Fresh Air and Vomit

Let me explain by giving you a brief run down of my day thus far.

Today started out with therapy for both girls. Miss Adrienne accompanied us to drop Savannah off at preschool. We are trying to get a better handle on why Lila Grace feels the need to scream and run away from anyone who gets on her level to say "Hello." Of course today, she decided that she wanted to be a big kid and sign in on the chart when entering Savannah's classroom. Because the teacher gave her a pen and pad to appease her she was more than friendly. Not her typical, "Don't talk to me, I don't like people" self. After our successful, yet atypical, preschool drop off, we headed home so Miss Adrienne could finish up with the girls. At that point I realized what a beautiful day it was. The girls were itching to play with their toys outside instead of going into the house.

After Miss Adrienne left I decided to go to the grocery story to buy something fun for snack and birdseed for the bird feeder. I am fully intending on spending the afternoon outside with the girls due to a high temp of 40 which honestly feels like 60. The grocery store went well and soon we had Savannah in the car and were headed home. I got the girls excited about playing outside and it wasn't long after that every outdoor toy had been extracted from it's winter hiding place. Lila was off like a shot, pushing every toy she could get her hands on. Adeline was more subdue and quite happy with Savannah taking her for a walk in the stroller. It was such a breath of fresh air for all of us. No coats, no fighting - just lots of sunshine.

Eventually, we had to head into for lunch which was not a popular decision. I noticed that Adeline was being pesky and refusing every bite. Soon she was moved into the dining room for a "time out" meal. I was having to hold her arms down in order for her take her bites. After too many minutes of fighting her, I started Savannah and Lila Grace in on their snowman snack. A rice cake, frosting (I'm sure most would use cream cheese) dried fruits and mini chocolate chips made for a mouth watering treat. Just when I am elbow deep in frosting, Adeline starts to projectile vomit. I could tell it was sick vomit and not gag vomit because it just kept on coming. There are two places that I can't stand puke, beds and high chairs. Well she hit her high chair pretty hard. In fact, after she was bathed and in bed (sick yet again), Lila Grace would walk by the puddle of puke sitting on Adeline's tray and say, "oh, pook! Yuck" followed by some pretty cute giggles.

Well that is my fresh air and puked up day in a nutshell. I must mention that it ended on a pretty good note (well not quite ended yet). I told Savannah she had to nap at 3:00 which is always up for debate in this house. She quickly got to playing telling me that she didn't want to waste her time. I headed up at 3:00 and she had pulled her blinds, arranged her pillows and started her music. She told me she didn't want to make me have to do all of the work! What a sweet girl she is.

That reminds me. I have to document it somewhere or I will forget. Savannah asked me what year came before 2000. Of course to her, she hasn't heard a year starting in anything other than 2000. I thought it was pretty bright of her to be able to back track to 2000 and realize that there must have been a year before that.

An Audible Sigh of Relief

That is what came out of my mouth the minute I heard there was a two hour snow delay. After a very active and fun three day weekend with friends, the girls were sleeping in. I was in no hurry to get the morning started. We were fortunate to not have therapy this morning due to Miss Cynthia's vacation. Thus, we eased into our morning and played in our PJ's until it was time to get dressed and take advantage of the free Chick-Fil-A breakfast. Immediately following, I dropped Lila Grace at school and came home to play with my other two snotty and feverish girls (Savannah stayed home from school today).

I wish every morning had the opportunity to move at this pace. Usually, I am dressing and doing three heads of hair at lightening speed. What has been even more enjoyable is the absence of therapy over the past four days. It makes all the difference in the girl's behavior. While one is working with a therapist, the other feels left out and fights me for an entire hour. Today, there was no one to fight over and the girls got along wonderfully. My patience didn't run dry at 9:30 am!

Finally, being able to watch our nation gear up for it's 44th president was pretty impressive. Savannah already knows who Obama is and was quite impressed by all the attendees at his inauguration this morning. She ask very interesting questions like, "Does the President ever get sick? So, he is a Daddy and a President Mommy? What did his previous house look like? Why are there always people with him if the White House is his home?" What was equally special, was watching Obama take his oath with Miss Belle snuggled up on my lap. We never watch TV. I turned it on to see if he had been sworn in at them moment it started. Luckily for me, Adeline wanted to watch as well. I hope that all of my girls are able to look back on this day and realize that dreams are meant to be BIG!




Who needs a sled when you have a snow shovel?

Am I No Longer Allowed in Public?

Seriously, these past two days have been filled with public displays of unruly behavior. Kicking, screaming, biting (a first and I'm not sure whether it was intended on being a bite or just an oral sensory input need) and complete defiance. Just when I think my girls are behaving better I am brought right back down into the terrible twos.

Today, I tried to take Savannah to story time with her best friend. It was the hour before nap time and shouldn't be an out-of-the-question activity. Savannah went into the story time room (which the girls' think is their place to be since they have attended story time there many times in the past). Well, that was enough to send the entire hour down the toilet. We had to wait out in the hallway after Lila had already picked out her favorite green carpet square and plopped herself right in the middle of all the other kids. Sitting in hall didn't go well. We thrashed, screamed and were generally ornery. We were allowed to go in once the big kids were participating in their craft. I figured this would make the twins happier as they ran in and said, "Nana" with big smiles (well Lila did). Instead of being less of a handful, Adeline took it up a notch. She was grabbing scissors out the basket, getting into the pile of odds and ends the librarian used while reading the stories and finally begging for a lollipop. After giving a lollipop to each girl, mind you Savannah didn't get to have them until she was four, Lila Grace decided to pull the table cloth off of the table with all the kids' crafts and cupcakes sitting on top. (I did end up catching it before it was all on the ground.) Then I looked like a terrible mom as I pulled on her arm to make her sit down in time-out which resulted in her throwing herself backwards and banging her head on a concrete wall. Screams erupted while many obscenities ran through my head. I am sure the other moms thought I was a lunatic with out of control children.

