Last night I learned not to let a toddler with a tummy bug chug 8oz of
water. The amount seems to double when it comes back up!!

Toby was up a few times in the night, after clearing out his stomach
he just wanted a drink. In the end he went to sleep and this morning
was able to handle small amount of water and a piece of dry toast.

Emma had one bout of diarrhea last night, but has otherwise been fine.
In fact her dietician has told me to half the amount of formula she
is getting by tube! At this rate she'll be all water in no time!

Anyway, so I was in two minds about whether to go to my thing today.
Christina was cool to watch the kids sick or not, and I have full
confidence in her, so it just came down to me.

In the end I opted to proceed as planned, with a chance to cancel
until the last minute! I wrestled with my guilt and self-preservation
even as I walked out the door at Christina's. The latter won!

She has texted me that the kids are all playing happily and she will
clean up any bodily fluids that might erupt!!

That makes me feel better. You might wonder what the big deal is, but
I rarely leave both my kids for any length of time (4 hours today),
and not sick. After 3+ years I've never left the kids overnight with
anyone but Scott, except when I was in labor with Toby!

It's about time, and so great that Emma is now in a place where I
often worry more about Toby!!

Day long

I really thought today was going to be uneventful, as many are, but I was wrong. I should have been alerted when Toby had a loose BM last night, but he has some crazy bowels!!

We had an easy morning, playing and slowly getting ready to go out...

And headed to visit Ashley and Rafael at 11am. While there Toby started to stink a bit. When I picked him up the full extent was discovered. To cut a long story short, we bagged up his clothes, right down to his socks, and gave him a bath right there!! Of course Toby was quite happy as Ashley gave him baby spa treatments!!

Once home I decided he should skip lunch and go straight for a nap, at the end of which he threw up all over his bed.

Poor boy. I gave him a small portion of mac n cheese which came back up a short time later, conveniently while he was washing his hands in the bathroom. It couldn't have been timed better, because I don't usually wash his hands at the sink!!

He was a little cuddly and subdued, but he and Emma were still having a good time...
While all this was going on I was on the phone with the school board and Intermediate Unit (the place that arranges her therapy) to try and sort out the ongoing discussion on Emma's application.

In the end I got so frustrated with the school and IU going back and forth and called the school. They are hung up on the reports from the hospital. I explained that all the reports on Emma focus on what she can't do - none of them detail what she can do, which is 95% normal! In the end I just [nicely] said that if they just aren't comfortable with the issues they can say no!

I also had a call from the hospital who had a cancellation for the feeding assessment tomorrow, following our friends intervention. However, tomorrow I am scheduled to attend a seminar with our church pastors.

I could have changed my plans, but this is something that is important to me, and part of my role at the church. Quite possibly out of complete selfishness, I decided that the feeding assessment can wait. Maybe my sanity will hang around too!

Wrong side of the gate

End Times

After putting the kids to bed tonight Scott and I watched 'Biggest Loser' and then 'America's Funniest Videos'. After AFV the '700 Club' came on. Sometimes we watch it, and I do like to hear about the global news from a Christian perspective.

Tonight they led with the conflict in the Middle East. As I write I am reminded that as a child growing up "conflict in the Middle East" referred to the ongoing issues between Israel and Palestine, or so I thought. But today it is so much bigger than that.

Our local news barely even reports on these global issues, and I don't watch the morning talk news shows or late night shows, so I am missing whatever is reported. As 700 Club detailed the breadth of unrest in the Middle East a new perspective entered my consciousness of the situation.

For most people, the distant unrest is mainly impacting fuel prices and that vague threat of increased terrorism. Despite the recent memory of 9-11 and other events I don't feel the immediate threat of the extremists.

However, when the words "end times" are used it's different. If you do not recognize this phrase allow me to give you a quick summary, from Wikipedia:
The End Time, End Times, or End of Days is a time period described in the eschatological writings in the three Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) and in doomsday scenarios in various other non-Abrahamic religions. In Christianity, the End Times are often depicted as a time of tribulation that precedes the Second Coming of the Christian "saviour" or a "hoped-for deliverer", Jesus, the Christian Messiah, who will usher in the fullness of the World to Come and Kingdom of God and bring an end to suffering and evil and all things wrong with the current world.

