Elisha and I had a good day today. He is feeling better each day- and today we discussed being mean- and how it is not very nice. The day went much better after that.
It was really quite pleasant all around.
Tonight as I was rocking him before bed, he was snuggling in close and we were discussing clocks. He can't wait till tomorrow when we are going to learn more about clocks like they did on Betsy's Kindergarten Adventures.
I tucked him in, hugging and kissing on him, loving him as much as I could. I leaned over and gently brushed the hair from his forehead. "Good night, Sweetie. God bless you!!" I gently said.
"Why you say that, Mommy? I not cough. You suppose to say 'Good night. I love you' and leave."
I had to laugh. Everything is so concrete to a 3 year old, and nothing has more than one meaning. Of this they are quite sure!! I guess he only knows "God bless you" as something you say after a person sneezes or coughs. *grin*
Monday, October 26, 2009
Not so sweet, please
We have diluted Eli's juices since we started giving them to him. Even more so when that was all he wanted- maybe 15% juice, the rest water. The only thing we haven't diluted has been the milk he drinks.
So, I guess it should come as no surprise that the pedialyte is too sweet for him. "Yucky," he says, screwing up his face as he takes a sip. "May I please have more Gatorade, Mommy? I don't like that.... It is nasty."
Wonderful to know that I haven't corrupted him too much with my own sweet tooth, and quite thankful to see that he isn't in desperate need of drinking lots of Pedialyte. Tim and I both tasted it- it's really good- it has a "smoother" consistency than juice or water, must be the electrolytes in it.
Thanking God that his fever seems to be broken, finally, and he is more ornery and mean than ever. Hoping the mean part goes away SOON!! :) But happy to see him have energy to do more than just sit there :)
Thank you, God, for your healing touch on us all!!
So, I guess it should come as no surprise that the pedialyte is too sweet for him. "Yucky," he says, screwing up his face as he takes a sip. "May I please have more Gatorade, Mommy? I don't like that.... It is nasty."
Wonderful to know that I haven't corrupted him too much with my own sweet tooth, and quite thankful to see that he isn't in desperate need of drinking lots of Pedialyte. Tim and I both tasted it- it's really good- it has a "smoother" consistency than juice or water, must be the electrolytes in it.
Thanking God that his fever seems to be broken, finally, and he is more ornery and mean than ever. Hoping the mean part goes away SOON!! :) But happy to see him have energy to do more than just sit there :)
Thank you, God, for your healing touch on us all!!
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Why?
We thought he might not do it. Thought maybe he was past the age. But over the last week, he has discovered the word "why" and is using it non stop.
Last night as he was barfing all over, I was holding him, wiping his little face, praying for and with him, and saying I was so sorry he was sick.
"Why am I sick Mommy?" he said.
"Because a little virus got into your body and God designed your body to be able to get rid of it as quickly as possible."
"But why, Mommy? Why do I feel so sick? Why does my head hurt?"
I gently explained that viruses get into your body several ways. One way is when you touch everything around you and then put your fingers in your mouth, as we had been asking him not to do.
"But why, Mommy?"
I guess there will always be more "whys" than there are good answers....
Fever back this morning, but does seem to stay down with the tylenol and motrin on board. Thank you, God, for a good night's sleep for us all!!
Last night as he was barfing all over, I was holding him, wiping his little face, praying for and with him, and saying I was so sorry he was sick.
"Why am I sick Mommy?" he said.
"Because a little virus got into your body and God designed your body to be able to get rid of it as quickly as possible."
"But why, Mommy? Why do I feel so sick? Why does my head hurt?"
I gently explained that viruses get into your body several ways. One way is when you touch everything around you and then put your fingers in your mouth, as we had been asking him not to do.
"But why, Mommy?"
I guess there will always be more "whys" than there are good answers....
Fever back this morning, but does seem to stay down with the tylenol and motrin on board. Thank you, God, for a good night's sleep for us all!!
Saturday, October 24, 2009
The sacred snuggling hours
We had a first today, though I guess it really started last night.
