Double Cuteness

On Wed. I had the privilege of watching my nephew for a good part of the day. I cheated a little and had EJ come home to help with lunch ;) Ryan was at preschool for 3 of the hours, so Avery had a new play mate. We went for a long walk so Tripp could take a morning nap while the cleaners cleaned my house! EJ insisted we get help with the cleaning while we adjust to life with 4. He is such a smart man ;)

I even managed to have them all napping at the same time!

 

I couldn't resist putting him in my sling. Oh, my heart!

It was very busy, but I loved it! 

Your prayers are very much appreciated.

The trip went smoothly. I enjoyed the peace and quiet ;)The Dr. who I was supposed to see got stuck in surgery so I saw someone else.
He was very kind and considerate of the fact that Avery was very anxious. He kept mentioning that she had already been through so much and he doesn't want to be too aggressive with invasive tests. He seemed genuinely concerned for her whole self and not just the GI issues. I didn't realize I needed to hear that until he said it. God is good!
No huge surprises. We have a short term plan. Got to start somewhere.
We will return again for a surgeon consulate and likely a barium test to see what her insides are doing.

On a positive note, she has gained a pound, we are thrilled! It's not much, but we are headed in the right direction. The DR said to try wheat again. He doesn't think that is her issue. Hooray for more food options.

Avery did not get too upset at the appt and clearly knows I am the one she can turn too ;) PTL

Please Pray

This afternoon, Avery and I are driving to a nearby city for a GI appt. For whatever reason, I am feeling very pessimistic about the appt. I am fearful this will lead to more questions than answers. I have very little history to offer this Dr for what is a very rare and often mistreated birth defect. Please pray I would trust God first and foremost. Pray for adequate time with the Dr., wisdom for the him and humility if he needs to point us elsewhere.

Everyday Cuteness

Pitiful

We received TWENTY meals after Avery's arrival. 

3 per week, minus our beach week. 

Isn't that incredible? What a HUGE blessing to me and my family.

As a result, I have rarely cooked on the week days. 

So thankful we delayed this sadness for 2 months!

 

It's a little difficult to move about the kitchen and cook with an unsteady 2 yr old holding onto my pants and crying. I'd like to see the top chefs try that on a TV showdown ;) Plus, you must add 3 rowdy boys who are likely pestering each other!

SO many people ask what's the biggest difference from 3 to 4. IT'S SO LOUD! Avery is not even saying real words yet, but she makes herself heard.

Mom and Dad took the boys to the State Fair on Monday afternoon and evening. It's tradition! EJ's first comment after work was about the silence. We also got to go on a long walk after dinner with Avery in the stroller. We completed sentences! Amazing! As close to a date as we will see for awhile ;)

Still trying to soak up the moments. Time flies.

Stepping Back

The bonding and attachment process following an adoption is unique to each individual. There is no specific guide to guarantee a child will feel loved and secure and safe in their new family and certainly no set time frame for which this will occur.

In the beginning, it was very important that Avery see EJ and I as her ONLY providers, comforters and authority figures, to name a few! Our family and friends have been so gracious and patient.

We have said "no" to lots of activities and obligations this fall as a family and individually. We are still very very busy. I hate to think what we had done if we had said "yes" more often.

I have made some small sacrifices to my schedule for this very reason. I would do it again in a heart beat, but that doesn't mean it's easy. 

In the spring, I decided I would no longer be on the steering committee for our Women's weekly Bible study. I also decided I would not attend the studies either. SAD! I have been going for NINE years! It was often the 1 thing I had for "me" in a whole week. It was a JOY each week, I miss it for sure!

The other thing I put on hold, was going to the gym. Sure, I could get up at the crack of dawn, but I wasn't sure how Avery would sleep initially. Thankfully that hasn't been an issue. My membership was "frozen" until mid Oct. I miss working out. It's kinda of crucial to keep my chronic muscle pain at bay, and I was nervous to give it up, but I have felt fine. PTL! I am mostly worried about making it part of my routine again. I was finally in the habit of going the few months before we traveled and then abruptly stopped.

by Glorrie Photo

All this to say, it's October already! Avery is doing fantastic with attachment and bonding, but it also hasn't really been tested. I am nervous that the attachment doesn't run very deep. While I want her to be okay without me, I don't really want her to be okay. Something I really haven't worried about before with my boys. We will continue to reassure her of our love and commitment, but we are sensing it's time to start "letting go" a little (much sooner than I expected). This photo Jenn took seemed appropriate, don't you think?

Sunday morning nursery is the main priority at this point. We are easily distracted in the worship service with her busy-self nearby ;) Next, will be the gym childcare.

Today, my mom watched Avery and Ryan while I took the older 2 to the dentist. This was the first time I left her (awake) with someone other than EJ. Mim stayed with her while she napped. Avery did great and she was so happy to see me again. She also didn't want me to put her down. Which kind of made cooking dinner extra exciting ;)

Who knows maybe EJ and I will go on a date sometime soon! Thankfully I have not felt tied down. I have been eager to "be" with her and my family. I am grateful I feel this way!