Three Weeks In and all is well

Alright, so some of you sweetly have actually been anticipating my blog updates.  I remain humbled at every one's interest.  I almost want to fabricate some amazing blog post just to meet expectations;)  The truth is, we had a pretty normal week.  Not very exciting, for which we are THANKFUL.

I have learned a couple things for those of you praying for me.

Mondays are HARD days for me right now.  At least the last two Mondays since Christian has been home.  I find my self feeling down and grumpy.  I find myself wishing for a break.  The first Monday I was able to pull myself up by my boot straps pretty quickly.  Last Monday I found myself repeatedly having to pray that God would help me change my perspective and attitude.  I think the biggest issue is that weekends aren't really a break right now so when Marc returns to work, I just feel sad that the grind never seems to let up much. I have been fine the rest of the week.

Second, I am still trying to shake this sinus thing.  I am feeling A LOT better, but not 100%.  I am using Sudafed and my trusty Nedipot and it's helping, but I am having a lot of congestion at night and sleeping very fitfully.  Christian hadn't been sleeping great due to his antibiotics, but we are done with all that and his tummy seems happier and he's sleeping a bit better- sometimes through the night, sometimes waking about 4 am.  I just need sleep, I don't do well on limited amounts of it.

(The prayer requests would be, for my heart on Mondays, that it would rest in contentment.  I have been trying to meditate on the following statement by Andrew Murray:

In times of trouble, say, "First, he brought me here.  It is by his will I am in this strait place; in that I will rest."  Next, "He will keep me here in his love, and give me grace in this trial to behave as his child."  Then say, "He will make the trial a blessing, teaching me lessons he intends me to learn, and working in me the grace he means to bestow." And last say, "In his good time he can bring me out again.  How and when, he knows."  Therefore, say, "I am here (1) by God's appointment, (2) in his keeping, (3) under his training, (4) for his time."

Second, please pray for full healing and for rest for us all.


Now, on to what you REALLY came here to see pictures:

Marc traveled for the first time post Christian and was gone Wed- Fri.  We wanted to be sure to Skype before bed every night.  The kids loved it...but let me assure you, it was pure chaos and I almost needed a glass of wine afterwards;)

Hannah could not stand my neglected garden any longer;)  She and Chloe picked a ton of sage and put it in the dehydrator.  I now have enough sage to last a lifetime;)  Chloe LOVED it.

Christian LOVES our Jack in the Box and apparently thinks he's become one himself;)

Marc took the boys to Sports Clips for haircuts- Christian's first in the states.  He's obviously used to the buzzer.  He was quite serious, but completely unrattled.  The hairdresser was uber impressed.

We're breakin' more post adoption rules.  We took the kids to a movie.  Christian loved the first ten minutes and then he slept through the rest;) 

 Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs...I love movies, but this one could wait for DVD in my opinion.

We call this look "The Celo Green"

He just digs the pink glasses, folks.  And he's so cute, he can totally pull it off;)

So this happened today....

Poor Phin was CRYING, I could not stop laughing, and Marc had to stop to take a picture.  We then got him out...almost had to get out the butter, but we managed without it.

 Finally, self indulgent cute pictures of my kids playing outside this afternoon...Knowing I am biased, I must declare I have the cutest children in the world;)

These boys don't care that this jeep is Purple and says "Barbie" on it...it has four wheels and a motor....we have little hope that they will be cautious drivers after seeing them whip around in this thing;)

Chloe and "my Hannah"

Ava decided it was time to make a leaf pile...

Is there anything better than jumping in a leaf pile in the fall?

 We propose, "no"...It's the best

Christian is not the greatest driver, to put it mildly so when Phin was done, we took the battery out and let him sit in the jeep.  He was bound and determined to make it move- so he got out and pushed it;)

And that, dear friends, is our week three.  A normal life with four kiddos.  It really is "normal"...so normal, in fact, when Hannah and I were in the nursery today I was noticing how big Christian seemed next to a little boy, who we were told was two (though I later found out he's just one:).  I said to Hannah, "Christian seems huge, but makes sense I guess.  Neither Marc or I are tiny and his mom is as petite as they come."  She looked at me strange and it took me a minute to realize how silly this statement was as I was attributing his physique to Marc's and my genetics.  Made me laugh and then smile...no doubt my heart has fully embraced him as mine.

Enjoying some "firsts"

Christian is doing so well and though we KNOW all the books say to cocoon for 6 weeks we are making a few exceptions.  Why? 1) The kid is an adventurer.  He LOVES to get in the car and go places  and 2) we are going INSANE with four kids in this house (though our playset arrives tomorrow so that should help).

We aren't going to go crazy with outings.  Even though he LIKES to be out he gets very overwhelmed so our only public outing for the most part will be church.  He likes the music.  He is still overwhelmed by other people talking to him;)  He's cute...he draws attention, but every time someone comes up and pats his head or back, he tightly pinches my back like he's hanging on for dear life.  He always seems thrilled when we get back in the car;)  Today he was singing a song in Kreyol on the way home...wish we knew the words.  We also couldn't help but wonder if it was a comforting song after being overwhelmed?  It was cute regardless.