Eli was diagnosed with Bronchitis the day after Tim, they both did their antibiotics simultaneously and finished last week. Since he has finished, we've still been watching closely as Eli has had a very low grade temp. All the swine flu scare going around, I guess.
Tim was working, so Eli and I headed upstairs. Only last night, instead of the rocker, where we have rocked to sleep, or at least calm, since he came home, he wanted to lay on the big bed in the room and snuggle before I tucked him in.
With me.
For several minutes.
Yeah!! I never thought I would have him want to do that!!
So today the day starts out like any other. He's a little more whiny, but not too bad. Lunch time came around and Tim came home as we were finishing lunch... When I realized he was acting really sleepy and had only eaten a few bites of lunch, which is super unusual for him.
He was laying his head over on me and his eyes were really droopy. And then, my little guy who has been fighting naps with everything he has in him, and struggling to stay awake now for several months during nap time, meekly said he wanted me to come up and cuddle with him and he wanted to take a nap.
So, up we went. Oh how incredibly wonderful it felt to have his sweet little body laying on me as he totally relaxed and fell asleep. I've heard others talk about the precious weight of their child on their chest, slumbering softly as you feel each breath and watch them rise with yours.
I lay there in one part of my mind basking in this brand new experience, the other praying fervently for this sweet little very hot body laying on me to cool down and feel better.
After putting him down in his crib and sneaking downstairs for a few minutes, he started crying for me. He wanted to be with me, snuggling on the big bed for his nap. So we lay down for a few more minutes and then he decides it is time to wake up. "Wake up time", he announces, as he jumps up and turns off the fan and turns on the light.
So downstairs we go, and a few minutes later he comes over to me and wants to be held.
By me.
And then he puked. All over the two of us. And puked again, and again, and again. Poor little guy!! Thank you God for a husband with a strong stomach who could clean up the floor while Eli and I got cleaned up!!
The praying was pretty intense over the next several hours. He didn't want me to leave his side. His fever soared to 101.3 and he lay listless and lethargic, only wanted me to hold and at least touch him if he wasn't in my arms. What a scary time!! Several changes of clothing, blankets and towels later, I held him close praying he would keep down the tylenol I finally was able to get up and give to him. He fell asleep in my arms and I just held and prayed for this little boy acting so abnormally in my arms. I don't like him being sick!!
And then, suddenly, about 7pm, he gets up and says he is hungry and wants to eat with us. I was rather concerned- since he was even puking up the gatorade we were giving him. But he sat and ate some saltines, drank some more diluted gatorade and acted as if nothing was wrong.
AKA he no longer really wanted anything to do with me ~ *grin* lol. So, I guess we moms enjoy the snuggling while we can, praying for it to end quickly so our little tykes can be healthy and "normal" again, cherishing being able to love our child freely without them pulling away from us.
Thank you God for such a speedy answer to prayers!!
I am thanking God now, Eli just went to sleep. I'm praying that we are over it all- and that tomorrow will find us all in the pink of health!!
So, good night to all!!
Eli was diagnosed with Bronchitis the day after Tim, they both did their antibiotics simultaneously and finished last week. Since he has finished, we've still been watching closely as Eli has had a very low grade temp. All the swine flu scare going around, I guess.
Tim was working, so Eli and I headed upstairs. Only last night, instead of the rocker, where we have rocked to sleep, or at least calm, since he came home, he wanted to lay on the big bed in the room and snuggle before I tucked him in.
With me.
For several minutes.
Yeah!! I never thought I would have him want to do that!!
So today the day starts out like any other. He's a little more whiny, but not too bad. Lunch time came around and Tim came home as we were finishing lunch... When I realized he was acting really sleepy and had only eaten a few bites of lunch, which is super unusual for him.
He was laying his head over on me and his eyes were really droopy. And then, my little guy who has been fighting naps with everything he has in him, and struggling to stay awake now for several months during nap time, meekly said he wanted me to come up and cuddle with him and he wanted to take a nap.
