Getting Better, Getting Worse

First, Carston says, "HA." He enjoyed some time with a new toy today.

Now, just looking back on the past few hours, today had not turned out so well. Isaiah has a fervor again, refused to eat dinner, and threw up! On me!! When it happened I asked Terence to get a towel and the first word Isaiah said was, "messy." I do love this little boy. - He's sleeping now.

If, however, you start the day from the beginning, it was a pretty good day.

August got up a little early and went to visit with T. Carston got up a little later than usual which made everyone wanting breakfast at the same time. This was a little more challenging but everyone was in the mood to eat, so that was a wonderful change. Isaiah seemed to be feeling good so the boys loaded up at about 8am and headed out.

I spent the morning running errands: Target, Peets for coffee, takeout from Salsa Fresh for lunch. I know, I'm living the life! Carston didn't nap as long as usual today, so I didn't get a nap either. Left to get Zah a little early and to bring Tia Reigna a little gift. Flowers and a thankyou note written in Spanish (thanks to my sister-in-laws amazing translating skills). Za and I went through the drive thru at Jack-in-the-box and got a strawberry shake to celebrate his last day at day care. Yes, this is what was evacuated later in the evening.

T and August got home in the midst of this and we went to Taco Bell for dinner. I saw August eat more tonight than he has all week! 3 taketo halves. He ate joyfully and quickly AND even took a break to use the bathroom!! He made it through the whole day without an accident and without much drama.

All three boys went to bed without much fanfare and Wendy comes home tomorrow!! Let's pray for a restful, night filled with healing for Isaiah and a good welcome home tomorrow.

TGI Thursday

We're way past the haft way mark and things are starting to settle into a bit of a routine. We didn't have any drama at dinner or getting to bed. August went potty twice tonight without too much sadness. But the real fun was this morning.

Last night, I came up with what seemed like a fantastic idea. Leverage August's love of his Thomas trains to help get things moving in the morning! Doesn't that sound like a good idea? It resulted in a little meltdown at the beginning when we tried to get August to go potty. Back to bed for a few minutes what T's idea. August came back, calm and pottied. Ate breakfast with one of the trains then went to his room to find his friends. With each discovery, the article of clothing was put on and the Thomas friend was put into a special box to take a nap until he got home from school.

I know, I'm gifted. :-) This won't work tomorrow but we'll try.

Thankfully, that was the most exciting thing that happened today. I also gave Carston a bath. 1 clear tote + 1 towel + 1 inch of water + washcloth. He loved it and I was able, I think, to get all of his folds cleaned out. This was a little new as Isaiah didn't have many folds.

Tomorrow will be a day of errands and saying goodbye to Tia AND preparing for Wendy to return.

Good August, Sad Isaiah

Today started off for both T and I at about 6am when Carston woke up. We changed around the child configuration so that Carston could try a night in his room. Isaiah moved into my room and August stayed in his. Once we got everyone to bed, which took some doing (see yesterday's post), the night went along wonderfully...

Until about 6am. Carston finally woke up after sleeping straight through for 8 house!! (Yippie!) When he finally did stir, I woke with a start and kicked off my covers - which woke up Isaiah. Thankfully Terence also woke up and fed Carston while I tried to get Zah back to sleep. Carston sucked down a bottle in 30 minutes and went back to sleep for 2 more hours. Zah got up at 7, ate a bunch!, got dressed and was ready to go. August got up at about 8 and AMAZINGLY got out of the house at 8:45!


T dropped them off at Tias. Carston and I had a great day of napping and Target shopping. I did plan to get coffee today... but I forgot. T also picked up the boys and met me, Carston, and a salad at the Millers. Isaiah sat at the table and ate Harrison's Round Table Birthday Pizza just like a big boy!! And after an unfortunate accident and an unexpected bath for August, there was desert for all.

It's at about this point that Isaiah lost it a bit, so home we went with Carston who gladly sat in his bouncy seat while Isaiah took a bath. He has a 102 degree fever, so I drugged him up and he went right to bed.

Then, a very cool and exciting thing... August let ME put him to bed!! Snack, PJs, books, a song and no drama. T encouraging him was also pivotal. Amazing and very, very fun!!

How Long?

Carston slept longer than Terence last night!! We put him down at about 10p and got up at 7am!! He only woke up one other time, at 5:45 and just wanted his pacifier.

What an adventure!

The best day yet.

Isaiah and August left with Terence this morning to go to "school." Apparently, they both hit the door running and hardly looked back. Isaiah took a nap today and, when I got there at 4:30 to pick him up, he was sitting like a little man in a little chair at a little table eating mangoes and peas with the rest of the group. It was so cute!! First August saw me and ran over. This is one of the few times when August is super-happy to see me. I'm just there to love him. I'm not asking him to go potty or eat or put pants on.

