Mercy in the Toe

The scene of the "crime" 

(My toe hit the bottom part of the bouncy seat, which was up against a wall.  So it didn't move out of the way for me.  My toe did the moving.  In three places.  Yay.)

The "help" 

(I will get help from anyone.  Even letting a four year old do the laundry.  She's actually good at it and enjoys helping.)

The "boot"

(Borrowed from a friend.  The doctor said that it would be best to stay in this - for mobility, healing & protection) 

So... 6 weeks of boot, rest and buddy tape.  Not how I thought the end of the summer would be.

Not really at ALL how I pictured the summer ending.  With three kids...  With a broken toe...

It's amazing how God works and plans our lives and we just are sometimes along for the ride, 

marveling in His power, grace and mercy!   

I've been thinking about how this changes so much of what I do.  No more running at the Y for a while.  Running is so far away, since walking is still a problem; I can't walk very well or smoothly. I've got a cool limp now.  Even doing simple things...I tried to turn to go into a closet yesterday, and it hurt so bad.  Who knew the pinky toe was used to pivot?  I do now!  

But then I was thinking in a different way of how this changes everything.  We went to the pool last week and I had thought swimming laps would be fun, for a change of pace.  And I think that would actually be great...in a few weeks.  Mix things up!!  

And thinking about the "pace" of my life...  Three kids really does change things.  Greatly.  I think I was trying to keep the same things going - errands, household work, daily life - the same as when there was just me and the two girls at home.  Just throwing the baby into our schedule.  Not that it was crazy busy, but the pace was definitely pretty fast. What was I thinking? Seriously?!  With three kids, one being a small baby, my pace needs to change.  I need to, well, SLOW DOWN.  And I got the message...  

... LOUD  AND  CLEAR.  

So I'm slowing down.  I completely reevaluated my to-do list over the weekend.  I still have a list, because I won't remember anything at all if I don't write it down.  But the list is much shorter.  And much slower.  I think that I'm going to continue this, even post-toe!  I think that God wanted me to slow down, enjoy this season of life and have some rest.  And I guess I wasn't listening there for a while.  So I had to be immobilized in a way.  To just stop, look around, appreciate all the people around me - the relationships - and to - Listen.  Rest.  Accept help.  Play.  Slow.  

And in that, I see God's power...grace...mercy.  

Baby "stuff"

My five favorite baby items, the second time around. We didn't have these things two years ago, but they are now my must-haves!  Things ARE a little different than two years ago...

• Dr Browns bottle warmer

Last time, we were using Avent bottles. And I really liked them. But they have since changed them, and I'm not a fan of the new ones. And we are using the Dr Browns bottles - that is what he was using before he came home with us. And they work the best with his very "foamy" formula. I had tossed around the idea about getting a warmer with our first baby, but we just put it in hot water and it worked great. But this time...  I didn't want to have a cup of hot water being transported around the kitchen. Danger! And the other great thing about it... All you do is pop the bottle in there, set the timer and it beeps when it's done. And it's the perfect temp every time. Wonderful for when you are running, chasing, checking, fixing and losing track of time! 

• Dr Browns formula mixing pitcher 

Yep, it's the "Doctor" again. So that formula we are using. Foamy.  So shaking is out of the question, unless the goal is a cappuccino bottle.  We found this pitcher that has a plunger stirring mechanism. Works great for minimizing bubbles. Also, the formula is so graciously made every night by daddy, that all I have to do is pour. A wonderful and needed convenience. 

• Munchkin white noise machine with projector 

This little contraption is awesome. It has music and several white noise options. It will play continuously or will shut off with a timer. It also has a projection of several scenes. They kind of function like a mobile - and are a HUGE hit with the whole family! There is also a "voice activated" function, like it will turn on if the baby cries. I haven't used that yet, but so cool!  The white noise is a must in our loud and active house. I had made a white noise CD, but this is so much better!  When the baby outgrows it, I think I'm going to be using it! 

• WubbaNub pacifier

It's paci with a little critter attached to it. We have a little monkey that "helps" him keep the paci in his mouth. It helped us transition from the paci that he was using.  He loves the paci, so this helps him out so much. It just sometimes sounds weird in our house when we say "where's the monkey?" 

