JP's 1st Day of School (pictures to follow)

The time has come. I go back to work tomorrow. I am blessed enough for JP to get to attend the Meyer Center with me for a while, but the thought of leaving him in a classroom all morning puts knots in my stomach. Don't get me wrong, he will receive the BEST care ever! His teachers are fabulous and will probably spoil him (even more) rotten. I have no doubt that the therapy staff will fight over him. That's not what bothers me.

I will share with you what's going through my head and my heart if you promise not to tell me how silly it is....

From the time JP was 15 days old he has been in an orphanage. During that time, he had several different caregivers. When his caregiver brought him to me at 10 months old, she left.....he cried and she never returned. We moved him into a new unfamiliar environment in Guatemala for 4 weeks. THEN we moved him to a whole other environment. Since we've been home we've left him more times than I care to count b/c Scott was in the hospital. We are FINALLY home and experiencing some normalcy and now I am taking him to yet another environment to leave him for the day! These are the thoughts that are running through my mind:

1) Will he be mad at me for leaving him...again?!

2) Will he understand that I AM returning?

3) Is this TOO much transition for such a little guy?

My stomach is torn up over this. I know that mothers do this all the time. I now see why they have such a hard time doing it! I have to keep reminding myself that he is young and his life is so blessed here in the States.

Just pray for us.....well, probably just me! JP will have a ball in his little classroom---it looks like a jungle gym!

JP & Mary E.

Caught Some ZZZZ's

Last night was GREAT! JP went to bed around 10:00 and slept until 4:00. I gave him a bottle and he woke up at 8:30 this morning!! WOOHOO!

I appreciate every one's comments and advice---keep it coming!

About the food----JP was only given formula and rice cereal while he was in the orphanage. Needless to say we are having to treat him more like an infant with his food. We started him on Stage 1 baby food when we got him home. He's done great with that. The past few days, we have tried some blended up table food and snack-like foods. After I thought about it and talked with his doctor, we decided that this could be SOME of his sleeping problems. I now do not think that his little digestive system is ready for table foods. We are backing off for a while and may move to Stage 2 baby food. I still give him Cheerios and stuff like that. Although he's 12 months, his tummy is more like a 3 or 4 month old.

We'll see if this works!

Random Pics & Some Guatemalan Culture

I LOVE MY MOMMY! We bought this flag in Antigua. I thought we could add some of his culture to his room.




Maybe if I eat mommy's camera bag, she'll stop taking pictures of me!



Me and mommy

HELP!!!!

JP is waking up EVERY 20 MINUTES throughout the night. He FINALLY settles down around 3:00 or so. He is never really awake--he just screams his little head off. Real tears and everything! It brakes my heart. We thought it was gas at first, but now the gas drops are not working. We've tried Benadryl, infant Tylenol/cold, infant Tylenol, Motrin......you name it, we've tried it. Scott and I are both so cranky during the day. ANY SUGGESTIONS????

During the day, he's an angel. He naps well and is extremely happy. I hate this for him (and us!) If any of you can help us out, we'd be forever grateful!

Honey Mustard, Captain Wafers and a Blue Lolipop!

JP LOVES going out to restaurants! He is so much fun when we take him out. He is learning learning how to chew and he will cry for a captain wafer. He's also discovered cheerios!

We are going to the Meyer Center tomorrow morning for him to see his classroom. I will have to take pictures and let you know how that goes.

Birthday Fun with Mary E. & Taylor!

JP loved his birthday gifts from Mary E. and Taylor! It was ALL Baby Einstein books--his two favorite things!

We are home from the hospital. Scott is feeling better--just slow. We are very happy to be home. I am going to Babies R Us today to buy a forward facing car seat. He is going to think he died and went to Heaven!

This week is my FINAL week at home with him. I cry every time I think of that. Not quite what I had in mind when I took the time off! hehe! I am going to try and enjoy this week as much as possible.