What IS That Puddle?

This happened a few days ago, but I'm just now getting around to sharing it. Enjoy it anyway.

Number One had football practice this past Tuesday, but the weather was a little too cold for Snort to be outside. I told the King one of us had to go with Number One, and one of us would have to stay home with the other three. He decided to stay home with the other three.

I called about half way through the practice to check and see how things were going. Usually, within and hour, they have the King all but bound and gagged. Not so this time. He assured me that all was going well, and he had it under control. I was impressed as I knew that the evening hours tend to be the "witching hours" in our house. It's when things get a little bit chaotic to say the least. So, I sat back and just enjoyed the practice.

About 45 minutes later, my phone rang and the King said, "We're here in the parking lot. We'll just wait for you here." I was surprised by the sudden change, and asked what happened. This is the explanation he gave:

"Pretty took the Beast's hearing aid out of his ear again, and threw it under the desk. He was freaking out so I crawled under there to get the aid. Before I knew it, my pants were soaked. I came out and asked Beast if he'd had a drink in the computer room. He told me no because Mommy doesn't allow drinks in the computer room. I asked him if he knew what was all wet under the desk. He shook his head yes. So, I told him to tell me what it was. He replied, 'I really had to go to the bathroom, but I didn't want the computer to turn off, so I just peed under the desk'. At that point, I took my wet pants and the three of them, loaded them into the van, and came here."

I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Of course, I required the Beast to help with the clean up. But, he just looked so straight faced when he gave me the same explanation. It was like he was saying, "Hey! I followed rules. No drinks in there, but you never said no pee in there." Off to imagine what he's likely to dream up next so I can tell him it's not allowed before it ever happens.

So Glad His Priorities Are Straight

Number One has been having fire safety week at school. For homework, he had to make an emergency escape plan. We live in a one-story with LOTS of windows, so it was an easy thing to do. This is conversation we had:
Me: Number One, when you're escaping in a fire, can you think of anything in your room you should take with you?
Him: My cleats?
Me: No! Think again.
Him: My football cup? (referring to his favorite athletic supporter)
Me: No, something that can't be replaced with money. Think about it.
Him: (after thinking so hard you could see smoke coming out his ears) Should I go out and get the dogs?
Me: NO! Seriously, Number One, you can't think of ONE thing in your room that really should go with you???
Him: What??
Me: SNORT!!! If you have to escape in a fire, you take him with you if you can!!!
Him: (Sighs in frustration) He's really heavy, Mom!

*Sigh* I'm so glad he's got his priorities straight.

And We've Discovered Human Food

Snort has had a lot of trouble with eating. With his reflux, he had to have weighted feeds for a long time, which meant adding rice cereal to his formula. He gags when you offer him real food (and, no, it's not my cooking. It's baby food.) until he throws up. On top of that, we spent months with keeping him upright and unable to move so the reflux would stay under control, but then he fell behind with gross motor stuff. So, I basically had a little sumo wrestler on my hands. A big fat adorable guy in a diaper.

I decided to have ECI get him a nutritionist who came in to observe him. We did some testing and know that it's not anything wrong with his ability to swallow without throwing up. It's a sensory problem. Oddly, he likes to eat shoes, paper, and pencils. Apparently he thought he'd be born a puppy and never got the memo that he is, indeed, a human baby. I'd tell him, but I hate to burst his bubble.

Anyway, she decided that he needed things he could chew, that had mild flavors, and that would dissolve in his mouth or that he couldn't bite off in the first place. Her suggestions: Puffed Cheetoes, mild beef jerky, and baby biter bisuits. The King was jealous. No nutritionist has ever suggested those things to him before.

It worked!!!!! He LOVED them. We've even moved on to really thrilling things like animal crackers. I know. Real thrill seekers here. I took a bunch a pictures, but didn't realize how cute they were until I looked at them this morning. I just had to share. (I think the fact that he's totally cross-eyed without his glasses just adds to the cuteness of it all.)

Hmmm...Let me just check this stuff out.

Yeah, this thing is edible.

Wait! What do we have here?

This is DELICIOUS!!

Seriously, I'm in LOVE!!!

Um, Not Sure That's a Big Money Maker

Number One has discovered money, and he likes it. A lot. He's always trying to come up with some money making scheme. I wouldn't be surprised to see him with some piece of junk on an infomercial someday.

The other day, we were all in the van driving home from something. I can't remember what we were coming home from because it's all a great big blur. Anyway, totally out of the blue, Number One announces "Mom, I'd lick a cow's butt for ten million dollars. I told Seth that, too."

To be honest, I'm not sure that cow butt licking is really that profitable of a profession, and I really have no clue how that popped into his head. All I can do is hope that he'll have some sort of different aspirations by the time he finishes the third grade. I can't say I'm counting on much, though.

