Just before Halloween Gavin & Greta had an early Saturday morning dentist appointment–a tune up before the plethoric sugar torrent. I assumed William would be able to take them and he assumed I had rescheduled. As it turns out, William had planned on going in to work. Either he forgot to mention or I missed that memo altogether! Our Kelly had no idea about anything because we neglected to tell her… until 30 minutes before we were supposed to walk out the door. It was too late to cancel the appointment once we realized our predicament. Kelly slept through my text alert. Out of common courtesy I elected not to further pursue her help at such short notice. Besides, Nora was reasonably behaved. I would just pack her up and take her with us — I proclaimed with enthusiastic optimism!

Oxygen tank, music boxes, formula, bottles, diapers, wipes, blankets, burp rags, spare outfitssss, toys, stroller and a big deep breath, I loaded Nora up into her car seat, yelling up the steps to remind the kids about proper brushing and flossing techniques. In a tornadoed frenzy we managed to get out the door and weathered the 40 minute drive to the dentist. Nora wasn’t overly excited about being strapped into her car seat. She grew more and more disgruntled with each passing mile.

We arrived exactly on time without a second to spare. I instructed G&G to hurry inside and check themselves in while I got GrumbleNorns out of the car. By the time Nora and I got our act together G&G were already in the back brushing and flossing (again) at little sinks and vying for a spot at the video game stations. (They go to a really fun dentist’s office!). I signed a couple of papers and stood nervously in the overcrowded waiting room praying that my rocking the stroller back and forth would suddenly evoke squeals of contentment from within. Instead her fussing grew more agitated and louder, warning me that I had better figure something out. It was too big of a risk to get her out from under her covered stroller in there.

“I have a medically fragile baby that I need to attend to,” I explained to the kind woman behind the counter, “Would it be okay if I stepped out to the car for a few minutes?”

She responded with a smile, “That’s absolutely fine! We will see to the other two!”

I sat on the floor of the van with Nora laid out on a blanket in front of me. Sometimes she just likes to lay flat, but that obviously wasn’t enough. I got out the massage oil and did some belly rubs and could tell that her belly was a big balloon full of air. It became my mission as the “Fart Whisperer” to remove it and alleviate her discomfort with my expert massaging techniques.

Let’s just say there were more than belly airs involved. Not always, but often enough, when there is pressure in Nora’s intestines it extends to all parts of her digestive system. She gets gaggy and pukey and poopy all at the same time. It looked like it was about to be our lucky day! (cue “O Fortuna“) Sure enough, just as I caught a glimpse through the window of Greta’s nervous little face sitting in the dentist chair, I was shielding my shirt from poop and frantically wiping puke and tears out of Nora’s eyes, nose and hair. It was silly to try and salvage anything. I was about to combust with anxiety, wanting to be inside where I was supposed to be with my kids!

After a few stressful minutes I had things somewhat under control, in that the puking and pooping had subsided. I sat up on the seat with freshly-dresses Nora on my knee. She looked back at me smiling with wet hair and a red tear-streaked face. “You!!!!!”

I cleaned up what I could, showered in hand sanitizer, and headed back inside with Norns in the stroller. She almost immediately fell asleep. The big kids were relieved to see me, sitting side by side within a row of kid-friendly dentist chairs. I had only been able to see Greta and was glad they were at least together!

One of the dentists struck up conversation about Nora and was excited to hear about how well she is doing. On her way over to the computer she stopped in front of me and quietly asked if I had ever spoken with the woman behind the front counter. I hadn’t other than to ask her permission to take Nora outside. The dentist went on to explain that this woman had had a baby girl with trisomy 18 several years ago. (!!!!!!!) “Aha, God!! I see what You’re up to!!” I thought to myself, tears welling up in my eyes!

With that, G&G’s appointment concluded and we made our way back to the front counter. The receptionist and I smiled warmly at each other, both of us now aware of our special bond. She came out from behind the counter. We hugged and I introduced her to still sleeping Nora. She told me all about her little girl and the precious couple of hours she got to spend with her. In all this time she had only met a couple of other t18 moms. Nora was the the only other baby she had met with t18 beside her own little one. What a very sweet encounter! The hellacious episode out in the car was suddenly absolved. I smiled the whole way home.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28 NIV)

•••••••••••••••••

“Deez aren’t cute. What’s everyone always say dat for?”

“I like to look at neat tings on my Kelly’s phone. Dat’s cute!”

“Eeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!”

“Ohh, dis is a real nice baff. I sure hope dey got my toaster turned on! It’s freezing out dere!”

Three Birds ~

Two Kids ~

One Baff ~

As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart.
(Proverbs 27:19 NIV)

Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
(1 Corinthians 13:7)

Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.
(Psalm 62:5 NIV)

Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.
(Psalm 31:24 NIV)

This girl loves her baffs!

Another “Good Morning to you!”

“Ladeez n gentledmenz? I’d like to introduce you to my second toof! Now maybe I can go to the dentiss too!!”

“New teef are almost as exciting as my beanz!”

Sweet loves ~

On Monday, November 25th William became miserably ill with a wretched stomach virus. He had to remain in quarantine while he was symptomatic. Fortunately it was only a 24 hour thing and he was home by Tuesday night. He was fully recovered by Thanksgiving and no one else caught the bug! We all missed him while he was away ~

“Wh… where’d my Dyad go?!”

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:13 NIV)

He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.
(Psalm 91:4-7 NIV)

Stay tuned for a more recent update! In the mean time please pray for Nornor! She’s got a bad, bad cold. Her little squeals are hoarse and it’s just SAD! Our Kelly is sick too! Please pray that these germs get out of here fast! We miss our Kelly!