One Last Time? Kitchen Sink Baths

I have been meaning to do this for months. "One last time" for G and Z - at least G - She's really getting tall. And, for the first time with M & K. I wonder if they were bathed in the kitchen sink as infants. I know G and Z both got their first baths at home in the kitchen sink - in AZ. Both cried. I remember them so vividly.

Today was the day.

I think this is a great idea for those of you parenting slightly older children (older than infants) - no, I don't mean teenagers! A way to capture a class "in the kitchen sink bath" photo.

"Nobody loves me!"

Those three words hit me smack in the face today. A typical day. No real drama. Nothing out of the ordinary. Low key in many ways. We stayed home all morning - to play. Then, later in the morning, K comes running to tell me:

"Nobody loves me!" - with tears in her eyes, very deep, very emotional. A big hug as she collapsed into my lap.

I can't imagine either G or Z saying this - two children I've known since the moments of their births. But, K. I met her 3 days shy of 2.5 years. It's different.

Bonding, it takes time. It's hard. It needs to be intentional. Time must be devoted.

I feel as though K has been the easier of the twins with whom to bond. However, she said this. I wonder if she said it because she is in fact bonding. It concerns me how M might feel if K is actually saying this. M holds more inside.

Oh baby, you are loved! I love you. Mem does, Auntie, G and Z. You are Z's best buddy.

I told G to come over to the couch where K and I were hugging. I asked G: "Do you love K?" Yes, she responded. I told her K thought that nobody loved her. G was SOOO sweet. She took K's face gently into her hands, got up close and said "Oh, honey. I love you. You are so sweet." It was precious. My heart smiled for G. Such a loving soul - when she can get out of her own way.

So much work to go.

Potty Training Report

Well, I started to train the girls. 12/27/10

Day 1 Report:
MacKenzie:
3 pees in undies (totally unaware of where she'd peed). Found one spot by stepping in it. Never found one spot.

1 poop in pretty pink undies with heart on front. Those went in the trash.

4 pees on the potty! Very proud. Competitive with sister!

Makayla: 3 pees in undies. Very aware. Came and told me.

1 poop in diaper (at naptime)

5+ pees on the potty! The leader - surprisingly.


Reward: 1 marshmallow for a pee on the potty. 2 marshmallows for a poop on the potty. Kenzie wanted more marshmallows (like sister) so she would go and sit there for a while (on her own).

Great first day! Need to get more thick/training undies and rubber pants but yesterday was a blizzard! Seriously, a blizzard so that will have to wait.

Prediction: Makayla will be trained this week (although the "letting go of the poops" might be difficult for her. MacKenzie - The verdict is still out. Training twins seems easier than singles - Peer Pressure baby!

Oh, and the older kids get a marshmallow if they cheer on the twin(s). I'm seeing a little regression with Zade - peed in his pants today - waiting for a potty but it was really intentional. So, I got out the extra potty chairs today and started handing out marshmallows more frequently to him/G.

Updated:
Day 2 - No accidents with pee - either child. Kenz pooped in unders.
Day 3 - No accidents with pee. Pooped in diapers at nap.
Day 4 - No accidents with pee; Makayla POOPED in the potty! Big Deal. This is all helping her confidence so much!! Yeah, Kayla! And for the first time, Kenz is NOT leading. She's a little sad about that.

Day 5 (Friday) - ...

A glimpse of the future

Last night (12/23) was the first night that I've slept through the night since the girls' arrived (8/11). Wow! Do I feel great. I fell asleep at 10pm and woke up at 4 am briefly and right back to sleep until 7! WOW!! Now, if that could keep happening...

Today, we got ready to head out to drop off a gift and purchase a gift for Paupi. I got a glimpe into our future: Every child dressed themselves, and put on their own shoes and coats. I did have to help with two tops but otherwise...wow! So much easier on this here body.

Oh, and just a report: My right knee does not need surgery (no torn meniscus). I start PT next week. I have arthritis. Boy, that'll make you feel old. Not the physical part - just knowing that I have it! Oh well...

Haiti

I found this: http://allthingshendrick.blogspot.com/2010/11/cereal-boxes-hope.html

We've started saving. Who would have ever guessed that our trash could give hope to families in Haiti.

His Bleeding Head

So I had an interesting experience as a parent yesterday. We were 5 minutes away from leaving for a day of appointments:
4 dentist appointments - 2 cleanings, 2 fillings
4 appointments at the pediatrician's office - 4 flu shots
PLUS:
Preschool (and a magin show)
a day of work for me

I'm in the bathroom finish my hair. Z-man starts crying. I could tell something was WRONG but I didnt jump as my Mother was consoling him at the bottom of the stairs and I could see them. I hear:

"Oh, do you see your tears on my face, honey?"
Then, I see her coming up the stairs - with blood all over her face and hand. It wasn't his tears, it was the blood coming out of his head.

He'd fallen. Hit his head on the baseboard and somehow started bleeding from the back/right area of his head.

So my question: Have any of you checked out your kid's bleeding head and realized that there is just no way you can reschedule all of the day's appointments to take him to urgent care?

Instead I said, "Z-man, put your hat on so you don't bleed all over the car or on your new coat. Get in the car. We have to leave in order to make the dentist on time. Thanks."

Well, that is what happened here. I did assess him, watched him closely and kept checking his head. The hygienist and dentist both checked it (both experienced parents) and we all agreed that we wouldn't do anything - as long as it clotted.

He didn't complain too much but let's say that it was a long tough day for him. "Off" all day. Then, we had to end with a shot! ugh. My poor little guy. Mama loves you.

My alternative was going to be: Shave that area on his head and do either the liquid bandaid or steri-strips but by the time we got home from the dentist, there was a nice clot. Honey, if you grow up to be a man who shaves his head, I'm sorry that I let you have that scar. Otherwise, who will know?

Adoption Quotes

I read this today on another blog. I am placing it here - so I don't lose it. I think it is so well written:

we will walk the road of adoption our whole life. Adoption is not merely a means to an end nor is it a chapter in a book that we can now close. Adoption is tragic and beautiful, loss and hope, brokenness and completion- all in one, and it is knit into the fabric of our family.
My prayer for Havi is that adoption does not define her but is a part of her and is a reminder of the less tangible but most miraculous adoption of all of us who are God’s children. I am so thankful for the tiny glimpse I got into His heart as a parent holding my sweet child for the very first time. I give Him all the glory for the past year we have had with her.

