We took a big step forward!

My father loves those sudoku puzzles and he likes the really hard ones. This is not something I would consider doing if I was stranded on a desert island because I find the puzzles maddening. When I ask him why he does these incessantly he tells me he loves how he gets really stuck and what an exhilarating feeling it is when he is able to race through 4-5steps all at once, just by figuring out one number.

That is what today felt like, minus the presence of any logic. If you asked me what kind of day it was going to be at 8:30 this morning, you would have gotten an ear full. There had already been a cumulative of 45 min of time outs between Isaac, Emerson and finally me. Isaac would not use words, would not use sign language. He would just shout at me and grunt and say no and kick OVER, and OVER, and OVER again.

The plan for the day was to go to Alabama Adventures (a water park.) I was nervous after this morning to say the least. Crowded places make great venues for children to throw high stakes temper tantrums, and I did not feel up to the challenge. But today was also the last weekday they were open and my last day off before going to work for the next week. So, after the last time out we all get in the car. I have brought enough "lunch" for 12 people, The boys (John included) have eaten half of the snacks 20 min. into the drive. We get there and I have the boys split a wonderful cookie from Zoe's that was part of our amazing dinner a dear friend brought over last night.

When we got to the park we met up with a friend who's daughter is from China and was also born with a cleft pallet. There was something about getting to be there with a friend that made it very special for me. Yes, it was still life in 30 sec. conversations, but it made me feel normal for a minute. Much to my surprise the day was wonderful. There were no needed time outs, only a few shouts that were solved by turkey sandwiches and some sibling jealousy that was solved by races down the slide. I was completely shocked.

When we got home I put both boys down for a nap and surprisingly both boys slept. I then raced over to school because at about 2am last night it hit me that I am going to work tomorrow and I have kids to meet and impress in a few days. YIKES. I got some stuff done but man there is a lot more that needs to happen. It is going to be a juggling act because the one thing that sends Isaac spiraling is having to share me. We are working on this but it is slow going.

The biggest treat of the day was that our good friend Martha came over to see us tonight. She got there before the boys woke up which was nice, because I got some much needed adult conversation. Then Isaac got up first. He was a bit groggy and clingy but was not to bothered by another person in the house. Then Emerson woke up. Isaac is very jealous and intimidated by Emerson, so he began shouting and grunting at him. This went on for 10 or so minutes before he was in time out. Oh no, I am thinking here goes a repeat of the morning. Somehow Isaac's mood shifted and he slowly started to play and race. Mind you he did it with a slice of bread in his hands that he was happily munching on the whole time. It was assume to see his transition. It wasn't rapid, but it is not supposed to be. I am just so thankful that my dear Friend was patient enough to hang out, not take things personally and allow him to ride the wave of emotions of a new person.

The other big step was that tonight Isaac and Emerson played together in Emerson's sleeping fort. One more thing is that he down right cuddled with John tonight for a good 10 min.