• Baby K'tan

Last but not least, the awesome baby carrier I got - for those first few months. It is a stretch knit carrier. It's kind of the same fabric as the knit wraps that I have seen so much (like a Moby), but it doesn't involve all the WRAPPING!  Because the wrapping takes time. And I wouldn't get it "just right." Just for fun, you can check out this video comparing the two... The first time around with a baby, I could just hold her or put her down anywhere and not really worry about what was going to happen.  But now, with two wild little ones running, throwing, dancing and wanting to be "involved" I needed a way to cuddle the new baby and still have my arms. Hence the newborn wrap. And it is great!  I like the K'tan because it's just two loops that you position, then slide the baby in - there is an extra wrap that goes over that - I like that part too - it adds comfort for both of us. It's so easy to do - and after about 5 times, I was a pro! There is no material dragging the ground - in a parking lot, or enticing a child to grab it and run... And we get to be close and bond while I chase the crazy girls! 

So make that six things... Not really FOR the baby yet, but because of the baby. 

• The City Mini Double Stroller

We usually have to get out of the house. And I was thinking...baby plus, a two year old "runner" and a four year old that gets tired. I knew that I wanted a baby carrier. And to make us completely mobile, we got a double stroller. And this thing is awesome! It corners so well.  I can even push it with one hand.  So that's me, pushing the tandem stroller (with my "twins" haha) and having the baby tied on me! 

Breaking point. Literally.

Once again, I have broken my baby toe.  And this time is it BAD.  I can hardly walk.  And it's swollen so much, it really is trying to be the size of my big toe.  Not being able to walk really does put a cramp in my parenting of three children.  Not so much with the chasing and the leaning.  Or the standing.  Or walking.  So it happened today (Saturday).  I guess that's a good thing, that it happened on a weekend, so that my husband is here to help me out.  But then again, the doctor is closed today.  I'm not really sure if I need to go to the doctor, anyway.  I have commenced with the buddy tape, ice and have tried to rest it the best I could today.  But that isn't as easy as it sounds.  

I have broken this toe several times before.  The first (and the worst, up until THIS time) was the night that I got engaged.  I kind of knew that it was coming - we were dressing up for a date.  I ran through my closet and WHACK, hit my food on the doorframe.  But I was so excited, I still shoved my foot in a dress shoe and had a great evening!  But that was a long time ago, I guess my feet don't recover as well now.  It does seem, though, that every time I break this toe, something major is going on in life.  Getting engaged was one of the big ones.  I think I had a few other minor breaks or "toe hits" for other momentous occasions.  I think I did when we went to get our first baby.  (I can't really remember all the breaks right now.  All I can really think is "ouch ow ouch")  And now I have a major one with our new baby.  Thankfully I avoided smashing my toe before going to China!  

I am a klutz.  At my last job I had, they knew that I'd be falling, tripping or dropping something at least once a week, er once a day.  They called me Grace.  And then when Twilight came out, they called me Bella.  I'm known for my accident-prone-ness.  But I've actually been doing well since having kids.  I guess I'm just wearing out. Having 4, 2 and 2 months just will drain you.  I think that I was working on adrenaline - for the first two weeks we had the new baby, I was just going going going.  Running on excitement and coffee.  And I was making that push to the birthday party weekend.  But now that the oldest has turned 4 and the party is over, I am drained.  Exhausted.  And it seems that gravity figured that out and pulled me down over baby gear and helped me break my toe.  

I knew that it was a goner as soon as I hit the floor.  Tears were just streaming down my face - and I'm a pretty tough cookie most of the time.  The girls came to check on me - gave me hugs and kisses (which I told them to blow kisses, not to actually KISS my foot).  It helped and was so sweet.  But the pain remained.  So that's me, walking around with a limp, hop and stutter.  

Oh....and no children were harmed in the process of falling. 

Week One

Wednesday - I was on the computer chatting my husband at work. He then said to hold on, our social worker was calling. And that she got the letter - that we had been waiting for. I chatted him back - what does that mean? And he said "baby tomorrow."
I had kind of been putting off stuff, guarding my heart. I didn't know how long we were going to be waiting for that last piece of paperwork. I thought I'd have a couple of days to get things ready when we finally got the news that all the paperwork was complete. We were thinking that it was going to be the next week. I even had a to do list for the weekend. But here it was "baby tomorrow" - life was going to change sooner than I thought. And I had so much to do. I was running around crazy - in "fast mode." I sent a few people on weird errands. Those things that I wanted to get finished that I had started - that I was going to do this weekend...