A faith-based initiative is needed in EVERY state...

Let's eliminate the concept of "waiting children" in the US foster care system.

I wish that every state had a faith-based campaign like Arkansas:
http://vimeo.com/6576611

Will you answer the Call?

Single
Married
With kids
Without kids
Empty Nesters
You?

If not you, how can YOU support 'one of the least of these', the 'fatherless', the lonely?

Right v. Left

Gianna (while half asleep):

"Mom, when I squeeze my eyes together, tears come out of my right eye. I don't like it."

Me: "Really? Which one is your right eye?"

G: "I don't know."

Me: "Whic is your other eye?"

G: "My left eye."

G's First Joke

Knock-Knock.
Who's there?
Banana.
Banana Who?
Banana in the shower.

Laughter all around.

Oh no....it hasn't stopped all afternoon.

Z's first joke:
Knock-Knock.
Who's there?
Cow.
Cow Who?
Cow in the bathroom.

Wow, they are nearly ready for Letterman.

4 in Diapers

I know that this phase will soon change but here is my nightly life. I have two kids trained during the day but none at night.

The twins are ready to be trained but I've put it off until the week vacation between Christmas and New Years. So, we'll be out and about and have FOUR kids needing to explore local rooms of rest - all on different schedules. Oh, the joys.

And why do people want their kids potty trained? Diapers are so much easier.

Why do I have two still in night diapers? Who knows. Changing a diaper is easier than changing the sheets every night. Or, Mom is lazy. Or kids are lazy - too lazy to get up.

A Different Kind of Giving Thanks

We celebrated Thanksgiving with our extended family last Sunday. Johnna's fiance was here from the middle east. relatives. cousins. kids. Filled the house with 16. Crazy. Zoo-ish. Like my childhood.

G got a call and she looked at me and said:

"I don't want to talk now. I'm having so much fun! I have to go"---and then she slid on her belly down the stairs to rejoin cousin Rylee.

So...Today (11/25) Mom, the kids and I were home. I've been fighting an illness and I can see it in a couple of kids eyes and in the snot running down from their noses. We laid low.

However, this morning we talked about giving. We took our change jar along with other change and bills we found around the house and set out to be generous.

We took the change $39 (change sitting around the house doing nothing) along with $1 to D-n-D and bought $5 gift cards. We went to Denny's and bought some more there. We handed them out. We got hugs. Smiles. Thanks. and one silent one who didn't make eye contact.

We bought more D-n-D cards and headed to the Teen Center. More smiles.

My kids learned so much.

The best part:

When we paid with change at D-n-D, G just couldn't let go of her last penny. I didn't make a big deal of it. Told her she could keep it. Later driving in the car, she handed me a wad of napkins. She told me it was a gift. When I didn't open it, she insisted. I opened it and found the single penny in the center of the ball of napkins. She was so proud to give it away - to me.

She demonstrated that she in fact was generous and GOT the point.

Thank you, Lord. For all that we have.

A nice bonus - Denny's had a deal that if you spent $25 on gift certificates, they gave you one extra $5 one - another gift for someone today.

Also, we learned that people really liked choices. We approached people with:

Would you like a Denny's or a D-n-D gift card (vs. would you like a gift card). They liked choices. Nobody turned us down. BTW, they liked D-n-D the best.

We signed the gift cards "From Jesus".

What a tangible way to show love to others and teach the kiddos along the way.

We returned home for a quick lunch, naps and the got up for Turkey Pot Pies (prepared yesterday) and left over pies from Sunday. We rented a movie but never got to it - tomorrow!

Paupi came for dinner.

We did a couple of thanksgiving crafts.

Can I tell you: This was one of the BEST Thanksgivings EVER!

We are so blessed.

Mortified Mother

Here is my Facebook status from Friday, 11/19/10:

KS is a mortified mother. Had to pick G up from school early to make it home on time but had to swing by USM to do a presentation for predental students. G came with. I promised her something special if she sat quietly. She picked dinner out along with me. half way through it, she got up and came to the front of the room. I held her hand. She let go...

I turned back to see her standing there without a dress on. IN THE FRONT OF THE CLASS. She was quiet but holy crap. None of it mattered as we were late getting home anyway. STRESS...................

So dinner was pizza. frozen. The stressful day meal around here. Half way through dinner, G announces: "Mom, you shouldn't have made this. I had it for lunch. Same kind." Oh my head.

Then she said: "You should have checked the lunch calendar." Lunch Calendar? Where the HE-double hockey sticks do you think that thing is, honey? Get real.
____

FYI - She had a shirt underneath as well as hot pink thick tights but still....

And the organization continues

A la, "K" - the child, not the adult......................



When will she stop?

Nothing seems to encourage this behavior to STOP!

Halloween Fun!

After out trip to the ER last night, we had sleepy kids all day Sunday. Zade slept until almost 10 am - no church for us! An extended PJ time is always good (and I got to sew a little bit!).

Story from Paupi's time with the kids:

Z found a new use for the string on his flashlight. This happened as he was undressing to get into his PJs. That meant, no underwear. Yes, he hung the flashlight on his pe*)s... Paupi said it was one of the funniest things he'd ever seen and he almost couldn't stop laughing. He wasn't sure how Z-man got it to hang there. He couldn't repeat it. I thought: How are boys made???

Anyway, Sunday:

1. Cooked with Auntie and Nichole - cupcakes and a cake.

2. Went to the neighborhood Halloween Party - at Charlie's house (and his parents and brother!). Z wouldn't go unless we drove. He lost it. So, he stayed home and napped for about 4 hours (with Mem and Auntie at home). The girls and I went. They had fun in the leaves, on a parade and eating. G did really well on the Ghost Toss game. She refused to play hot potato. A great time. Cold but good.

3. Trick or Treating. COLD night. Paupi came and helped us get around the neighborhood while getting in and out of his car - much warmer!

4. Home to "help" Mem and Auntie pass out candy (and toothpaste and Vote YES on 2 cards!).

Bedtime went well - with Auntie's help.

A Saturday night ER Trip

Saturday was a WONDERFUL DAY - Actually, this entire weekend.

I had worked 12 days straight - yes, all weekend included. We had a nice, calm, no obligation (except Halloween night) weekend. Do I hear a WOOOHOOO!

G woke up on Saturday feeling fine. As the day went on, she complained of stomach pain - always on the right side. I looked up appendicitis. No fever - probably not.

