Labor Day 2021 Update

Here is an update from the last couple of weeks, but very few pictures because I simply haven't taken many!

The New School Year 

We are starting our third week of homeschooling with Regina Caeli Academy, so we have experienced a busy few weeks.

I struggled mightily with giving up control to design my own curriculum when we joined RCA and I still tell myself I'm taking it one year at a time, but I think an organization handing me a ready-made, day-by-day curriculum is very good for us this year when there will still be so much going on medically with Thomas.

I designed all kinds of new routines to accommodate four of the kids going to RCA: getting themselves ready, unpacking at the end of the day, where to file their papers, where to put their backpacks, when to do the laundry load of uniforms, all of it. I designed a meal plan serving the exact same seven dinners on the same seven nights and until I feel like I'm out of adjustment/survival mode, that's what we're going to eat. Those routines are serving us well right now.

I enjoy the two days weekly when I'm home with only Thomas (6) and David (4) because it has been ages since I could focus on little ones. One day, Thomas's first grade lesson plans assigned us to learn about robins, so I pulled out some birdwatching books I own and we simply read and learned. Then, like a spontaneous younger mother without all those older-kid responsibilities, I suggested we go outside and birdwatch! The boys got their binoculars and an "adventure snack" to take with us, and we really enjoyed observing all over the wooded back yard. Thomas took a particular interest in oak trees. Then the next morning, the boys went outside at 6:30 a.m. to look for robins when they would be more likely to find some.

I am finding that it takes me about 60-90 minutes of sitting with my third grader to get through his work. My first grader probably has 60 minutes of work, but it often gets broken up because his attention span isn't that long or he needs to pause to eat (small and frequent meals absolutely anytime hunger strikes). 

Meanwhile, my fifth grader is done by lunch and might have a couple questions for me or none at all, but she still needs encouragement (or more!). My seventh and ninth graders are independent and just need me to check in on them. 

Essentially, on the three days everyone is home, I'm teaching or supervising school from 8:30 to 4:00 when I start cooking dinner. I do my mightiest to schedule all of Thomas's medical appointments for the two days when the other four kids are at school being taught by other teachers than me!

Medical Stuff

Joseph (8) started braces-- quite early, two years earlier than his siblings. So we currently (and briefly) have two kiddos in braces. I would post a cute picture if Joseph wouldn't get so mad at me.

One day I got the family ready and then scooted out the door to get Thomas to an early morning doctor appointment only to discover I was 24 hours early. I was already emotionally overwhelmed with all the balls I am juggling, so I beat myself up until I spent enough time repeatedly telling myself that I've taken Thomas to 30+ medical appointments over four months, as well as supervising in our home 42 occupational therapy and physical therapy appointments . . . without showing up at the wrong time.

We pray that Thomas will start to gain weight, something he hasn't done since December. He had a flouroscope study of his J tube to check how it is functioning and upcoming he has an endoscopy to check for some other specific concerns. We are adding BeneProtein to his diet and hoping to add a medication to slow motility. I still spend much of my day planning food, researching types of food and products, encouraging food, requiring food, and tracking all of it for our data analysis to hand over to the doctors.

I'm running on fumes needing to get out of bed to deal with something or the other about a half dozen times nightly plus suffering middle-of-the-night insomnia and then daily being awake for the day around 4:00 a.m. My insomnia jag began July 18 (but who is counting?) and this particular pattern has been running for numerous weeks. No, Mama does not get to nap.

Enjoying the Back Yard

We have been enjoying our back yard, which received a big face lift this summer, two years after we moved into this home. We removed trees, opened up the yard, added grass, and put in a new playset.

David (3) gardening with Mama

We have enjoyed a few family picnics in the back yard, and we really liked having some families over for a cookout this past weekend.

A few of our kids camped out in the back yard for two nights. Mama was a Nervous Nellie but tried to plaster on an encouraging smile. I got up quite a few times overnight to deal with other things and took the opportunities to peek out the window so I could see the tent.

Miscellaneous Moments

Thomas's new haircut

We don't tire of watching Thomas sleep safely and peacefully with his trusty Sloth.

John has been into "cubing" this past year and is really good at it and passionate about this hobby. Now the next three siblings are learning how to do it and making good progress! Leapfrogging over Thomas (no interest), even little David (4) has learned how to follow a siblings' directions, which is no small feat at his age!

The oldest four kids went ice skating with friends . . . .

We've been very much enjoying living life . . . a girls' birthday party, John's ice hockey season starting, altar serving, Fraternus and Fidelis meetings, restaurant meals with church friends on Sundays, hosting a cookout, sometimes going out to lunch with my husband, and I actually went to breakfast with a girlfriend (for real, it's been nearly a year). All it takes is to remember when the only "socializing" we could experience was a friend driving past our hospital window, waving while holding signs, to appreciate heartily everything we can do now!

If you've read this far . . . I have malaise about having nothing engaging to read. Please throw at me any suggestions!