Thursday - Gotcha Day - I had planned to get a pedicure and haircut on Thursday. And I thought, well, might as well still do that. It might be a long time until I have time to do it again. So I had a relaxing morning! When I got home I had lots to do. And I was doing laundry and pulling out the little outfits that we were taking out of the drying and putting them in the diaper bag about 30 minutes before we were leaving. On the (excited) way there, it was pouring rain. What a crazy storm to drive through.
At the agency, we filled out paperwork. And as we were signing away, the power went out. So we were signing most of the paperwork by daylight through the windows! Then, we walked down the dark hallway to meet our baby. He was waiting for us in a little bassinet - we saw little hands first. And then as I knelt down to see him, the lights came back on! Wow! We spent time cuddling and talking to the baby.
We loaded up our minivan - our three in car seats. I can't believe that we have a van full of kids now. Crazy! Then we did some hanging out with friends and family that were at the house to greet us when we got home! It was a great afternoon. That night a dear friend brought dinner - I've never been so excited to see a bucket of chicken! We were starving. Sitting around watching a baby makes you hungry!

Friday - Day one with the baby - My parents were still in town so we hung out at the house that morning before they headed home. That afternoon, we left the house! Our first outing as a family of five! We went shopping at the baby store - for bottles and some things that we needed. We are figuring out what he likes and doesn't like - so that we can have what we need (well, what he needs) and be prepared. Mostly. Sort of. Maybe.
By the end of the day, it just seeemed that he just fit in our family. It was hard to remember that it WAS just the first day with him.

Saturday - My sister in law brought us lunch - we needed that pizza and pasta. Again we were starving. Why does being out of routine and being in the house more make you so hungry. And then we just ate the rest of the day. Whatever we could find. And speaking of eating. Baby boy is eating more each day. It's weird to have a baby drinking the bottle. He is a hungry fella! We went back to the baby store - we needed more things. It's like moving into a house and it seems every day you are going to the home improvment store. Each day we are figuring out more things we need for the baby. Things that we don't have anymore from 2 years ago. Or things that are just going to work better for how our lives are now - like a bottle warmer. Last time we just used a pyrex of hot water. But I have 2 little kids running around and only 1 hand that is usually free. This was probably the best purchase we have made! I love it. It's so easy. And we got this pitcher that swusshes the formula mix, so no bubbles. Aha! And it get (so kindly) made every night so that it is ready the next day. For ALL of the botttles. That's going to be great when I'm at home by myself with the kids - 1 on 3 deffense!

Sunday - We went to church, but it only lasted through the music - the first part of the service. At 11:30, pretty much on the dot, he started expressing very loudly that this was the time that he wanted to eat. And he wanted to eat.... NOW. I was already (thankfully) out of the sanctuary when he started wailing loud. So we gathered the girls and headed home. That's quite a way to be "notified" about his feeding schedule.

Monday - Family of 5 shopping trip to Target. I had the baby and a cart. Daddy had the stroller with the girls. We loaded up on diapers and other household needs. I had stuff piled around the little baby. He was asleep in the car seat already, so I didn't want to tie/wrap him on and mess us the calm. He did great - first Target shopping trip! Can't say that he's a shopper, but he was very patient while I shopped...much like his daddy! For dinner, I cooked - well, I put dinner in the crock pot that afternoon and we had a "real" meal - meat, potatoes and veggies! I think that it was amazing that I remembered to start the crock pot around 1pm. I never seem to be able to do that during a "regular" week. Guess it was us starving and talking about dinner, right after lunch, that made me remember to do it!

Tuesday - Family grocery store outing! We needed the basics. We had the 2 kid cart and baby boy was in the carrier. I don't know what I would do without that carrrier. I settled on getting a Baby K'tan. It's a knit wrap - and those are better for newborns which don't have head control and just need to be snuggled more! Plus it's great for bonding, which me and the little guy are doing quite well. And the super bonus is that I have arms and hands!! Something I need since I have the 2 girls running around, needing things. It's nice to have the cuddles and the freedom of arms! And this one is so easy to do. It's two loops, instead of one LONG piece of fabric. So it's fairly easy to throw on in the house, or beside the car. Another one of my favorite purchases this go around with a baby.