We went in the car and she didn't want to hear the radio. She complained. She looked sick. We picked up Kenzie's new bed, got donut holes and came home (she fell asleep in the car). She only ate one of her 2 donut holes, refusing the other. I knew something was wrong.

Came home and she went right up to bed and fell asleep before I even had the others in the house. When she woke up, she wasn't right and I could tell she had a fever. Yup. Pain had also shifted to the belly buttom and continued on the right (not on the left).

Called the triage nurse. Recommended: See within the hour; don't feed her anything.

Paupi came right over and we were off.

Upon assessment at the hospital, she changed her story, had fears from her summer hospital stay, etc... but overall she did well.

We had a brand new ED resident who was wonderful with her BUT actually believe her shifting story (hellow, she's 4!). He was going to send her home but got a urine sample and you know what: UTI (or differential Dx of appendicitis). They are treating for UTI/Bladder infection.

This is sad in that she had surgery for this just before her 2nd birthday. I hope that her kidney reflux surgery has not failed. That would be bad! Even us "non-worrying Mamas" worry in times like this.

Her favorite parts of the ED experience:

"Watching Shrek. Eating chocolate ice cream. Spending time with you, Mom!" - G, 10/30/10

We did have a great time hanging out in the hospital bed together. Great 1:1 time that seems so rare these days. Also, I loved that she had a biracial nurse - Ashley! She didn't seem to notice but I did.

Lord, please bless them and keep them...safe!

The twins have new siblings - boy/girl twins born yesterday. They were born at a little shy of 33 weeks so they are peanuts but doing well.

I got to see them last night. So sweet and innocent. Peace to all.

My birthmother is NOT a gorilla!

Tonight we went to pick up photos to take to the twins mother. In the packet, I'd also ordered photos for G and Z's birth mothers. I was in the front of the car showing the kids the photos when I told G that we were going to mail the ones of her to T*. She smiled.

Z piped up and said that he wants to send his to (stumbles on her unique name and then gets it right) D*. He had the biggest smile on his face thinking about sending his birth mother photos of HIM. OK, so maybe it was all about him but I was happy that

1. He knew he had a birth mother.

2. He liked the idea of sending her photos.

3. He knew she'd like to see photos of him (we saw her in June and July of this year - FL and AZ)

Then, he announces D* "is a girl. She's not a gorilla."

4. I was proud that he knew she was NOT a gorilla and that in fact she was female (he has problems with male/female; he/she concepts for some reason - for example, he lives in a house with all girls and calls all of the children "he".)

You should know that he was dead serious - about her NOT being a Gorilla! This wasn't a joke to him. Serious stuff. I was cracking up. He was being serious.

I called her to tell her this. She didn't get to the phone and was freaked out that something was wrong. We followed up by email and I am just so happy to have the chance to share these little stories with her from time-to-time.

Adoption doesn't mean abandonment - when one actually selects this option and makes an adoption plan for their child. Adoption (in our family) = love. She loves her birth son. I love him. He is loved. He knows that there is another person out there who loves him and I hope that this brings comfort to him in the future.

ETA: I'm also thankful that his birth mother is NOT a gorilla. I was thinking about that - LOLOL!!

Waste or Accomplishment

Today was a BEAUTIFUL fall day in Maine. I never even went outside. Sad.


I took today off from work. The kids and I stayed inside. What is wrong with that picture?


Here is what was accomplished:

-Change of clothes from summer to fall/winter for FOUR kids. Here is the heap of clothes I took out of drawers to end the summer. Note, the twins arrived 2 months ago today and they had a lot less clothing than the other two but still. Oh, and I found more in the dryer after I took this photo. Note, these are summer clothes so there is less fabric. What about winter clothes. How big will that pile be? And, this doesn't take in all of the clothes I'd previously removed while running through daily life. They are in a different pile - same room. Mine.
-Organization of clothing for FOUR kids. Hangers (we had enough!), drawers, shelves, baskets.


-Matching of ALL Pjs before placing in drawers so my kids don't look like poor/unkept kids if we are ever rescued by the FD in the middle of the night (with the mismatched PJs they seem to wear every night).


-Division of clothing to get rid of vs. save for hand me downs. I used to save everything but now I think that my family is pretty stable and there won't likely be more kids for a while/ever (who knows!). Therefore, I feel like I should let Z-man's clothes go as well as the outgrown little girl clothing. Here is the start of the pile to purge. So much more to go. I'm proud that I have a purge pile. I am trusting in the Lord that He'll provide should this plan change.
Yes, this took ALL day along with caring for (kind of caring for) 4 preschoolers. They were fed. They were safe. They got 2 books read to them. Each was hugged multiple times. Boo-boos were handled. It was a 2 band-aid day but nothing big. Otherwise, they just played - all over the house and the mess wasn't actually that bad. We had a few meltdowns but nothing too terrible. There was probably more biting than was necessary (OK, that should be NONE but I have TWO kids who bite and one who always gets bitten - and one who never bits and rarely gets bitten).


What did this process reveal to me:
1. We are blessed. We have too much. We have too many clothes and yet on some days - not enough. Crazy. Having too many clothes can = more work for Mama. Sorting, folding, organizing, tracking them down, cleaning, etc... I'm so thankful.


2. Where do all of the socks go? I emptied EVERY laundry basket in the house, ALL laundry was clean, emptied every closet and even looked under beds (although I didn't clean them). Also, every dresser was emptied today and yet this is the pile of mismatched socks from 4 kids/1 season:

3. Where do all of the matching pieces to PJ's go? I had all of these extra bottoms and one top? Seriously, did the kids eat their shirts while sleeping this summer? No really. Where are they? There are no other hiding places in the house. Very strange.

Summary: 5 years ago I would NEVER have taken a day off from work to organize clothes. My life has changed. Thanks! I'm loving it!

Oh, and I remember complaining about it taking an hour to change out clothes when G grew from one size to another. Now it is change of seasons, change of sizes and the ever important: I wish I could change out his clothes but he never grows. That is the 3rd year in those same clothes. Thankfully he grew and his pants are too short. Why do I have a Husky, Regular, Petite and Mini-never-grows? Life is a gift. I am so blessed. Who knew I'd have so many things to think about/trust the Lord with just a few short years ago. Did I mention - I am so blessed.

Tomorrow - I actually get to "work". It'll be easier than the back breaking work of homemaker.

Oh, and I wonder how families with 10 or more kids handle the change of season/size clothing event that must happen at least twice a year. Wow!