We Can't Always be the Best at Everything

Number One has been struggling with football. I can't say I'm surprised. He's about the smallest kid in his grade, unless you count the one kid smaller than him that has some sort of growth defect. He's not a really fast runner, either. And, he's a thinker. He can't just make a play on the field because he's so busy thinking about which is the most strategic move. So, he doesn't get much play time. Instead, he sits on the bench. A lot. And that frustrates him.

I chatted with him about his frustrations last night at the King's request. (It's frustrating for the King, too, because he was never an athlete, either). What it came down to is that "it's hard". This is a new concept for Number One. He's always been really good at everything he tried within the first one or two times of trying it. School, making friends, playing the piano, art, and so much more have always just come to him with little or no effort. This whole concept of having to work harder than everyone else just to be half as good as them is new to him, and he doesn't like it.

As we talked, I pointed out that not everyone just "gets it" like he does at school. They have to really work hard to get grades that aren't as good as his are. Athletes who are excellent in their chosen sports didn't just wake up that way. We even talked about people who are Olympians. They are the best in their country, but come nowhere close to being the best in the world. In most cases, there will always be someone who is better at us in something. And that is okay.

Number One is ready to throw in the towel with football. The King is bugged by it, too. I'm not willing to let either one of them quit. Number One has an obligation to his team. After the season ends, he can choose if he wants to stay with it or not. His argument is that he's just not the best player on the team. He's the bench warmer on the team. I wanted to find just the right words for him but just couldn't. Then, I went and visited the MOFia board last night, and noticed a quote in Nettie's signature line. This is what it said:

Use what talents you possess: the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best. -Henry Van Dyke

It hit me like a ton of bricks. This is the point I've been trying to help Number One understand. It doesn't matter how well you do it as long as you're doing your best. I think I'll be printing that quote out on some fun sporty paper and putting a little frame on it for Number One today while he's at school. I'll hang it above his bed.

Ah! So THAT'S Why I Do What I Do

I get a lot of looks when I go out in public with my four children and protruding tummy. Lots of people just shake their heads and make some kind of comment like "You must be so tired." or "I could never do it." or "Don't you know what causes that?". (For the record I do know what causes it. I also know that we've been commanded by God to use our talents. Can I help it if my talent leads me to chronic pregnancy?)The comment I get the most frequently, though is "Are you nuts?". Yep, I am nuts. I'm nuts about all of these little people, and there's nothing anyone can say or do that would change that for me.

Yesterday, Pretty reminded me why I do what I do all the time. She reminded me what could possibly make me crazy enough to endure the sleepless nights, the empty bank accounts, the frustrations with school, and all the other joys that come with parenting.

I had been out and about running a bunch of errands. I think the King stayed home with her while I was gone. I came home, unloaded everything from the van, and was going about my business when she came in to see me. "Mama!!!!" She came running to me with open arms as she crashed into me. Then, she stopped and looked at me with her wild hair all over the place. While she looked me square in the eye with that goofy little smile, she said clearly "Hug!" and threw her arms around my neck. She stayed that way for a good minute and a half, just not wanting to let go. It was just a happy hug for her. She loves her mama. And her mama loves her.

So, next time someone asks me how crazy I am to have all these kids, I may not have some swift answer to give them. BUT, in my heart I'll know exactly why I do what I do everyday. And I wouldn't trade it for anything else in the world.

Yay for Little Miracles!

I'm so happy to report good updates on the Beast's school situation. I took him back to school today for the first time since we pulled him out. His teacher is back of maternity leave. He did not want to go. At all. All the way there, he gave me reasons he shouldn't go. (Some were really creative). I reminded him that there would be cutting and gluing today, and that excited him.

He got very quiet when we pulled up. He was relieved to see the aid from his old special ed. classroom in the parking lot, and she waved to him and told him how glad she was to see him. That helped!!!

Finally, I got him to the classroom where he was greeted by his teacher, the principal, and some other people. I didn't see the aid that he butts heads with anywhere. I think she was inside the classroom. I hugged him and told him I loved him, and sent him on his way. (I also reminded the teacher and the principal to send him to his special ed. teachers from last year if he needed a break. To him, those women are his "safe place").

Anyway, he came off the bus, and dh asked him how his day went. His reply:

"I ate hotdogs with brown beans. I don't like brown beans. I also had fruit that you need a spoon for. I saw my friends. And guess what? Mrs. Turbyfill loves me!"

He told me several times and then told our family friends over dinner that "Mrs. Turbyfill loves me". I'm so relieved that his teacher is off leave and that she's making such a great effort at helping him feel loved.

So much of this success today is because of all your thoughts and prayers in his behalf. THANK YOU!!!!