Oh what a night

We didn’t sleep much Tuesday night. After the lights went out we moved two playpens into our bedroom and piled covers on everyone. Several candles provided our only light and heat. The house was extremely quiet without power, and every sound outside seemed incredibly amplified. Freezing rain continued to fall throughout the night and the additional weight overwhelmed tree branches. Another limb would snap and fall every few minutes or so with a loud crack, and then the falling ice would sound like breaking glass. Sometimes the house would shake when heavy limbs hit the ground. With each snap we worried that a large tree would fall through our home on top of us. It was terrifying. As temperatures dropped in the house, we moved the babies in bed with us. By morning, 4 inches of snow lay on top of the ice and the babies’ diarrhea had returned. It was time to leave.

Icely Done

We knew it was coming, but what do you do? The big winter storm promised lots of snow north of us and ice to our south. Sandy went to the store and stocked up on supplies, mostly diapers and baby food. The storm started with about 2 inches of beautiful snow Monday night. As temperatures warmed during the day the snow turned to freezing rain. The light shimmering off the ice covered landscaping looked like diamonds. As the ice accumulation grew, the plants and trees drooped excessively from the weight. By dark, tree limbs began breaking, often bringing utility lines down with them. About 8:00 pm a huge tree in our neighbor’s yard fell onto the power lines and snapped the telephone pole in our backyard taking our power and heat with it.

Sick Call Answered

Momma Sandy had been up all night heroically nursing her three sick boys, and she knew there was still much to do. She called the office and took the day off to nurse her family. We called our babysitter Carol and asked her not to come by that day so she wouldn’t catch the virus, then called Grandma and Grandpa Edds and asked for help. Grandpa took the stained couch cushions to the dry cleaners and went to the grocery store for us. He then watched the boys while Mommy cleaned and Daddy Dave slept. Grandma later relived Grandpa so he could go to work. Sandy washed load after load of laundry. Thanks to the loving care of Sandy and the Grands, the virus ran its course in 24 hours, and Sandy and her boys were able to rest the next night without interruption.

A night of changes

Daddy Dave didn’t feel well on Sunday and by bedtime his diarrhea began with a vengeance. Sleep was impossible on the toilet, though many efforts were made. Around 2:00 am Benji began crying loudly. We found he had vomited all over his bed and himself. Daddy bathed the boy while Mommy changed the bed. The smell eventually overwhelmed Daddy, and he lost his dinner too. Shortly after putting Benji back to bed, he heaved again requiring another clothing and bed sheet change. Trey Davey woke hungry about 5:30. His diarrhea had leaked onto the sheets requiring another boy and bed cleaning and changing. Ten minutes after finishing his bottle Trey projectile vomited all over the blue room, Sandy and himself. Between vomiting and diarrhea, we had changed outfits three or four times during the night and were quickly going through clean clothes and bed linens.

First Real Meal “Man Food”

Sandy decided it was time to introduce the boys to real food. Up until now their baby food diet has been nutritionally balanced and easy to digest. They have already advanced through each baby food stage, and real food is the next logical step. Others have successfully advanced their children to real food faster, so we feel confident that our boys will adapt to this cuisine just fine. For their first real meal Sandy prepared “Man Food”, Salisbury steak and mashed potatoes. She chopped their meat servings into fine bits for easier consumption, and I insisted that we serve them from their own plate so as not to create a habit of feeding them off of our plates. The seasoning was a little new for them, but they happily adapted to real food without any problems.

Situation Imagination

It all comes down to this; the game, the season, and the national championship title ride on this last play. Only three seconds remain on the clock. Down by six points, nothing short of a touchdown will do. Benji Edds has had a spectacular game, connecting often to his favorite receiver and brother Trey Edds, who is making his own MVP bid by running after catches for three touchdowns. Can the brothers do it just one more time? Can they pull off one more miracle play? These twins probable started playing ball together in their living room as babies. They have probably tossed balls back and forth to each other a million times since then, but this one’s for all the money. Edds takes the snap, finds the pocket and eyes his receiver. “Go long Trey,” he whispers, “I’ll get it there.”

Sharing

Trey Davey is a people pleaser. Ask him for something, and he’s only too willing to give it too you. He generally values your approval more than he covets his positions. Now, if you take his toy from him, as Benji often does, he’ll get very upset and try to forcefully retrieve it, but if you ask him nicely for his toy, he will often hand it over gladly. The concept of possession usually doesn’t occur to children until around their second birthday. Once they make that cognitive breakthrough they begin understanding the language associated with playing together and taking turns. We hope!