ETA: That day was brought to us by our sponsors: paper plates, popcorn and one Thomas the Train movie.

Also, I should note that less than 24 hours later, K destroyed the organization in her room - took down over half of the clothes on hangers and took out the clothes in her drawers. Then, she felt guilty and shoved most of them into drawers - of course not organized. I was glad that my Mom was here and found this so that I could just hear about it first and then selec to ignore it at least for one day. kids. oh well, this won't matter in a year. In five years. This too shall pass.

Quotes, Bulk Cooking

Crackers Quakers have begun.
Whoever shows their teeth or lips or tongue
will have to give me their pay.
--G, 10.11.10

I spent all day yesterday afternoon/evening doing bulk cooking. This is a first for me.
I think If I'd planned ahead better I could have been much more effecient (Surprise, surprise!).

I've been cutting and saving a recipes from a variety of sources into a word file. Yesterday was the day that I made a bunch of them come alive:

Mango Chicken Vegetable Bake
Chicken Rice Pilaf
Tater Tot Casserole (X2 - can't believe I cooked that/bought those but 3 of the kids loved it!). Cheap easy but so processed.
Taco Pie
Spaghetti Pie (had this before - yum!) - X2
Chicken Enchiladas

I had enough chicken left over (did you know that my food chopper could chop boiled chicken!) that I made chicken salad for today's lunch.

Here are two sites I've used so far:
http://freezerfriendz.blogspot.com/

http://www.menus4moms.com/bulk/thriftyhomeschooler.php


On another note, "K" slept through the night last night for the first time. Well, I think she slept through the night. I never heard her scream. She's been screaming ~4 am lately instead of all night as she did before. Never heard her last night. Maybe I was just tired but I don't think so. She told me she didn't cry.

One more day off from work. Then right back at it tomorrow.

Irony (adj.)

"coincidental; unexpected: It was ironic that I was seated next to my ex-husband at the dinner." - dictionary.com

Thursday, I drove to my home town. An annual meeting is held at a resort in my home town.
The same resort was the location of my wedding reception - 15 years ago - and where my now former husband and I spent our first night as a married couple.

It's a nice place. On the water. Golf course. Beautiful.

It was fall then. It is fall now.

We are no longer married - to each other. He has since remarried a woman from my high school class. A much better match. She's a delightful person. He's a great guy. A good couple, I suspect - from afar.

She is pregnant with their first child. Due in October.

Last night as I tried to sleep, I got this sense that I needed to get up and check FB. To check their pages (I'm not friends with them on FB although I can see their info. The former husband and I do FB message occasionally about things - once you have married, you are always connected even if you didn't have kids and divorce. I needed his current mailing address last spring as I applied to foster/adopt. Hence, a FB message last spring. Anyway...)

I got up. I logged on and sure enough, their SON was born on Monday of this week, a few weeks early. They'd waited to find out the gender until his birth. I know that feeling. That was the case with G and Z.

There were 2 pics (what is wrong with people! Only 2 pics!)...one of the little guy "R" and one of the baby and his Daddy...that man to whom I was once married. It looked good. My first reaction was a big smile. No pics of Mom. I'm sure she is elated!

Things that I find ironic:

--I learn of the birth of my former husband's first child while lying in bed in the resort where we celebrated our wedding - almost exactly 15 years ago (next month). A rainy day/night. Fog horn blowing in the distance.

--Then, I realize that their wedding anniversary is 8/11 - the day the twins arrived. They'd been married 3 years EXACTLY on the day I welcomed twins into my family. And, one of the twins has THE name we'd discussed naming a daughter, if we ever had one!

--They announced the birth of their child on Tuesday of this week. I announced the twins on Wednesday. We have ~30 FB friends in common between us. I'm sure a few of them saw our posts just 1 day apart as a funny coincidence. I find it odd. I'd probably have waited to announce the twins if I'd known they'd just announced their first born the day before. Oh well.

--I remember him saying years ago that he wasn't sure he ever wanted kids. But, if he had to have one, it would be one. A girl. Before he was 30.

To summarize: it's a boy. He's a first time father at age 40. Who knows if there will be more.

Irony. Odd. Life. Never goes as you plan. So happy for them.

Wondering if it would be odd to send them a gift. I'm sooo happy for them - and his parents. Finally, a first grand child.

All the best little "R". May you be loved, give love and know Love in this world! Blessings to you, G, D and R...

The Best in the World

My son announced today:

"Mommy, I'm the best pooper in the whole world!!!"

So proud of himself.

God loves me!!

After church today, M got in the car and announced: "God loves me!" With a hug smile on her face. My heart leapt. Then K said: "God loves K_____!" Well, yes he does!

We went down the path of all the people that God loves. What a lovely Sunday afternoon discussion. I couldn't have been happier. Great job church staff!

This was the 2nd week that the girls stayed in the "nursery" at church since they arrived. I left them in G and Z's class with instructions to move them to the toddler room when they moved onto the lesson (like last time). However, when I returned all 4 kids were in the same room. I got a report that the twins cried for a minute or two for "gramma" and then were comforted by Gianna. Yes - the flexibility proves SOOOO important in traumatized kids. I can't stress this enough to big churches...those ones who have "rules" about which kids go in which rooms. I digress.


They also reported that Gianna prayed in Sunday school today and did a great job answering questions. Z-man - well, he hadn't even removed his coat when I returned.



I have learned that if either twin needs a diaper change, I will go and do it. They are just NOT OK with someone else (a stranger) doing it and well, it promotes our bonding. I know the teachers find this weird BUT they don't know our entire story.



We went to buy a new bed for K. She's unwilling to sleep in her bed - the one that came from her original home. I'm not sure why but Mom, Auntie and I have been discussing her nightly screaming and I just think this is a good idea. I found one on Craigslist and I drove the 40 minutes to pick it up this afternoon. It was a nice ride for the kids and I on a rainy Sunday afternoon. Let's see if it works... She was pretty excited to get it but when we got in the driveway, she announced that she wasn't going to sleep in it.



We played in the driveway with chalk - a VERY exciting thing for all three girls and well, Zade drew some too. We painted, did markers on a white board and the pumpkin bread is currently baking. Such a simple day. A day of rest - the modern rest.



Also, so I don't forget dates - 9.25 - a major development in the twin's case. Issues with their mom. We'll see where this ends up. No visit with extended family this weekend -first week without that.

