Being a Mother Makes You Strong

I just need to record what kind of day I had yesterday . . . for good measure . . . or to just remember how the Lord helps you muddle through. Not that this day or the events compare, in the least, to everyone else's. Subjectively speaking, however, it was QUITE A DAY FOR ME!

I just joined a new gym and am very excited about it. Right now, the only possible work-out time for me is 6:00 am. So, I awoke at 5:25 and scurried across town to the gym for some Pilates. After my work-out I took advantage of the alone time and stopped in Wal-Mart for some "snowed-in" food. The weathermen have been forcasting lots of ice (for three days) and possible power outages. By the way, Wal-Mart was out of most everything, including de-icer. Anywho, it felt good to get so much done before 7:30.

I must say that I am so glad that I DO NOT live in a place that has this kind of weather on a regular basis. The girls and I bundled up with coats and mittens and blankets for their well-child checks at 10:00. Have I mentioned before about how much Lucy Anne HATES the doctor "check" (that's what she calls it). And, of course, she insists that Ella "get checked" first each time we go. In her mind, I'm sure she thinks she's being quite a good sister to allow Ella to have her turn first. But, I see her motives . . ha ha! Ella's report: underweight. In the red zone. For that matter she doesn't even weigh as much as Lucy did at 4 months. Ugh! I don't have any more answers and frankly, neither did the doctor. I believe Ella eats better than Lucy did and I know she gets more of the hind milk. We just discussed giving her cereal but it was pretty much left up to me if I want to do it.

Next up for "checking" is Lucy. Her report: underweight, same story! The doctor then orders some blood work and an x-ray (Lucy often complains about her leg). She had been so excited to find out though that she excaped her Hep shot, only Ella was going to be receiving any shots. The nurse gave Ella her three shots. It was also time for her to eat so calming her down didn't happen right away. In the meantime, Lucy Anne keeps asking "are we going home"? I tried to avoid telling her about the inevitable, looming procedures that were coming her way by scurting the question. I told her in a very excited tone we were going downstairs to the basement where Mommy used to work (in college, I worked in the lab/x-ray). Ella is still screaming. I ask if we can use their auditory testing room to nurse. While I am nursing a girl tries to look at Lucy Anne's arm for a good vein. She tells me she wants to lay Lucy down. I strongly advise her against restrainment since that's the worst thing for Lucy. I thought she would do better sitting in my lap. Phleb-lady leaves and comes back with two more ladies. One with authority tries to explain to me the reasons why she wants to lay Lucy Anne down. Since I had been in their shoes before, I did not argue with them even though I knew better (however, I will know better next time for the sake of my daughter). Even though I had fed Ella halfway, she is still screaming. Poor thing in her chair all alone while four of us try to constrain my 25 lb. three year old who is as stiff as a board, kicking and screaming. A girl inserts the butterfly needle in her right arm and misses . . . she digs . . . no blood.

I cannot stand that look your child gives you. The one that says "please don't let them do this to me", "why are you holding me down like they are", "I am as pitiful as can be"! It's the one that comes when they've sort of given up a little bit, tired of fighting for only just a moment, a desperate measure that could almost work. It makes me want to cry every time.

Back to this long story, I let Lucy Anne sit up and she did not want to have to be stuck again. So, I grabbed her other arm and the turnicate from the lab tech. I wrapped it around her arm and she seemed to be much, much calmer. I found a good vein and a different lab tech poked her. Lucy Anne did soooooo much better. I know it is the restrainment that makes all the difference. By this time, one of the lab techs was holding Ella. She was finally calming down. We prepared Lucy Anne for her "pictures". And the lab tech says, "I am taking the baby to the lab". I looked at the x-ray tech and excused myself as I told her I would not let some lady I didn't know take my baby. I encouraged Lucy Anne that she could do this on her own. She seemed excited for the photo shoot, and I went out the door to be with Ella. Lucy Anne did fabulous with the x-ray. Much, much better than the last time we took x-rays of her. I finished feeding Ella and we loaded all of our bundling to go checkout . . . two hours later.

Justin shows up right as we were checking out. I was soooo happy to see him. He had been by McDonalds and we sat in my car and ate pretty much in silence. Silence is something very, very rare with Lucy Anne. Ella was sleeping. The sleet was falling. The drive home slow, yet successful.

I put the girls to bed for a nap, watched last night's episode of Grey's Anatomy and then began preparing for friends of ours to come for dinner and some Mexican Train. We had a great time. I ended this very crazy day at 12:30 am .

I know most of you have days like that or much worse and handle them with grace. For me, I must glory in Phil. 4:13 which says, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength". . . .only in HIM!