Yesterday, we decided to visit my parents at their house.  They have been stopping by every day or so for a short time so he can get to know them without being overwhelmed and it's worked well.  He was nervous about going into the house but happy to see them.  He was INTRIGUED but terrified of their dog.  Jack is a great dog, so a good introduction to dogs in general, but Christian was very nervous around him.  He loved to watch him but didn't want to pet him or get too close.  When we were eating he seemed to forget about Jack and then noticed Jack right under his booster seat.  He FREAKED out.  I couldn't calm him so I had to let him sit on my lap.  Once on my lap, he found it hilarious that Jack would eat the food he threw down.  Not sure any good lessons were learned there;)

For dinner, we picked up McD's for the kids on the way over.  I have been struggling with an appetite with this cold and McD's sounded awful.  Boston Market was next door, however, so for the adults we picked up a family meal (we'd already promised the kids McDs).  At dinner, we set up the kids and prayed and then dished up our plates.  Christian was gnawing on a nugget, when he noticed my plate.  His face perked up, he literally pushed his food away and said, "Mama!" loudly while pointing to my food, clearly indicating he wanted that instead.  He loved it.  He wants to eat all the chicken skin, which cracks me up and is a good reminder to me to let him be Haitian.  I've never eaten chicken skin in my life.  "Forget that processed American fast food crap, give me chicken, sweet potatoes, and Mac and Cheese, please, Mom."

Diggin' the chicken wing:)

McD's fries totally remained untouched and went into the trash when dinner was done...perhaps where they belong?;)

After we ate, we went down to the basement playroom, and left the dog upstairs.  Immediately Christian squealed with delight.  My mom has enough toys to run a daycare center...it is kid heaven and he knew it immediately.

And then my dad brought out a whoopee cushion...and as you might expect, potty humor spans all cultures when you are two;)

It was hard to wait for his turn to sit on it;)

 Ha ha!

My kiddos and my parents....lots of my heart in this picture;)

We also decided today to go to Chili's for lunch.  This may seem crazy but we are well aware that at 11:00am- Chili's is still deserted.   It was.  He was not even nervous when I put him in the high chair.  We were alone in the section we were in so it was low stress and nice to eat out;)  I don't think it means we can take him to a crowded restaurant any time soon, but again it was one of those moments where life feels normal again and it was a blessing;)  (AND there was no cooking, set up or clean up...the best part for a mama!)

Totally not related to the title, but fun moments from this very day:

- At Chili's the hostess sat us and immediately commented on Chloe's "adorable curls".  Chloe responded with, "I have a clip in it, but my mom didn't have time to brush it today."  I started laughing and said, "It's true we were running late for church."  That would have only been minimally embarrassing, but then Ava chimed in, "yay, we were so late she put baby powder in my hair cuz it's greasy but we couldn't wash it."  AH!  EXPOSED!  I totally was behind this morning and didn't have time to shower Ava so we used this little trick before putting her hair in a pony.  The waitress laughed, but you KNOW she was totally thinking I'm not a great mom- LOL;)  I do bathe my kids regularily and I usually DO Chloe's hair...why do I get no credit on those days;)?

-  This is what Chloe was running around the yard in when it's 50 degrees outside.  There WAS a skirt on over these monkey bar shorts when she headed out, but apparently she got hot;)

-And Christian has a bit of wisconsin in him already;)



Adventures with our little cutie.

I can't even articulate how well Christian just FITS into our family.  The kid is just as crazy as the rest of us, loves to be the center of attention, never gets enough of laughter, and if full of life and joy.  I am continually amazed at how very natural this all feels.  Adoption is miraculous on so many levels.  I find myself just continually amazed at how "mine" Christian is and he's only been home two weeks.

It is great fun to continue to get to know him and watch him experience life here.  Here are a few of my favorite moments this week:

1)  Christian was TERRIFIED to sit down in the bathtub.  His first bath home lasted about two minutes.  I made him sit down because standing isn't safe and he SCREAMED in terror.  I quickly washed his body and head and got him out of there.  I was sure that bath times were going to be painful for a while.  He didn't cry until I made him sit down, so I quickly surmised that he had never sat in water...makes sense since water in Haiti is a)full of bacteria and b)unheated.  Still our tub is slippery so I felt we had to teach him to sit from day one.  After that bath, I had him watch Chloe and Phin bath and see how much fun they had.  The second bath, he sat down immediately but him whimpered and fussed...until I dumped a pitcher of warm water down his back.  He stopped whimpering and seemed to think, "Wait, that feels rather nice."  He then grabbed the pitcher and dumped it repeatedly on himself.  Tonight, the third bath (if you aren't aware black skin is MUCH more dry than white, so yes, this was only the third bath in a week and a half), he sat down HAPPILY and didn't want to get out of the tub!