So, up we went. Oh how incredibly wonderful it felt to have his sweet little body laying on me as he totally relaxed and fell asleep. I've heard others talk about the precious weight of their child on their chest, slumbering softly as you feel each breath and watch them rise with yours.
I lay there in one part of my mind basking in this brand new experience, the other praying fervently for this sweet little very hot body laying on me to cool down and feel better.
After putting him down in his crib and sneaking downstairs for a few minutes, he started crying for me. He wanted to be with me, snuggling on the big bed for his nap. So we lay down for a few more minutes and then he decides it is time to wake up. "Wake up time", he announces, as he jumps up and turns off the fan and turns on the light.
So downstairs we go, and a few minutes later he comes over to me and wants to be held.
By me.
And then he puked. All over the two of us. And puked again, and again, and again. Poor little guy!! Thank you God for a husband with a strong stomach who could clean up the floor while Eli and I got cleaned up!!
The praying was pretty intense over the next several hours. He didn't want me to leave his side. His fever soared to 101.3 and he lay listless and lethargic, only wanted me to hold and at least touch him if he wasn't in my arms. What a scary time!! Several changes of clothing, blankets and towels later, I held him close praying he would keep down the tylenol I finally was able to get up and give to him. He fell asleep in my arms and I just held and prayed for this little boy acting so abnormally in my arms. I don't like him being sick!!
And then, suddenly, about 7pm, he gets up and says he is hungry and wants to eat with us. I was rather concerned- since he was even puking up the gatorade we were giving him. But he sat and ate some saltines, drank some more diluted gatorade and acted as if nothing was wrong.
AKA he no longer really wanted anything to do with me ~ *grin* lol. So, I guess we moms enjoy the snuggling while we can, praying for it to end quickly so our little tykes can be healthy and "normal" again, cherishing being able to love our child freely without them pulling away from us.
Thank you God for such a speedy answer to prayers!!
I am thanking God now, Eli just went to sleep. I'm praying that we are over it all- and that tomorrow will find us all in the pink of health!!
So, good night to all!!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
beautiful weather outside, a little under the weather inside
Wow, has it been 3 weeks? Well, life has been happening. There have been funny moments, as well as sad moments. Mommy has been tapping into the unknown reserves that only mommies have as our whole family has been under the weather.
Latest report has Tim out of work with bronchitis, Eli recovering from some cold/virus and Mommy still fighting what ever virus I picked up 3 weeks ago. Thanking God for each new morning.
As I drove home today from a meeting at work, I was almost mesmerized by the amazing beauty all around me. The leaves are so vibrant this year. My eyes seem almost starved for the beauty of them. Thank you, God for this precious gift!
Hope to post soon. Right now I'm putting one foot in front of the other and hanging tight to my smile :)
Happy Fall to you all!!
Latest report has Tim out of work with bronchitis, Eli recovering from some cold/virus and Mommy still fighting what ever virus I picked up 3 weeks ago. Thanking God for each new morning.
As I drove home today from a meeting at work, I was almost mesmerized by the amazing beauty all around me. The leaves are so vibrant this year. My eyes seem almost starved for the beauty of them. Thank you, God for this precious gift!
Hope to post soon. Right now I'm putting one foot in front of the other and hanging tight to my smile :)
Happy Fall to you all!!
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Praying with faith like a child
Being a mom, going through the adoptive process, watching daily as Eli grows and learns new things- it brings me to my knees as I develop a deeper understanding of what I have been reading in the Bible since I was a child. Oh how great and broad and deep is the love that God has for us!!
We are hosting a family tonight and tomorrow night that are in town for an extreme event. I wish I had more details, but I have been sick again- (yuck!!) and pretty out of what doesn't require immediate attention. (Good news is- I have a date set- Dec 30th to get my tonsils out!!! Yeah!!)
So, Eli and I have been trying to put the finishing touches on cleaning up the house and getting it ready for this family. After we got the sheets on the spare bed (futon, really) in the basement, we paused for a moment. I held him close and asked if he'd like to pray with me that this family coming tonight would sleep well. They have a 2 year old and 4 year old- and I know that sometimes sleep is not the best in a new environment.
