When Dekker got home from school yesterday, he was trashed. SO overtired, very weepy, and he said his body was achy. And he wasn’t lying either. I watched him shake trying to pull him chair out at the table. It was clear he was sick when he ate three bites of macaroni for breakfast. It was confirmed when Laela requested a show that he doesn’t like, and he didn’t fight it. He felt like absolute garbage. After supper, he was arguing and struggling and was really seeming like he needed to go to bed, but it was 6:00pm.
So I was given the special, rare opportunity to have a date with him. I asked him to go to the bathroom and to brush his teeth, and then come to his room. When he came, he was so shaky and weak. I gave him a back rub and lotioned his arms and legs. I helped him get his sticky limbs into some fresh jammies, and we climbed into his bed. I had brought some books into the room, and we lay in bed and read about all kinds of construction equipment, and then Paw Patrol.
After a while, the books were done, and Dekker was starting to feel better. “My medicine has kicked in, Mommy!” But I was enjoying our date too much to release him back to the others. Instead, I lit a special Bath and Body Works candle and shut the lights off. He was mesmerized by the shadows it was casting, and we lay in silence for a while. Eventually, I started interviewing him. I asked him about school and he finally told me about it! He accounted for minute after minute, telling me about each activity they did, who he did it with, who his friends are, what jobs he does, what songs he sings, etc. I am SO thrilled to know about his day. FINALLY!
We took our sweet time chatting and snuggling, and finally we just lay on his bed in silence for a good while. He was mouth breathing, his nose all stuffed and crusty. He was sweaty, but didn’t want to change out of his long sleeved shirt. I convinced him to swap out his pants for shorts, so we did that, and then he lay back in bed, totally unmoving. It was so peaceful.
Brady got the kids brushed and changed and ready for bed in Laela’s room, even though it usually all takes place in the boys room. When the door finally opened, all three of the other kids came over to Dekker’s bed, and I picked them up and brought them to him for a hug. Then everyone went down, in the dark, in their warm bed, totally calmly. It was awesome <3
Dekker slept well, and Brady and I had a super difficult night with Solly. We’ve never had a night quite like that. Oy. And now, this morning, Dekker feels WAY better, Laela is chipper and great, Solly is incredibly tearful and won’t drink, and Rowan’s second rash that he acquired is growing. And his feet are swollen. Guys. I’m at SUCH a loss with whats in our home. But it was SO nice to have a soft, safe moment with Dekker in the midst of all of the crazy.
I sure love you, Dekker Thomas. I really enjoyed our date 🙂