What are people thinking? Pie holes.

On Sunday, the kids and I were out and about. We hit a few late yard sales and then we went grocery shopping. What else can you do with 3 kids with rip-roaring colds? Expose everyone in the grocery store (not church) of course.

I'm pushing the "car" carriage. 4 kids IN the cart piled with food and supplies (note, I always get the 2 cases of diapers last as they pose a HUGE balancing act). I'm headed toward the check out when some nice lady stops and says:

"Wow. Please don't tell me that you have like 2 more at home or something. That's it, right?"

I paused and said: "Nope. Four blessings for me. That is it!"

I should have said other things. I refrained.

What if I had 10 more at home? OK, so I'd be nuts BUT still. Come on.

Yes, we take up a lot of space and we're kind of loud BUT we are a loving family and they were all behaved (at that moment). And what will happen when they really understand what people are saying about them? Think about your words and what the little ears hear and can understand. Shutting your pie hole is also a good option sometimes. (Sorry if that was offensive....well, kind of).

Oh what a night...discipline?!?!

So tonight I had to just run to the store and pick up trash bags and bandaids. It is had just been bandaids, I'd have skipped it but trash bags around here are kind of important. Nearly an hour later, the five of us arrived home. It was 650 and waaay past time for dinner. I'd already planned to do my last minute emergency dinner option - frozen pizza (yes, I know it is an unhealthy option but it happens every 6-8 weeks and nobody is dead...yet). But I changed my mind and it would be a quick bowl of cereal night. With milk. Maybe a piece of fruit.

G had a meltdown because I gave her the wrong bowl - at least not the pink bowl. I'm so tired of pink bowls, cups, plates and utensils. Why? They cause conflict. We either need every one to be pink or I need to get rid of the pink ones. Seriously.

I warned her to stop. I told her the consequence would be no dinner. She didn't listen. She spiraled. She yelled - "I don't want that bowl."

I calmly picked it up, carried the bowl of cereal and milk to the garbage disposal and dumped it down the sink. She lost it. I turned and said: "Be careful what you say, G. You told me you didn't want the pink bowl. I took care of that. Your dinner is now over. Got up stairs for bed."

Can you imagine the response? Yeah, it was bad.

I stuck to my guns. I put my daughter to bed without dinner for the first time ever. It was appropriate. I REALLY hope she learns from this.

I nearly caved. I almost want to wake her up and give her some crackers because I know her tummy is so very hungry.
____

The other lovely (not) thing that happened tonight was:
After we got home with the stuff from the store, they all wanted to help, not listen, be crazy kids. Not a single one listened to the simple directions: Put on an apron. Get in a chair.

Finally, I'd had enough and broke my no swearing at/around the kids rule and raised my voice with this: "Damn It! Listen!" G turns and sweetly and calmly says: "I'm not Damn-it-listen, Mama." To witch I responded, No you aren't honey. That was a bad word that Mama said. Please don't say it again. I'm so so sorry.

aaaaaahhhh....One of my finest parenting evenings.

I'm a big fan of natural consequences. I think this approach can teach so many important lessons. Well, I experienced on that just seemed so odd in the end. "K" dropped her spoon intentionally at dinner. I warned her. She did it anyway. Then she looked at me. I told her she'd have to eat her cereal without a spoon. Eat with your hands. She did. She finished her food. Calmly. Quietly.

However, it was painful. Why? I have a feeling that in her 2.5 years before landing here, she ate many meals with those hands - meals that should have had utensils but...just didn't. The natural consequence didn't mean anything to her. Why? It was normal - typical - A-OK to her to eat without a spoon. I guess it wasn't discipline. It was encouraging an ingrained poor behavior/experience she'd already had. Bummer.

_____________
On another note, fostering children can bring so many dynamics. Today, I had the opportunity to demonstrate love to the little girls' mother. She has dental needs and will age out of the state Medicaid program shortly. I was able to get her into a clinic and she had her first appointment today. She's going to need a series of appointments. I'm happy that she is getting this taken care of and I think she is happy to have someone care about HER needs - I don't think that happens very often.

Of course, other things happened today in the case (that I can't discuss). Things might get messy for a while. I can't believe we are losing our case worker in a week and 1 day! Right when things are getting messy!!! :(

In case he grows up to have "issues"

Tonight at dinner, my little guy started itching his arms. I looked. He did have a bug bite on his forearm (left). They'd played outside today. Bugs LOVE him. :(

He asked me to "itch" him. I told him I would in just a minute. I went over and rubbed his bug bite (versus digging it to death as he does!).

I went back to sitting in my chair and eating. He started yelling: The bugs are biting me! The bugs are biting me!

It was irrational.

I encouraged him to look at his arms. "Z- there are no bugs on your arms. Look!" He looked. He got panicky.

It was escalating.

I scooped him up. Took him to the couch for snuggle time and wrapped him in his "blanklet." He settled down. He snuggled in. He smiled.

Of course, "K" witnessed this and about 20 minutes later she tried to pull the "itchy, itchy, itchy" thing to get some snuggle time. I discouraged that behavior but later on, K and I had some huggy-buggy time.

Kids...I guess it is good that we can't see their future but sometimes I just wish I knew if these behaviors are deviations from normal that end up A-OK or pretty close to OK or if there is a disaster around the corner. It's probably best that I don't know, really!

Little Details - documenting the little things

Well, a month has passed since the girls' arrival. I can't believe a month has already gone by. wow! It's flying. They are doing so well here. Their vocabularies are expanding, they are laughing and playing and just last night - dancing WITH G & Z to the Fresh Beat Band!

My favorite K quote: "Mamamamammamamama! Squirrel on fence!" She can ride a bike with training wheels and both twins can ride the scooters (too early really).

M who couldn't recognize the front of a puzzle piece from the back a month ago can now do 10 piece puzzles and can match colors (fish puzzle).

K has had some regression to infantile behaviors (which I think is a good thing?). She's allowing/demanding that I rock her in my arms before bed. I sign to her. She flops her body like a baby. One night, she even started crawling. M has allowed me to do this twice this week. She watches. I was pleased when she whispered: "Me, too..." to the rocking/singing. I still hear crying and yelling in the night but it is getting better - or maybe I'm getting used to it.

