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Coming up for air…

WHEW! It’s almost Thursday–and I can’t wait…beeeeeeee-caaaaaaaaauuuusssseee…I’ve been solo since Monday night…really the wee hours of Tuesday morning…but in my book–really Monday night! Oh yes…just me and the kids…and no sleep! Which also means no relief with 4 kids all under 5. So, if you are wondering where I’ve been–I’ve been holding 2 babies on my hips, changing dirty diapers, trying to figure out when to shower (don’t come too close), singing lullabies…and trying my best to hold it together (tears have only come once at midnight last night when I realized I was out of Isaac’s diapers and there was no way we’d make it through the night…no midnight store runs when you are on your own! Thankfully, God sent a precious friend, Christy Elphick, to check in on me via email in the wee hours and I told her about my day and laughed about diapers…that’s all you can do…and about 5 minutes later size 3 Pampers landed on my front porch. AND–that is really when the tears came…I was just so thankful!). Honestly, this has been a really hard week—but this too shall pass:). Right?

So…as much as I’d like to call myself the “cocoon queen”…this week–I’m not that. And I think our little man is doing alright on our outings. Because with no breaks, this momma has had to get out of our cocoon! You might think I’m crazy, but I loaded all 4 up today and took the crew to Monkey Joes. Over-stimulating? Absolutely. BUT…was it easier to bounce just one baby because the other 3 where happy and getting energy out? Absolutely. So…that’s what we did. Isaac Temesgen didn’t jump–but I did capture with my iPhone his “first trip to Monkey Joes”…worth documenting in my book;).

And I’m a complete sucker when I’m low on fuel. Parker and Laney begged to sleep with me last night. I tried to warn them. It’s not an easy place to sleep these days. And I couldn’t help but crack up when Laney took “my place”. Some of you may have heard me say that Isaac Temesgen has to fall asleep with his hands on my face…and most times–and empty bottle in his mouth (he won’t take a paci…but he has to have this–so it’s his paci I guess!) This image is SO blurry b/c it was so dark and I had to bring my shutter speed WAY DOWN just to make the picture show up so you can see what my bedroom looked like last night before I crawled in…Parker is in Rich’s spot…Laney is in my spot…and Isaac Temesgen–is doing his thing. YES–this is how he sleeps EVERY night. I actually have some down time for a bit as she is taking my place! Because he can’t roll over or crawl—we’re all good for now. And I can’t believe this didn’t bother her! Hmmmm…I might be on to something;). [Side note: I’m crackin’ up because I just realized Laney has on turquoise tights UNDER a winter Ariel nightgown…seriously–I must be sleep deprived because I can’t believe I let her go to sleep in that in July in the South! Who wears turquoise TIGHTS under their nightgown anyway?!]

Frank is doing better each and every day—today he gave Isaac TWO hugs and kisses at Monkey Joe’s! I think he was thanking him for enduring the over-stimulation so he could get out of the house! He does have his moments though. And I couldn’t be more thankful right now for sweet friends who come by to bring us meals and encourage us. THANK YOU ROBIN!!! ONE DAY soon–I hope to figure out our “new normal” and be back in the swing of fun little crafts for my kiddos and outings…but without sleep and a traveling man…I’m just trying to hang in there and take one day at a time. Off to read until my littlest one stirs again…which I’m sure will be very soon:).

I’ll leave you with this sweet gift my friend Addie surprised me with at the airport…how precious is this handywork?!

I think I hear a little man…hoping for a peaceful night–but hoping more in His strength through it. It will all be worth it:)

XOXO,

Andrea

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Elle J - August 4, 2010 - 11:19 pm

Precious bedtime photo. Hang in there, Friend! You are doing amazing ~ keep up the diligent work! Goodnight blessings to you.

Lara - August 4, 2010 - 11:23 pm

Whew, bless your heart 🙂 My husband is out of town for the next two weeks and I’m going a little nuts just with my two sweeties! I don’t know how I’ll do it when baby #3 is here! Sounds like you’re holding up fabulously, even if you don’t always feel like it. Hang in there!

melissa - August 4, 2010 - 11:23 pm

Oh my goodness! I love the picture in the bed. Hilarious!!! You definitely might be on to something! When do your kids start school? That might be some what of a relieve. At least Parker and Laney will be entertained. Praying for you to get some rest. (:

karen - August 4, 2010 - 11:27 pm

Love it! I agree, you’re on to something!

