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.