My parents and I arrived at the mall this morning with Ethan and Elise, and as we were walking in, we commented on the "lifesaver" that is the double stroller. As long as we were rolling along, everything was fine, but when we actually started shopping, the trouble started...double trouble. First, Ethan began screaming at me because he wanted to keep moving; yes, he was actually screaming at me, and he can't even talk yet. Next, Elise starts spitting up the AquADEKS vitamins, thereby dying her clothes and carrier a nasty shade of orange. Before I could even get to the bathroom to change her, Ethan has his second "explosion" of the day and also needed changing. And through it all, they were both crying. They were crying, and several other women in the bathroom were staring...staring at me as I took a picture of Elise's poopy diaper. I felt an overwhelming urge to explain myself, but really, what could I say? It's not like there's a simple explanation for taking pictures of your baby's poop.... assuming of course that these other women are not "liver moms." Oh, and FYI, the poop was worthy of my "poop dance;" the color was a great indication that there is indeed bile flow out of Elise's little liver! SO, I never imagined I'd have so much to say about a bathroom trip at the mall!
As we were on the way out of the mall, Ethan and Elise settled down long enough for me to run into The Loft to buy a new outfit. Let's just say that I seriously need new clothes. I have lost about 35 lb since Elise was born, so the maternity clothes that I have been wearing for almost two years now doesn't quite fit anymore. But the whole time I was in the fitting room, I could hear them crying, so I finished up quickly, gathered everyone up, and left the mall. So taking my two kiddos for a day out at the mall didn't quite double the fun; it doubled the trouble.
Ethan (14 months), Elise (3 months), and Me
Grammie loving up on Elise
Ethan spending a little quality time with Paw
When Elise isn't happy.....no body's happy. And Elise isn't happy being changed at the mall.
Looks like somebody needs a nap!
http://www.oley.org/
OH I remember those days so vividly. My girls are 12 months apart and my second was the BA baby. If one wasn't happy, they both weren't happy. Its like having twins. Now they are almost 8 and 7 and they trade off on who is miserable. I call it the game of tag. I think they draw straws nightly to see who is gonna be miserable the next day.
ReplyDeleteWe knew one of the founding doctors for the Oley Foundation. She was Sydney's nutritionist right after her Kasai. She has since retired. I swear she was 80 then. The Oley Foundation can be a great resource for children with feeding tubes too. We thank fully never had to go that route.
Stay strong, those first few years are rough. I still can't believe I worked full time through all of it.