO five second rule here, YUCK!

No extra napkins available.

Gotta go potty X 4. 

Send them to the potty to wash their hands because no napkins X 6. 

Traveling as a pack takes some practice. 

My kids are wonderful, don't hear me wrong.

My big kids are cooperative and patient. 

But today was a little busier than I like it. More of a "show" than I was ready for.

Hopefully, there will be a next time.

Practice makes perfect.

You know you have AWESOME kids when they pose with the chicken guy simply to humor their mother.

"Micah, turn around. Trust me, he's not real."

"Micah, please turn around and look at the camera."

That's better. Oh, the things I make my kids do. Miss R, by the way, is deathly afraid of the big guy in white and would NOT get in the picture. She was clinging to my leg with all she had.

We topped off our day with a visit to the twins.

There you have it. A snapshot of a day on the road. Big Red got us home safely and were grateful for a day out. We need one of those every once in a while.

Chinese Visitors and Personality Plus

We have some serious personality here!

The ONE thing that Joshua has attached to is a little blue flashlight. He carries it around and woe is me if we can't find it at bedtime.

What a fashion statement!

Go-to outfit, glasses, watch, tie, hat, flashlight.

I admit my first few wouldn't have been allowed to go out like this. 

I had no imagination back then!!!

  

Joshua, what have you done? 

He has a few fun quirks: How to eat fried eggs:

Eat every bit of white, carefully peeling all around yolk,

until you are left with this.

Then ask for a piece of toast. 

Dry toast. 

Very dry.

Nancy - who talked to Marilyn, one of my angels, at Bible study - called me out of the blue yesterday. She had some friends visiting from China. They are married and live and work in China. He spoke very little English and she spoke fluent Chinese. Nancy asked me if I would like to meet them and they could talk to Joshua. At first, I said I would think about it. Honestly, I wondered how Joshua would feel about having to talk to a stranger just because they were Chinese. Know what I mean?

After I hung up the phone, I asked him if he wanted a Chinese visitor and he lit up like a Christmas tree. Quick as a bunny, I dialed Nancy back and said, "Come on over."

And we were BLESSED!

First item on the agenda: "Please find out why Joshua has been up since 2:30am this morning?" Although he didn't talk a whole lot he enjoyed the visit immensely.

 

 When Chinese is in the air, we get to see Joshua relax and respond without the anxiety of language. 

He is so CUTE!

 

Thank you, Nancy, for blessing our family. What a gift to meet your friends, hear just a tidbit of their story, and have a time for Joshua to connect in Chinese. 

 

  I promised the kids I would post this picture. I cannot believe this cat even wants to sleep in a room with 8 people making LOTS of noise.

The Green-Eyed Monster Has Arrived

It's here!

In full force.

No doubt about it.

I've been waiting.

Wondering how long it was would take.

For JEALOUSY to arrive in full force.

Last week, the unraveling began.

Just a few strings at first,  being pulled to create a small ripple in the fabric of our family.
 
Little ones are crying more than usual.

We are all tired.

"You spend all your time with him."

"He is spoiled."

"How come he gets whatever he wants?" 
 
Oh people. 

Walk in his shoes for a mile or two.

Learn a brand new language. 

Learn a completely new set of rules.

New food.

Different smells.

Soft bed.

Never mind learning the names of 10 family members.

And a cat.

Don't forget, we got to choose him.



He did not get to choose us.

This is how it goes when we introduce a new family member.

It takes about three months to find a new normal.

Change is hard work. 

All the feelings we have now are normal.

We've been here before.

What in the world is "normal" anyway?

Only God knows.

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

Remember Me? I'm the Baby.

"Mom, take my picture."

These days, we have random sightings that look like this:

Today, I caught him in the act.

My baby is potty training himself.

Good gravy, I certainly don't have time.

Big enough to stand and do business was the clincher.

Maybe by November 23, I will be diaperless after 22 solid years.

Not too grown up for the Ergo though....

when a little extra lovin' is in order.

Ready for Home

Ready to go? I asked him if he wanted to go home and he emphatically said, "No!" Joshua enjoys Mommy and Daddy time. Who wouldn't in a family of 11, right? Mommy enjoys one-on-one time too, just maybe not in the hospital.

Last vitals.

Breakfast.

Joshua eats his French toast straight up. No butter. No syrup. Plain.

 

All hooked up. He asked me to take a picture of his stickers and wires. 

 

Joshua commandeered the camera. The last nurse we had was awesome. I cannot count how many times she asked if there was anything she could do or get for us.

 

Please do NOT take my picture. I have not taken a shower, brushed my teeth, or looked at myself in a mirror. The residents didn't make much eye contact at 6:30. Bless them.

 

Joshua found an extra stethoscope hanging on the IV pole.

 

He thought that was pretty cool! It's not hard to find his heart beat.

 

While we waiting for the doctor, Joshua bolted for the activity room.

 

He was proud of his plane.

 

Just as we were going over discharge orders with the nurse, the resident came and said that Joshua's blood work showed abnormalities and it was suggested we get an abdominal ultrasound. Stay a little longer? No problem versus a whole day in the future to schedule another test. The IPOD kept him busy and entertained.  Due to his "interesting" anatomy, the tech went and got the pediatric radiologist because she knew that the Dr. would want to look for herself. Thus, we were in there for a while. Again, I was grateful that Joshua is cooperative and patient. 

 

Time to go through Joshua's eyes. 

 

Oh, look. Visitors.

 

Sweet dogs who knew their job. Joshua has been a cautious around dogs but he enjoyed patting these two.

  

I laugh when I go back and see what he takes pictures of.

 

And we are out of the children's wing!

 

Into the elevator with pack mule Mommy. Suitcase,  bag with computer, bag with noodles, toy bag, extra bag with stuff I thought I would need and didn't, hospital goodies.

On the way home, we made our way to another pediatric dentist for an appointment to discuss in-hospital dental work. I decided I prefer that we land in the same hospital where our cardiac team is (versus Boston). Dr. M made it very clear that Joshua wouldn't be getting any dental work done in the office. Too risky.

We got home around 6:30 after picking up 3 prescriptions for Joshua, 2 for Trey, and 2 for Kloey.

I gave myself an un-official degree in pharmacology. 

Home was happy to see us.

Everyone was glad to be under the same roof. 

Especially Joshua.