Jenny - August 4, 2010 - 11:50 pm

Oh, I absolutely LOVE that picture of them in bed. Could it be any sweeter? Saying a prayer for you right now!!! God, grant Andrea strength, patience, love and peace as she loves on Your children!! Please be with Frank and give him an abundance of love for his new little brother. May their bond continue to grow! Love you dear (stranger;) friend!

That gift Addie gave you is just BEAUTIFUL!

Alison - August 4, 2010 - 11:51 pm

Girl, hang in there! You’ve almost made it!! I love the bedtime photo!! Adorable! And I think you are smart to break the cocooning some…every mom has to keep her sanity! 🙂

april - August 4, 2010 - 11:52 pm

oh i am sure you’ll be so happy to see your husband come back home! Love the pics, that place looks like so much fun and the pic of your children sleeping is so precious. i love seeing his hand on her face, so comforting to him i’m sure! Love the pic that your friend sent you! your a great mommy! I am pooped each day with just my isaac (ONE) and so you encourage me knowing that you have 4 and are doing it!

Dawn - August 5, 2010 - 12:11 am

Sweet sign. Love that fact that you are hanging in there…..I think I would be a mess already- melted in a pot! That is too funny…your baby girl is adorable. Maybe she was being really creative. My girls want to wear long pj’s in the summer?? Hey, I guess we do have AC running??

Praying you through this!!!!

Megan - August 5, 2010 - 12:17 am

Sweetest little picture – just warms my heart! 😉 Hope you are able to catch up on some sleep once your hubby gets home! Wish I lived closer so I could help you out, but for now you’ll have to settle for being the subject of my prayers. =)

Kim - August 5, 2010 - 12:34 am

Hang in there. Love the photos. Thanks for keeping it real. I better know how to pray for you sweet friend!
Love & Blessings,
Kim

Rachel - August 5, 2010 - 12:51 am

Wow you are a busy mama!! But it’s a good busy I always say!! I loved making your stitchery! Your friend Addie is such a cutie and was so much fun to email back and forth about your stitchery.

:)Rachel

kristi johnson - August 5, 2010 - 1:20 am

yes, my fav pic is his face on Laney…too funny…love it…My hubby only goes out of town ONE night a year for work..and that night I ran out of formula..you can’t GO a night with out formula when LL drank 16 oz. a night for 7 months…so..I called a neighbor at midnight to go get me some….nice huh?? 🙂 kristi

Sara - August 5, 2010 - 1:30 am

I am a big fan of breaking the cocoon to maintain sanity. :o) That pic of Isaac holding your daughter’s face and drinking the bottle is HILARIOUS!

Ashley - August 5, 2010 - 7:39 am

Andrea you are a rockstar!! I can’t imagine how hard your days are right now, and you are such an example of grace. I know in a year or so I’m going to be reading in your archives thinking, “How did Andrea do this??” =) So many mommies are learning from your cocoon survival tips!

missy - August 5, 2010 - 2:42 pm

crazy times going solo with 4 under 5!!! you are a momma-warrior-princess! love the pic of your bed. what a kindness of the lord to provide you with a late-night diaper-deliverin’ friend!

Heather Barrier - August 5, 2010 - 3:46 pm

I have not commented before on your blog. I just found your blog a couple of weeks ago and loved the “cocoon” philosophy you wrote about. I agree with your plan and already had a similar plan ready for when our baby girl comes home from Uganda in a couple of months. I am glad you were able to get out with the kids! I have talked to other adoptive parents who said if you are going out with just your family and the baby is not overwhelmed with personal friends/family wanting to hold and interact with him it is still part of that “cocooning” you have written about. So I say get out of the house and keep your sanity with no guilt! 🙂

JonesEthiopia - August 5, 2010 - 6:55 pm

You’re amazing. Hang in there.