Wednesday - First day: 1 on 3. I think it went pretty well. It started early - early for me - and earlier than we usually start. I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to have a new "early" with these folks. I don't know if I was expecting to be super stressed or for there to be like a major disaster, but it was just a nice day. I did venture out - to Target - I headed for the familiar in an unfamiliar way. It was great to get out - and to see that it can be done. Me and the girls get so stir crazy in the house. We usually have to go somewhere each day. So with the baby wrap and the double stroller, we headed into Target - made it there and back fairly smoothly soon. And it was nice to see a friend there too - to give me encouragement and entertainment!

Thursday - We had lunch with Nanna. It was nice to get out of the house at lunchtime. But before we went, there were some horrible storms that came through. And they did come...through. Through the kitchen window. I had some small cups, then moved onto bowls. Then I had to just resort to the huge "collectors" movie cups that I got at the Hunger Games to catch the water that was pouring in at the top of the window. I see where it is coming in, but not sure how it is getting to where it's coming in. I had a hard time trying to contain the water and getting very frustrated in the "splash zone" behind the kitchen table. Water was everywhere. So after the storms passed, it was nice to get out for lunch and have some comfort food at Cracker Barrel. The girls had a blast - change of scenery, change of people. My niece came too!
Then that evening. More storms. Worse storms. More water. Water everywhere. More filling the huge movie cups.
It was a very eventful day like the last Thursday. But definitly not as much fun!

And that was week one as a new family of five!

Today is the day!

And then there were three:
Here we are, on the brink of welcoming a third child, a third adopted child, into our family.  How wonderfully and abundantly God has built our family.  Five years ago, if you asked me if I would be writing a blog about having three kids, I would have thought it was crazy.  I thought I was going to have only one.  And one was going to be an amazing blessing.  But now, there will be three.  

The call:

Two months ago, I got a call from our previous social worker.  "Sit down, do you want a baby?" I was floored. We were not pursuing adoption.  But by a request from the birth mom, here we are. [due to the sensitive nature of this situation, I'm not going to go into detail here] 

So we are getting a baby boy. It was great to call my husband, who was out of town and ask - hey, um. Do you want a baby? It's a boy?! So we started our journey - running, actually sprinting, to bring him home. 

Warp speed adoption prep: 

I got the news on a Monday afternoon - and we said yes that evening. Then Tuesday I did all of the paperwork for the adoption (like 2 months of paperwork from application to legal forms). Then Wednesday we went and got our fingerprints. And the place is only open on Wednesdays! Perfectly God's timing. Then that Wednesday afternoon we had our first home study. Then the next Monday we had the other 4 home studies in one big session. Then that Tuesday and Wednesday we had our physicals done. Amazing that we got appointments so fast!  So pretty much a whole adoption in the matter of a week! Then we waited... 

Waiting: 

It was different waiting this time, because there was already a baby. Normally you do "process, waiting baby" but we did "baby, process, waiting" and it was emotional, in a different way. Waiting for something that you didn't know you wanted. The surprise way that it came into our lives made it really not seem that real, even with all the signing and buying and planning. My background check came back in about 2 weeks. About what we were thinking.  But then my husband's fingerprints got a misread. Basically, more waiting. Calling, checking, waiting. And then yesterday all of the sudden - done! 

We had to do everything all over again. Because they can only count all of the legal stuff for one adoption only. Basically, we are putting stuff in the baby's file, not our file. So each child has to have all the documentation. Also, we did find out that we had to wait for everything to come in before Gotcha Day, because the agency could have license problems. I would not want to do anything to harm our adoption, or anyone else's in the future. 

So, I started this blog titled as "the big news" - that was a few weeks ago, but since the super fast part kind of slowed down, I had to put it aside and guard my heart. It was weird to not know you wanted something and then miss it when you didn't get it.  Then I changed the title to something about having three kids. 

But today is the day. Everything changes. And it will be amazing to see our new family!