G started preschool on 9.8.10. We went the day before to officially enroll her. She did well (stayed in the classroom for over an hour while I filled out paperwork-painted two pics and had goldfish for snack). She was so excited on her first day because they were having mac & cheese and broccoli for lunch. She came home very hungry. She refused to eat their mac & chees because "it isn't like the mac and cheese we have at home, Mom! It's yucky there. And, they didn't even cook the broccoli!" She did take a short nap during rest time. The teacher said she had a great first day and only about 10 mins before I picked her up had asked: "Isn't it time to go inside?" - they were playing outside and apparently she was ready for the day to be over. After her first day, I took her out for ice cream. She picked bubblegum ice cream. Nice 1:1 time.

She did say that she thinks that this school is the school for her!

She was reserved and quiet and didn't share a lot with me other than she liked painting the best. She was unhappy the next morning when I told her that she only goes to school 3 days a week. She was really ticked and wanted to go Thursday (that day) as well.

Here is my favorite quote from her first official day. She said this as we were up in the morning getting ready for school:

"I don't want to blink anymore. I miss things when I blink and I don't like missing things." - G

Classic.

I sent in my registration for the local Mothers of Multiples today. I'm encouraging another new friend, Stacey, to do the same. She is "expecting" twins - a foster placement late this year. The next meeting is a clothing sale which excites me!

We've been to McDonalds this month and had the McDonalds' (family) over for a playdate. We are having a yard sale on Saturday - purging the baby clothes and gear (I hope that doesn't come back to bite me!) and just living life. Busy. Loud. Appointments. Work. Need a haircut (who has time for that with 4 kids/single mom?)

Update on Z-man: He's maturing a little. Maybe this is how men learn to be quiet - having so many women around. I'm looking for a movie to take him to see (first in-theater movie) so we can have a Mom/Son date. He's sharing a room with Gianna - except, she is sleeping in my room at night (he wakes her up too much!). The twins have Z's old room. Musical rooms but it is working just fine.

Why do you have those if you haven't had a baby?

A little TMI BUT....

We had a small gathering at our home yesterday. The kids and I went yard saling in the morning (no big finds although I got a basket that I really like and a few clothes for the girls). We came home. All the kids had a nap/rest time while I got ready for our afternoon.

When everything was about done, I ran upstairs and took a shower. I went into my room to get dressed (where Gianna had been having her rest time). I put on some shorts. I was getting ready to put on my bra when she looked up and said (yes, this might be TMI for a blog but this is also our family journal):
"Why do you have those?"

K: All girls grow breasts when they get a little bit older than you. That way they can feed their babies. That is how God designed women.

G: What baby did you have?

K: I have you and Z.

G: But I grew in T___'s belly and Z grew in D___'s belly.

K: Well, yes you did. But, I was there - right when you were born. Right when you came out of T's belly.

G: Yes, I remember.

K: You do?

G: Yes, I remember you showing me the pictures on the computer.

K: Oh yeah. Right.

G: So why do you have those if I grew in T's belly?

K: Well, all ladies grow breasts. Auntie and Kasey have them and they don't have babies yet.

G: Oh, yeah....Will I grow them when I'm like 64?

K: No. Probably when you are, um...13.

G: Will mine have holes in them?

K: ?!?! Why do you ask?

G: Well, how will the milk get out for my baby if they don't have wholes.

K: Yes, yours will have holes in them so that the milk will come out. God designed breasts so that Mama's can feed their babies. Isn't God great?

G: Yup.

Summary:
She totally understands that she grew in her birth mother's belly. Check!

Birthday Blessings

I awoke to the sound of "Mama!!" that came out in a demanding tone. What makes this so special. It was the first day that "M" woke up yelling for me and not "gramma". Also, this is the first day that "K" said: I Love you.

Other things:
A great morning of yard sales. I really wanted snow shoes last winter and I just refused to pay full price! My find: nearly new snow shoes for $21 at a sale. Also, got flower boxes to fit the 4 windows on the front of my house for $35 (same sale)! A few other inexpensive treasures including a batik from South Africa, a canvas painting in reds and grays that I really liked $1 and a nice time out with Mom and the 4 kids. I wasn't sure how the little girls would do with the yard saling but they were great.

Afternoon of errands and a nice pie-party with the kids, mom and sister. My favorite pie (and she made 2 so I didn't have to be stingy in sharing).

Evening: Out to dinner with Mom and Johnna while Cheryl sat with the kids (first time paying for a sitter for FOUR). Nice music at the Portland Lobster Co as well as a great crab cake and Ceasar salad. YUM! I passed on the 'scream as my belly was perfectly full. A nice brisk evening and then home to crash.

Yes, a simple day. No mani or pedi (although I got great GCs for those as well as to my favorite ice cream spot). Still adjusting to managing a home with FOUR kids.

Recent Days - kid activities

We;;. a family with 4 kids...I must admit, I've been a little hesitant to go out and about with 4 kids and haven't braved the grocery/box stores yet. Gianna had her last day of swim and Z-man and I went to watch and celebrate as she received her first certificate of completion - ever.






On Saturday morning I got all of the carseats (4) loaded and reloaded. The kids were so excited that they wanted to go for a ride. We did - around the block - well, maybe 2 blocks.

When we came back, our neighbor (Ray) was running his mini train in his yard. We went to watch. K was SCARED and clung to me. M was interested and Z and G were SUPER excited. It got noisy. Neighbor Joan came over and got all excited about the girls' arrival (she's an adoptive mom to a grown daughter). We walked home and played outside for a while until it was time for swim, snack and to get ready for the afternoon.

Middle seat: K & G
Back seat: Z & M
Front seat: Mama (and nobody else!)

Saturday, we ventured to Boothbay, ME where we enjoyed A Day Out with Thomas the Train. What a great first outing. It went well. It wasn't overly crowded which was a gift. Everyone loved the jumpy train, and the hay maze. We ate a subway sandwich for a late day snack (that worked REALLY well). They also rode on the tractor pulled train.

Now the ride on Thomas was VERY, very exciting for Z-man. G complained that there weren't princesses?!?! M was observant and quiet. K was excited UNTIL the train's horn blew. I encouraged her to clap and say "yeah!" which she did everytime along with concerned eyes shot in my direction.

Observations:

M will wander away easily. Boundaries for both are limited and will need to be set. Either will go with about anyone. They could be easily stolen.

A great day was had by all.

From a family of 2 to 4 kids

Well, today is the day that our family grew - 8.11.10 ~5pm. It's a placement through social services. Twin girls, aged 2.5 years.

