Legs, Lunch, Laughter, & Laundry

[Admittedly, this title is a stretch, but it'll work in a pinch!]

Legs...oh, those chunky little legs! I just love squeezing and tickling them! I do not love "shooting" them. Yesterday I took Judah to the endo clinic for a nurse injection. Super on-top-of-it mom that I am, however, I left the testosterone at home...again! (Yes, I did this in January, too.) The nurse met with me, went over how to give the injection, and sent me on my not-so-merry way. I was so frustrated with myself! Aargh! After supper it was time. As icky as giving an injection to my darling boy is, at least I have the "Older Sibling Advantage"! I got Judah all ready & then called over the other 3. By strategically placing them all by Judah's head and then having them talk and sing to him, I was able to give Judah his shot without him even knowing I was doing it! It was a win-win all around! The 3 older ones felt good about helping Judah, Judah didn't feel any discomfort & got to be entertained, and I got a confidence boost:) Thanks, Lord!

Lunch...isn't going so well. Actually, it's all of Judah's meals that aren't going so well. He is taking in fewer ounces orally each day, and I am spending more and more time feeding him through his tube. I'm waiting for the specialist from Childrens to call me back so I can ask her about possibly getting a pump for him to make the tube feeding easier for us. I also want to make sure that this progression to more and more from the tube and less in the mouth is normal.

Laughter...is a sure fire way for a baby to entertain a class of 13 2nd graders, and Judah nailed it! Eli got to be the Student of the Week in his class this week, and yesterday was his day to share with his class the poster he filled out about himself, and bring show-and-tell. That sweet boy wanted to show off his baby brother! Eli did a great job of telling his class all about Judah's feeding tube, when he has to get shots at home, and what Eli loves to do with him. (I loved that everything Eli described that needed to be done with his feeding tube and giving injections was done with a "we"!) Judah did his part by cracking up at Eli "on cue"! My favorite question at the end came from a little boy that asked, "Is that pink spot on his hand where they cut his finger off?!" Eli enthusiastically replied, "Ya! He had an extra finger on each hand, and they cut them both off!"

Laundry...has been the biggest "chore" that has consistently gotten the better of me. I have never minded it too much, but since Judah came home I have really struggled to stay on top of it. Running around to various appointments and having to do "extras" at home with Judah, as well as pumping, has definitely made getting this task done an extra challenge. I have dreamed of having a front loading washer & dryer for several years, but the timing has never been right. I knew that they would make laundry days easier in several ways, and I knew that would be a big help around here! I was sure it would happen someday, and I couldn't wait, but that someday was yet to be. Enter an amazing, gracious God and a wonderful, self-sacrificing husband. God provided the finances needed to buy a brand new washer & dryer, and my husband made it happen! My new "toys" were delivered just this morning, and I have never been more excited about an appliance...or anything else for the home! I am so thankful - beyond words - that God has seen fit to give me these gifts!