So, we prayed, and then continued making up the bed.
As I was upstairs, taking the bread out of the oven, Eli was still in the basement. He wanted to dust some more :) *grin*- if only I can keep this attitude for the next, oh 20 years or so.... :) As I was upstairs, setting out the bread, I hear his little voice downstairs, talking to God- praying for Rob Jr and Olivia that they will sleep all night long when they come tonight. Thank you, God, that sometimes he really does seem to get it~!!!!! I keep praying he draws closer and closer to you!!
He really holds me to his prayers, too! My toe is still a little sore, nothing like it was-but still a little stiff. The bruising is finally gone- but I am very protective of it. When he comes bouncing near, I ask him to please be careful of my sore toe.
"Ah, Mommy, God is already healing it!!"
I offered him a bandaid the other day, after a little mishap outside on the gravel. He said, "No thank you, Mommy. God will put one on it while I sleep tonight."
We have been calling scabs God's bandaid. It is so amazing to hear him talk to me about God the healer, and so sweet to have him ask me if he can pray for me or Papa when we have a headache or an owie.
Thank you, God, for these tenderly sweet lessons I am learning from my son- for increasing my faith and showing me so many new facets of yourself!!
We are hosting a family tonight and tomorrow night that are in town for an extreme event. I wish I had more details, but I have been sick again- (yuck!!) and pretty out of what doesn't require immediate attention. (Good news is- I have a date set- Dec 30th to get my tonsils out!!! Yeah!!)
So, Eli and I have been trying to put the finishing touches on cleaning up the house and getting it ready for this family. After we got the sheets on the spare bed (futon, really) in the basement, we paused for a moment. I held him close and asked if he'd like to pray with me that this family coming tonight would sleep well. They have a 2 year old and 4 year old- and I know that sometimes sleep is not the best in a new environment.
So, we prayed, and then continued making up the bed.
As I was upstairs, taking the bread out of the oven, Eli was still in the basement. He wanted to dust some more :) *grin*- if only I can keep this attitude for the next, oh 20 years or so.... :) As I was upstairs, setting out the bread, I hear his little voice downstairs, talking to God- praying for Rob Jr and Olivia that they will sleep all night long when they come tonight. Thank you, God, that sometimes he really does seem to get it~!!!!! I keep praying he draws closer and closer to you!!
He really holds me to his prayers, too! My toe is still a little sore, nothing like it was-but still a little stiff. The bruising is finally gone- but I am very protective of it. When he comes bouncing near, I ask him to please be careful of my sore toe.
"Ah, Mommy, God is already healing it!!"
I offered him a bandaid the other day, after a little mishap outside on the gravel. He said, "No thank you, Mommy. God will put one on it while I sleep tonight."
We have been calling scabs God's bandaid. It is so amazing to hear him talk to me about God the healer, and so sweet to have him ask me if he can pray for me or Papa when we have a headache or an owie.
Thank you, God, for these tenderly sweet lessons I am learning from my son- for increasing my faith and showing me so many new facets of yourself!!
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Parenting Foibles
Eli is growing up. He has skipped his nap more frequently lately :( Which tends toward more behavioral issues later in the day as he is totally spent. I watch his eyes struggle to stay open- but he reminds me of myself when I was younger, trying soo hard to stay up on New Year's Eve to bring in the new year, fighting sleep with all I had in me.
Today he was in his crib for a little over an hour for his nap. I had gone up several times to try to get him to lay still long enough to fall asleep. Tim had a great idea of telling him he couldn't go to the birthday party we were planning on going to tonight unless he slept.
So, when I came back inside after a few minutes and he was standing in his crib, I walked in and told him he needed to lay down right away and go to sleep or he wouldn't be able to go to the party. He immediately began scrambling out of the crib.
"OK, Mommy. It is waking up time now. I will go to bed early tonight. And I will go to Lauren's party next time."
