Settling

I think we are settling in now.  Not necessarily to a routine but getting used to each other some.

We have been home...actually in the house now for 5 days.  

D had to go out of town yesterday for the week and at first I was really upset.  The round the clock meds and 3 kids to deal with on my own wasn't something I was ready to do on my own. Well as it turns out if I had been taking my own medication then I would probably have felt better much sooner...lol  DUH!

I was beginning to think I was having some post adoption depression, and as it turns out it was just post adoption duh!  If I don't take care of myself, then I can't take care of others.  

So on top of medication, I make sure that when I can, I do, sleep.  E sleeps, I sleep.  ;o)  I am not stressing a messy house.  I try to keep things "clean" as in not dirty, but not very straight.  

E is having less melt down, and more love bug.  YAY!

He's so funny he does this thing where he pulls my neck so that our faces touch and he does this little hum thing.  So sweet... and some times he says...mommy while he's humming.  I love it.

N has really had a rough week.  With Daddy gone and E at home he's no longer got me for full attention, and he developed an addiction to the TV while he was in his sister's care.  So we are trying to end the addiction and add a brother.  Withdrawls are a BEAR!!!   His listening ears have been lost some where in Wiggle land I think.  Little man needs prayer and momma needs prayer to help him through this.  

I think once we are able to get into a real routine, meaning no meds, not worrying about hurting E then we can start allowing them to play more naturally, as well as interact more easily.  

We have one more week of the IV we think so YAY, then we will also have more sleep. ;o)

High School

ok, so I have to jump a bit off topic here.

This year would have been my 20 year reunion, my son graduated high school and my daughter started her first year.  

I didn't make my reunion, we weren't sure when we would be traveling so I didn't want to make plans to go and then not attend.  We still live in the same city so it's not like I would have had to travel anywhere.  So a few weeks ago I get this email that some alumni created a network online for graduates.  And then while in the hospital one of our nurses was a guy I graduated with... small world huh?!

Anywho... I have spent some time on this site that was created... my goodness... SO many memories!  Do you remember high school?  So many changes happen in high school huh?  So much growing up.  I wasn't the most popular, and didn't really have a clique... I was just kind of friends with everyone.  I was also a TON more shy, less secure, definitely not the faith I have now.  It's funny how things change huh?  I sure wouldn't want to go back, but it has been so much fun seeing those people I used to know... used to think my world revolved around.   I am SO glad my world revolves around what it does now.  My God, my family, my husband my children.

Life is better than good!

We're hooooooommme

Well, we were sprung on Thursday.

Phew, I forgot what it's like to adjust to a new little person. ;o)

This little guy has definate tastes and ideas and if you don't comply... uh oh...lol Friday was a tough day, tantrums and shoulder shrugs. ;o)

This morning was SO much fun though.  The boys were running around the house acting like they were going to scare each other.  E is still strengthening his legs so he's not quite as fast. But they were giggling and running and having so much fun!  

At one point I was laying on the floor on my back he was sitting on my tummy, and he would act like he was dancing then lean over and give me kisses.  It was so fun!

Then a bit later I walked into another room, he came looking for me and launched himself at me with laughter and kisses.

THIS is why we have children!!!!

We're going home ...we're going home

If you could see me, I am doing the Happy Dance!!!!

We are getting sprung today!!  Sometime between 1230 and 5... kind of a long spread, but there is a lot to coordinate once he gets home so they are making sure the have it all together... which I appreciate, since they really haven't had it all together up until now.

I have NO clue when I will be able to post again as we will have adjusting to do, meds to administer, and fun to have...lol

Thank you all for your prayers and support... wee haw we are going home!!!

Article

There was an amazing article in the USA Today, as well as many other papers, about a truly amazing family I know. 

You can read it here .

The unfortunate thing is that many comments are disturbing... to say the least. Makes me wonder the "diseased" ones are... so sad to see that there is still so much ignorance in the world.

• HIV is NOT casually transmitted.
  
• You can NOT get it by a mosquito bite.  (really?  come on, if mosquito's were carrier's we would ALL have it)
  
• Children adopted are NOT placed in the "system". Adoptive parents go through very stringent applications and have to prove healthcare coverage and means to care for the children.  
  
• Children in daycare can NOT transmit casually.
  
• Person's on ARV's can and DO live long, normal, healthy lives.
  
• HIV is easier to manage than Diabetes.
  
• ALL children deserve homes and love, and those that adopt have every right to make the decision right for their own family.
  

 

The complexities of a toddler

Our little E has been through so much ...even before we met him...things we will never know about.  And still he tries to be in a good mood.

We have joked several times in the past couple of weeks that he's very much like a light bulb, he's on and off so fast sometimes that we aren't sure what happens to change his mood.  The more we get to know him though the easier it is to see how his little brain seems to be working.  He's a SMART little guy.  There isn't much that get's past him, and if you try to pull one over on him, you will almost always get caught.  He's got one of the most beautiful smiles.  And he's a little ham.  SO cute!  He LOVES 101 Dalmations, we have watched it 101 times I think while in the hospital... it's the cartoon version, and am convinced that he's going to begin speaking English using a British accent and calling everyone an idiot.  (if you have every watched the original you will know what I am talking about ;o))

This is also a kid that has had to live through some pretty awful stuff so he's got a stubborn streak and attitude when crossed.  He's got this face that he makes when he's really mad that makes me giggle, so it really helps me to keep myself from getting caught up.  I am not sure how it helps him when he's yelling intently at me and I am laughing.

I think alot about what he will be like when we are home and he is able to just be himself and be a kid and play and argue with his siblings.  

Maybe tomorrow?

A light

Little man is still in the hospital.

Can I just tell you that this is SO not fun!!!

I can see so many reasons that this is where we are supposed to be for now, but it's still so very hard.  It may be a great hospital, but the 4 walls still close in on you as you sit, day after day.  I find myself many times thinking of the parents there that don't have a light at the end of their tunnel.  Their children that won't be going home, at least not to the one made of wood and nails. I think of the little boy in the room next to us who was struck by a car and will never be the same little boy again.  The loss there is hard to see every day.  

I think of the mothers in Ethiopia that watch their children die as they hold them and am reminded that they would give anything to be "stuck" in this place.

Who am I to complain? Our Dr thinks they have identified all the flora and fauna growing on the wound on Little E's head.  Well most of them, some are new to them... E's been a great science experiment for the lab folks. ;o)

We will be on meds for quite a while, but things we should be able to administer at home.

We are all SO looking forward to getting home and as N says "Be a family again".

Oh speaking my little N, he's SO missing the family core.  He's been struggling with this situation the most I think.  He will start Preschool again tomorrow, I think it will be SO good for him to be able to go be with his friends and play and learn.  To get some normalcy.

So N goes to Preschool and S starts high school tomorrow.  She has to catch the bus at 550am... can you even imagine?!  I can't!   Say a little prayer that she gets up in time.  ;o)