Then Isaiah finally noticed I was there and came running. Also, a very sweet moment. We headed home and August stayed to play more. T came to pick him up after work.

During the day I made veggie lasagna, did yoga, washed dishes, at a bagel sandwich and watched WAY TO MUCH of The Office (which I am still doing now). Carston was super great and took a 3 hour nap over lunch which made all of this possible.

Once we were all "home" we ate in shifts, took baths, talked to Wendy and the Grand Spies' and got ready for bed. Isaiah had a hard time settling down so, after two tries, we got some juice. That went well. Then I thought I'd have him brush his teeth, which I always forget to do! So, in the middle of it he steeped off the side of the stool and smacked his face into the the sink. Yup, we ended the evening with a bloody lip and tears. I know, I'm talented.

Terence managed to measure out a dose of Advil for Zah while feeding Carston - very talented. After wrestling it into him, Zah calmed down rather quickly and it seemed that his lip had stopped bleeding, though he wasn't really interested in letting me look too closely.

Overall, it was a good day. A few little bumps, but a few solutions too. We created and awarded 2 "August Big Boy Bucks" for clean big-boy pants and going potty at home. I know, we're living the life here in San Fran!

More tomorrow.

Lots of Sleep

Saturday night Carston slept for 4 hours straigt!!

3 on 3

How hard could it be for 3 grown adults to care for 3 small children? Well, everyone is still alive, but it is a bit of comedy to watch.

Terence had Carston last night, so he was a little groggy. Isaiah and August slept like champs until about 8am. It was wonderful.

The day was nice and filled with Indian food. We met the Millers for lunch at an Indian buffet. Everyone was on their best behavior and good food was had by all!! Then a nap. Then an evening at home. Then we unloaded the fridge of all the leftovers and Dan's last night in California was spent eating a variety of the foods we had already had the week before. Not a bad night.

The boys were a little stressed. Isaiah refused to take an afternoon nap which made going to bed a nightmare. August was done sharing his house, Dad, and stuff with Isaiah. All this made me even more stressed about filling out all the paperwork for Isaiah to stay at Tia Reina's this week. This is, indeed, a special treat... and a little stressful. I would have the day with only one little child and Isaiah would have a day filled with play. That seems like a good idea?? Right??

And what did we talk about at dinner?? The plan for the night! Carston will sleep in his swing in our room. Dan and I will get up at 5pm to go to the airport at which time Terence will take the littlest Spies. Sounds like a great plan.... we'll let you know how it works.

Wendy Flies Away

Dan and I have been in town for a few days now, visiting with the fam and getting to know a bit about the routine in the CA Spies house. It has been very fun to see little Carston and to see Isaiah and August hang out. So far, they're having fun together. We'll see how that goes.

Today, very early, after a LONG night of packing and procrastinating, Terence took Wendy to the airport. I do wonder, if left to her own devices, if she would have found a way to miss her flight. :-)

The littlest Spies (Carston) slept and ate a bit after they left. Isaiah and August got up and ate breakfast. I wonder if there will be some competitive eating contests in their future. Well, only if they compete against each other.

The day was very full. We hooked up with the Millers and headed for the beach. I think this was Carston's first trip! It was a little cold and very windy... and we didn't stay long because it started to rain, but we had a super fun time.

On the way home we picked up Taco Bell for lunch. Mmmmm the Bell. Then, naps for all. Yup, Isaiah and August, Carston, Dan and Dawn all slept a bit. A few hours later, Terence took a little nap too. The Millers went home and a few of them got a little extra sleep too. To me, a big fan of "the nap", it was a wonderful afternoon.

As the day progressed, we began to see a little competition between August and Isaiah. Over toys? No. Over trains? No... Over DADDIES!! Isaiah happened to be standing next to Terence when he started asking for Daddy. August took this as a personal threat to his territory. Now, this was a little stressful for both boys... but VERY FUNNY!

The remaining Spies had dinner at Fresh Choice, resulting in a very happy Dan. Then, after a long day, we headed back. You wouldn't think that it would take 3 adults to put 3 children under 3 to bed... but it did. We'll need to practice a bit more before we get this right.

A Perfect B-Day

Flowers when I got home yesterday for a LONG drive - pink and white tulips. Lunch with Dan and Isaiah. Running errands on base with Dan along, a very rare treat on a work day. Dan came home early and took us out to dinner. A very perfect day!

And EVERYONE said HA in some way today. I feel loved and very blessed. Thank you all so much.

Now, I'm exhausted and the little laundry gnome seems to have gone missing, so I'll need to help out with that. A wonderful project for tomorrow.