The Daily Hailey

So it turns out it was a really good decision to skip church today. I certainly don’t mean to sound like a whiner at all, but these are just the legitimate events of last night and today.

Laela woke up shortly after midnight last night, crying and crying. After a few minutes, we decided she wasn’t going to calm down on her own, and we went to get her. Over the next two hours, she screamed herself hoarse. She would scream for a few minutes without any break, and then we’d get thirty seconds or so of what appeared to be relief, until she ripped right back into her screams. Two. Hours. We gave her milk and it would calm her momentarily, but then, in the middle of drinking, she would kind of spit/cough, and start bawling out of nowhere. It was sooo confusing! We’ve seen a similar scene maaaybe twice in the last two years that we figure was the result of severe gas pain. Having two super-barf babies, I feel like I know most of the tricks out there for a gassy tummy, but I’ve never had this experience with a toddler! I mean, who has to burp a one year old?! And when a person finds themselves in such a situation, how does one communicate to the screaming child that the air they are taking in whilst screaming is only going to make their tummy hurt more?? It was a good two hours of passing her back and forth with Brady, burping her, patting her, walking her, cuddling her, etc. until I finally pulled out the laptop. She rested on Brady and we watched a YouTube video. For about twelve minutes, we didn’t mess with her. After a good belch or two, she was calm. We sat still for a little while longer, in fear of that sound than would mean she was revving up for another go round of screaming, but it never came. She was scared when Brady lay her down to get her all cuddled in her blankets, but she actually recovered really well and went to bed well afterwards. But my gosh, that felt looooong.

We had a good day for food and playing for the kids. Dekker seemed to be in a good place mood-wise for the most part, and we almost kicked ourselves for not getting up and going to church, or the parade, or somewhere! But then Brady mentioned his back and neck were bugging him, and unfortunately, they didn’t seem to let up. Also, I think we changed six poopy diapers? It was kind of a gnarly day that way. I wish all poops stayed contained in their diapers. But that wasn’t a huge deal. Only one load of laundry needed.

While the kids napped, we didn’t get moving and do jobs like I have hoped 🙁 As I mentioned before, there is still a lot to do on my long list, and it bugs me the longer it sits there. So, when the show we were trying to stream kept getting stuck (our internet connection blows) Brady and I browsed around online and ordered a few more Christmas presents for the kids. I wonder if we actually won’t get out to shop this year! We’ve accomplished almost everything from the comfort of our own home so far. We still need something fun for Laela. I’ve had a hard time knowing what kind of toy specifically to get her. With Dekker, he got a couple of things we know he’ll find fun, and then some clothes and a couple of books. We’re sort of going a bit more practical this time around, it would seem. Laela has some clothes and accessories purchased for her already too, and a couple of books, but no toys yet. I’m still wracking my brain over that. On top of those things, I’m keeping my eyes open for a bed for Dekker, and potentially some kids chairs. Walmart used to have these cute imitation leather armchairs for kids, but it seems they’ve stopped selling those and are focusing on things filled with foam or beans, which are not at all what I’m looking for. So, those things would be great to find in time for the holidays, but not necessities at all. Either way, we did a bit more ordering so hopefully that counts as at least a small accomplishment.

When the kids woke up, we had pumpkin pancakes, which the kids devoured. We went to play downstairs after that and had a really low key evening. It was 7:00 before we knew it, and thats kind of when our “downstairs bedtime routine” begins. We told Dekker that, in a few minutes, Laela would have her bottle. We got her that around 7:10. While she drank her bottle, we changed their diapers and did their lotion. Thats not always part of the routine but they’re both super dry with the weather and Laela actually has a rash because of it, so we’re trying to be diligent. After diapers is usually when we tell Dekker that, in another few minutes, we’re going to start cleaning up the toys. And then usually, there is screaming until around 7:30. But today, once Dekker was changed, he stood up and in perfect english, asked “Can I have help cleaning up the toys please?” Brady and I were completely thrilled and jumped right in. Dekker didn’t whine ONCE about tidying up! I’m usually kind of a pest when I help him tidy, and ask him where each toy goes. He’ll take it from me and put it away in his special place for it. If you know Dekker, he has an order to his things. So he did a super duper job tidying up and only got sad when it was time to go upstairs, because it was pretty quick after the toys were tidied. He chucked himself down, and then picked himself back up and ran to me for a hug. I carried him upstairs and we “raced” daddy and Laela. Obviously, we won, and there was much celebrating. Both kids went down happily and are now playing in their beds, not being loud, or sleeping.

On that note, today has been a weird day for me where I fed children all day but hardly myself. I had some breakfast, which was actually really good, but I think I peeled three oranges in one sitting and didn’t get one bite. I missed lunch, and had some snacks while the kids napped. And then I ate a bit at supper but the kids really truly destroyed the pancakes. Who doesn’t love cake for supper?? So I think its time that I treat the littlest baby in our house to some dinner. Poor Jim. I’m sure he’ll be using his voice to get attention soon enough!