Esther Marie is 29 Months Old Today!!

Today, Esther Marie is 29 months old! It is hard to believe we have had her for almost three months. I keep washing sippy cups, wiping bibs, cleaning the high chair and changing diapers almost automatically and then suddenly it will dawn on me....you have a toddler! When you don't carry a child in the womb for 9 months getting used to the idea of another child joining your family, you kinda have to play catch up after the child joins your family. I keep staring at her, my heart pounding, thinking...I have a "baby"! She's not actually a "baby" of course, but she does seem younger because of her lack of language. Esther Marie is an intelligent, meddling little thing and she gets more bold each day about what she chooses to meddle in!! (laugh)

It's been awhile since I have really written much..over a week. Seems like forever! I have been in a strange mood...chalk it up to post-adoption and post-surgery stress. I just needed to check out from some of my normal activities and chill out a bit. Jasper has been very supportive and I really appreciate him!! Now I am feeling better and feel guilty about not keeping up with the blog.

We were just SO happy to get back home after that traumatic emergency room visit and second hospital stay. We enjoyed a nice, quiet Labor Day weekend at home as a family, and I was glad for the time and VERY happy that we didn't travel! It was too soon after the surgery anyway, but packing for six people totally wipes me out and makes trips these days less enjoyable. I do love to travel but (whew!), I'll be SO glad when everyone can pack for themselves! Anyway, the thought of another hurricane in LA and MS put us on edge and we were in frequent contact with family, but everything ended up turning out okay for those we know and love that were at risk...thank God! Mom and Dad lost their phone service for days and when it was finally restored, mother exuberantly announced that the AT&T repairman was her favorite person of the day! Now here comes Ike roaring in, so we will see what happens with that one.

Tuesday, Jasper and I got to take cupcakes during lunch time to Joshua's class to have a belated birthday celebration for him at the school. Esther Marie went with us and we were anxious to see how she would react. She cried when she saw the school nurse in her white lab coat and went running the other way! She is skittish right now when we go places. I am sure she wonders who is going to hurt her this time! (sigh) We are slowly trying to build back up her trust and security. Joshua was happy to see us at school and the kids in his class sang "happy birthday" to him and gobbled up the cupcakes we brought. I know he enjoyed the special attention.

Wednesday and Thursday of this past week, Jasper did day trips to both Florida and Texas. I am sure he feels like he is in some type of time warp when he does that. Those of you who travel can relate, I'm sure. I took the kids to the "Back to School Bubble Bash" at church that night and they had a lot of fun. MaryAlyce moved up to Children's Church now (grades 1-6) and Hannah moved into the youth group....yikes! Hard to believe! Esther Marie stayed with me and we visited with a friend during the "bash." She stuck close! Thursday, we had the little early intervention music class to go to, and Esther Marie was VERY clingy and afraid. When we pulled up and I opened her door, she clung to the car seat straps and cried, not even wanting to get out of the car! I reassured her and we went inside. There were about a dozen kids with their mothers or dads there, and we sang songs and did movements to music. Esther Marie stayed in my lap and arms the whole time, but toward the end she relaxed a little. I think this week, it will be easier for her. Someone asked if I got video, and obviously the answer to that would be "no" since I couldn't get her to unstick herself from me! I didn't even get a picture, but there will be other weeks.

Esther Marie and I stayed home from church today because we have church home group tonight, and we want to take her to that. Jasper and I thought it would be too much for her if we tried to do both today. Hannah helped cook this morning at church for a youth fundraiser lunch, and she was SO excited about that as she left the house, apron in hand! This afternoon, we have girl scouts for two hours and then home group...a cookout and game night. I gotta get to the store for some food! Yikes! Life is constantly busy, that's for sure...even when we just stay home.

There is a follow-up visit with the surgeon, Dr. G, on the 18th, and I am looking forward to hearing what he has to say about how the roof of Esther Marie's mouth is healing. Her finger looks good and her ears are clear now. I pray the tubes work and when she is evaluated by the audiologist that the hearing loss she had will be cleared up and everything will be normal. She is eating great now, still pureed foods, and drinking much better. Dehydration is gone! Esther Marie has lost weight and is just over 23 lbs, but I am hoping once we start solid foods again in another couple of weeks, that she will start gaining.

Well, it's nice to be back...blogging with you! I hope I haven't lost all my readers! Drop me a "comment" and let me know you are still around. I hope you have a blessed Sunday!

Sarah