Prayers for Second Son

This morning, Second Son slipped and fell while he was climbing out of the baby pool while the older two were in the midst of swimming lessons. Normally, this would not be such a big deal. Toddlers slip and fall all the time. But poor my poor baby boy (who will be two on Monday) fell right on his top teeth, cracking one horribly and damaging some others.

We took him in to see the pediatric dentist where they told us he would need to be put under sedation for one tooth to be extracted. (It's broken right up into the nerve within the gum line and has a dangling piece so we were not too surprised.) One of the other teeth is chipped into a sharp point and will be filed down a little. The other big front tooth may need a crown or may be alright without one; she'll know more when Second Son can't feel her moving it around to check on it.

The very wonderful dentist and all those who work with her are coming in early to do his surgery at 6:30 am tomorrow (Wednesday). I am so thankful as just getting through this day was very difficult;  he wanted to eat and drink but everything he put in his mouth caused pain. We poured enough liquid in him to get through the night, but I'm sure he is still hungry.

I am nervous about my little guy being sedated tomorrow. And I'm mourning his adorable baby tooth smile. It's just a tooth and we'll all get over it; but tonight I am sad.

Please pray he gets through surgery well. Please pray his mouth heals quickly so he can eat, drink, and be merry again. Please pray for the other kids who are suffering a little from the chaos that was our day today and the anticipated stress of tomorrow. Please pray for the very dear friend (and her family) who graciously said we could drop off three sleepy kids at 6 am on our way to the surgery. Please pray for Kansas Dad who had a lot of work to do this week and is instead driving kids around, sitting in waiting rooms, and coercing a toddler to drink a sip of water now and then. Finally, please pray for me. I have a tendency to cry in sympathy with my children rather than being strong for them and helping them through rough times.

Hopefully, we'll get through the next few days and will be ready for a birthday party on Saturday for Second Daughter and Second Son and it'll all be a good story for Second Son's baby book.

Busy with Real Life

Things have been quiet on the blog recently, and are likely to stay that way for a while. I've been battling an infection that has so far taken me to the emergency room in the middle of the night, a doctor visit, to the hospital for an ultrasound, a minor outpatient surgery at a doctor's office, another doctor's visit and then an overnight in the hospital for IV antibiotics. (Kansas Dad and Second Son came, too. It was just about as nice as it could have been, given the circumstances, except the food which was unbelievably atrocious. Even the nurse wasn't sure what they served me for dinner last night.) They released me yesterday and have given me every indication that I should now get better (which of course they've been saying over and over again).

Prayers appreciated. I hope your New Year's celebrations were better than ours!

That's Number Five

Second Daughter had a fifth tooth break through yesterday and I wanted to mention it here on the blog before I forgot (because someday I'm going to make a baby book for her and this blog is the only record I have). It's on her right side, on the bottom.

In other news, Kansas Dad tripped and hurt his ankle. He's at the doctor's office now with his mom (and brother to help him hobble) so we'll know the verdict soon, but we expect him to be on crutches and off the foot for a few weeks. Looks like I'll be getting a crash course in chicken-care. At least I'm not three weeks shy of a due date.

Prayers for Si

Please pray for Brandy's husband, Si, as he is in hospital and for his family.

A Prayer Request

Twelve years ago, a little girl was born to a mother who did not know how to love her. She moved from home to home, landing in the foster care system and, at three, in my parent's house. She waited for her "forever family." And waited. And waited. There were a few who tried, but she always returned.

Four years ago, feeling very much that God wanted her to remain in their hearts and home, my parents adopted her. The same week, she was baptized and received her First Communion. We are her godparents.

In all the years she has lived with my parents, she has brought them great joy and great frustrations, as all children can. In the past year, the troubles have been mounting. After much discussion, debate, prayer and bureaucracy, she is moving to a residential home. Tomorrow morning. The program usually lasts six months to one year. My parents can visit her and, after a time, she will be allowed brief visits home.

Please pray for healing for my sister, strength for the battle that lies ahead, and always the knowledge that she is loved tremendously by her family and God. Pray also that she will find joy in her temporary home.

Please pray for my parents, who will have a truly empty home for the first time in over thirty years and who will tearfully have to leave their little girl for a time.

Please pray for the doctors and counselors, that they would find a path for my sister, not just for the next few months, but for the life that lies ahead.