Bath Number two:  "Hmm...this warm water thing might not be so bad"

 

Bath number three:  "This is awesome"

 

 

 

 

 

2)  Christian LOVES his bike helmet and never wants to take it off!

 

Bike helmets, so we can be safe!

Cheese sticks can be mighty dangerous you know!

HELMETS ARE FUN, you should try them!

You never know, guys, sidewalk chalk can get crazy...

Hey, don't laugh, what if there is a food fight?

Um...no real excuse for TV watching with my helmet on...I just love it, okay?!

3)  He is terrified of Marc's FiveFinger shoes.  Marc had them on this morning and all seemed normal.  He was throwing Christian up in the air, they were laughing and playing and only when Marc set him down did Christian notice his feet.  He immediately startled,  backed up and started to cry.  When Marc tried to show him they were shoes, it only made matters worse.  Marc had to remove the shoes.  Poor kid, Hannah and I could not stop laughing.  (I mean something about seeing a little kid startle and back up is just funny, you know it is!)

These shoes are freakin' weird.  I wonder if Christian though Marc's feet turned black...crazy AMERICANS!

Poor kid;)

4)  While at Ava and Phin's swim lesson, he saw his first fish tank.  He was SO excited and mesmerized!

 

5)  Christian LOVES the sensory table, which is currently filled with beans.  He doesn't watch much TV, so this handy dandy table lets me get a shower or a quiet time.  It is fun but also incredible good for development and it's very soothing!

 

 

6)  Our new normal just makes me smile on a regular basis...it is just amazing how complete our family feels now!

 



Sick Mama

Lack of sleep=sick mama.  Christian is feeling better and sleeping almost through the night but waking at 4 and taking a good half hour to get back to sleep.  He then sleeps until 6 or 630.  Losing two nights sleep and then this pattern is wearing on me.  I have a cold the likes of which I haven't had in years;p.   I feel pretty yucky.  I would probably have had a melt down (especially since Marc had a work thing yesterday and didn't get home until 8) if ) if Hannah weren't here.  I have to do all Christians stuff and Chloe only wants me, but the other two are fine with Hannah caring for them and she is so on top of the house and such.  I am so grateful.  I am humbled by God's wisdom in making it possible for her to stay with us!

I am trying to rest during nap time and go to bed early right now...cuz I NEED to.  Things are going fine otherwise and I'll post a more detailed update with pictures this weekend when Marc is home;)

Prayers for healing would be appreciated;)

Tuesday- week two;)

No pictures, just a quick update;)

Things continue to go well.  I know we are blessed with how well Christian is transitioning.  I would by lying, however, if I said it was easy.  I AM TIRED:)

I definitely had a moment on Monday where I thought, "Okay, God, I am ready to have a break.  I don't want to do this anymore."  In the same moment, I wouldn't have let anyone take Christian from our home;)  It's just reality and such feelings aren't foreign to me.  I've felt such things after each of my babies was born and many times since.  Motherhood is hard.  Everyone needs me...ALL THE TIME.  Self care is just hard and I would LOVE to just have a day to take a hot bath and watch the BBC version of Pride and Prejudice beginning to end...while eating chocolate and drinking tea, please.

Such a day isn't going to happen for a LONG time;) so I didn't mope long...it was only about 2 minutes actually...there's no luxury of time here at the moment.  I have two minutes to shower or use the rest room by myself and that's it;).  I knew before we brought Christian home such moments would come and in them, I have a choice to spiral down and start to hate the world around or to pray for strength.  I don't want to chose option one.  I KNOW I can't do this on my own.  Knew it with three kids, know it with four.  My grumpiness helps no one, including myself, so I prayed, God answered.  We're doing thing thing!

Christian has an ear infection, so the last couple days have been a little extra labor intensive for mommy.  He's needing to be held even more than normal...sister Chloe doesn't like this so much.  We're working through it and it's going okay.

We were very happy that Christian was VERY warm to Marc after his first day back at work.  That was wonderful.  It's interesting, Christian wants mom for all food related things, sleep, cuddles, etc.  He loves to play with Papa and interestingly he only likes to practice English words with Papa.  He doesn't repeat much of what I ask him to.  He repeats EVERYTHING with Marc.  It's quite adorable.  I wonder if it's because Marc speaks a bit of french and Christian feels a language bond?  Either way, it's cool they are developing their own special relationship.

Ava seems to be doing the best kid wise.  She is just loving having Christian around.

Prayer Requests, for those people whose prayers are literally sustaining us right now!
1) Sleep- we've had a couple bad nights since ear infection, but we're on antibiotics now, so praying for a good nights sleep.

2) Probably because of lack of sleep, my mild cold went hard core today.  I feel pretty crap...pray for healing.

3) Chloe.  I don't know if she's getting sick or having a hard time with Christian.  Asking for wisdom in how to balance reassurance with proper boundaries for her.  Pray for her heart and her body;)

4) Marc as he figures out the work/life balance during this transition.