Oh my!! It totally backfired on me!! So now, not only does he not get a nap- I now can't go to my nieces 16th birthday party because of trying to coerce my 3 year old to take a nap. Bummer. It is hard to stick with your guns, isn't it?
He got a swat on his little behind tonight for not listening. As we were praying together after we talked about why he got in trouble, he said, "Dear God- please help Mommy stop 'maken my butt." Ahhh.....
On a much happier and sweeter note- I almost broke my toe about 3 months ago. It was just beginning to heal- in fact- I think it was the first day I had not wrapped it in over a month. But, as I was running into the house to get some painting supplies for a door on the garage I was working on, I slipped on a puddle of water in the garage and re injured the same toe!! It looks much worse now- purple and lots of different shades of red and blue.
Well, that night as I was getting Eli ready to be tucked in bed, he was dancing all around me as I sat on the rocker. I asked him to be careful as I had hurt my toe again. He asked if he could pray for my toe? Sure, I told him.
So, he leaned against me and bowed his head, folded his hands and said, "Dear God, please help Mommy's toe feel all better. In Jelas name, Amen.... Mommy can I put my hand on your toe and pray for it?"
Sure I told him.
So he leaned down and put his little hands on my sore toe ever so gently and prayed again, "Dear God, thank you for making Mommy's toe feel all better. In Jelas name, Amen."
"Does it feel all better now Mommy? Don't worry, God is healing it."
If only I could reconcile the angry, bitter little boy when he receives correction from me lately with this incredibly kind and compassionate child. Thank you, God, for giving wisdom when we most need it. Your ways are incredibly higher than ours- and I pray for your insight in how to deal with our son to raise him in relationship with you. Thank you for this amazing opportunity!!
Today he was in his crib for a little over an hour for his nap. I had gone up several times to try to get him to lay still long enough to fall asleep. Tim had a great idea of telling him he couldn't go to the birthday party we were planning on going to tonight unless he slept.
So, when I came back inside after a few minutes and he was standing in his crib, I walked in and told him he needed to lay down right away and go to sleep or he wouldn't be able to go to the party. He immediately began scrambling out of the crib.
"OK, Mommy. It is waking up time now. I will go to bed early tonight. And I will go to Lauren's party next time."
Oh my!! It totally backfired on me!! So now, not only does he not get a nap- I now can't go to my nieces 16th birthday party because of trying to coerce my 3 year old to take a nap. Bummer. It is hard to stick with your guns, isn't it?
He got a swat on his little behind tonight for not listening. As we were praying together after we talked about why he got in trouble, he said, "Dear God- please help Mommy stop 'maken my butt." Ahhh.....
On a much happier and sweeter note- I almost broke my toe about 3 months ago. It was just beginning to heal- in fact- I think it was the first day I had not wrapped it in over a month. But, as I was running into the house to get some painting supplies for a door on the garage I was working on, I slipped on a puddle of water in the garage and re injured the same toe!! It looks much worse now- purple and lots of different shades of red and blue.
Well, that night as I was getting Eli ready to be tucked in bed, he was dancing all around me as I sat on the rocker. I asked him to be careful as I had hurt my toe again. He asked if he could pray for my toe? Sure, I told him.
So, he leaned against me and bowed his head, folded his hands and said, "Dear God, please help Mommy's toe feel all better. In Jelas name, Amen.... Mommy can I put my hand on your toe and pray for it?"
Sure I told him.
So he leaned down and put his little hands on my sore toe ever so gently and prayed again, "Dear God, thank you for making Mommy's toe feel all better. In Jelas name, Amen."
"Does it feel all better now Mommy? Don't worry, God is healing it."
If only I could reconcile the angry, bitter little boy when he receives correction from me lately with this incredibly kind and compassionate child. Thank you, God, for giving wisdom when we most need it. Your ways are incredibly higher than ours- and I pray for your insight in how to deal with our son to raise him in relationship with you. Thank you for this amazing opportunity!!
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