Okay, so for me, end times heralds the return of Christ. He is coming back because He promised tor return and the Bible is clear on that. His return will mark the new Heaven and new Earth, in which there is no evil and suffering. Awesome!

What preparation is required among Christians for this day? Since "He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." it is our responsibility to give everyone the opportunity to hear the gospel and accept or reject Christ.

How do we do that? Through love. Not force, or coercion or fear, but the understanding that everyone's sin will be judged and God loves you so much that He himself paid the penalty and offers to cover for your sin, if you will accept Him as savior. A just God must judge sin, but He also made a way for you to escape the penalty for your sin as Jesus already bore it on the cross.

Its good news people!

Anyway, you may already have decided that accepting Christ's love offering is not for you, maybe you don't believe He was the Son of God, if He existed at all. And as such the "end times" has no relevance to you.

Wrong. Let's say a darker belief takes hold throughout the world. More governments who believe in violence and persecution rises up in to power and strength. At that point, you become a a target not for what you do believe, but what you don't believe. Your choice is to convert and be "safe" or to resist and be persecuted. It won't matter if you don't believe - it is their beliefs that could change the way you live your life forever.

If that sounds crazy take a quick look back at the history of our world. The US, UK, Africa, Yugoslavia, Germany. Wars fought and lives taken in the name of the "truth".

But what many have missed - especially many "Christian" wars, is that Jesus came in the name of peace. He did not come to bring "world peace" or even bring human equality. Instead he came to bring peace between God and man. A way that we might have direct fellowship with God, and in turn be made new.

It is through this new beginning, or being born again, having been forgiven of our sin and in full consciousness that God calls us to love him more than anything and then to love others as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-39). Wherever our position in life, we are called to love others.

If Christians, all Christians, did that - I mean truly surrendered ourselves to God in view of his great mercy toward us (Romans 12:1) , and then set about spreading the gospel, not by oppression or fear, but through simply treating others with the same love and mercy God has shown us, what a difference we would make.

We may not be able to rid the world of evil, but if we genuinely, authentically loved each other as Christ commanded, people would know that He is real and many more might be saved for eternity.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

John 13:35

So I guess this is a shout out to those of you who proclaim Christ as your savior. It's time to make a difference. Suddenly what dress I get Emma for Easter doesn't matter so much!!

“My prayer is not for [my disciples] alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

John 17:20-23

Play time

I know, I've been awol for a while! Tonight I downloaded all the recent pics and vids so keep checking for more this week!

For now, here are some pictures from our family night out. We went to the indoor playground and then for "Kids Eat Free" night at Chick Fil A!!

Emma was excited about going out with Daddy and to the playground! As soon as we got there she was off, climbing with confidence, strength and skill we've never seen. As we followed her around the levels she would turn and call to us "Come on, I know you can do it!"
This was truly astounding, that she actually pulled herself up this rope...

She was stepping up and down without holding on all over the place, but she's been doing that since PT last week!

At times it's not clear who the kids are...

Toby on the other hand is still not too sure about the place (preferring to climb on my furniture!). Scott took extreme measures and followed the way of the animal kingdom...
It was a great night and only $3 per kid!!

Welcome James!

Say "hi" to my new baby nephew James!!

I got this picture at 4am from my sister, no name is or anything else but it was good to know he arrived safe and sound!

I called later and learned his name! He weighed 8lbs 3.5 oz (tiny!!) and she was in labor for just 6 hours - COME ON!!! The bizarre thing to me is that she was home just hours later - I'm used to the 2 days you stay in hospital over here.

Congrats Nic and Jon!!

Moving forward

This morning was a big deal for Emma. We had PT as usual, but I hoped it would be different. I met [alone] with her therapy team last week and especially asked them to push Emma harder. People have a tendency to let her set her own pace for things, when she can actually do more.

The prime example of this in PT is this little bridge with 3 steps leading up and down. The therapists walk Emma up holding her hand, letting her lead with her right foot each time and putting both feet on each step. At our last session I showed them that she does in fact know how to walk up as you and I would, one foot on each step. They had never asked.

Today they jumped right in and even I was surprised at what happened...

NO HANDS!!!

It really couldn't have come at a better time for me, as I was feeling really discouraged after a call from the school board last night.