So I don't forget:
M's first diaper (and 2nd) = poopy

K- ate first, a cracker; and smiled first.
M - ate a bear cracker and liked riding the pink stick horse inside the house.

I saw M first but touched K first - a brush onto the arm/hand.

Today was not as crazy as I'd anticipated. God answers prayers in funny ways and this was one of those times.

(It's 5 am and everyone is still asleep - amazingly - so here is the story):

Got a call ~1050 am while I was at my desk at work. Sounded like a good situation. Then, I heard their names and one of them has "that name" - you know the one when you were a girl that you wrote over and over and over because that was going to be your child's name. Yup, one of the girls has the name I'd always planned to name MY daughter but then when "G" was born I just didn't use it. I literally choked up and the social services worker could tell.

I had 2 more work meetings that I finished and then spoke multiple times to my licensing worker, the previous foster mother and foster father (for all of 6 days) and the foster mother of the sibling (and later in the evening, the sibling's foster father even called to see if I needed anything at the store!)

I was trying to figure out how to secure an additional toddler bed as I have 2 but would need 3 (DS is still in one). Then, the phone rings and the licensing worker says: Don't get beds! They are coming with beds that were purchased last week along with brand new carseats and a case of diapers! Prayer answered AND they were delivered to my house AHEAD of the girls.

I finished up at work (in between numerous calls) but never to the girls' case worker until later in the day. She filled me in on things with the bio family.

You know, when it feels right, it feels right. :)

I accepted the situation on the phone and went home at 4pm to tell my kids. My son was THRILLED and DD was her typical analytical self with a little excitement.

My (former) step father happened to stop by 5 mins later and helped me move a bureau. I quickly kicked (literally) DS's random toys into his closet. Showed him that he's be sleeping with his sister. Gave my kids hugs and stood back and admired them as I knew their lives were about to change - maybe for forever.

We went outside to play.
The beds arrived along with some clothes, cups, spoons, bowls, etc. (Note, in all of the trainings, I'd been told that most foster kids come with nothing. I got freshly bathed, hair kind of done girls with Beds, carseats, diapers and some clothes!!?!?! Thank you, Lord!)

Then, the case worker and the girls arrived (while the former foster mom and her daughter were still in my driveway from delivering beds). The girls were so sweet and happy. (They thought they were coming to play). I'll call them M & K (one has a nickname so that will make her "K" instead of a 2nd M).

They got out of the car, we all played, talked, etc. One let me touch her arm/hand while the other pulled away (M). More play. The case worker and I tried to figure out how we know each other. We grew up in the same town! Small world.

She came inside to show the girls their new beds. Then, the girls "knew" and things went downhill. Case worker gave them BIG hugs, they cried and we all went inside (note as the neighbor watched all of this).

It was sad. They cried for nearly an hour standing at the front door (two side windows - one girl on each side). I finally got one to the couch. No snuggles but away from the window. Then the other (they were together on the couch). More tears. TV on. More tears. Finally, things started to calm down.

I fed G and Z. G, Z and I danced to music. They watched but didn't eat or dance.
Eventually K went to check out the playroom but back to the couch. Then, M. Then, the "where are you" started that I think will continue for some time - 4 kids! wow!

My Mom came in with some extra groceries (milk, etc.). She is WONDERFUL with kids and just sat and on stood beside her and my Mom rubbed her hair which she liked (K). M started rubbing my Mom's foot and made a connection.

I was told that they are fabulous during the day but as soon as PJs come out at night things spiral, eventually into night terrors.

So, ~830 pm (the girls normally go to bed at 11!), I put DS to bed in his "new" room." At 9 pm, all 3 girls headed upstairs, M and K with tears and fear. I sent G to her room and told her I'd be in. She OBEYED! (I later went back to brush her teeth and tuck her in.)

First to bed was M. Then K. TEARS. Note, I put them to bed in their clothes (eliminated the whole PJ thing for one night). Gave them toys, etc. Total fear in their eyes. Then, I decided to leave the light on. People...I think that is it! They went to sleep. No real tears. I did hear them 2X in the night and I can tell that at least M has been out of bed to get a toy but they are sleeping in their beds. No night terrors, at least last night.

Long term - who knows BUT they appear to be a long term placement that is likely to end in an adoption plan. They will/could have long term contact with their sibling (which I'm in favor of!).

Today is the weekly visit with BM. Friday is an unsupervised visit with another relative and then we head to the weekend.

Details:
M and K are identical twin girls (although one is a whole size larger than the other so I can easily tell them apart!). They are biracial and even the case worker mentioned as we watched all 4 kids in the driveway: Wow! They look like they all belong together. Visually, it all works. Seriously, one looks a lot like DD.

Lord, please give us all strength and peace. Also, keep my work load lighter for a couple of weeks so we can adjust.

Z's heart & eye brow

I went to Chicago last week for a quick meeting. I was gone one night. Auntie took care of the kiddos while I was gone. She baked them brownies for breakfast (isn't she a great auntie?!?!).

When I got home the next night, Z kept telling me he wanted an eyebrow. I was my confused. Eventually I figured it out as he was climbing the counter to the cooktop where the pan of brownies were stored. "I want an eyebrow" = I want a brownie. Z-man age 36 months.

2nd story:
Z had been naughty the other day. I turned to him and provided appropriate discipline and explained why his behavior (opening the front door) was unsafe. He hung his head. He knew. Then, he turned to me, looked up and said: "Mama, you hurted my heart!"

Melt.
So sweet.
Aaaaah....

I need an eyebrow

I got back from an overnight trip to Chicago today. I wasn't in the house for 5 minutes before Z wanted "an eyebrow". I was confused. He climbed up onto the counter island in a dangerous spot, touching burners on the cooktop. I realized what he wanted: The pan of brownies aka, the eyebrows.

...I just don't want to forget.


(Also, noteworth: Auntie watched the kids while I was away on the trip. She cooked brownies last night and then served them for BREAKFAST today. Only an Auntie.)

Oral Injury

My poor baby boy.

The kids were playing, dancing and singing in the playroom tonight (6pm). They were having a great time. Yes, they were out of my sight but I could hear everything - or so I thought.

G came into the other room to announce that Z hurt his mouth. Z came up to me and pointed in his mouth with "owy" eyes. I tested his front teeth for movement. None. I kept look at the teeth. He kept pointing. I took him over to the window for better light. Then, I saw it. BLOOD all down his throat.