Why, is something like story time and impossible endeavor. It certainly wasn't a selfish outing!

A Tearful Goodbye

It seems that this last week has been about saying goodbye. Grammy and Papa left after a 5 week stay on Friday. Savannah and I took them the airport and I could tell that she wasn't going to handle the departure well. I was right. She cried and cried and didn't want to let go when hugging them goodbye. We tried to explain to her that she will see them again but it didn't have any impact. She adores my parents and (in her words) "wish they lived in our house with us." I wouldn't mind it either as these past five weeks have been much easier than flying solo. What was most heartbreaking about my parents leaving was watching Savannah silently cry in the back seat for 15 minutes while I was stuck in traffic on I-95. How do I take the void away that she feels?

In the end I know it means we did it right. We have fostered a relationship between my children and my parents that is filled with deep love. My parents know Savannah better than anyone with the exception of us as parents. They have their silly games, routine trips to Dunkin Donuts and many on-cue sayings that they have been doing since Savannah was old enough to talk. I feel fortunate to have kids that feel unconditionally loved by their grandparents. I know the twins will follow in Savannah's footsteps. Lila walked out the day after my parents left and said, "Grammy uh Papa, where go?"

Not only did my parents leave but Daddy started back at work today. This is my first day with girls by myself in five weeks. Savannah had a very hard time saying goodbye to daddy last night. She eventually cried herself to sleep with me lying beside her. She wonders why he doesn't get a job closer to home so we can see him everyday. It was the first time she really "called" us on our living arrangement. Of course we would leap at the opportunity of living under one roof but it doesn't seem to be in the cards right now. Unless we win the lottery or the housing market magically changes, we are going to continue down this road for quite some time. I just wish there was a way to fill the emptiness that my big girl feels. She is genuinely sad and mopey at the moment.

Lila Grace's First Day of School

Lila Grace started attending preschool this week. We have decided to send her on Tuesdays and Adeline on Thursdays so that they can forge ahead independently. It also allows me to spend one on one time with them while the other is at school. The majority of the time is taken up by therapy but there is a enough time for a car ride or to run a quick errand. Being with just one child is a real treat since it never happens when Alex is away in Texas

I had prepared myself for crying - really loud crying. Surprisingly, after dropping Lila off, I was able sneak out with her noticing. I waited around the corner and did hear an outburst but it was redirected before it escalated to a cry.

Upon returning for pick-up, her teacher announced, "Where was all the crying?" I was astounded. It appears that one of the teachers had a college age daughter with them that day. Lila was quite fond of her and was happy as could be but she didn't stray far from her new "friend." When Lila caught site of me she jumped up and down and yelled, "Bye Bye." She then shot her sticky hand up in the air and exclaimed, "Lollie." Sure enough there it was, a great bit sticky, slobbery mess but Lila's favorite nonetheless. She told everyone good bye again and hopped out of the door. It appeared as if she had a great time.

It was really nice to pick her up in such good spirits. Adeline is always in good spirits too. There is just so much to worry about when Adeline is there. When Lila is at school, I just assume she is participating and following directions like any other kid. Clearly, their two roads are dividing. Only time will tell when their paths meet.

Brushing Part II

Just when Alex and I are congratulating each other on brushing Adeline five times a day for two weeks, we are hit with another two weeks. Let me clarify, I was hit. I guess we are supposed to re-evaluate in two weeks, not stop the program. During Adeline's OT session today, it was made clear we should continue the program. Since Adeline's defensiveness has lessened in her feet, we can assume the program is helping. I don't see huge changes but it is nice to be able to touch her feet without her jerking away.

My concerns are the following.

How am I going to brush her on my own for another two weeks? There really isn't much free time in our mornings. I need to brush before we leave in the morning and also during mid-morning. Both of which are close to impossible.

My second concern is that Adeline has been a bit out of sorts over the past few weeks. She isn't miserable and cranky but certainly on edge. She can't share her space with her sisters and wants nothing to with unsolicited loves from Savannah. I hope we don't have her neurological system out of whack from all of this brushing. Typically she is much more laid back and accepting of her environment when compared to her current disposition.

So Long O's. . . we hope

Today was the day. After two years of staring at an ugly oxygen tank sitting on an even uglier purple bathmat, we called it quits. I called Praxair and requested a removal of the tank, the exchange of our oxygen concentrator (ours wasn't functioning properly) and a delivery of four E tanks (the size adults pull around in cages/carts.

Adeline has been off the O's for the better part of a year now. At this point, she is rarely on oxygen for illness and if she is, it is only for night time hours. I feel confident our E tanks would get us through an emergency and a car ride to the ER. As an alternative, there is always the option of the concentrator if I want to run up my energy bill and not be able hear anything over the hissing.

As our oxygen guy loaded up the H tank he looked at me and asked, "What is your back up?" Clearly that have seen premature removals in the past and don't want Adeline to find herself in a dangerous situation. I know we don't run this risk but hope that the removal doesn't jinx the long stretch of clear lungs we are experiencing. I would be happy to never have to tape another cannula to her face ever again. It maybe wishful thinking but certainly not out of the question.

Only time will tell.