Wednesday, October 11, 2006

Not Such a Good Day

It is 3 o’clock and I wish it were time for bed! This has not been a good day so far…perhaps it will improve? Both boys woke up on the wrong side of the bed and have been super grumpy and whiny today. For Calvin, that means long, drawn-out, screaming and crying tantrums. For Patrick, that means deliberately doing everything he is not supposed to and being very whiny and weepy.

Patrick is finally napping – it took me over an hour to get him to sleep. He took a brief nap this morning but evidently it was enough to make him not want his afternoon nap. This is unusual for him; he is usually very willing to sleep. Calvin is fighting sleep and being horrible – poor Andrew is walking him outside. We can’t wait for cribs!!! So today, we are not feeling like very good parents. It doesn’t help that none of us slept that well last night.

We are trying to be patient and flexible but we find ourselves increasingly frustrated with the lack of communication here. We were told we would go to the mountains this afternoon but we have not had any phone calls or anything. We just would like to know one way or the other – really a day ahead so we can plan the boy’s schedule.

The weather here is absolutely gorgeous! We are enjoying warm days, mountains views, and sunshine. This is a fairly busy city with lots of traffic. The cars in general are very nice – expensive!

We are thinking we may not be home until Sunday. We are waitlisted for Saturday but can have confirmed, bulkhead seating for Sunday. So, as much as we want to get home, we think we better choose the best travel option. We will leave here around 3 a.m. and I’m not sure when we would arrive back in Indy. We’ll see. We have to get the phone number for the airline from our coordinator.

Please keep us in your prayers, we are so tired of being away from home. We know we will have a whole new adjustment period with the boys when we get there plus jet lag. :) The boys definitely need prayer as they learn to trust us (and obey us). Really, we’ve seen God’s hand at work so much but days like today are just discouraging. It’s been one week since we officially became parents and the boys have been with us for 6 days.

7 comments:

steph said...

oh Alaina and Andrew, Hang in there. I'm sure it's hard to have so many what you see as "not good" days in the short period you've been parents, but really it's been such a short time. You all are still in a major period of adjustment to each other and to the roles you are/will be playing in the family. I hope you'll get more/better sleep because I know that always helps the outlook as well as the ability to deal with the daily struggles.
You are so much on my mind and in my prayers...in fact the first thing I did today (with my 6:15 wake up to medicate Pippi) was to pray for you.
I really am sorry that you won't be able to come home until Sunday, I know this must be hard because you are all so ready to settle into a routine; however, one happy thing for you (if you are wanting to look at a brighter side), is that you'll probably barely have to treat Pippi when you come back because we'll have been at this for 3 weeks and she is definitely improving. And you should be glad you won't have to treat her much because it is not a fun process. Right now she's laying behind my feet; she'll really can be so cute sometimes.
I'm off to Canada tomorrow, so this is my last day in your home. I'll try to leave it clean and ready for your return.
Much love and prayers,
Stephanie

Grandma Judd said...

You are doing an excellent job of parenting that is for sure--the circumstances you have had to deal with are so very unusual. Remember "this too shall pass." The days will be much, much happier when you can all settle into a routine in your beautiful home. Those are precious little boys with individual personalities to express. They will love you so much and understand what is expected of them. I know I have said this previously I believe, but remember "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." I am praying for Calvin and Patrick and their Mommy and Daddy many times today as I always do. Can't wait to have you home with the family. You are missed so much.
Lovingly,
Grandma Judd

Grandma Judd said...

Just me again! I just had to comment on the very encouraging note from Stephanie. She is with you always with love and caring. We all love you and miss you.
Lovingly,
Grandma Judd

Jen said...

HANG IN THERE! It's ok that you are not feeling your "best", that is normal and from what I hear from others, just part of parenting no matter what stage you are in.

May the Lord give you strength, encouragement and peace in the midst of everything.

Rebecca said...

Hi Alaina and Andrew,

Don't be discouarged, you guys are great parents, it just sounds like a frustrating day. There are those crazy days where nothing goes right, but the next day always starts new again. We'll be praying for your sleep and for peaceful days. We can't wait to welcome you home.

Love,
Rebecca

Heather L. said...

Thanks for letting us know how you are. I'm sorry that it has been so hard. We will be praying for grace and strength for you. I would definately opt for the bulkhead option! Waiting one extra day would probably be worth it! Much love,
Heather

Aunt Carol and Uncle Steve said...

All parents have terrible days! But difficult times often help us learn and are not, generally, the norm. Kids are resilient (a part of God's amazing grace) and you will all make it to better times. Right now you are all dealing with much change, isolation, fatigue, unknowns...pressures for anyone that tend to make it difficult to respond as we would want.
God's grace is sufficient for all of this, too. And so many are praying for, supporting, and loving the four of you!
Don't waste precious energy beating yourselves up for not being perfect parents or doing everything the way you would want. Trust God to help you through and protect each of you from unintended wounds caused by tired, rash, or angry responses.
We are praying for God's love and grace to overwhelm you with peace, joy, and love.