Village

Yesterday (Wednesday) was a really good day :)

After talking to my Grandma we decided on me not coming over in the morning like my usual routine since Shane and Shelby had an ortho appt close by Nanny's house and we'd all just come over after that appt thereby saving the Baby (and I) one whole hour in the van - sweet!

So, Baby and I went to Wal Mart and did our shopping and Nanny's shopping. I put Baby in the front pack facing out and he did the best he's ever done! In the card section, we had a nice conversation with a lady and towards the frozen food section, he was starting to get a little fussy so we grabbed a new toy from the baby department that had lights and sounds and I held that in front of him and that saved us all the way through the aisles. In the deli area, an employee asked me, "Did you have another one?" - No, I explained, we do foster care with babies, I don't keep popping them out ;)  Baby adored this lady and smiled and smiled for her. We told her his story and had a great visit with her.   I checked out and by the time I put Baby in his car seat he was asleep which was super helpful since I had to unload all the groceries and put all the perishables away.

After Shane and Shelby got home from school, we got loaded in the van and drove to the ortho appt 1/2 hour away. While there, Shane was in the back w/the doctor, Baby was asleep in his car seat and Shelby was studying for today's LAST social studies test when she informed me she had to go potty - then Baby started waking up so Kathy (the ortho's wife/office manager) saved the day and held Baby while I took Shelby potty. By the time we got out, Shane was done and Baby did really well for Kathy. Some days, especially with my family, it takes a village and for someone who really, truly, doesn't like asking for help, there are some instances where I definitely need a helping hand.

Speaking of which, I called UCP to arrange for a new respite person to come out next week since Nanny's pulmonology appt is on the kid's first full day of summer, I didn't have it in me to drag Shelby to that appt. The respite office found someone that sounds awesome and I'm so relieved - we might have a new person who can help us out and be our back up. I verified she can lift Shelby's weight (in the past, we've been sent teeny tiny people who can't lift at all - WTH???) and ironically enough, she works at the preschool Shelby went to but she's in the developmental preschool room vs. the orthopedically "handicapped" room - really don't like the "h" word!!!

After ortho, we drove to visit Nanny as planned. Her afternoon helper was there and we truly had a wonderful hour long visit - Baby got to stretch out, get changed, have a bottle, play with toys, "chat" with Nanny, it was great!  Steve made a yummy dinner and it was almost ready when we got back from our big adventure.

The kids did teacher thank you cards, I worked on the kid's birthday invitations, we watched some tv then their video yearbook and before we knew it it was bible study, prayer and bedtime!