Spring Break

With all the kids home for Spring Break it has been nearly impossible to post online. Andrew, Cecilia and I just picked up Sorin from an all day camp, so now it's a full house. Sorin will be finishing up a float tomorrow so she can participate in the St. Patrick's Day parade. We all plan to walk downtown and see it together. Liam has no supportive care workers for today, but they will begin tomorrow and he's hanging in there very well these days. No cabin fever yet!

As crazy-busy as I've been with the usual "Mom duties" and four+ kids at home, it's really been a quiet and uneventful break (so far). I'm always amazed at how quiet my house can get, despite the number of children here. I've had a hypnotic "Wah!" CD playing soothing mantras all day while Andrew and Sky interact and play at 1/2 hour intervals. They do 1/2 hour on, and 1/2 hour separated; it seems to be working very well. Not to mention Andrew's medication has been doing wonders lately. He's less irritable about things, not as hard on himself, and when he does get upset it doesn't last long. Sky has been thrilled most of all because he's been able to carry on regular conversations with his brother, and they even had three rounds of Chutes & Ladders together yesterday (this is truly a miracle). Usually they are frustrated and and about to strangle each other! Admittedly, Daniel and I couldn't be happier to have Andrew following directions, being less impulsive, etc. Our family dinners have been so enjoyable this last week! We're knocking on wood, hoping it continues.

And the clock keeps ticking on Amelie as we get closer to the referral. We're aware of this, but I'm noticing how fast time is flying by. I'm grateful for the busy life we have and the children that already grace us every day. We talk about Amelie several times a day...it's becoming a past time we all love, pondering together what her nose will be like, how her laugh will sound, how tight her curls will be, whether she'll be walking already and if she does what she'll be getting in to, wondering what will make us laugh about her. There are a zillion questions we have fun with, and I've noticed Sky is the most excited of all. He's excited to be an "older brother" for the first time, and have someone who will be looking up to him. I'm glad we're not all agonizing over missing her...not yet, anyway. Our hearts are preparing, opening up and clearing out in so many ways before she gets here. I have a feeling she's going to be a breath of fresh air to us all.

Now I'm off to help Andrew tape his giant, racially correct (brown) rubber ears onto his ears. Oh, the funny things kids do when they're bored!