The Healing Continues

Well, I have to admit this isn’t the easiest season of our lives, what with broken sleep and a crabby two-year old, but we are surviving, and with each day Matthew’s mouth heals more and more.

We are starting to let Matthew have his hands out of the mitts more during the day, especially if we are around to watch him. He’s pretty reluctant to put his fingers in his mouth, which is good, and if we keep an eye on him, it seems kindest to let him move around unencumbered. But of course, when he goes down for a nap or to bed, or when he’s in the car seat or stroller, we put the mitts back on, and these days we also have to use safety pins so he doesn’t weasel his hands out of them.

We are so thankful for the meals being brought in by friends, and for the calls and extra help. We really need it—I can’t tell you how much we need it. Both Aaron and I are back to our normal routines in some ways, but we remarked to each other tonight that when we’re home, we are expending A LOT of energy being parents. It seems to leave very little time for anything else.

I’ll be so glad when Matthew doesn’t need medicine in the middle of the night any longer—when I can go to sleep and wake up in the morning, refreshed. Right now sleep is precious and hard to come by. So we’re taking more deep breaths, being extra kind to ourselves and each other, and trusting that our relatively normal existence will return at some point.

As a side note, Maya and Sam are both being so patient and gracious with this whole process. They continue to shower their littlest brother with kisses and hugs, and they put up kindly with his grumpier-than-normal temperament. I can’t imagine a better big sister and brother.

Here are a few photos for you to enjoy. A couple of them are from a month or two ago—I just think they are very cute shots of Matthew that show his personality. The others are from the past two days. Nothing new—just regular life around here. I can’t wait until things really do feel normal again.

A sweet shot of Matthew's little body and serious face

Here you can really see how nicely his lip repair was done

Exploring and playing at the coffee table--one of his favorite spots in our house (and YES, that is a German beer coaster!)

This one's for Auntie Kaitlin--Matthew LOVES his new down jacket. Thanks!

Maya being the great big sister that she is!

I know I shouldn't have taken this, but I just HAD TO!