Injury to the palate. I felt around. It appears to be soft tissue but I was worried. I sent G to get Auntie - "Tell Auntie that Mama has a problem." Auntie came right away. The moral support is always good. She also went to get ice in a wet washcloth.

Z's eyes were afraid. I was calm but inside I was like: Oh crap. Did this puncture the bone? Does he need to go to the hospital? Does he have a brain injury?" Kids. They don't come with instruction manuals :(

Cause: He'd taken down the curtains. The tension rod that was holding them up had the plastic safety ends removed. He'd been dancing with a curtain rod in his mouth! In a room full of toys, he takes down the curtains!?!? The rod had cut his palatal tissue. aaaah!

I held him for an hour. He asked for medicine because it hurt. Tylenol on board. Ice helped stop the bleeding. Mama snuggles were soothing (for both of us).

And off to bed he went - not struggles. Tired eye rubbing.

I'm headed up now to check on him. Poor thing. :(

You don't speak like that, Mama!

This afternoon while I was trying my best to stay calm as I encouraged my son to BEHAVE by:

-staying in his room during naptime.

-keeping his diaper on during naptime - it is required, dude!

and as I was holding him in my arms - close/tender, I said to him: Z, you MUST OBEY Mama! He looked up at me and then away and then back and said:

"Mama, you don't speak like that! It's naughty. You not nice."

hmmmmmmm

Tonight, after he was caught out of his room multiple times, he jumped onto G's bed and body slammed her as she was sleeping, he put tons of toys inside the window sill in her room/up against the screen that would easily pop out and he could land on the ground (from the 2nd floor) and the kicker:

walking around and playing with a hammer that he'd retrieved from Mem's room...

Paupi installed a hook latch on the OUTSIDE of his door. He was heartbroken as he looked up at his Paupi as it was being installed. He really tries to obey Paupi and adores him BUT he viewed this as Paupi being mean. We tried to explain to him that we loved him and we needed to keep him safe. His heart was breaking and the tears were so big.

He cried and cried. Auntie went to try to console him. Then, I went in and shared with him how much I love him and he needs to be safe...and go to sleep. He turned over in his bed and agreed to go to sleep. So sad.

I'm sure a child psychologist would say this was bad for him and probably social services wouldn't allow it BUT, I'm thinking children who are alive with a little emotional trauma are better than those who are dead or severely disabled. Just my thought...

And, now we can call him Johnna - as she was the only child in the previous generation of kids that required a lock on her door - the quiet one did lots of naughty things while the rest of us slept!

Oh, and by the way, this style of a child safety device worked for a little while but he is the master of removing this now - less than 10 seconds...so I was left with the "put holes in the door and frame" version above. :(

Today is the day...

That my son's heart will get broken a little more when his beloved sister goes for her twice a year visit with her Daddy. He longs for a Daddy. She has one that isn't super involved. I cringe every time she talks about her Daddy in front of hime because I know it just hurts his little heart.

Please pray for Z-man today.

Please pray for G as she goes to her Father's house for 4 nights. She's older now. Can't remember the details of being at her father's house and is a little nervous.

Pray that her father has wisdom as he cares for her.

Ugh. This is what happens when adults break promises they make to and about children...broken hearts/emptiness, etc.

On another note - we are enjoying our time in AZ! Visited with their former daycare provider yesterday, went swimming, and went to dinner at our friends' house (they have 2 boys so that was great!).

A new comb...took me 3.5 years to find this?

I figure that I wasn't really "doing" G's hair the first year. She was a little over a year the first time I used product, did ponies, etc...

So, 3-3.5 years later and I found this miracle comb:
It came in a pack of combs I bought while vacationing in Florida.



Use:
--Start with the 3 pronged end.
While in tub with conditioner on her wet hair, I combed through her hair rather quickly.

--Moved to the wide toothed section (clockwise).
I combed through all of her hair. I spent quite a bit more time doing this. Best part: NO tears, no crying or complaining.

--I moved to the narrower toothed section. and held her hair in puffs and combed through them - moving around the head using this approach. The one hurt a little bit - one complaint.


Result: Almost all knots were out before she was out of the tub.



"Negative": More hair in the tub!


Bonus: I used this comb on my hair (out of the shower). She gets to see her white Mama use the same hair item as she uses - a nice bonus when so much and be "different".....



Extra: More bonding time with Mama and girl during tub time!

(Other than forgetting to rinse ANY of the conditioner out of her hair, this was the "easiest" and most pain-free hair morning in a long, long time!)

VBS and an unexpected tear (or 2)

Gianna went to VBS at a church I once attended when I lived in Scarborough, ME a decade and a half ago. I saw their sign last Saturday and it started Monday. We just showed up without info. It all worked out. Our church doesn't do VBS.




This little light of mine:

This church is 100% white.

But, they love the same God and worship Him too.

Her experience:

She was nervous on day 1 but her cousin was with her (one day only).

She loved it the rest of the week. It was either the snack or the craft but she loved it.

She didn't like Thursday as much (they talked about the cross, his death - with nails, the stone, etc...) A little Easterish (see previous post) but overall the week was great!

We memorized the 5 verses at home each night.

Today - closing program. I took Z-man (who didn't want to sit still with a platform of kids in front of him).

I sat alone.

I took lots of photos.

Why? It was one of those moments that I'd loved to have shared with her Daddy. First time my first born was standing on any stage, any where for any reason.

Good thing G wasn't sad and she has never experienced her Father actually showing up at ANY events so she doesn't expect him to be there.

I was proud.

The tear fell from the right eye.

I was happy.

I was sad.

Parenthood.

After they finished, I realized that Bob (Paupi) had arrived and saw 2/3 of the 30 minute performance. G was aware of his presence the entire time so that was good!

Notable things:

G's first performance and her fly was unzipped.
She was in left field much of the time!

She kept picking up her shirt (good thing she wore a bathing suit underneath).

She knew a lot of the songs.

She never really smiled but I could tell she was having a good time.

After, they hosted a cookout. Kids enjoyed that including watermellon and ice cream!

They were really hesitent of the water slide (that they'd talked about for 2 days). Z eventually went down with an older boy. Then, a man slide him down and that was his experience. All smiles. Then, the same man slide Gianna down and that was it! She went down over and over. All kinds of smiles!

Oh, and can I mention how thankful I was for all of the men who volunteered. For families without Daddy's, these men are soooooo important. So, share that with the special men in your lives. They matter to mothers like me and children like mine!!