Let me first say that the president of the school board, Scott's old coach Mr. B, has been going above and beyond on this, for us. I'm pretty sure he would not be the one making calls to a family in any other circumstances! That said he called us around 9pm last night after the board met.

It seems a couple of people are really nitpicking and pulled apart the wording on the evaluation Emma had in October for her transition to the intermediate unit. One of two problem statements infers that Emma requires more progress before she can play with her peers safely. It's just bad wording so her therapist will address it in her quarterly report next week and that will hopefully be enough.

The second statement relates to an evaluation from the hospital for feeding safety. This may not be resolved until her feeding assessment which is scheduled for April 27. Although Mr. B said he would call the hospital and try to pull some strings to get her in earlier!!

So, the saga continues! I did realize that it's a blessing that Emma has no idea about these complications. If only we could always keep it that way!

Toby can not be left alone for a minute!! It's a good thing he likes
going in the pack n play, most of the time!

Emma's big thing in the car now is to look at the map for the best
route to wherever we're going!!

Toby chillin' with his buddies on Friday!

Emma blew me away at the playground on Friday, when she was able to
hang on to the monkey bars like this a few times. It confirmed one
theory that her grip is strong, her arms are the weakest part!

Back again

I am very pleased to tell you that Scott started back at work with the union yesterday. His old boss called him out of the blue last Monday about starting back. It was a very pleasant surprise, not least because in about two weeks we would lose our benefits! (You have to work a certain number of hours per 6 months to qualify.)

Scott was laid off back in October and has been doing whatever it took to keep us going since then. Often he has worked 12 hour days 6 days a week. For much of the time he was in a dirty old basement of an historical building in the city, cementing the walls. But I rarely heard him complain.

Now that he's back to work not much has changed - Scott has some work that he had lined up which he will do after his regular hours. Last night I went to sleep around 11.30pm, and woke up some time later when he came in. I didn't bother to look at the clock!

When I heard him rustling a bag in the bed I told him I'd made the chicken nuggets for his lunch, only to find it was a bag of ice because he'd smacked his finger with his hammer!

The past five months have been an interesting time. We know to rely on god, but often that doesn't stop us wondering how he's going to provide everything we need. From the steady work, to the jobs that came out of nowhere, to a check from friends who just "wanted to share", we have had every need met and even abundance at times.

There are some lessons that we have learned during each of these recent times, but we seem to forget them when Scott goes back to work and has a steady income! Well, we are really hoping to avoid that this time. Take it day by day!!

Thank you for your prayers, we felt them.

Quote of the Day

In the kitchen, discussing what the kids (meaning Emma as she is the
only one who talks) want for dinner...

Em: Should I have a tomato?

What? You don't see the significance? Let me elaborate...

Em: Should I have a tom-AH-to?

Not tom-AY-to! Score one for the British pronunciation!! Also a
surprise since I often use the American!

Time flies

Time is passing by so fast. I'm trying to stop in the moment and enjoy it more, before it's too late. Lately I've had the camera out more, wanting to capture more of Toby as he transitions from baby to toddler.

He is getting really good with communicating, signing 'please', 'more' and 'drink'. That's pretty good since I only showed him the DVDs a couple of times! He is also saying ball and continues to say 'thank you', which I think was one of his first words! We also get 'hi' and 'bye' accompanied with a wave, to most if not all people!

Here are some classic Toby moments...

He crawled around with Dora on his back for ages!!

This waffle took him close to an hour to eat, but he would not put it down!!

A friend asked me this week how I cope when Scott is frequently
working until after the kids go to bed.

One answer is carpet picnic!!

Quote of the Day

In the place of our most profound conversation, the bathroom,
discussing the in- frequency of our flossing...

Emma: that's right mommy...You say it sister!!

Time for a laugh...

A LITTLE GASOLINE HUMOR.......

Quote of the Day

Sitting on the edge of the bathtub while Emma goes potty...

Em: Mommy, do your teeth have bracelets on them?
Me: What? No!
Em: Kimberly teeth have bracelets on them...
Me: Ah, braces!!
Em: So they don't get cold!!

Not quite right, but where on earth did she get even the concept from?!!

It's a good thing our toys are sturdy!!

And yes, I did take it away from him after about 20 times!!